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It has been an incredibly busy year, with two book releases and two new titles in the pipeline. Harriet and Gus will be released together in January 2022. They are stand-alone titles that complement each other.
Thanks to the many people who have suggested and encouraged me to write these titles; demand is already high so I’m offering a pre-order option through this website. As soon as stock arrives in January your order will be dispatched. Schools and kindergartens and organisations, please contact me directly to order.
Kate Bouman has done a gorgeous job illustrating both titles and I’m delighted that my publisher, New Holland Australia, has decided to release these lovely books in hardcover.
Thank you to those who continue to purchase my books, send me emails with feedback, share their own dog stories, make suggestions re the next book, spread the word about the books and encourage me to keep writing every time I say this book is the last. A special thanks to my regular customers, I appreciate your ongoing interest and support of my work.
I wish all a safe end of year and Christmas, and onwards and upwards for us all in 2022.
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I am pleased to announce that latest release, With A Dog's Love - Clever Dogs Helping Humans is now available. It's been a very different project to my previous works, one that was a labour of love with some interesting challenges. I’ve enjoyed the journey and am thrilled with the end result. Thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered this title. It missed the scheduled release date due to transport delays and shortages, roadblocks and lockdowns but is now well on the way to booksellers and to me.
Throughout this project I've had the pleasure of communicating with sixteen terrific people, who have allowed the stories of their wonderful dogs to be told. I appreciate that they gave free licence to work with their stories, regularly being on line to jump through hoops, meet deadlines and supply whatever additional information, clarification or photographs I asked for. Their enthusiasm for the project added a new dimension and loads of fun.
A huge thank you to photographer Richard Tapp for his editing of photos, something I have no skill whatsoever at. I don’t know where the book would have been without him.
I hope that readers of With a Dog's Love will enjoy the stories.
Next Door’s Dog has a Job and Next Door’s Dog goes to School are going to be reprinted, having once again sold out. To the many people who have contacted me and registered their interest, therefore helping this to happen, thank you. If you want to purchase these titles, which will be in high quality softcover and available in September 2021, please do so through the website or contact me through the CONTACT section of this site.
I look forward to seeing these two Dogs living on to educate children about disabilities and assistance dogs. Any questions, please get in touch. Thank you!
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With a Dog’s Love, Clever Dogs Helping Humans is due for release in September 2021. This hardcover book, aimed at older children and teenagers but getting a lot of interest from adults as well, is a compilation of sixteen true stories about dogs that make a difference to one or many humans. Containing lovely photographs, With a Dog’s Love has been described as both inspirational and educational, as several of the dogs help humans in ways that many would not have considered.
Thank you so much to the hundreds of people who shared stories of their dogs and a particular thank you for the sixteen stories that were chosen for this book. Each contributor has been so generous with their time in providing photographs, information and stories, and for giving me free licence to adapt stories to suit publication for our young readers.
We all look forward to seeing With a Dog’s Love on people’s bookshelves in September. Who knows, if it sells well there may be a sequel one day! Please feel free to pre-order your copy now. Individuals can order through this website and schools and organisations please contact me for an order form.
Thank you for the wonderful emails and reviews that I have received following the release of this title. I have been overwhelmed by the interest and support this book continues to generate. Thanks also to the RSL Clubs, veterans, schools, libraries and kindergartens who have ordered. A handful of reviews are below. Gina Dawson.
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I would just like to tell you that your book is beautiful and it will be a pleasure to present to our local schools. Thank you very much
Cheers
Leonie Gilford - Wingham RSL
What amazing books! Your words were so very carefully and thoughtfully chosen to explain the subjects beautifully. The illustrations were lovely too.
Tracey Hill – Teacher Librarian
We are only a small sub branch of 30 members but were very impressed with the books supplied and would like to donate of set of each of your 4 Next Door's Dog books to local primary schools.
Best regards
Ian Arnel
Hon. Secretary
Gisborne/Macedon Ranges Sub Branch RSL
We have received your book & we are both impressed. PTSD is a tricky subject to explain let alone put into words. Your book is insightful, respectful & will help the young & not so young to understand better the impact of the problem on the individual .
The Turners
I must say we are highly impressed with your book "Next Door's Dog is a Veteran's Dog".
Thank you
Regards
Bob Richards MID,CG
Paws for Hope and Understanding
Next Door's Dog is a Veteran's Dog is a carefully laid out but simple explanation, for all age Groups, about Assistance Dogs, their benefits and enormous help these dogs give many.
The book leads the reader in easy steps, as Dad explains to his son about his mate next door, his anxiety problems and how Poppy helps. It concludes with something that our society is only now recognising, that it is not only the Veterans that have anxiety problems but also our Community Front line workers.
This is an excellent book and a definite for all School libraries. Thank you, Gina Dawson, this book is a credit to your skill and to illustrator Vivienne Da Silva.
Chris Eddy
Secretary RSL Nanango Sub Branch
YES !! My book has arrived. I just love it!
Lorraine - Teacher Librarian
Librarian Lorraine set up this amazing ANZAC display at Dongara District High School. She said that the display was inspired by and centred around Next Door’s Dog is a Veteran’s Dog. The focus was on the roles of animals during and after conflict and the aftermath of war.
I felt honoured that the book was used as a centrepiece for such a beautiful display, which will remain in place until mid-May.
Thank you Lorraine and Dongara District High School.
There have been a few hold-ups, with Christmas, shipping delays, restrictions and more, but I’m thrilled to say that Next Door’s Dog is a Veteran’s Dog is about to hit the bookshelves.
Again, a huge thank you to the kindergartens, schools, libraries, RSL and other veteran organisations and individuals who have supported, ordered or spread the word about this title.
The fourth in the Next Door’s Dog series, Next Door’s Dog is a Veteran’s Dog is in durable hardcover, and beautifully and accurately illustrated by Vivienne da Silva.
I very much appreciate the lovely emails I’ve received in response to this book release. It feels very satisfying to know that the book will be used not just as a story of Veteran Joe and his dog, but as a tool to educate children about the very important topics of mental health, invisible disability and the invaluable role that Assistance Dogs play.
I am delighted that Next Door’s Dog is a Veteran’s Dog will be released on April 1st, 2021. To my knowledge this is the only book of its type, educating children about PTSD and Assistance Dogs. I have been overwhelmed by the help and support I have had from veterans, first responders and Assistance Dog organisations, as well as from schools, kindergartens and psychologists. Pre-orders are now being taken so please get in touch if you wish to order. Bulk orders to organisations can also be arranged.
I was invited, along with Assistance Dog, Kiera, to Burnside Library in January 2021 to take part in their school holiday program. In our session, I spoke with the children about two topics, writing books and Assistance Dogs. I believe it really important to educate children about correct etiquette around Assistance Dogs as they become more prevalent in our society. After our chat, I read two books from the Next Door’s Dog series. The children concluded the session by painting dog rocks.
There were twenty children with parents in the group. Emily Holmes of Klemzig brought her two daughters, Cadence and Lillian, to the session and said they learnt a lot. “We had watched a documentary on working dogs so this session was perfect. It is good for the girls to understand how to behave around an assistance dog.”
I also took the opportunity to announce the fourth book in the Next Door’s Dog series, Next Door’s Dog is a Veteran’s Dog, which is due for release in April 2021.
Following the session, some children chose to have photographs taken with Kiera and I, and others chose to purchase books.
Thank you to Caroline, Jenny and Angus of Burnside Library. It was a lovely morning.
It’s been a quiet year for author visits, with many schools and centres scaling down or cancelling Book Week due to COVID-19 restrictions.
It was lovely to have the opportunity to visit a school and a kindergarten during November. At both venues the children were very enthusiastic participants in the sessions, where we discussed how books are made from idea to shop shelf, as well as reading books from the Next Door’s Dog series.
Thank you to the wonderful staff and children at these venues. For those that were booked for 2020 but were unable to proceed, I look forward to making up for lost time next year and visiting you all. May 2021 be a better year for all.