Selby is a self titled novel series written by Australian author Duncan Ball and illustrated by Allan Stomann or M.K. Brown. The books chronicle the adventures of the eponymous talking dog Selby, together with his owners Dr and Mrs Trifle. Since the release of the first book, Selby's Secret, there have been fifteen other releases and three companion books. The books were intended for younger children but it has spanned to other age groups. So far, there have been 16 short story books, 2 joke books and one "selection" in the Selby Series.
''Selby's Secret''
Selby's Secret is the first book in the Selby Series by Duncan Ball. It was first published in 1985 and is the oldest book in the series.
Stories
Selby's Secret
understands human talk while watching Hearthwarm Hearth, a show about a butler working in a huge mansion. Selby decides to learn how to speak the language by practising in front of a mirror while the Trifles were away. The now intelligent Selby decides to make this the Trifles' gift for Christmas until he realises that it would ruin his life forever, therefore keeping his ability a secret.
Professor Krakpott's Puzzle
When Selby's cold causes a gift to be broken, Selby must try to piece the plate back together before the professor arrives.
Aunt Jetty Drops In
Selby exposes his secret when Aunt Jetty steps on his tail.
Aunt Jetty's dog Crusher destroys a cake and Selby attempts to create a new one.
The Enchanted Dog
Selby accidentally knocks out Postie Paterson in a play and has to take his part.
The Shampooed Pooch
Selby tries to foil Cousin Wilhemina's attempt to win the Bogusville Canine Society's annual god show.
Raid on Planet Kapon
Following a blackout at the Bogusville Bijou, Selby experiences the events of the movie in real life.
Selby Delivers the Goods
After hearing that the Trifles didn't order peanut prawns, Selby calls the Spicy Onion for some and to have them delivered to Selby's House - only to find out that the food was for the Fire Brigade.
Selby's Beautiful Body
After being unable to fit through a hole, Selby thinks that he's put on weight.
Lucky Millions
Selby wins a viewers' phone-in prize - only to realise that the winner has to sign a form.
A Busman's Holiday
Selby didn't realise that the "dream holiday" won from the phone-in prize is not as dream-like as he thought.
''Selby Speaks''
Selby Speaks is the 2nd book in the Selby books. It was published in 1988.
''Selby Screams''
Selby Screams is the 3rd book in the Selby books. It was published in 1989.
''Selby Supersnoop''
Selby Supersnoop is the 4th book in the Selby books. It was published in 1995.
Stories
Selby Supersnoop, Dog Detective
Selby in Suspense
Selby on the Loo
The Furred Frenzy
Selby Bites Back
Pegleg Peggy's Treasure
Selby Home and Hosed
The JAWS that Snatch
Selby Supersnout
Selby Unstuck
Smoochy Pooch
Phantom Footprints
Underground Underdog
High Hat Harry the Happy Hypnotist
''Selby Spacedog''
Selby Spacedog is the 5th book in the Selby books. It was published in 1996.
Stories
Sunny Daze
The Dangling Dog
Books, Bombs and Book Weel
Daggers of Death
Bogusville Bonanza
Tower in the Terror
Selby's Solo
Selby in Cyberspace
Selby Dyes
Selby Confesses
Selby Superpooch
Bungy Bungle
Selby, Spacedog
''Selby Snowbound''
Selby Snowbound is the 6th book in the Selby books. It was published in 1998.
Mrs and Dr Trifle leave a sorcery set for Willy and Billy as a birthday present. Selby has a play with the set and then puts it back. When Willy and Billy come they fight over the sorcery set until they find Selby and chase him around the house. Just then Selby picks up a wand that came with the sorcery set and then Willy and Billy become nice. Selby makes Billy and Willy his slaves and make them buy him some peanut prawns with their birthday money as well as doing other chores. When the Trifles come back Willy and Billy are still nice but when Willy says that Selby has the wand,Selby eats the wand in order to stop his secret from coming out. Willy and Billy start being horrid again as their wand has gone. This leads to the Trifles sending Willy and Billy right home. Mrs Trifle tells Selby that she hopes they had not hurt him, but he will always be their magic little dog. Selby then thinks And living with you two is all the magic I need and goes to sleep happily ever after.
''Selby Scrambled''
Selby Scrambled is the 12th book in the Selby books. It was published in 2004.
''Selby's Shemozzle''
Selby's Shemozzle is the 13th book in the children's book series about Selby the talking dog. It is written by Duncan Ball and illustrated by Allan Stomann. This book frequently uses the word "shemozzle" which means a disaster or catastrophe.
Stories
Selby's Shemozzle
After listening to a tape of Gary Gagg's best jokes, the problem arises that Gary is afraid to tell jokes in Bogusville because he thinks that everyone will hate him after his "killer joke." Gary's killer joke, according to Gary, was a joke which was unintended. Gary had meant to say the normal joke but his mouth, which seemed to have a "mind of its own," said a different punchline, ending in a killer joke and forcing Gary to play the joke on a tape and listen to it many times until he got used to the joke. However, Mrs Trifle asks Gary to tell the elephant and mouse joke which Gary has tried to improve, but with no success. Later, Gary Gaggs tries to help Mrs Trifle record her speech about the closing of Bogusville hospital, which she has to broadcast via radio, while Selby tries to act like Gary and tells the elephant and mouse joke, but the joke turns into a killer joke. Later Selby records the joke and plays it over and over until he is tired of it, unaware that the tape was exactly the same one which Mrs Trifle recorded her speech on. When the speech is broadcast on the radio, it turns out that the wrong side of the tape was played, the side which Selby recorded his joke on. The killer joke causes many minor injuries throughout Bogusville and in the end Bogusville hospital was not closed down due to "joke injuries."
Other Stories
Selby's Stash of Cash
Selby and the Chocolate Factory
Sylvia's Secret
You Lucky Dog, You!
The Blood of the Wolfman
Seeing-Eye Selby
Dry-Mouth Drama
Selby's Secret Diary
See-Through Selby
See-Through Selby's Return
See-Through Selby's Return
''Selby Shattered''
Selby Shattered is currently the 14th, book in the Selby Series. It was published in 2006.
The story begins with Selby unable to move and the Trifles worried about Selby. It turns out that Dr Trifle had invented a new type of water called "Nice"- standing for "Not ice." This water freezes in the heat instead of the cold. It turns out that Selby had accidentally drunk the Nice because he was thirsty. Many people tried to melt Selby but nothing, not even electricity or tickling or jiggling, worked. However, Selby's brain is still active but he is also put on display and becomes an attraction- "The Frozen Dog." Later he is moved to Professor Krakpott's "Museum of Old and Crusty Things" where Pindy, Windy and Sindy, The Terribble Terror," shatters Selby into hundreds and thousands of pieces. Suddenly, just before Selby was swept away, Jigsaw Jabbar reassembles Selby as though it was a puzzle.After he is reasembled his Life is saved for Dr Trifle melts Selby.
''Selby Santa''
Selby Santa is the 15th book in the Selby books. It was published in 2007.
''Selby Sprung''
Selby Sprung is the final, and 16th, book in the Selby Series. It was published in 2010.
Selby's Joke Book is a book in the Selby book series. It was published in between Selby Snaps! and Selby Splits.
Plot
This book is full of Gary Gaggs's best jokes.
''Selby's Selection''
Selby's Selection is a book in the Selby Series. It contains a selection of Selby's favourite stories and contains bios on each character as well as stand-up comedy acts and jokes by Gary Gaggs. There are also poems and plays. This book even contains a map of Bogusville, but Selby "changed lots of things."
