A CHILDREN’S illustrator and writer is set to become the author in residence at a Wee County nursery school in a Scotland-first.

Emily Mackenzie will be coming to Sauchie Early Learning and Childcare Centre (ELC) after it was selected as one of 10 schools in Scotland to receive a fully-funded author residence from the Scottish Book Trust.

An author and illustrator of several children’s picture books, including Rabbit Book Burglar as well as Stanley the Amazing Knitting Cat, she will help the nursery build on children’s interest in art and illustration across 14 sessions.

Sauchie ELC is the first nursery in Scotland to be awarded an author residency of this kind as part of the Live Literature School Residencies Programme, funded by the Walter Scott Giving Group and delivered by Scottish Book Trust.

Hayley Welsh, acting deputy at Sauchie ELC, said: “We are delighted to be the first ELC setting in Scotland to be awarded the Live Literature Residency Grant.

“We are excited to work alongside our amazing author and illustrator to support and enhance children’s skills, experiences and learning.”

The residences are designed to inspire a lifelong interest in reading and writing among children while giving professional writers the opportunity to build relationships and work on a creative project.

Emily Mackenzie, whose books have been published in several different languages, said: “I’m really excited to begin my residency at Sauchie ELC and can’t wait to get to know the children I’m going to be working with.

“It is always an absolute treat to get to see little artists at work and a joy to help them invent stories around the things they create.

“I’m sure it’s going to be lots of fun!”

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Emily has twice made the shortlist for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize and has already worked with young people across the UK, visiting schools, book festivals, libraries and bookshops.

Her playful work, using mostly watercolour inks as well as coloured pencil and crayons, draws from her childhood memories, everyday observations and her love of colour.

Marc Lambert, chief executive of Scottish Book Trust, said: “Well done to the 10 schools across Scotland that have been selected for the Live Literature School Residencies Programme.

“It’s an incredibly valuable programme as it allows authors to build relationships with a school over time, and to inspire pupils to develop a love of writing and creative expression.

“These creative projects also offer the chance to engage with the local community, while promoting reading and writing cultures.

“We are grateful to our funders the Walter Scott Giving Group for making this programme available to all schools.”