‘It was his first assignment as a Secret Agent …’

Over recent years, children from Circle’s Haven Project have spent a week during the summer holidays visiting a location then coming up with ideas and storylines to produce their very own storybook with writer Mike Nicholson.

First we had The Pirate Storm, then last year the children produced The Sandpit Volcano – both great reads. Could the Haven kids come up with another thriller this year? Of course they could!

The children and their families visited the Cammo estate in the summer. The experience sparked their imaginations … and the seeds of The Alien Assignment were sown!

The children, supported by their Heriots mentors through the Inter School Social Education Project (ISSEP), presented their finished story in public for the very first time at North Edinburgh Arts on Friday – and it was well worth braving the stormy wind and lashing rain to hear the latest rip-roaring adventure!

I won’t spoil the tale, but it features a wee alien secret agent who comes down to our planet on a mission to make life better for everyone. Did he succeed? Well, you’ll have to read the story yourself to find out – but the alien did learn a lot, especially about our strange-tasting raisins!

Circle Patron David Tennant says in the foreword: “Some of my earliest memories are of being tucked up in bed while mum or dad read to me. Books and stories can bring parents and children together in a very special way.

“The fantastic work Circle does is all about strengthening and protecting families. This book, and the way it was created, celebrates that and maybe it can create some brand new memories for your kids.”

Happy reading!