The Little Bookroom in Carlton is one of those wonderful places that I could stay in all day. It’s cosy and inviting, and filled with children’s books. In the last school holidays, I took Mr 6 there for a story and drawing session with Tull Suwannakit. Tull is the illustrator of Sad, the Dog, written by Sandy Fussell.

Tull read us Sad’s story, and then taught us all – kids and adults – how to draw dogs. So much fun! Some of my dogs looked a little wonky but Mr 6 was very proud of his efforts.

Sad the dog is the story of a neglected dog, who eventually is given a new name because – you guessed it – he is not so sad at the end of the book.

I can’t imagine a small kid who wouldn’t like this story – a gorgeous dog, a lovely and satisfying story, beautiful watercolour illustrations.

Some students from RMIT filmed a short video about Tull. Thank you to Binny Park from RMIT for allowing me to share it. For those of you who know our family, you can find a tiny glimpse of Mr 6 and me in the film. Tull’s words about art offering the ‘freedom to express, to explore’ resonated strongly with me.

 

You can read a fabulous interview with Sandy Fussell on Nicole Melanson’s blog, Word Mothers.