This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Itchy Coo turns another page
17/08/2006
A new Scots language book for children will encourage a new generation to take pride in their heritage, Culture Minister Patricia Ferguson said today as Katie's Moose - a colourful board book of rhyme, illustrations and Scots words - was launched at the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
The book is part of the Itchy Coo project, backed by £150,000 from the Scottish Arts Council, which has visited around 500 schools and libraries, working with hundreds of teachers and thousands of children to promote the Scots language.
Ms Ferguson said:
"Encouraging children to read and to embrace the Scots language will help fire imaginations and enable young people to be confident and creative.
"Katie's Moose will do much to introduce young children to the Scots language in an enjoyable and educational way.
"Itchy Coo's unique approach perfectly compliments the Executive's commitment to celebrate Scottish identity, and promote diversity in our culture."
Gavin Wallace, Head of Literature at the Scottish Arts Council, said:
"The Itchy Coo project has revolutionised attitudes towards Scots, particularly in the classroom, but also much further afield, and has awakened a whole generation of children and adults to the imaginative riches of Scots as a vital part of their cultural heritage and identity."
Since 2002 Itchy Coo, in partnership with Black & White publishing, has published 23 titles for young people and sold over 80,000 copies of all their books.