From Tuesday 20 to Friday 23 September, the Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour will visit primary schools across Orkney and Shetland with author and illustrator Tom Percival.

Tom Percival is the author and illustrator of many popular picture books about wellbeing, including Ruby’s Worry, Dream Defenders and The River. His events will focus on drawing and exploring feelings and emotions.

Tom Percival commented:

“I’m incredibly excited to have been asked to work with Scottish Book Trust on this tour. I’ve visited Scotland a lot over the last few years, both with my work and on holiday, and I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed myself.

“I can’t wait to visit all these schools and to help to get the children excited about reading, drawing, creativity and emotional awareness.“

Watch: Discussing and drawing emotions with Tom Percival

Over 400 P1 – P4 pupils will take part in the tour, with more children across the UK able to join in online. The tour will also visit Orkney Library, Shetland Museum and Wordplay Festival.

Tom will share some of his stories with pupils and show children, through his beautiful, thought-provoking stories, how to understand and look after emotions and feelings. He will also lead interactive activities on drawing emotions and share some of the innovative illustration processes behind his books.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust said:

“Our Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour has visited schools all over Scotland and it is wonderful to be back in schools and libraries across Orkney and Shetland. Wellbeing is an increasingly important topic which Tom will help pupils explore through his stories. We hope the children enjoy both joining in with the interactive activities and having an author in their school. Paper and pencils at the ready!”  

The Scottish Friendly Children’s Book Tour is supported by Scottish Friendly and organised by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity transforming lives through reading and writing. During the pandemic, the tour was delivered virtually throughout classrooms in Scotland.

A library of educational watch on demand video content from the digital tours is available and has already been viewed over 100,000 times.

Tues 20 September

10:30      School Event at Orkney Library with Glaitness and Papdale Primary Schools

14:00      School event at St Andrews Primary School, with Burray Primary School attending

Weds 21 September

 11:00     School Event at Sandwick Primary School

13:45      School Event at Ollaberry Primary School

Thurs 22 September

09:45     School Event at Mid Yell Junior High School

13:30     School Event at Baltasound Junior High School

Friday 23 September

10:00     School Event at Shetland Museum with Sound, Dunrossness and Tingwall Primary Schools (also live streaming to schools across UK)

13:00     Public Event at Mareel for Wordplay Literary Festival