Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Kids go nuts for squirrel characters
Airdrie vegetable firm Albert Bartlett is showing an appetite for success in a diverse new field – by publishing free educational e-books for young children.
The firm, which has its headquarters at Stirling Road near Glenmavis, has recently commissioned and released its third book, this time on an environmental theme, in their series featuring red squirrels Sammy and Sally.
Well-known illustrator Mick Brownfield is behind all three titles, which were written by Alfredo Marcantonio of ad agency HHM; and which are aimed at nursery and early primaryaged children.
Initial title When Sammy Met Sally and follow-up Sammy and Sally Grow Together were both published last year.
Company chairman Ronnie Bartlett said: “There were very few resources about healthy eating aimed at children at this formative stage; we’re proud that the first two Sammy and Sally books have played a part in putting across the healthy fresh food message that will, we hope, stay with youngsters all of their lives.”
Writer Alfredo Marcantonio added:“Ronnie Bartlett has long been concerned about the environment and the impact of poor diet, and felt the only way to really change things was to influence the next generation.”
The new release, Sammy and Sally Have A Picnic, has the key message of taking care of the planet; a spokesperson said:“With the company wedded to traditional farming methods and committed to minimizing its impact on the environment, Ronnie Bartlett’s brief was to use the squirrels’popularity to introduce nurseryaged children to ecological and environment issues.”
Previous titles were distributed free to nursery schools across Scotland; all three can be downloaded free from the company’s website at www.albertbartlett.co.uk.
The only way really to change things was to influence the next generation . . .