Colin Fraser Champions Creative Healing in New Children’s Book
The Aberdeen writer and illustrator uses his tale of a stray dog to highlight the therapeutic benefits of drawing and storytelling for all ages.
Aberdeen-based writer and illustrator Colin Fraser has launched a fantastic new children’s book. Big Dog and the Home for Lost Hounds was inspired by his very own rescue dog, Ramsay, who he adopted in 2020
Big Dog and the Home for Lost Hounds tells the moving tale of a stray dog searching for a place to belong, in a world where he feels out of place. It's an entertaining story that explores themes of belonging and resilience. As a bonus, the book comes with a downloadable activity pack, that features drawing and colouring tasks designed to engage young minds with the story.
Colin, who rekindled his passion for drawing during a challenging period in his life, emphasised the therapeutic power of creative activities. "I think as we get older, some of us lose touch with our creative side. Whether it’s a busy job, lack of time or just thinking we can’t, adults put that little creator into a box and forget about putting pencil to paper," he explained.
Colin Fraser and the book itself
Putting pencil to paper cancelled out the noise of daily life
During a lull in Colin's professional life, he sketched the main character of his story as a way to combat writer's block. As a result, he discovered that drawing helped him alleviate stress. "I was amazed when a simple act of putting pencil to paper cancelled out the noise of daily life," Colin shared, comparing the peace he found in drawing to the mental relief he gets through running.
Colin is keen to make sure his story accessible to all children, regardless of their economic background. He plans to host free community reading events across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire so that more kids can enjoy his story. “No matter the background or financial circumstance, all children should have access to stories. They’re a key part of childhood and help children exercise their imaginations to visualise stories and of course teach vital life lessons," said Colin, underlining his dedication to inclusivity and the benefits of storytelling.
Colin’s book is available now online, and at North East retailers like The Owl at Number Two in Rosemount and Hidden Scotland shop in Banchory. To purchase your copy of Big Dog and the Home for Lost Hounds, and get details of upcoming events, visit www.bigdogstories.co.uk.
