Robot dancing and a Dinosaur Dilemma: How a Galashiels writer is inspiring more children to read

Author: Ally McGilvrayPublished 3rd May 2023
Last updated 3rd May 2023

The author of one of Scotland’s best loved series of children’s books is returning to his roots in the Borders to launch a new campaign to encourage more youngsters to read.

Alan Windram - who penned the One Button Benny series - is backing the ‘Book for Burgh’ campaign, which aims to provide the Galashiels primary with over 300 new books for its school library, from a list compiled by staff and pupils.

He kicked off the campaign by donating a series of illustrated stories published by his Little Door Books company, and the writer is keen to highlight to children that they too have stories worth telling.

Alan, who will also be launching his latest book - One Button Benny and the Dinosaur Dilemma - at Thursday's event, said: "It is an absolute joy for me to return to the Burgh and launch this new Benny book. I have such fond memories of the school, and one of the teachers at the time, Mrs Gray, was extremely influential in encouraging my creativity.

"I often got easily distracted in the classroom and my grades were not fantastic, but I had a vivid imagination, which she encouraged me to channel into art and story writing.

"It's down to her and so many other fantastic teachers and my parents that I am back here today sharing Benny's fantastic new adventure with the whole school."

The ‘One Button Benny’ series has proved a massive hit with children and follows the adventures of a brave little robot as he carves out his place in the world.

The books are illustrated by Chloe Holwill-Hunter, from Lauder, deepening its Borders roots.

Alan, a pupil at Burgh in the '80s and now staying in Argyll and Bute, is the latest writer to visit the primary this year - after one of the UK’s leading football writers, Daniel Gray, in March; and Scots Language performer Laura Green on Burns Day.

Dave Scott, from Burgh Parent Teacher Council, said: "It’s amazing to have Alan back at the Burgh to launch both his wonderful book and our new campaign. The ability to read and be able to freely access books is amongst the most precious gifts we can offer children and we are hoping that through 'A Book for Burgh’ we can revitalise our school library.

"We felt it was also important to ask the children what they enjoyed reading and that it’s not just adults choosing what goes on the list. We’ve already had a lot of pledges of support from past pupils and local businesses and hopefully two to three hundred new books will make their way onto our library shelves before the end of term."

Burgh's campaign includes books with Polish and Turkish translations to reflect the diversity of languages spoken in the school community.

It's hoped it will encourage more children and their families to read more for learning and pleasure.

"Pretty much every child in our school has read a ‘One Button Benny’ story," Dave said. "And, as well as encouraging them to read, we also want this campaign to highlight that children from their town, their school can go on to become writers.

"Alan was supported by family and teachers and through being able to access library books his love of reading was nurtured, helping him to become a writer. We want every child at our school to know they have the gifts to do what they want in life and meeting people like Alan helps reinforce this.”

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