Cookie

Cookie the Border Collie loves lots of things, like smelling smelly smells, chewing chewy things, going for adventures and making friends. But most of all, Cookie loves Girl. Join this inseparable pair as they play together and learn how to make each other happy, even on the days when Cookie is the only one who can make Girl smile.

Cookie is a heart-warming story about the love between a pet and their person. It is also a sensitive exploration of childhood depression and anxiety, and the importance of empathy. With beautiful words and playful illustrations, it provides a gentle starting point for big conversations.

19-year-old author Isabelle Duff was inspired to write Cookie by her personal experiences with acute depressive disorder and anxiety, and by her wonderful dog, Saffy, who has been an invaluable support to her. The result is a valuable resource for reducing stigmatism around mental illness, and a tribute to the loved ones who are able to get you out of bed when nothing else can.

Anyone who picks up Cookie will find themselves learning something from this mischievous pup and his Girl. It is for children who have experienced depression and anxiety just like Girl. It is for kids who don’t understand why someone close to them is so sad. It is for child psychologists who need to talk to young people about mental illness. And, of course, it is for dog-lovers everywhere.

Isabelle Duff is a farmer, author, and soon-to-be student at the University of New South Wales, where she will study Advanced Science and Commerce. She is currently on a gap year, working full time on her family farm near Manildra, NSW, where they farm sheep and cattle, and crop. Isabelle is a self-proclaimed "absolute tree hugger," passionate about science and environmental agribusiness. She hopes to one day manage the family business. Cookie is Isabelle’s first book, written when she was just 19 years old. She has volunteered at her local primary school for the past year and a half, and is passionate about opening conversations about mental illness with children at a young age, helping to reduce stigmatism and ignorance. Isabelle’s favourite things in the world are rock music, picnics, Aussie wildflowers and of course, Saffy – her dog (and best friend) who inspired Cookie. She feels more at home in the bush with her beautiful dog than anywhere else.

Susannah Crispe is a Canberra-based children’s book illustrator, inspired by a background in zoology and art history, and a love of beautifully crafted books. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from the University of Sydney (2008) and studied Zoology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of New England. Susannah is a largely self-taught artist, and works primarily in watercolour and digital collage. She has been illustrating professionally for four years for a range of clients, producing a large selection of greeting cards, logo designs and wildlife artworks. Susannah is also a stay-at-home-mum, where reading books with the kids forms a huge part of her everyday routine. Cookie is her second book; her first is titled Where the Heart Is (also with EK Books).