Nobby Travels to Hollywood: Magical Travel Books for Little People

by Darren & Julia Spence

Nobby Travels to Hollywood Supporting Cast

by Darren & Julia Spence

Character of Nobby and Illustrations by Tim Taylor Design by Martin Dedman Series consultancy by Debbie Pullinger Nobby Travels to Hollywood © 2007 Weird Grape Limited Published by Weird Grape Limited, PO Box 2903, Coulsdon, CR5 1UY www.weirdgrape.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

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N obby T ra v e ls to H O L LY W O O D

“Night night, Nobby!” The Chocolate Labrador puppy settled down in his basket. His owner switched off the kitchen lights and shut the door. He heard the stairs creaking, and then it was quiet. He should be going to sleep now. But something told Nobby it was not a night for sleep. He sniffed the air. Amongst the wafts of tonight’s dinner and damp boots drying by the fire, there was something else – a whiff of magic.

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It was a clear night, and the moon shone brightly through the kitchen window. Nobby looked across at the back door and the moonbeam falling on the dog flap.

He got out of his basket by the fire and crept across the shiny kitchen floor towards the door. He paused, wagged his tail with excitement then leapt through his dog flap.

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Nobby opened his eyes, sat up, bumped his head – and realised that he was under a chair. Peering out between the chair legs, he could see he was in a room in a house. And the door into the room was opening, very, very slowly.

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Into the room came a man wearing a blue coat, a black hat and black gloves, and looking very much like someone up to no good. He glanced all around, as if checking that no one was watching. Then he crept over to a small desk and carefully opened the drawer.

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At that moment, a small sandy-coloured dog appeared. He growled fiercely, then seized the man’s trouser leg with his teeth. It was clear to Nobby that the only thing to do was to help fend off the intruder. So he squeezed out from his place under the chair, and joined in by barking as loudly as he could.

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Nobby looked at the other dog. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I was only trying to help.” “You didn’t think he was really an intruder, did you?” said the other dog. “Isn’t he?” said Nobby. “No! This is a movie set and he’s an actor – we’re all actors.” Nobby stopped barking and realised that there were in fact a lot of other people in the room. There were people standing behind cameras, people with headphones talking into microphones, and quite a lot of other people just huddled in small groups. Some were looking cross; others looked rather surprised.

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“You’re an actor?” “Sure! This is my tenth movie. Oh yes, I’m very much in demand alsoThey wanted help toDonovan. good theseHe days. weretolucky get me.“I’m How quite did you getatonto finding things,” he said. “Perhaps I could come with you the set?” and help you find your way home.”

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“Oh, Mr Hoover, I’m so sorry!” said a woman with a very pink face. “I’ve never seen him before. Don’t worry, I’ll have him taken off the set right away.”

Before Nobby could think of an answer, a cross looking man got up and walked towards them. “It’s the director,” whispered the other dog. “What’s this puppy doing here?” thundered the director.

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“No, wait!” said the director, holding up a hand. “On second thoughts … I like it. I’m thinking this scene was a little dull – the extra barking will give it more excitement. Run it again! And keep the barking puppy.” “OK, Mr Hoover.” said the pink-faced woman. Then turning to Nobby she said, “Did you hear that? When Chuck jumps up, you’re to bark just like you did before. Got that?”

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N obby T ra v e ls to H O L LY W O O D

The noise died down and someone called, “Take three!” Once again, the man in the blue coat came through the door, and once again the small sandy-coloured dog growled and seized his trouser leg.

Right on cue, Nobby rushed over and started barking for all he was worth. It was really very easy, this acting business. Then, in his excitement, Nobby forgot what he was supposed to be doing, leapt forward and seized the man’s other trouser leg.

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The poor man wobbled for a moment, then toppled right over – sending the desk, a camera and a cameraman flying. Suddenly, everyone was rushing onto the set and shouting. “Uh-oh. I think we’d better get out of here!” said Chuck. “This way!”

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The two dogs slipped unnoticed off the set. As Nobby followed his actor friend along a street, he could hear the director’s thundering voice: “That’s it! No more dogs! Never work with children or animals!”

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“Who did you say you were?” said the sandy-coloured dog to Nobby. “Er, I didn’t,” said Nobby. “I’m Nobby, and I’m from England. I was just …”

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Walking around Hollywood with his new friend and guide, Nobby found it all very interesting. There were so many cars, and so many people, and such oddlooking trees - not to mention a strange way of decorating the hillsides.

“From England?” The sandy-coloured dog seemed impressed. “You’re visiting from England! Well, great to have you over here, Nobby. The name’s Chuck, by the way. Let me show you the sights while you’re here. You’ll know all about Hollywood, of course. Home of the movies … Home of the movie stars … You’ll love it!”

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N obby T ra v e ls to H O L LY W O O D

“Ah, here we are,” said Chuck. Nobby looked up and down the long street. This was clearly no ordinary street. For one thing, the pavement was covered in stars. “Hollywood Boulevard!” said Chuck.“And this is the Walk of Fame. The great actors, singers and famous people in the movies – they all have a star right here on this sidewalk.” Nobby looked closely at the stars. Each one was pink, and had a name across the middle.

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After walking for a few minutes, they had to stop. There was a large crowd of people, all jostling and talking. Some had cameras and microphones. And laid across the pavement was a piece of red carpet. “Ah,” said Chuck, “There must be an unveiling today.” “A what?” “When a famous person is given their own star, then they have a special ceremony called an unveiling, to show it to everyone.” Chuck and Nobby nosed their way through the legs and onto the carpet. At that moment, a car drew at the kerb. It was the Nobby andupDonovan turned around, longest, shiniest car Nobby had The door opened and and ever there,seen. stretched across the sky the crowd cheered. was a dazzling rainbow.

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N obby T ra v e ls to H O L LY W O O D

Out of the car stepped a woman with long golden hair and a sparkly dress. She looked rather surprised to see the two dogs. She stared at Nobby. “Oh! Isn’t that just the most adorable puppy you ever saw? Say, whose is this dog? Does anyone own this dog?” The people in the crowd looked around and shrugged. “Well, in that case …” she scooped Nobby up. “He can come home with me and I’ll call him Snuffles. Come on, Snuffles. You just wait in the car until I’m done here. We won’t be long.”

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The sparkly woman placed Nobby very gently on the seat of the car and shut the door.

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It all happened so fast, Nobby barely had time to realise what had happened. But … Snuffles?! “My name isn’t Snuffles!” he barked. “It’s Nobby!” But no one heard him except for the driver sitting in the front of the car. “Hey, don’cha worry little fella,” he said in a deep voice. But Nobby was very worried. Here he was, stuck inside a strange car and about to be taken away to a strange home – where they would call him Snuffles. He got up onto his hind legs, put his paws on the window and looked around for Chuck. His new friend was outside, just by the kerb. And … did he just wink?

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Chuck gave a loud woof, which made the driver look out of the window. As soon as he knew the driver was watching, Chuck sidled up to the car and lifted his leg on the shiny silver bumper.

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In a flash, the driver sprang out of the car. Nobby saw his chance and jumped out after him through the open door. “This way!” barked Chuck. Nobby was just in time to see Chuck’s tail disappearing into the crowd. As Nobby hurried after him, he could hear the man with the deep voice shouting, “Stop those critters!”

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Nobby and Chuck ran along the Boulevard, with an angry crowd of people in hot pursuit.The driver of the car led the chase, followed by some of the camera crew, then a few of the spectators, and lastly the lady with the sparkly dress, shouting “Snuffles, darling, come back to Mummy!”

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N obby T ra v e ls to H O L LY W O O D

The two dogs were much faster than the crowd and soon left them far behind. They began to slow up a little. Just as they were getting their breath back, a white van screeched to a halt alongside them. Chuck gave a yelp of alarm. “It’s the dog-catcher! If he catches you, he’ll put you in the dog pound. Quick, this way!” And he swerved off down a narrow alleyway. “Mind the garbage cans!” warned Chuck. “The what?” “There! The trash c-!” Too late.

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Nobby ducked as the metal bins clattered down around him, showering their stinking contents over his head. He shut his eyes and waited for the worst. As the clattering died down, Nobby could hear some heavy footsteps coming down the alleyway. Before he knew what was happening, a musty sack had come down over his head – and it all went very dark.

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“Nobby! Wakey, wakey!” Nobby sat still inside the sack, eyes tight shut. Then he became puzzled. Why wasn’t he in the van, being taken to the pound? And why did the sack feel so soft … and have such a familiar smell?

Nobby’s owner bent down to stroke his head, then stopped.

He opened his eyes and saw that it wasn’t a sack, but his own fluffy blanket, in his very own dog basket, in his own cosy kitchen. Nobby put his head on the blanket. Exhausted from all the chasing and excitement, he fell into a deep sleep.

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For there, scattered amongst the fluffy blankets and toys, were some bits of mouldy cabbage leaf, a couple of old teabags and a squashed lemonade can. “Nobby! Have you been rummaging in the bin again? Anyone would think we didn’t feed you!” Nobby opened his eyes slowly and wagged his tail, apologetically. A bit of crumpled, tea-stained newspaper flew out from the basket onto the floor. His owner picked up a crumpled paper and straightened it out. “Los Angeles Times? Honestly, Nobby. Where do you find these things?”

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Facts about Hollywood ...

$ US Dollar Money: American Cocker American Dog: Spaniel A Famous Landmark: The Hollywood Sign Languages Spoken: English, Spanish Flying Time from London, England: 10 Hours 44 - © 2008 Weirdgrape Publishing

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