Fruit-loving dog a lively kids’ tale
This bouncy page turner will have children guessingwhat type of fruit Boo gets his teeth into next. With a catchy rhythm and rhyme, this delightful book will have everyone joining in . . . with a fun surprise ending.
Rachel Weston was inspired towrite this story because her dog had an avocado addiction. Every night under the cover of darkness he would sneak over to the neighbours’ property and steel an avocado (or three!) from their tree.
Scott Tulloch’s bright and humorous illustrations pop off the page bringing Boo and characters to life.
Whatagreat, fun title for abook, wheredid this ideacomefrom?
The idea comes from Boo going crazy for fruit! Homealone and hungry, Boo spies the fruit bowl. Hetries each fruit variety until one fruit tickles his tastebuds, sending him crazy for more!
Youfeature lots of deliciousnewzealand fruit including kiwifruit, plums andavocado’s is this becauseyouliveon akiwifruit orchard?
Yes. Wecurrently live on a kiwifruit orchard and have previously owned an avocado orchard. I couldn’t go past Newzealand’s iconic kiwifruit, along with avocados and other fruits that children love to eat!
Is themaincharacter in thebook thedogbooinspiredbyadog youowned?
Yes. Our dog was a 65kg leonberger! Boo is pintsized corgi, whomakes up for his small size with his larger than life personality!
Is this your first collaboration with Scott Tullochandwhydid youchoose towork with him?
Yes. I saw Scott’s illustration work in othernew Zealand children’s books and loved his humorous style.
Youhave three children. Doyou test your books outonthem first?
Yes, although they are all teenagersnow— and brutally honest!
Howlong does it takeyouto thinkupthe storyline for a book?
Sometimes a storyline thread pops intomyhead, complete from start to finish, which then requires building and developing. At other times, likeboo goestuttifrutti, it is a single event or experience.
Doyouthink children relate moreto rhyming books?
I think rhyming words are easy for children to remember and anticipate. Rhymingwords help children notice sounds and teaches them about language, which helps to prepare them for reading and writing.
Doyouthink readingwill help children through this strange time of Covid?
Reading helps us to understand the world around us and also escape from the world around us. So yes, I do think it can help during this strange time ofcovid. Reading with children is a precious time of togetherness in a busy world. I heard on the radio the other day, relating to Covid, for parents to lend children their calm. By reading books to children you are sharing your time, love, laughter, joy, closeness and your calm.
Is there anotherbookin the pipeline?
Yes! Agorgeous picture book, currently being illustrated by Deborah Hinde, calledbumblebee. The story shows simply, yet beautifully, themagic of pollination and synergy between flowers and bees. You’ll follow Bumblebee through the seasons of the year, but when Bumblebee awakens from hibernation, there are no flowers.