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BOOK star Baloo, the adorable chocolate brown rescue dog, who regularly brings joy and laughter to autistic children and those with communication challenges, returned to the classroom for a special party celebration, writes Stan Szecowka.
A special cake was baked to be shared with the pupils of the RIA Centre for Children with Special Needs to mark his 10th Gotcha Day, the adoption anniversary as it is known in rescue circles and highlighted in This Way Baloo!, the second in a series of illustrated books written by Sarah Clarke.
Sarah, who volunteers at the RIA Centre for Children with Special Needs in Adliya, brings along her loveable Labradors to work as therapy dogs with the students.
“It was tremendous fun! The carrot cake donated by Piece of Cake was delicious and the whole school got a piece, including Baloo - without the icing, of course!”
The first book Where’s Baloo? captured people’s imagination and sold more than 1,000 copies to date raising BD4,000 for the cause. The latest offering was produced with the support of Delmon Boarding Kennels and Cattery (DBKC) in Barbar, owned by PaulineRichards, who also attended the Gotcha Day party.
The Adliya centre was founded by singer Christine Gordon, MBE, in 1999 with her husband, Dr Emad El-Attar. Their autistic son, Othman, a talented artist, joined in the celebrations by creating a prize wall poster freehand to mark the occasion.
So far more than 100 copies of the new publication have been snapped up by avid followers of Baloo’s adventures. This Way Baloo! was launched officially with a book signing at the Bookcase on Budaiya Highway, as reported in GulfWeekly, where fans got to meet Sarah, illustrator Sunanda Docherty and Baloo.
More were snapped up at the Awali Ladies Craft Fair and later at a fun session staged at Bahrain Financial Harbour. “A great group of people turned up to meet Baloo,” said Sarah. “I’d guess around 100 adults and kids, maybe more, I lost track!
“Some were existing fans, others new to Baloo’s Buddies, but everyone loved Sunanda’s fantastic Illustrations.
“The new story features many of Baloo’s four-legged friends and it was fun to see owners identifying their pets with the story’s characters and great to know that we’ve captured their likeness and personalities. We’d kept it all secret so it was a surprise to everyone.”
Part of the proceeds of This Way Baloo! and all of the proceeds from the sale of Where’s Baloo? will go to RIA Centre to support educational programmes.
There’s a special offer running until the end of the year. This Way Baloo! is BD4 a copy but supporters can buy both books for BD5.
Also, anyone who buys a copy of This Way Baloo! can enter a competition to win BD20 worth of children’s books donated by The Bookcase. Competition entrants just have to write a note to Baloo on one of his special postcards available at the shop in Budaiya Highway and post it in the box at the counter. The draw will be made on December 18.
They will be promoted at coming book fairs and Baloo and Sarah are making themselves available for school and community group visits.
