Life is bonzer for Robyn Osborne in the Aussie bush.

A timeless Aussie tale celebrating the friendship between Bob the bushie and his best buddy, Bruno the blue dog.​

Barefoot Bob and Bruno live together in a broken down barracks surrounded by the beautiful Aussie bush. Although they don’t have much in the bank, they are the best of buddies and life is bonzer. Then one day Bob hits the bonanza and everything changes. Without a backward glance, Bob and Bruno move to the big smoke. But is this fancy new life better than the one they had in the bush?

An alliterative, humorous tale which celebrates mateship and introduces young readers to the quintessential language of the Australian bush.

1. Please tell us about Bruno, the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush.

The picture book follows the antics of Bruno, a boisterous blue dog of indeterminate heritage and his best buddy, Bob the bushie. They live a simple life in the beautiful Aussie bush and life is bonzer! Then one day Bob hits the bonanza and the two friends move to the big smoke. But is this fancy new life better than the one they had in the bush? And how much trouble can a boisterous blue dog cause in the big city?
 
2. What inspired you to write this book?

I wanted to write a picture book which celebrated the language, landscape, people and animals of our wonderful Aussie bush.  With a main character called Bruno Bright the blue dog, it was a natural progression to use alliteration throughout the story. Bruno is based loosely on various rescue dogs my Dad owned.
         
3. We know how important it is for children to have stories read aloud to them. How do you see Bruno, the Boisterous Blue Dog from the Bush contributing to this cause?

​With its clever use of alliteration, Bruno is a perfect read aloud text to share with children of all ages. It would also make an excellent text to use in early childhood settings and classrooms, introducing young readers and writers to the rich, inventive language of the Australian bush. 
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4. How did you feel when you saw John Phillips’ illustrations for the book?

I love John’s illustrations, which really compliment the words. My drawing skills are non-existent, so I am in awe of artists and illustrators. 
 
5. How did you break into publishing?

My first published paid writing was way back in 2001. It was an article on vegetarianism, for a health and wellbeing magazine. I was so excited when the cheque arrived I briefly contemplated framing it. Greed won out and the cheque was duly deposited into the bank. In 2005 my first published book (D.O.G.) was released through Macmillan Education. Since then I have had seven books trade published, the majority for children or Young Adult.
 
6. Where is your favourite place to write?

Most definitely in my study, with Jack the dog snoozing beside me. The window has a lovely view of the sparkling blue ocean and Fraser Island, so I am very lucky. 
           
7. Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?

I clearly remember my mother reading The Little Match Girl (Hans Christian Andersen) to me. Although I was very young, the poignancy of the young girl dying alone in the snow and callous behaviour of the adults have never left me. Such a simple, yet powerful story. 

8. What’s on the horizon for you next?

Like many other writers, I have a number of stories I am working on, ranging from a couple of picture book texts, a memoir and my first attempt at a verse novel. 
 
 
Thank you very much, Robyn.
 
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Find out more about Robyn and her books here: www.robynosborne.com

Purchase the book at Big Sky Publishing here: www.bigskypublishing.com.au/books/bruno-pb