Slinky Malinky is blacker than black, a stalking and lurking cat – but the only thing lurking in Tauranga's Books A Plenty store today were fans lining up to hear Dame Lynley Dodd read her new book.

About 120 fans gathered in the Grey Street store to listen to Lynley read her new book Slinky Malinky - Early Bird and more than 50 books were sold within 30 minutes of her appearance.

Dame Lynley Dodds with Samuel Carpenter, 8, and Emma Carpenter, 6, at the book signing of her new book Slinky Malinky.

Lynley, a Tauranga-based writer, says the determined and cheeky Slinky Malinky is much like her pet cat, who wakes everybody up before the crack of dawn.

'It was based on the activities of our cat, who probably like everybody else's cat gets up far too early in the morning.

'In this book all he does is get everybody up and go back to bed,” says Lynley.

The renowned author set out to amuse children in the hope they would enjoy the language of rhyme.

'Rhyme is a big thing with children. Because if we all think about our childhood playground chants and rhymes, it's the rhythm and the sound of the language that gets to them.”

When Lynley writes, she attempts to remember her childhood and imagine what would have appealed to her as a youngster.

Turning out to enjoy the reading were Tauranga youngsters Honey, 7, and Poppy, 5, Drew, who brought along pictures of their favourite cat Slinky Malinky.

Two adoring fans, Honey and Poppy Drew coloured in pictures of Slinky Malinky to give to Lynley.

'I like cats because they are soft,” says Honey.

This newest edition is not the end for the adventure of curious animals and memorable rhyme, says Lynley who says she is not ready to give up writing quite yet.

'I don't think I'm ready to stop no, but these days its getting quite difficult to get down to the creative work because there's so many other aspects of the whole thing that actually take up so much of my time now.

'That's disappointing because I've got lots of ideas id like to get on with, but ill have to try.”

Photos: Daniel Hines

Crowds of children gather to hear Dame Lynley Dodd read her new book.

Tauranga youngsters Poppy Drew, 5, and Honey Drew, 7, with pictures they have drawn of Slinky Malinky.

Dame Lynley Dodd reads to children at Books A Plenty in Grey Street.

Dame Lynley Dodd with Stevie Grace, 5, at the book signing of her new book Slinky Malinky.

Beatrice Sutherland, 3, relaxes in a bean bag at Books A Plenty.