Monday 8 December 2014

NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK LAUNCHED TODAY: MEET GAMEKEEPER STAG MUNRO


SGA Chairman Alex Hogg (posing as Stag Munro) looks on as author Katrina Candy reads the new book to an interested fox, surrounded by stalker Sandy Lean and 'Biscuits' the Spaniel plus the book's illustrator, Val Barr.

A NEW childrens book was launched this morning at House of Bruar by two leading wildlife organisations which aim to educate children about the countryside and the wildlife which inhabits it.

Stag Munros Golden Encounter is written by Perthshire author Katrina Candy and is a stirring tale of wildlife survival in the Scottish Highlands.

The book has been published to celebrate the culmination of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association Year of the Wader 2014 and cleverly weaves conservation messages through an exciting tale which follows the adventures of head keeper Stag Munro and his loveable spaniel, Biscuits. The SGA Charitable Trust and charity the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust will both benefit from sales of the book which has been beautifully illustrated by artist Val Barr.

Pupils from Blair Atholl Primary School enjoyed the first reading of the book and asked SGA Chairman Alex Hogg (posing as Stag Munro) a number of questions about wildlife and countryside management.

The SGA Chairman was delighted that the story had been so well received:“Katrina and Val have done a great job. The conservation benefits of game management are often poorly understood so this is a fun and accessible way for children to learn more. The book is also a nice way for us to end the Year of the Wader 2014, our biggest ever conservation project. If there is to be a legacy from that, then what better one than for future generations to understand a little more about how responsible management by gamekeepers like Stag Munro helps declining Curlew, Lapwing and Golden Plover.”

GWCT Director Scotland, Adam Smith said:“Stag Munro is a fantastic character created by Katrina and is an excellent vehicle to gently explain aspects of wildlife conservation to the younger reader. As the GWCTs head of PR and education, Katrina is very dedicated to educating our future countryside stewards and we hope that many people, old and young, will love the book.”

Stag Munros Golden Encounter follows on from Katrinas first book, Captain Partridge and the Fire People. Both titles are now on sale at House of Bruar, from Amazon and also from the SGA website and office. To order a copy,  priced £6.99 (plus postage and packaging), call 01738 587 515 *Also an ideal Xmas present or stocking filler.

END.