<Tr> <Th> ISBN </Th> <Td> 978 - 0 - 14 - 034724 - 1 </Td> </Tr> <P> Stig of the Dump is a children's novel by Clive King, first published in the United Kingdom in 1963 . It is regarded as a modern children's classic and is often read in schools . It was illustrated by Edward Ardizzone and has been twice adapted for television, in 1981 and in 2002 . It was first broadcast as an adaptation on BBC Home Service for schools in November 1964, and later on the BBC series Blue Peter . </P> <P> Barney is a bored young boy staying with his grandparents on the chalk Downs of southern England . One day, he falls over the edge of an old chalk pit close to his grandparents' house, tumbling through the roof of a den . While exploring the den, Barney encounters its owner, Stig, a caveman with shaggy, black hair and bright black eyes . The chalk pit is disused and full of people's dumped rubbish . </P> <P> Barney and Stig quickly become friends . They learn to communicate with each other without language, as Stig speaks no English . Stig's den is a place built out of discarded rubbish, which motivates Barney to help Stig make it look more attractive . They spend time repairing and improving Stig's den, collecting firewood, going hunting, and at one point catching some burglars who break into Barney's grandparents' house . Although Barney mentions Stig to others, no - one believes that Stig is real . </P>

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