When Mark Sanders got in touch to ask me to work with him again on his new picture book, I felt a very familiar sense of excitement. I've worked with Mark many times already, and have illustrated six of his wonderful books so far (five picture books and one chapter book).
I often describe us as a 'dream team' because we're totally on the same wavelength, and as a result we work really well together.
But this next book was a little different, and I knew I had to pull something REALLY special out of the bag this time. You see, it was always Monty who was the main star of the previous books. But, as we all sadly know, canine lifespans aren't nearly quite as long as we wish them to be, and after a long life filled with love, Monty passed away in 2022. He leaves behind an amazing legacy - with hundreds of inspired children from his numerous school visits, not to mention all of his years of charity work.
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| Mark and Monty |
For a while, I didn't know if Mark would continue with his writing, and I don't think he knew either - such was the depth of his heartbreak when he lost Monty.
Then along came Bandit, bursting into his new family's life like a giant hairy tornado, and causing enough chaos that there was simply no more time left for sorrow.
Bandit, like all puppies, is full of bounce and mischief, and he has his own stories to tell. He was also starting to visit schools with Mark, but didn't yet have a book of his own. So it was time to write another story! This book would be really special; a final goodbye to Monty, and an introduction to the pup destined to continue his good work - Bandit.
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| Mark and Bandit |
As always, the manuscript was a joy to read. Mark has a particular talent for rhyming prose and mixing together joy and humour, with a smidge of sentimentality. This book had everything in it which I love to draw - animal characters, natural scenery, and a range of emotions and humour throughout. We both noticed that the more we work together, the more Mark seems to be able to write with my illustrations in mind. I am sure he can almost visualise the scenes I will eventually create when he is writing them. This is why I call us a 'dream team' - and this new picture book is the latest to prove it.
(warning - spoilers ahead) The story of Bandit- Lost in the Forest follows a lost and lonely Newfydoof pup who is found in the forest by the animals. All the forest creatures try to offer Bandit a home (with various hilarity occurring).
The rabbits can't squeeze the huge puppy into their burrow, and the squirrels can't get him up their tree (not even with a 'squirrel ladder - Thanks Mark for asking me to draw that! Haha!).
For a while, it seems like a family of beavers can provide the perfect home, but a huge storm leads to poor Bandit being swept away in the rapids.
Exhausted from trying to keep his head above water, it looks like all hope is lost when Bandit sinks below the surface. Then, a huge, sparkling dog appears, swimming up from a bright rainbow light below. The mysterious dog saves poor Bandit in the nick of time, and leaves him safely on the banks of a nearby island.
When Bandit comes around, he's found by Cookie, who takes him home and introduces him to her happy family. And as we all know, this turns out to be the perfect place for Bandit.
Cookie tells Bandit about all the adventures she'd been on with Monty over the years, and Bandit has a distinct feeling he's met this magnificent dog before, which of course - he has.
The final scene with Monty and Bandit together, wraps up this poignant 'hello' and 'goodbye' beautifully. The two dogs look at each other with perfect understanding. It's time for Bandit to continue along the same path that Monty once walked - not to be a replacement, but to be a star in his own very adventures, and tell those stories to lots more school children along the way.
I hope readers enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed illustrating it. I think it is the perfect introduction to Bandit, and a perfect farewell to the amazing Monty.
Bandit - Lost in the Forest by M.T. Sanders is now available on Amazon. (The link to buy is below).
Oh and please don't forget to leave a review. They're super important for self -publishing authors!
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