By Bridget Kelly
Children’s book Rocky’s Cheeky Sneaky Breakfast is set to be released today at Botany Library.
The book, which is co-created by Howick locals Monique Richardson and Kate Key, is about a cheeky sausage dog’s hungry ways.
Richardson and Key have been friends since they first attended Howick College, and writing and illustrating this book has been a dream come true for both of them.
The book is based on Monique’s 11-year-old sausage dog Rocky.
The story came from an eventful Father’s Day for Monique; she had made a breakfast platter for her father, and left it on the coffee table.
She turned her back for a minute and Rocky demolished the lot.
In the book, Rocky learns that if he says ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, he can have some food, and the pair hope this will resonate with children
“Hopefully kids will learn something from it. We wanted to write something that had a purpose.”
The real Rocky, however, still has a lot to learn about manners according to Richardson.
The book is aimed at 3-5 year olds, and colouring packs, badges and t-shirts are also available.
It took the pair three years to write and illustrate the book in their spare time, and they are publishing it independently.
Richardson currently works as a PR person at a media agency, and Key as a freelance graphic designer. They hope to create a series and work on it full time.
“I would love that – that is the ultimate dream,” said Richardson.
They have had some publishers follow their Instagram, so they are hopeful that this could go further.
“It’s just kind of cool for both of us to show a little bit more of what we can do,” said Kate.
They will be in the showcase room at the Botany Library from 3pm-5pm on Saturday. The book will be available for purchase, as will sausage dog colouring packs, badges and t-shirts.
