We have to start with some disappointing news – which is that sadly our sensational author Susi Briggs did not win the Bairns Book of the Year award at the recent Scots Language Awards. This is the fourth time Susi has been nominated – previously with Nip Nebs, Nip Nebs and the Last Berry, Wheesht and this time with Yum, illustrated by Charlotte Brayley. The format of this part of the awards means that the winner is the one who can gain the most public votes and as, on more than one occasion, one of the books had been produced by a school it does mean that the other titles have a hard task to try and compete.Susi was invited to perform at the ceremony and, as Scots Scriever with the National Library of Scotland, she was asked to present one of the major prizes.
But our attention now turns to Wigtown Book Festival – and it’s all go in the shop to try and ensure we are well stocked! We are delighted that Susi will be presenting Yum at an event in the Big Wig programme. It’s at 12 noon at Wigtown Primary School on Saturday 28th September. Susi’s events are always good fun and engaging for wee ones. Unfortunately I will have to dodge from one classroom to another as debut author Rebecca Cotton will be presenting her new book at the same time and venue. I have been involved in mentoring Rebecca over the last year as she’s created a very wonderful book that is suitable for an older age group to Yum, in fact, I think it will appeal to adults. Rebecca spent 10 years living in the Outer Hebrides working for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, along with her dog Sprout – an enthusiastic spaniel. Rebecca has written and created the illustrations for a wonderful book called MacSprout, Keeper of the Corncrackers. The format is a series of letters written by MacSprout to Rebecca’s nephew Thomas Two Legs, telling him all about his life on Benbecula. Of course the whole book is a love letter from Rebecca to her old dog and her old life in these very special islands.
Wigtown will also be welcoming writer Lousia MacDougall who is the author of our best selling title – The Highland Cowgirl. Louisa is travelling down from Harris to present her picture book and also her early reader – Rory and the Snack Dragons that was published by Little Door Books, based in Oban. I’m very excited to meet Louisa for the first time as so far all of our communication has been via email. Her event with Rory is at 3pm on Saturday the 28th September at Wigtown Primary School and on the Sunday she’ll be presenting The Highland Cowgirl at 1.30pm. Be sure to bring your stetson and wear your cowboy boots!
We want to congratulate one of our regular customer Wren who won our Bartie Bristle Bear and Book competition sponsored by Walker Books. Wren chose the name Peachy for the bear and her entry was pulled out of the post box – from a large number of entries.
A big cuddle for her new bear! Our Walker Books winner.