A BELOVED children's book character emerged wagging his brown tipped little tail in Tweed Heads South yesterday.

Tweed City Shopping Centre hosted Spot the Dog and his friend Caylee Francis from Showtime Attractions as part of its holiday entertainment.

Kim McLeod from Murwillumbah took devoted fans Jesse, 5, and Oliver Bartlett, 3, to meet the dot-eyed-dog.

"It's his birthday today," Ms McLeod said of Oliver, "and this is his birthday surprise."

Ms Francis took almost 30 children gathered through a warm up before the singing and dancing canine appeared on stage.

She had them put their hands on their knees, do some squats, place their hands on their shoulders "like you're hugging a big teddy bear" and step to the side while throwing their arms in the air.

Then Spot appeared and the children cheered.

"It's wonderful to be here with you in this wonderful garden," Spot said, mysteriously sporting a bandage on his right ankle.

A sing and dance to Heads Shoulders Knees and Toes ensued, before it was time to search for the dog's missing ball.

Of course searching for lost property is not as fun as singing and dancing, so Spot introduced the next song.

"All the trees and grass make me feel like I'm on a farm," he said.

"And I know a song called Old McDonald Had a Farm."

And of course everyone knows what happened next.

Spot then said he had a friend called Mary who lived on a farm.

"And she had a little pet lamb."

After all the action of Mary Had a Little Lamb Ms Francis played a "what can you find in the garden" game with the children.

Then it was time for one more song before the ball-search resumed - Pocket Full of Posies.

Rest assured Spot found his ball and had a great time with the kids in doing so.