Sixteen Warwickshire dogs have become the stars of a new children's picture book by a Kenilworth author.

Natalie Thurman, an established local artist and author, has featured the finest of Warwickshire's four-legged friends in her latest picture book, 'The Legend of Dogdog!'

Each character is a real-life pet that Natalie has met on dog walks.

The vibrant artwork, that was painstakingly hand-painted using watercolours, jumps off each page as the reader embarks on a quest to find the infamous Dogdog.

Readers meet a French Bulldog called Hugo, a Cocker Spaniel called Molly and many more canine companions. You might even find a cat somewhere in the tale!

Mum of two, Natalie, said, "The Legend of Dogdog! is the perfect bedtime story as children wind down after a busy school day. It rhymes, it's short, and it's injected with humour. For example, we learn that Dogdog likes to eat sticks, socks and shoes because you see all the evidence when you look at his poos."

Priced at £5 the book is available to buy from Kenilworth Books and online here. Twenty per cent of profits from each sale is donated to Dogs Trust.

Natalie said, "We got our black Golden Retriever, Labrador mix, Mystique (known as Mysti), towards the end of 2019, she will be one on the 1 October this year. Taking her for walks opened up so many conversations with fellow dog owners.

"When you get a dog, they become a member of the family. As I painted each character for the book's artwork, it felt like painting a friend. I think I have captured each breed's unique qualities."

If you recognise the breed of your dog in the book, prints of the original watercolour paintings are available to buy on request. Natalie also takes commissions for colourful pet portraits.

Follow Natalie on Instagram by following this link.

Here are the dogs' names and breeds

Abbie - Staffordshire Bull Terrier x Weimaraner

Ariel – Bassett Hound

Ben - Labrador

Bingo - Labrador

Bubbles - Chihuahua

Dexter - German Shepherd x Labrador

Finn – Maltese x Toy Poodle, @Mr.Finn.Malitpoo

Hugo – French Bulldog

K.C. - Samoyed

Lily - Boxer

Lola – French Bulldog mix

Magneto – Cat

Molly – Cocker Spaniel

Mystique – Golden Retriever, Labrador mix, @Mystiqueprincessmidnight

Piper - Pug

Pippa - Cockapoo

Poppy - Chihuahua

Satchmo – Bassett Hound

Sherlock - Golden Retriever

Stanley - Labrador