Poppy book given to all schools

Every primary school in Renfrewshire has received a new book that allows pupils to read all about the Poppy as a symbol of remembrance and how it is used to raise money.

Devised by leading Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland, the book called The Poppy Story, follows the idea of the Poppy from the poem In Flanders Fields during the First World War.

It was published to coincide with the centenary of the signing of the Armistice which led to the end of the conflict.

Poppyscotland’s learning and outreach manager Isla Campbell Lupton, who also wrote the book, said: “This colourful and informative book has been distributed to every primary school and library in Scotland free of charge, and is aimed at children aged four to eight years old.

“The commemorative book, which is one of Poppyscotland’s learning legacy projects to mark the end of the First World War centenary, tells the history of the Poppy, with particular reference to Scotland.

“It follows the creation of the idea of the Poppy as a symbol of remembrance.

“From the First World War poem In Flanders Fields, our young readers will learn about the origins of remembrance through to how the Poppy is used to raise money to help those who need it today.

“We wanted to ensure that all children and young people leave school with an understanding of remembrance and the Poppy, and this book will help us achieve that goal.”

The development and publication of the book has been funded by the KMF Maxwell Stuart Charitable Trust and Historic Environment Support Fund (HESF) as a legacy for the centenary of the end of the First World War.