I’m running a children’s writing workshop at this year’s Byres Road Book Festival. Writing stories can be hard – so I’m on a mission to make it much easier and fun. I’ll be showing children how to write amazing adventure stories by drawing maps. It’s suitable for ages 8-12 and perfect for writers of all abilities. You can book your free ticket at byresroadbookfestival.com. Check out the rest of the programme while you’re there. There’s loads of great events on for children – and adults too. See you there!

We had so much fun at the beautiful Possilpark Library for Book Week Scotland. The children from Saracen Primary were amazing - let’s just say their imaginations were on fire as we plotted fantasy adventure stories together. By the end of the session, the room was full of fantastical fantasy adventures packed with danger, thrills and brilliant quests. I’d just like to thank everyone at Possilpark Library for the gorgeous display of my books. Also thanks to Mary Conway from Glasgow Life Libraries for helping me set up. This was a Live Literature event, so big thanks to Scottish Book Trust for their funding. I’m on a mission to help make story writing easier and fun! I thoroughly recommend you go along to visit Possilpark Library – and there may still be some signed Mountain Rescue Dog postcards hanging around.

Thank you to Ben for what I think might be the best review I’ve ever had! I’m always so grateful and thankful for my books being read – and reviewed. It means the world. Big thanks to Ben’s mum for letting me know.

Thank you to @Edspire for taking the time to read and review The Mountain Rescue Dog. I’m over the moon you enjoyed the book. You can find @Edspire on Instagram, so please do give her a follow as she does lots of fantastic book reviews. Here’s what she said about the story.

edspire

mentioned you in a post: Wow! The Mountain Rescue Dog by @forrestcopy is a brilliant and beautiful book. The story of a young girl who lost her mum to an accident on a mountain. She was killed by an avalanche while out with the mountain Search and Rescue Team. Clova, age 12, is just like her mum. She loves the wild, the mountains and moors and she has a way with animals. Clova meets a stray dog, waiting to be rehomed. Clova trains the dog and the two become a team. They are both a little lost and they help one another. Clova lives with her Dad and Grandpa in the hotel where the Search and Rescue Team are based. The team feel like family and Clova cannot wait to be part of the team when she is old enough. She thinks her new canine friend has all the makings of a rescue dog. This is a story filled with adventure and peril. It is a stunning portrait of a family dealing with the death of a loved one, navigating their own and each other’s grief, trying to live with a huge part of themselves missing. The raw emotion in the storytelling is palpable. I read much of this either through tears or with white knuckles. A fabulous story with beautiful figurative language inspired by the Scottish landscape. This was a wonderful library find and has been such a good read for me seeing that we all lose ourselves when we lose a loved one, seeing that we all miss people differently and grieve differently and being reminded of the importance of communication and really talking to each other, the ones who are left behind. This is a story that offers hope to families experiencing loss and has well and truly made me want a dog. A brilliant and beautiful middle grade novel. One I wish I could read again for the first time.

This is a pic taken of the Arrochar Alps near Loch Goil. It’s somewhere I think Tatty and Clova would love very much. Thankfully, there were no rescues needed on this walk - everyone got down from the hills safe and sound.

Look out for snow-capped adventures, mountain-side flora & fauna, volcanic escapes & elevated animal rescues in Books for Topics hand-picked selection of the best children’s stories about mountains and volcanoes…

Lovely to see The Mountain Rescue Dog amongst this lot. Mountain adventures happen to be one of my favourite adventures! Huge thanks to Books for Topics for the mention.

I’m chuffed to bits The Mountain Rescue Dog has been added to Books For Topics’ list of 50 best books for children aged 10-11. And I’m in great company. Just look at this lot. If you’d like to take a look at the full list, you can find it here. https://www.booksfortopics.com/booklists/recommended-reads/year-6/

How fantastic is this? Please meet the wonderful Advika, who dressed as Clova from The Mountain Rescue Dog for World Book Day. Advika loves books and has chosen to read The Mountain Rescue Dog all over again. How lucky am I? A huge thank you to Advika, who looks amazing as Clova. And to Gill Hunt, who is Reading Lead at Parkroyal Community School. Being able to connect with my readers is the best part of the job. I hope you’re all enjoying great books and Happy World Book Day!

Just a very quick note to say that my free creative writing workshop with Glasgow Life Libraries and Library@The Bridge is now sold out. Looking forward to seeing all those who have booked on the day for some fun, map drawing and adventure.

Fancy trying something different at your local library? I’m running a creative writing workshop for FREE at Library@The Bridge on Saturday 25th February at 2pm. I’ll be helping children create a map of their very own magical world in this fun, interactive workshop perfect for children aged 7 to 11. Expect adventure, giggles, map drawing, and tips on how to build exciting worlds. To book you FREE ticket and find out more about the event, please visit https://www.whatsonglasgow.co.uk/event/114956-new-chapter-children%E2%80%99s-writing-workshop:-map-a-fantasy-adventure-story/ Looking forward to seeing you there!

It’s so lovely the Mountain Rescue Dog has been shortlisted for the Badger Book Awards. I’m in great company and there’s an added bonus for all you readers. if you vote for your favourite, you could win £500 of books for your school. Can you imagine? Good luck, everyone!