TULLIBODY pupils were among the first in the world to read the latest Gorgeous George book by Forth Valley writer Stuart Reid.

Banchory PS youngsters were treated to a visit from Stuart on Tuesday, November 15, as part of Book Week Scotland.

The author popped into the school to promote his new tale, titled Soggy Saturday Sandwich, his ninth book since becoming published.

Following the visit, Banchory PS offered to purchase a copy of the book for every pupil in P5-7, leading Stuart to bring forward the release date of his book by eight weeks.

Speaking of the visit, Stuart described the visit to Banchory was “magic” and he hopes the children will be encouraged to keep reading.

He told the Advertiser: “Tuesday in Banchory was the launch day of my ninth book and I was chuffed to bits.

“The pupils were brilliant, the teachers were great and we had such a laugh learning and listening, it was magic, quite exquisite.

“If I can pass a little bit of my excitement and my enthusiasm onto children in schools and get them to become readers, then happy days.”

Stuart was invited into Banchory PS by Clackmannanshire librarian Ian Keane, a former pupil who has been working with the school to get more author events into the school.

Ian added: “We try to get round all the schools to book in an author event and we noticed Banchory was long overdue one.

“So it was a bit of a good catch booking Stuart in and they really needed it, it was nice to see and very well received.”

Stuart celebrated 10 years of being a full-time children’s author in February this year and has, over that time, visited as many schools as he can to inspire children to become avid readers.

He quit his job as a hotel manager in Dubai to follow his dream of being a writer full time and has not looked back since.

His first book, Gorgeous George and the Giant Geriatric Generator, was published on August 27, 2011, and has spawned eight more in the series.

His first release won him the Silver Seal at the Forward National Literature Awards 2012 and in 2015 he was awarded the Enterprise in Education Award by Falkirk Council.

Alongside writing children’s books, Stuart does live performances of his books and asks the kids to sing and dance and act out scenes in the books.

He has performed these shows all around the world and is currently in Spain for two sell-out shows in Malaga before taking a Christmas break.

Gorgeous George and the Soggy Saturday Sandwich was officially released on Tuesday, November 22.

To pick up a copy, visit www.facebook.com/stuart.author