Blanksy the Street Cat

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Activities will take place during the four days at Moat Brae, which is Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling in George Street, and other venues in Dumfries – The Jolly Roger, 115 High Street; Ewart Library, Catherine Street; and The Stove Network, 100 High Street. Read More Related Articles Andy Stewart, Big DoG’s executive producer, said: “It’s going to be a great weekend. Moat Brae is such a great place to hold a festival celebrating literature for children and young adults. Big DoG will also feature an amazing chocolatey strand marking 21 years of Scots language publisher Itchy Coo by celebrating Chairlie and the Chocolate Works by Roald Dahl, translated by Matthew Fitt. Gavin lives in South Wales with his wife, his young son and their cat, George. He spends his days working as a school liaison officer with the police and won the Greenhouse Funny Prize in 2013 with his debut book, Murray the Horse. There will be a drop-in draw along with Tom Morgan-Jones – who wants help to make the biggest picture in Dumfries – and the chance to create magical stories with Liz Flanagan. Read More Related Articles

This is a gorgeous, fun-filled story that is perfect for younger readers. It has a dyslexia-friendly font and use of bold text and capitalisation which will encourage reading with expression. I loved the use of internal rhyme which makes it a joy to read aloud and is one younger children will want to read again and again. There will definitely be giggles at the warm humour and a real delight in the friendship between Pete and Blanksy. There’s also a free family garden party in the gardens at Moat Brae from noon on April 1, with storytelling, puppet theatre, music and face painting. Refreshments and a barbecue will be available. Through workshops and events with leading writers and practitioners, it provides a gateway for the next generation of authors and artists. Blanksy The Street Cat: Blanksy and Pete both live on the streets and become firm friends in this funny, modern chapter book. Pete, who busks, makes enough money for food and a hostel bed for the night. However, Blanksy hatches a plan for them to earn more money: he decides to brighten up their busking space with a bright mural painted anonymously in the middle of the night. It certainly gains attention and, as more murals appear, everyone begins wondering who Blanksy is. However, this has a surprising effect on Pete – not one that Blanksy anticipated. What Pete values about his lifestyle is freedom to move and the satisfaction of chatting to people. Neither of which can be bought. A conversation with two young avid readers reminded me of a book published some time ago that they particularly liked. I make no apology therefore for including Katherine Rundell’s The Explorer which is everything a children’s adventure story should be.The festival is named in honour of Nana, the big dog who looks after the Darling children in Peter Pan, Big DoG is the annual family festival for Dumfries. Among Big DoG’s top attractions will be the chance to make your own Gromit, Shaun the Sheep – and other much-loved TV and movie animated characters – at a special workshop run by top Aardman model-maker Jim Parkyn.

This book is about a cat called Blanksy and a busker called Pete. Pete loved busking and came across a handsome cat who was a stray. It made me happy that they became friends. I felt kind of angry and sad at the same time when people were not listening to Pete’s music and were always on their phones. I was happy when I read that Blanksy wanted to do something to help, this is what I would do if my friend needed help. He wanted to do something about it. One day he came across some paints and paint brushes and had a plan to doodle on the dull, grey walls. Then lots of people came to see the art work and listen to the music. They had lots of money and could afford a hotel and eat pizza. When Blanksy the cat discovers a talent for painting murals he uses it to draw bigger and bigger crowds to help his friend Pete the busker become rich. But will money really make Pete happy? Named in honour of Nana – the big dog who looks after the Darling children in Peter Pan – Big DoG is the annual family festival for Dumfries, while, Hooked is a weekend festival for 16 to 26-year-olds and, through workshops and events, provides a gateway for the next generation of authors and artists.Allen, who is this year’s World Book Day illustrator, said: “We can’t wait to bring Blanksy the Street Cat to Big DoG festival. Blanksy the Street Cat is a wonderfully playful, heart-warming and humorous story of friendship and the arts that completely charmed me. This is an early-reader chapter book but would work particularly well as a read-aloud as it is all written in rhyme. With a strong sense of rhythm, it feels pacey and less confident readers may lose this integral part of the book if reading independently. The cheeky cat’s personality is a source of humour throughout the book that adults as well as children will enjoy: Bert and Frank love going for bike rides – or rather they would if Bert could only stop creating chaos when he wibble-wobbles.