Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
BALOO, an adorable chocolate brown rescue dog, who regularly brings joy and laughter to autistic children and those with communication challenges, is the star of a published short story.
Where’s Baloo? has been created by expat Brits Sarah Clarke, a prolific writer, researcher and management consultant, with artist Sunanda Docherty, and made possible by the sponsorship of OAK Utility Solutions & Development.
Sarah, who volunteers at the RIA Centre for Children with Special Needs in Adliya, brings along the loveable Labrador to work as a therapy dog with the students.
“I’ve been working with Baloo at RIA for two years developing the Baloo’s Buddies programme and I wanted to demonstrate how it was possible to write a story that children of all abilities could enjoy – either through the pictures or the words.
“It goes without saying that Baloo was my inspiration for the story. He is an incredible dog who everyone, young and old, responds to in a positive way. I wanted to capture that spirit in the story. I’ve met hundreds of dogs and there is no dog with a personality like Baloo, although I think I am probably biased!
“I’m always calling out ‘Where’s Baloo?’ particularly at bath-time when I throw a towel over his head and ask ‘Where’s Baloo? Where’s Baloo?’ and he pops his head out as if to say, ‘here I am!’
He adores the game, even at 12 years old - which is more than 80 in human terms!” Where’s Baloo? is a multiability short story told in words and pictures and aimed at four years and above, mainstream readers and children on the autism spectrum.
Younger children will enjoy looking for the dog in the pictures and older children, and adults will enjoy the fun story and amazing illustrations. It’s a fictional tale set in Bahrain about real life Baloo, who was rescued in 2007.
The story tells of Baloo training new doggie recruits to work with children with learning and communication difficulties as part to his Baloo’s Buddies team and how he loses his favourite ball and goes to hunt for it in different places.
The book is not only a fun story but also a resource that teachers and parents can use for teaching children faced with communication challenges.
Sarah explained: “Children with no reading ability can look at the pictures, hunt for Baloo, and look for other things in the illustrations. Those with some reading ability can start the story half way through and learn through repetition of a simple sequence of words.
Students with more advanced reading skills can read the story from the beginning and identify with the different doggie characters.” Since Baloo’s Buddies started visiting the RIA Centre, its founder Christine Gordon, MBE, has been asking Sarah to write a story about the dog.
“She was absolutely convinced it would be a hit!” said Sarah. “At RIA we champion inclusive education – all the children are treated as equal and educated together regardless of their ability. “I wanted to demonstrate that it was possible to create an engaging story that different age groups and abilities could gain something from.
I hope I have been successful in this regard. “I met Sunanda through Christine. We hit it off straight away and I realised that she would be the perfect person to illustrate the book and capture Baloo’s ‘joie de vivre’!” The words come to life and bounce out of the pages thanks to the illustrations.
Sunanda has been designing and painting in various media for more than 30 years. Recently based in Bahrain, now in Dubai, she has been heavily involved in supporting charities with a focus on autistic spectrum disorder and has been a director at several charitable organisations in the UK.
“I am delighted to be a part of this wonderful children’s story book,” said Sunanda whose role as an artist and illustrator over the years have been varied as she originally graduated from Saint Martins School of Art and Design, London, with a MA in fashion design.
She worked in London and across Europe before returning to her home country of Scotland to work as a lecturer in fashion and textiles at the University of Dundee’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art for 10 years. “During this time, I had my family,” she explained.
“One of my children was diagnosed with autism. I cannot identify my child for reasons of their own privacy, they are an adult now and pursuing a career in a world that finds it hard to accept or understand disability.
“I began to home-educate my children, bringing in tutors as well as teaching myself. Anyone with autism, or any type of special educational needs, is an individual who can only be taught to their specific strengths and weaknesses. “The education system cannot give this need unless the person is taught in a group setting, depending on the size of the group sometimes it isn’t always the best way forward, it wasn’t for me.
“My past experience helped when I began to illustrate Where’s Baloo? It was a fantastic experience and a long-awaited chance of illustrating a book. “Christine was the first person I was introduced to when I first came to Bahrain, and as we talked it became apparent that we had a lot in common.
I wanted to help in any way I could and after a meeting with Sarah and Baloo, on one of their visits to RIA, it was inevitable that this could be a way forward. “I know and understand the pressures families are under that have children with special needs, everyone grows up and in turn we get older too.
“Baloo is a wonderful old boy and when he visits RIA you can see the children’s eyes light up in recognition, he’s a big softie and always hungry, but he’s nonjudgmental and just does what Baloo does. “I hope I have brought some of his characteristics into the book and at the same time help any child who reads or just looks at the pictures take a step forward in their lives.”
The book has been an entirely non-profit initiative and they are ‘extremely grateful’ for the support of Oak Utility Solutions and Development for sponsoring the printing. Others have helped too.
Sarah, vice chairman and director of DSC Solutions, explained: “Paul Docherty did a superb job of art direction and layout so that when Gareth Brown of Oak saw a mock-up of the book he immediately stepped in to sponsor the printing. “Ali Mushaima, who I work with on ‘101 things to see and do travel guides’, played an important part in helping me through the publishing process, while Penny Nixon of From6 advised me on publicity.
“I am very grateful for the support of the Ministry of Information Affairs for granting permission to publish the book and delighted with the help of Linda Jennings from The Bookcase who will host our official launch and stock the book.
I am also extremely grateful for the support and encouragement of friends and family.” All proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards education programmes at RIA so that more children can benefit. “Through Where’s Baloo? and the Baloo’s Buddies programme we hope to break down barriers and demonstrate what inclusive education looks like and encourage more educational institutions in Bahrain to follow RIA’s model,” she added.
The pair will be selling the original artwork and limited edition prints at a later date to raise funds for RIA too. They are already planning the next two adventures for Baloo and would also like to produce both an Arabic version of the book and one in Braille if a sponsor can be found for the printing and publishing.
Meanwhile, last week Baloo was back at the RIA working in 15-minute intervals for up to two-hours at the school, with one-on-one sessions and in small groups. Autism spectrum disorder and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development.
These disorders are characterised, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviours.
Baloo helps the children become more confident through activities such as picking up things and putting them in a basket. His efforts also help relieve stress the children suffer. The idea was to enrich the children’s lives while at the same time teaching them new skills and helping them to develop social skills.
Parents have seen positive changes in some of the children that work with him. They do mirroring activities, for example, hair brushing, sitting still and following basic instructions. They also teach the children how to care for Baloo as many have never even had the chance to pat a dog.
