Helen Manos

Julie Vivas

Samsara Dog lived many lives. Some of his lives were long. Some lasted only a few days. Dog never remembered them. He lived each life as it came until one day he learned the most important lesson of all. Now new in paperback, with a brand new cover, this hauntingly beautiful picture book tells looks at life, love and dying from a Buddhist perspective. Helen Manos is a South Australian author and practising Buddhist. The idea for Samsara Dog arose because Helen, 'wanted to write a book for children that showed the idea of reincarnation in as natural a way as possible.' Her books include Rules of the Game, Roller Blaze, Snapshots, Spider Killer and Me and Lucky Baby Yak. Julie Vivas is one of Australia's foremost illustrators. Best known for her illustrations for Possum Magic by Mem Fox, her very distinctive watercolour style is seen in such well-known books as The Nativity, Let the Celebrations Begin, Let's Eat and Hello Baby and Puffling. First published in Australia in 2007, and since released in Indonesia and the USA, Julie notes that 'Samsara Dog was an exciting challenge to illustrate. I worked daily with Dog for more than two years. There were times when he was difficult and elusive to capture. But I grew to love him. I look forward to seeing how Dog fares in his next life in paperback - out there with his readers.'

Samsara Dog

An ancient Tibetan nomadic culture, steeped in a peaceful Buddhist life, comes to an end when the soldiers from the East take over the land at the top of the world. This is the story of the Dalai Lama s own people. On a windy plateau on the top of the world, Baby Yak was born, silky black as night. First yak born this summer: that means a good-luck baby, Pema whispered to her brother Tenzin. The flickering butter lamps threw soft shaggy shapes on the tent wall where the children slept. And Baby Yak grew and grew. This summer will never be the same for the children and their yak. For this is the year the soldiers come to the peaceful Tibetan plateau and their courage is tested to the limit. Their old nomadic culture, immersed in the peaceful Buddhist way of life, is changed forever.

Helen Manos

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