Fasten your seatbelts for a fun ride in a red helicopter with a new children’s character – Shona the Vet.
Shona, and her wee dog Jock, are the creation of working vet Catherine Stables who has long held a secret ambition to be a children’s writer and illustrator.
Her dream has come true thanks to independent publisher Foggie Toddle Books, and Catherine’s debut title, Shona the Vet: A Coast to Coast Adventure, is now available to order in bookshops and online.
Catherine said: “I’ve always loved writing, drawing, and telling stories, quite often with a patient’s antics getting in on the act! Scotland’s amazing wildlife has long been a passion of mine too, so I had great fun combining my interests for my Shona the Vet story. It’s so exciting to see it in print!” In this bright, fun picture book Shona flies in her red helicopter to help animals in distress from a dolphin in Spey Bay to an injured puffin in Portree. It’s a delightful rhyming story that will appeal to young children and will also help them learn about some of the challenges now facing Scottish wildlife.
In her working life Catherine doesn’t need a helicopter as she’s a small animals vet with the Keith based Seafield Veterinary Group. She started telling stories for her two sons when they were younger, and the idea of Shona and her adventures developed from these bedtime tales.
Catherine, who lives near Keith, is also a keen basket maker and bagpipe player. She also loves to show her sheep at agricultural shows in the region.
Publisher Jayne Baldwin said: “I’m very excited about this wee book. Shona is a lovely engaging character and it’s a great way for children to learn about Scottish wild animals within the context of a fun story.”
The picture book is available to order from bookshops or online price £6.99.
