Strident launched a major competition for schools in the North Ayrshire area, working in tandem with the area’s hugely energetic Education Resource Service. In all, 14 schools took part.

Each school was given an extract from the book and pupils from P4 –6 were invited to submit an entry in one of three categories; a piece of written work, a piece of artwork, or something on a recycling theme.

The entries were of such an extremely high standard that the team found it really tough picking the winning entries! The winners then attended a launch at The Harbour Arts Centre in Irvine where they received first edition copies of the novel, signed in person by D A Nelson. The winning entries were displayed in a special exhibition that the staff at The HAC kindly helped put together.

The winning entries can be found over on the next three pages...

Facts about Rats

Rats are interesting creatures. In some cultures, rats are an acceptable form of food. Here are some facts about rats.

• In Imperial China, the rat (some times referred to as a mouse) is the first of twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac.
• A domestic rat, can be trained to stay on its owner’s shoulder.

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• People born in the year of the rat are said to get on well with the monkey and dragons and to get along poorly with horses.
• On the Isle of Man there is a taboo against the word rat.

Thank you for reading my facts about rats.

P5/6
Dreghorn Primary School, Dreghorn, Ayrshire

Darkisle

If you go right down to Irvine beach you will see…….
A DRAGON!! A DRAGON! called Shona you’ll see
She has a long green body and a ginormous long tail and if you say “Shona” “Shona,” she will sparkle and light like up in the sky the stars shining so bright.
Then its ginormous, glamorous, giant, blue eyes will shine like a cake that tastes fantastic to eat with sprinkles and everything…….
“SHONA,” had big, sharp teeth that was really nice. If you go down and see this magical dragon say “SHONA!”

P5
Annick Primary, Irvine, Ayrshire