Karen McKinley debut’s children’s book, My Dog Bruiser Swallowed a Scooter

A veteran Sunshine Coast journalist and publicist believes children are losing the magic of reading to the rise of TikTok and smartphones, so she’s decided to act.

Karen McKinley in bookstore with her new children's book. Picture - contributed.

A veteran Sunshine Coast journalist and publicist believes children are losing the magic of reading to the rise of TikTok and smartphones, so she’s decided to act.

First time children’s author Karen McKinley, 52, has kick started the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week with the launch of her new read.

A scooter-swallowing dachshund Bruiser and a gorgeous golden retriever Peaches are the colourful characters in McKinley’s work – ‘My Dog Bruiser Swallowed A Scooter’.

Set on the family farm, Old Brick Lane, in the picturesque Sunshine Coast hinterland town of Maleny, the author said this year’s Book Week theme, ‘reading is magic’, is closely aligned with her own reading experience as a child.

“I couldn’t keep my head out of books, especially the Magical Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton and Dr Seuss’s works, both authors encouraged children to think outside the square and relish in zany, make-believe worlds,” she said.

“It’s so important that children get engaged with reading from a young age, share the experience with their parents and then continue on the journey.

“I worry about iphones, and social media taking children’s minds away from reading.

“We’re losing that and our love of books.”

Karen McKinley and Peaches. Picture - contributed.

As an avid reader, professional writer for more than 35 years, with six children between her and her partner and six grandchildren – keeping reading alive for future generations is an issue particularly close to Ms McKinley’s heart.

Despite many older generations turning to books for entertainment growing up, Ms McKinley said a lot of children are losing that experience to Tik Tok and other forms of digital entertainment.

“With reading you can immerse yourself in a whole other world and it’s good for learning to write,” she said.

“I know I read to my children all the time and my parents read to me. I grew up in a world where books and nursery rhymes were a big part of life.

“It becomes a ritual reading to them before bed every night. Some people still do it but most children have screen time now.

“Life seems a lot busier these days and less simple.

“I think it’s important we don’t lose the magic of teaching our children to love reading.”

The long time writer said her story about a dachshund who swallowed a scooter emanated from her wild imagination and her love of dogs.

Karen McKinley in bookstore with her new children's book. Picture - contributed.

“I wanted to create a fun, rhyming adventure for children that encouraged laughter, learning, and a sense of mischief and also resonated with the universal joy and occasional trials of owning a dog,” said Ms McKinley, who grew up with a pet German Shepherd Misha and a Kelpie-Border Collie cross called Buzz.

Ms McKinley said about 50 per cent of Australian households had a pet dog which equated to about 6.5 million dogs.

“Many dog owners will have had some experience of their beloved pooch chewing a favourite shoe or bag – I decided to take it one step further with Bruiser swallowing a scooter,” she said.

Originally published as Karen McKinley debut’s children’s book, My Dog Bruiser Swallowed a Scooter