It’s such a fun line-up including storytelling by some of the country’s best authors, model-making, drawing and lots more.

Andy Stewart, Big DoG’s Executive Producer, said : “It’s such a fun line-up – including storytelling by some of the country’s best authors, model-making, drawing and lots more. Everything’s designed to fire young imaginations and help share our love of children’s literature. “Some events are free – like our garden party – and we are trying to keep prices affordable because we want as many people as possible to join us for the weekend.”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. 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. 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! I’m particularly looking forward to seeing all the fantastically imaginative artwork from the draw-along and workshop. Moat Brae looks like a fantastic venue for Blanksy to unleash his artistic creativity and I’m excited to visit Dumfries for the first time.”

The three friends have found in it a place which has made them welcome when their families have failed them. Jim said: “I am thrilled to be coming to the Big DoG festival. I have a big dog and will be bringing him along as well. Looking forward to playing with clay with everyone in Dumfries.” 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?I think this book is really funny because it says ‘I will put ants in your pants that will make you want to dance’ and it says ‘poopy doopy’. I liked singing the songs out loud. My favourite part is where Blanksy finds some paint and paint brushes.

Blanksy the Street Cat is a wonderfully playful, heart-warming and humorous story of friendship and the arts that completely charmed me. An Introduction to Theatre Design from Scottish Opera: Experience the behind-the-scenes magic of theatre with set and costume designer Finlay McLay. In this fun, interactive workshop, Finlay shares his wealth of experience from an exciting career, with recent credits including Scottish Opera Young Company, Outlander and Indiana Jones. 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.I love how colourful the front cover of this book is, it made me to want to read it. The size of the book is a perfect to put in my bag to take on holiday. 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: Judge a Book by its Cover with Leah McDowell: Join Leah, Art and Production Director of Floris Books, on a crash-course in book cover design aka mind control through the use of colour, typography and imagery. Learn how to wield these powerful elements and put them to the test in our cover design challenge. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing all the fantastically imaginative artwork from the draw-along and workshop.