*** !!!!! Childrens Book !!!!! ***

[randomsugar]

In my primary school when I was very young (it was in the early-mid 90s) I remember a book with characters with names like Biff and Chip. Also they owned a dog, and had some sort of magic key. Does anyone remember anything else about these books?

Any answers will most likely help thanx xxx

[IndieSinger]

Yes, they were Biff, Chip, Kipper and Floppy (the dog). Only recently was the idea of the Magic Key introduced (when ah were a lad, ee bah gum, walk 27 miles to school every day in the snow, uphill both ways etc.) and the books changed their name from Biff, Chip and Kipper to The Magic Key (but the characters retained their names). There was no Magic Key element when they first came out. I think there is an Asian character in it these days too (Asians didn't exist when I was at school).

[ludwig]

Yes randomsugar, they are still using these books today. Both my kids (10 and 5) brought them home soon after they started school. I think they're just about the first books with words in that they give you at primary.

[IndieSinger]

There are the first and last books, ludwig (so get used to them!) as they are in different stages (colours). They start with white, which are literally just pictures books. The spine then changes colour for each "Reading Level" until you get onto (at least in my day) the purple-spined books, which are mainly illustrated texts.

[luc]

These books have also been made in to a schools programme which is quite often shown about 10 in the morning on bbc2. If you know the books then it is quite fun re-living the experience in cartoon! Its called Magic Key! And if you are really into it you could also buy the magazine ( i get pressured to every fortnight by my daughter!)

(Indiesinger is right, they now have Asian and Black characters, i think the Asian girl is called Wilma and the boy is Wilf) 

[dafyd]

If you're looking for them, it would be useful to know that they're part of the Oxford Reading Tree - I know that the Waterstone's where I work sells them.

[IndieSinger]

What do you want for three stars, randomsugar? Biff, Chip and Kipper presented to you in a sparkly box with a big pink bow?

[randomsugar]

So what if I rated answers 2*'s, it's my choice I am still grateful for all the replies (except yours). And for the record sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, so I shall rate you answer 1*

ha

[Hgrove]

As Dafyd wrote, they are the Oxford Reading Tree published by the Oxford University Press.  The authors are Roderick Hunt (storywriter) and Alex Brychta (illustrator).  My daughter's school uses them and she brings them home regularly to practise her reading on.   I have to say they are very good.

[Hgrove]

P.S. They also have the characters Wilf and Wilma, friends of Biff etc.

[fathead]

if you go on the bbc schools website KS1 they have activities with the characters

[Jackanory]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/magickey/

Click on the link for a trip down memory lane!  :o)

[raindog]

My kids all used them-they also have things hidden in the pictures-usually pairs of glasses and stuff-so you can play a sort of 'where's wally' game with them.