Children’s author Barbara Henderson brings puppetry and storytelling to book festival
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THE art of puppetry and storytelling will be explored when a renowned children’s author visits Caithness.
Barbara Henderson’s books, used by schools across Scotland, are full of fun but have a historical touch to them.
Her latest, Black Water, tells a smuggling tale featuring a real incident in the life of poet Robert Burns.
She also has a love for puppetry, which she developed while growing up in Germany, and she creates and performs her own shows.
The Inverness-based author, drama and English teacher will visit various Caithness primary schools as part of the John O’Groats Book Festival, which runs from April 23-26, to do workshops relating to her books. She will also do a puppetry and storytelling session at Lyth Arts Centre, which is open to everyone.
Henderson’s books look at subjects such as the Highland Clearances and the Victorian era and she has even written an eco-thriller for youngsters.
She said: “I have always written for children. Writing for adults doesn’t really appeal to me and actually quite a lot of adults are reading children’s books now."
Henderson’s first book, Fir For Luck, was published in 2016, based on real events which took place in the village of Ceannabeinne on the north coast of Sutherland at the time of the Highland Clearances.
It tells the story of 12-year-old Janet who finds herself as the only one standing between her village and the officer with the eviction writ.
The book went to number one on Amazon in its category for young people’s historical fiction in Europe.
Her next book, Punch, was based around the story of a huge fire which destroyed the Victorian Market halls in Inverness in 1889.
Black Water follows fictional young boy Henry who gets involved in the true story of an incident involving Robbie Burns who, as an exciseman, led one of three parties in 1792 which tried to board a smuggling schooner stranded in the Solway Firth.
The ship was being defended and as well as battling through quicksand they had to face cannonballs being fired at them.
Her next book, to be released this summer, is based around real events in the 13th century when Caerlaverock Castle, in Dumfries and Galloway, was under siege.
She said: “It doesn’t matter whether it’s the theatre, books or films we like, we’re all hard-wired for a story.
“I like what I do so much. Reading a book that you really connect with, you have a chance to live in the other life while you turn the pages. Maybe in some small way I can do a bit of that.”
Henderson will join the other visiting writers to the book festival on the Friday evening’s Author Appetiser event in the Seaview Hotel, John O’Groats. Her Puppet Power workshop is for children aged six and over and will be in Lyth Arts Centre on Saturday, April 25, from 10.30am.
Tickets for all John O’Groats Book Festival events are available via Lyth Arts Centre on 01955 641434 or online at https://lytharts.org.uk
