ABERDEENSHIRE based Doric Books are celebrating after reaching the finals in two categories of the annual Scots Language Awards.
Children’s book The Tint Aig, written and illustrated by Aaron Gale, has been shortlisted as Scots Bairns Book of the Year, and Jackie Ross has reached the finals in the Scots Speaker of the Year category.
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Winners will be chosen by the public, who are encouraged to show their support before online voting closes at midnight on Sunday 18 September.
Doric Books was established by directors Aaron Gale from Huntly, and Jackie Ross from Lumphanan, to enable the creation and publication of children’s books in the mother tongue.
The Tint Aig, the most recent book added to their collection, tells the story of a little robin redbreast, who finds a mystery egg lying on the ground and goes on a quest to find the owner. As well as encouraging children to read and listen in Doric, the book is packed with facts and information about local birds and wildlife.
Commenting on the book and its shortlist recognition, author Aaron said, “I had a semi-formed idea for a story about garden birds for years. When the story of a lost egg popped into my mind, the story seemed to write itself. The book has proven really popular, and adds to the quickly growing series of children’s books we have created in north east dialect. We would be really proud if The Tint Aig was recognised as an award winner on the national stage.”
As a professional storyteller, Jackie has told countless stories, enthralling audiences from pre-school groups to care homes, schools, libraries and festivals. Even Covid lockdowns were unable to curb her enthusiasm, with over 30 stories shared online for The Cabrach Trust. Her knowledge of the Doric language has been used to create and deliver tutorials for education students at Aberdeen University, as well as developing resources for storytelling sessions and activities in schools across Aberdeen City and Shire.
Acknowledging the nominations, Jackie said: “We’re really pleased to be finalists in two categories of the Scots Language Awards. It’s an absolute honour to be shortlisted for Scots Speaker alongside the likes of Billy Kay. It’s also great that The Tint Aig is up for the best children’s book. I may be biased, but it is a super book and it would be a real feather in our cap – pun intended – to win the award.”
Created to highlight the Scots language, and bring it forward into the public domain in its many forms, the Scots Language Awards first took place in 2019, and have since become an annual celebration of the nation’s mother tongue.
To vote in the awards, visit https://projects.handsupfortrad.scot/scotslanguageawards/
Winners will be announced at a celebration event at the Gardyne Theatre in Dundee on 24 September.
