WHEN she’s not treating poorly animals, vet Catherine Stables can be found creating picture books for children.
The first two titles featuring her character Shona the Vet have proved to be so successful that a third is now due to be launched at the end of February.
In her first stories Shona flew in her wee red helicopter across Scotland with Jock the dog, treating wild animals in distress.
The adventures introduce young children to the challenges faced by wildlife in the Highlands and islands, and then across Scotland’s central belt.
This time Catherine has decided to focus on a large animal practice with Shona taking a break from rescuing wildlife to fly instead from Farm to Farm, again in her wee red helicopter.
Author Catherine said: “I am so excited to have my third Shona the Vet adventure published, it’s a dream come true. I hope the book will reach a new audience of animal lovers with this new story seeing Shona and Jock treating some of our well recognised farm animals.
“I feel very proud to support our farmers and play a small part in encouraging the next generation of vets.”
In her real working life, Catherine doesn’t need a helicopter as she’s a small animal vet in Scotland’s north east. She started telling stories for her two sons when they were younger, and the idea of Shona and her adventures developed from these bedtime tales.
In the new story, Shona the Vet: Farm to Farm, Shona and Jock fly between farms to provide treatment including trimming a cow’s hooves, giving inoculations to a pony and helping a sunburnt pig.
Publisher Jayne Baldwin, of Foggie Toddle Books in Wigtown, said: “It’s wonderful working with Catherine and fantastic to be able to produce books that are informative and fun for young children.”
n The book will be launched at the end of February but is also available to pre-order at www.foggietoddlebooks.co.uk.
