Dog walks inspired children's books

Taking his dog for a walk along Ocean Beach has led Umina graphic designer Mr Barry Parker to write a number children's books.

"It was the antics of my blue healer and the way she interacted with other dogs that started getting me thinking about a story," said Mr Parker.

He has released Pepper Gets Lost, the first of a series of illustrated fictional books about Pepper, the naughty cattle dog.

Mr Parker said Peninsula residents would, "no doubt, recognise familiar places and wildlife as they explore Ocean Beach through Pepper's adventures".

He said that Pepper was named after his own dog.

"Pepper is actually a female in real life and the character is a male."

"I have owned Pepper from six weeks old in 2002.

"At the time, I worked from home and Pepper would sleep by my feet for most of my working day.

"After 16 weeks, I was able to start walking her at the beach.

"Pepper loved the beach.

"She chased seagulls, got covered in sand, sniffed bums (human and dog) and made some friends.

"There was Monty (a Jack Russel), Nudge (a Border Collie) and Kelly (a kelpie).

"It was at the beach watching the antics of these dogs that I became inspired to write a book about Pepper.

"The other inspiration came from where we live.

"Being surrounded by National Park, we regularly see a lot of native wildlife.

"Originally from England, I don't take a lot of the Australian wildlife around for granted and I notice a lot of things around me.

"A story started to evolve in my head and I then began to write Pepper Gets Lost.

"I started work on the Adventures of Pepper the Naughty Cattle Dog in 2002 and worked tirelessly on developing the characters and creating the style of illustration until I was completely satisfied with it.

"I wrote and illustrated Pepper and Charlie, a younger kid's picture book in 2006 for a Christmas gift to my nieces.

"Pepper and Charlie will be released after Pepper Gets Lost.

"After completing all the illustrations for Pepper Gets Lost, market research, business and marketing plans and support from the NSW Government, I have been finally able to launch The Adventures of Pepper, the Naughty Cattle Dog.

"My aim is to make Pepper the most famous Australian cattle dog in the world."

Media Release, website, 24 Nov 2010 Barry Parker, Umina