Four children’s authors have been bringing their love of stories and storytelling to children across the region.
The annual Big DoG Schools Tour, organised by Wigtown Festival Company, will reach over 1,700 students – from nursery pupils to S1 – at a total of 38 schools.
The writers involved this year are Ross MacKenzie (Scottish Children’s Book Award and Blue Award winner), Chae Strathie, Alastair Chisholm (2025 Carnegie Nominee) and Renita Boyle.
Alastair said: “I’ve had fantastic fun on the Big DoG tour, chatting to kids about my books ‘I Am Wolf’ and ‘Reek’, and about sci-fi inventions. They’ve been so enthusiastic and excited to chat with an author, and all of them seem ready to create amazing stories of their own. I can’t wait to see what they come up with!”
The tour runs from 25-29 November and delivers sessions from Gretna to Stranraer.
Anne Barclay, Wigtown Festival Company operations director, said: “Research shows that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income.
“But according to a report from the UK Social Mobility Commission, one in four primary pupils in Dumfries and Galloway are below the national average of expected reading and writing levels.
“The annual Big DoG tour helps to fill this gap by sharing the joy and power of stories and inspiring the next generation of readers.”
The Schools Tour is especially important in a wide-reaching region with low social mobility. Due to distance and monetary constraints, many children are unable to attend our Wigtown and Dumfries events. The Schools Tour brings book festival events to their doorstep.
The tour is sponsored by the Cairndale Hotel and Spa and Craigmount B&B and funded by Scottish Children’s Lottery.
