Hello, my name is Neil and I am going to describe the beautiful illustrations in a very special book called Greyfriars Bobby. Bobby was a Skye terrier. He is sitting proudly in front of an outline of the city of Edinburgh. He seems to be looking very attentively at someone. He has a little upturned muzzle and looks adorable!
This double page picture shows the outside of a churchyard. In front of the open gates, a gardener is sweeping the cobbled path with an old fashioned broom. He looks a kind old man - he has a bushy moustache and wears a cloth cap, grey shirt and trousers, which are held up by brown braces.
This double page picture is very sad. Old Jock died in the blizzard and is being buried in Greyfriars churchyard. Greyfriars Bobby is looking forlornly through the railings at the funeral ceremony as old Jock is buried. He is so unhappy. It's still winter and snow is everywhere; even the gravestones in the churchyard are covered in snow.
In this happy double page picture. Greyfriars Bobby is hungry so he has returned to the street and the cafe, where he and Old Jock used to eat. All the people recognise him! They are so happy to see him and a waitress from the cafe, wearing a long black dress and white apron, puts a plate of food down on the pavement for him. He's looking quite perky with his pink tongue hanging out, ready for his food.
He's the only dog to have been given the Freedom of the City of Edinburgh and even today his grave always displays fresh flowers. His headstone reads: 'Greyfriars Bobby, died 14th January 1872, aged 16 years. Let his loyalty and devotion be a lesson to us all'.