Inverness author Barbara Henderson brings new book I Don’t Do Mountains! to Crown Primary School for World Book Day
Children at a city primary school were whisked away on a mountain adventure in the comfort of their own classrooms when a popular local author brought her new book along for World Book Day.
Barbara Henderson, the award-winning Inverness author of 11 books, brought her latest work - “I Don’t Do Mountains!” - along to Crown Primary School this week.
As well as fun activities and book signings she also treated the youngsters to an early glimpse into the latest world she has created, with the book not due to officially launch until March 17.
Set in the Cairngorms, the book is an outdoor adventure story revolving around bookworm Kenzie, who can’t believe her bad luck when her teacher announces plans for a three-day hillwalking expedition.
Published by Inverness’s Scottish Mountaineering Press, a spokesperson for the publisher said: “Kenzie tries everything to get out of the trip, but soon the group heads to the hills with mountain leader Bairdy and set up camp for the night.
“Bairdy’s stories of ancient magic fill Kenzie’s mind, but in the cold light of morning, the children discover that he has vanished, his tent left untouched. They are alone. It’s up to Kenzie and the group to pull together and find their leader before it’s too late…
“I Don’t Do Mountains is an adventure story first and foremost, but in Barbara’s vivid first-person narrative, readers travel to the windy peaks of Scotland’s wilderness, and survive, even thrive, like Kenzie and her friends.”
Barbara has picked up numerous awards for her books, including the Young Quills Award for her novels The Chessmen Thief and The Siege of Caerlaverock, and the Books for Topics Curriculum Support Award for another work, Rivet Boy.
Her historical and eco-fiction for children is widely studied in schools.
Away from her writing Barbara also still teaches drama – but she loves to travel and spread the story-love in classrooms across the country. When she gets the chance, she likes to head outside, often to the nearby hills.
Barbara says: “My wish is that this book will transport young story lovers to the hills in their imaginations. And maybe, just maybe, it will make them want to have their own adventures, and open their eyes to the wildernesses on their own doorsteps.”
