Running since 1958 the BBC children’s programme Blue Peter has become almost a part of the fabric of the nation. Each month the Blue Peter Book Club chooses its “Top Three Books” to recommend to the programme’s viewers, and every year these are entered for the prestigious Blue Peter Book Awards. February’s choice includes Sea Dog Bamse, World War II Canine Hero by Scottish authors Angus Whitson and Andrew Orr. The book follows the true story of the giant St Bernard dog Bamse who served with the Norwegian Navy during the second world war, and whose exploits included many heroic and amusing deeds.
The book has been a Scottish bestseller in the hardback edition, and the paperback, released in October 2009, is already outselling this. Its world wide distribution and success is drawing new visitors to Montrose to see the iconic statue of Bamse on the waterfront, unveiled by Prince Andrew in 2006.
Hugh Andrew, Managing Director of Edinburgh Publishers Birlinn said, “Sea Dog Bamse is an astonishing story about an astonishing animal and a tale which weaves the personal with world events on the largest scale. We hope the readers of the Blue Peter Book Club are as enthralled by this extraordinary dog as we were in publishing his story.”
Author Angus Whitson said “With its mix of wartime, historical and animal appeal, Bamse’s story bridges the reading generations of young and adult readers alike.”