Kids’ dialect books launch

TWO new Shetland dialect translations of popular children’s books will be launched next week in Lerwick.

Author and poet Christine De Luca has put a local spin on Julia Donaldson’s The Troll and The Gruffalo’s Child.

The books – entitled Da Trow and Da Gruffalo’s Bairn – will be launched at the Shetland Library on Saturday 5 November.

De Luca said the two translations are suitable for 3-9 year olds – and adults too, of course.

“They are beautifully produced books, published by Black & White, and follow on from Laureen Johnson’s successful translation of The Gruffalo,” she said.

“There promises to be goats, a trow, a gruffalo or two and … shiver mi timbers … even pirates! Come prepared!”

Shetland Library’s Karen Fraser added: “We had a huge crowd for the Shetland Gruffalo launch last year and we expect this to be just as popular.

“It is good to see such enthusiasm among young families for these dialect stories.”

De Luca will give readings at the old library building at 10.15am, 11.00am and 11.45am, while she will also sign books between 10am and 12.30pm.