Kerikeri’s shaggy dog story
Reluctant readers finding their voice with the help of star of a new children’s book
A“reading dog” which helps nervous readers at a Northland school is the star of a new children’s book. Twice a week, Meg the reading dog heads to Kerikeri Primary School where she takes a seat on the library couch, rests her head on the nearest lap, and listens patiently while children read to her.
The idea is that reluctant or struggling readers will grow in confidence and learn to enjoy books by reading to someone — or in this case, a cuddly retradoodle or retriever-poodle cross — who never judges or corrects them.
Kerikeri author Richard Ward heard about Meg’s work and decided it would make a fine subject for a children’s book.
The result, Sam and the Reading
Dog, was launched this week at Kerikeri Primary School library, with the author, teachers, about 30 children and, of course, the book’s canine star in attendance. Also there was 7-year-old Drew Baldock-Heta, who was the inspiration for Sam.
Librarian Kristine “Mrs Kris” Robinson said Meg had been coming to the school for six years so the children were used to having her around.
“Meg will put her chin on their lap and away they go . . . it’s a lovely thing we have with her.”
However, Meg could also be mischievous, she said.
“The children have to be very careful with their lunches. She has been known to take a bite out of a filled roll. But she’s always soft and she always smells good.”
Deputy principal Kerry Maxwell said reading to Meg was good for the children’s confidence because she never judged them or complained if they got something wrong.
Meg’s owner, Jannetta Wilmar, said she was approached at Kerikeri’s Sunday market by an SPCA staffer who thought Meg would be ideal for the organisation’s Outreach programme, in which pets are taken to schools and retirement homes as a form of therapy.
“I really enjoy working with children and I love my dog. I’ve found something I can do with both,” Wilmar said.
“The children are more relaxed because they’re sitting with Meg, who’s calm and cosying up to them. They just love reading to her.”
Meg appeared unfazed by her new-found fame during Wednesday’s book launch, even though she could now find herself in the curious position of listening to children reading
a book about Meg the reading dog. Instead, she showed more interest in the sausage rolls.
Sam and the Reading Dog is Ward’s first children’s book. He has previously written what he describes as “three bad novels” and a raft of educational texts in his former career as a university lecturer.
These days, when he’s not writing, he runs an orchard in Honeymoon Valley near Kaitaia.
The book’s illustrations are by “dog mad” Gabriella Klepatski of Milford.