A well-known Tasmanian author has paid a surprise visit to children in the Launceston General Hospital’s Children’s Ward today in the lead up to Christmas, delivering to each and every child a personalised copy of his book ‘Why Dogs Don’t Bark at Santa’.
Children’s book author, Greg Ray played ‘Santa’ today, gifting each patient on the ward a personalised copy of the quirky children’s book about Christmas puppies lost in snow, saved by an unlikely red-nosed hero.
The donated books are part of a five-book series written by Ray and illustrated by fellow Tasmanian, Jenny Miller. Other titles in the series include, ‘Why Dogs Circle to Lie Down’, ‘Why Dogs Bury Bones’, ‘Why Dogs Chase Cats’ and ‘Why Dogs Sniff Bums’. Mr Ray is currently in the process of writing and publishing his latest offering, ‘Why Dogs Look Like Their Owners’, to be released in 2019.
Mr Ray said he hoped the books bring joy and laughter to children in the ward this Christmas.
“As a grandfather of young children, I can only imagine how difficult it must be for these young people to be away from their families and the comforts of home during the holiday season” Mr Ray said.
“It’s my privilege to gift these books and to meet the children and their families,” he said.
Children’s Ward Play Therapist, Tash Pursell said visits like this played a big part in raising the morale and spirits of patients and staff in the ward.
“Christmas can be a terribly difficult time for those children in the ward, and Greg’s visit certainly helps to lift the spirits of those working and being cared for in the hospital at this time of year,” Ms Pursell said.
The Launceston General Hospital Children’s Ward treats paediatric patients in the state’s north and is currently undergoing redevelopment.
To find out more about local children’s book author Greg Ray and the ‘Why Dogs’ series, visit whydogs.com.au
