Pete Moffatt, Author: My fondness for writing stories for children comes from my love of reading stories to them. As a school teacher many years ago, I loved sitting with a book in hand and watching children happily slip into story-land. After hearing from my brother-in-law (Poppa) about his antics with Jed the dog while fixing a fence, I found myself retelling the story - with some exaggeration and an imaginary ending to my grandsons. Watching their reactions, I knew I had a story worth writing. I chose rhyming couplets to help tell the tale and support children's phonetic reading. Finding local artist Mike Howell, with his talent, and enthusiasm for creating something special for children, was a real blessing. His ability to interpret my imagery while adding his own humour and creativity has contributed greatly to this book. Special thanks to Mike, to Jed - a dog truly larger than life, and to his family for allowing me to tell their story.
Mike Howell, Illustrator: Over the past twenty years I have illustrated 30 books, ten of them featuring dogs of various breeds. Each has had its own personality, and Jed is no exception. As a lifelong dog owner, I enjoy capturing the unique expressions and character that make dogs so lovable. On his first visit, Jed happily posed at my feet while I sketched him, only briefly wandering off to investigate potential food sources in the rubbish bins. Like all family members, pets have their quirks. While their antics can be frustrating at times, they often become the stories we laugh about most. I hope you enjoy this portrayal of a family and their much-loved dog. The only "AI" involved was Animal Inspiration.
