Dog Stayed
Debut picture book, published March 2026, available in stores and online.
Illustrated by Margeaux Davis
Published by Allen & Unwin
One morning, a man knocked on the door to sell something Mr Hindbottom did not need. Mr Hindbottom waved his cane, blew his nose, and slammed the door.
'And take your dirty, scruffy dog with you!' he yelled.
But the dog did not belong to the salesman, and the dog stayed.
When Dog turns up one day and stays – despite Mr Hindbottom's protests – they gradually find a comfortable way to get along. Life is good, but of course life doesn't stand still ...
When Mr Hindbottom is gone, can Dog ever love again?
"A heart-warming and emotional story, perfect for those who loved The Truck Cat." -Collins Booksellers
"A heart-warming and emotional story, perfect for those who loved The Truck Cat." -Collins Booksellers
Praise for Dog Stayed
“The lesson of this deceptively simple tale, which is beautifully illustrated with a lovely eye for detail, is of the endurance of love.” —The Age
“A great book for gently exploring the cycle of life with kids.” —The Observer, UK
“A simple yet moving read that lets 5+ year olds think about companionship, loss and grief through the evocative pictures and sparse text. Highly recommended.” —UK Recommended School Reading List
“Pure magic. Truly, I can't wait to read it at school to over 80 kindergarten students - many of whom are multilingual. The illustrations in this beautiful book speak all languages. We teach our little learners about compassion, bravery and handling emotions throughout the year. I will refer to your book to stimulate classroom conversations, draw comparisons to what they already know, highlight relationships. Thank you, thank you for a delightful, moving, thought provoking story.” —Naomi, Kindergarten Assistant Principal, Sydney
“This has been a beloved book, with a heartfelt response from our Year 1 students. One student insisted on taking it home to show his dad…and confirmed the next week his dad had cried. Such an important story to be able to share with families that need it most. Bravo.” —Instagram, Teacher Librarian
“Anton Chekhov-style picture book… Author Tammy Forster accomplishes all of this using a writing style that is ‘showing’ rather than ‘telling,’ much like the Russian writer Anton Chekhov. She does not show things in detail but takes a step back and presents them contemplatively.” —The Book In My Life, Korean publisher (translated)
“Sometimes a book sneaks up on you…and suddenly you’re trying not to ugly cry at the counter.” —Marsden Books, NZ
“Tammy and Margeaux have built a beautiful story of companionship. The words and illustrations are so well woven and simple, providing a wonderful narrative that will please adults and children alike.” —Amazon review
“I haven’t felt such emotion in a short space since the opening sequence to the movie ‘UP!’ Holy butter on toast!” —Goodreads review
BEST NEW BOOKS FOR MARCH 2026 - THE AGE