Watch the talking picture book for kids dealing with lockdown made by Midlothian woman

A Midlothian woman is using her time in lockdown to let her creativity flourish – by publishing a talking picture book to entertain kids also dealing with isolation.
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Anna Devine, from Rosewell in Midlothian, created the story ‘Big Baldy Bear Stays Home’ which tells the tale about a grumpy Scottish bear who stays at home - but eventually gets the best sleepover ever with his friends, hoping children watching will be able to relate and see the light at the end of the isolation tunnel.

The story was illustrated by Laura Graciela Lugo, an artist in Venezuela, narrated by Grant Laughlan, and edited by Glass Bullet Media.

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Anna, who is marketing director at the Scottish SPCA, said: “I had the story written anyway and I had it written before I joined the charity, the story is about a bear who stays home because he doesn’t have any hair and his friends keep coming round to ask him to come out, and it has a happy ending.

Anna Devine's story about Big Baldy Bear helps kids see that they will get to see their friends at the end of isolationAnna Devine's story about Big Baldy Bear helps kids see that they will get to see their friends at the end of isolation
Anna Devine's story about Big Baldy Bear helps kids see that they will get to see their friends at the end of isolation

“I’m sure a lot of people are dealing with insomnia that comes with isolation so I had the idea to publish it as a talking picture book because it could be relatable to kids. It is beautifully illustrated by Lugo from Venezuela and Grant Laughlan did the voiceover. I passed the story around to my colleagues as well and they loved the character.

“Our director of policy and education loved the character so much that he may even be used in some of our campaigns when it comes to engaging the community! I don’t think the story tells people what to do, but the character is relatable to the situation at the moment and it can open up the discussion with parents and children. Kids love their sleepovers and I’m sure they are all missing their friends at the moment, this just gives them a little bit of hope and shows them that there will be a happy ending.

“The stay at home message is so poignant just now and if people do just get the message we wont be in this position than we need to and they will be able to see their friends and family sooner.”

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