Mr. Dog's Christmas at the Hollow Tree Inn Comes to Life at Rare Device

On December 6, join us at Rare Device Noe Valley at 11am for a special children's book reading and signing event with Betsy Cordes and Adam McCauley to celebrate their book, Mr. Dog’s Christmas at the Hollow Tree Inn. 

Betsy Cordes is bringing history back to life with Mr. Dog’s Christmas at the Hollow Tree Inn, a story originally authored by Albert Bigelow Paine in 1898 and passed down through Cordes’ family over generations. Cordes and San Francisco illustrator Adam McCauley have recently republished this out-of-print story. The book tells the story of mischievous, kind-hearted Mr. Dog and his friends at the Hollow Tree Inn as they navigate Christmastime stories and traditions together. McCauley illustrated the book in crow quill pen and ink, a demanding technique that produces stunning, detailed pictures and allows the reader to fall into the world of Mr. Dog and his friends. This illustration style evokes the Victorian origins of the story yet feels modern and fresh. This beautiful cloth bound book is designed by Cynthia Wigginton.

Top photos show the original Mr. Dog book with illustrations; bottom row shows Cordes' and McCauley's republished version.

At the reading, Betsy will discuss the history of Mr. Dog and her father will read the story that the family has loved for so long. Illustrator Adam McCauley will be signing books as well. Books are currently available for purchase at Rare Device Noe Valley and will be available at the event as well. Please contact ellie@raredevice.net with any questions regarding this event.

Image courtesy Betsy Cordes