My Dog, Hen
Written & illustrated by David Mackintosh
Prestel. 2022.
40pp HB picture book.
TPS: 280 x 215mm/Printed 4/4 in four spot inks.
“Why get a brand-new dog when Hen is as good as new to us?”
Carried home in a cardboard box that was used for cereal, Hen eats his food, then all of his toys – before enthusiastically devouring his new home! But granma has a solution for making the most of an unsustainable situation, and it won't cost a penny.
Text, design & illustrations © David Mackintosh, 2022.
Published by Prestel, an imprint of Penguin Randomhouse. 2022.
Watch a video about making this book.
About the story:
It’s always nice to get new things, but things don’t have to be brand new every time. Some of the nicest things I’ve received are hand-me-down or second hand. And I like to make things from discarded things: old cardboard, packaging (from brand new things I’ve bought), papier maché things from old newspapers I’ve read. I like the idea that happiness doesn’t have to come with a 12 month guarantee. A rescue dog can bring plenty of happiness to someone, whether it’s a puppy that brings with it all the demands of a new pet, or an older animal that doesn’t smell quite so nice, but doesn’t eat your new shoes. The question of whether I need yet another thing to clutter my little flat is ever-present, and now I have twelve copies of a book about the subject to deal with.
About the illustrations in this book:
The illustrations are made using pen, watercolour, ink, oil pencil and kraft paper. Then they are separated into four plates based on the spot inks I’m using. The inks overprint and knock-out each other depending on the desired effect. Originally, the book was designed to be in two inks but Prestel suggested four, so we added two.
Watch a musical trailer about My Dog, Hen.
This excellent plush is available as a sewing pattern thanks to my friend Debbie.
A very fine tote bag to carry your plush and a copy of the book.
