Digby O'Day Up, Up, and Away

The sky’s the limit in the third Digby O’Day adventure from the talented mother-daughter pair of author Shirley Hughes and illustrator Clara Vulliamy.

Digby O’Day and his best friend, Percy, are headed to the air show to see gliders, helicopters, and hot-air balloons. Ariel, the new pet parrot of insufferable neighbor Lou Ella, sneaks out to tag along. But when the friends get to the air show, they notice that Lou Ella has followed them. They hide, but unfortunately, they’re crouched in the basket of a hot-air balloon, and one big gust of wind sets the balloon flying. Between Digby’s fear of heights and Percy’s hungry tummy, they’ve got problems—and then a big storm rumbles in. Can the trio find a way to land the balloon safely? And if they do, will Ariel have to return to his perch at Lou Ella’s house, or is there a better option? Daring readers will love soaring into the wild blue yonder with these clever characters, and when they’ve finished reading, they can engage in the included games and activities featuring Digby and his friends.As in the previous Digby O’Day titles, endearing red-accented illustrations complement the gentle story, which holds just the right amount of humor and mild suspense for young readers. A soaring new adventure.
—Booklist OnlineShirley Hughes (1927–2022) was the author of more than fifty children’s books and the illustrator of some two hundred more. One of the world’s best-loved writers for children, she received the Kate Greenaway Medal twice and was awarded an OBE for her distinguished service to children’s literature. In 2007, her book Dogger was voted the U.K.’s favorite Kate Greenaway Medal–winning book of all time.

Clara Vulliamy began her career illustrating for newspapers and magazines but switched to children’s books after having children of her own. The illustrator of two previous Digby O’Day tales, she lives in England.