Fort author Barry Hutchison entrances Inverlochy pupils
Fort William-born children’s author Barry Hutchison was on hand at Inverlochy Primary School last week to help pupils celebrate World Book Day.
The creator of the Space Team and Dan Deadman Space Detective series told the Lochaber Times that Inverlochy Primary always goes above and beyond for World Book Day, and that this year was no exception.
‘It’s great to see staff and pupils alike getting into the spirit and sharing their love of books and reading,’ said Barry.
‘Reading is great fuel for the imagination, and judging by the ideas the children suggested in the creative workshops I ran, they certainly aren’t lacking in that department.’
Barry wrote his first novel aged 12 and saw a screenplay, penned when he was just 17, optioned by an American company. Since then he has written everything from magazine articles to radio plays, but it was when his own first child began to read that he turned his pen to books for younger readers.
Barry is passionate about encouraging children to read a wide range of fiction and it was that desire which led to him getting involved in the founding of the Trapped By Monsters website – a site designed to share great stories and get children involved in reading and writing. Inverlochy Primary deputy head teacher Tanya Ross told us: ‘What another fabulous World Book Day at Inverlochy Primary and Nursery. It was great seeing all of the costumes worn by both pupils and staff.
‘We were just delighted that author and our school reading patron Barry Hutchison could join us for World Book Day. He adds a special touch to the day each year.
‘After judging our best dressed character from each stage, Barry read to the primary classes and spoke about how he got started as a writer. He then got his captivated audience involved in helping create some new scary characters.
‘The pupils and staff loved it. Our World Book Day was free and fun for the children though our Sunshine Committee, which raised just over £160 from serving tea, coffee and homebaking to parents when they came in to read with pupils.
‘This money will be used, firstly, in funding our Daffodil Drop where we deliver flowers to nominated people within the local community; a favourite community event of ours which we do each year.’