The Church of Scotland has supported a new Gaelic Bible story collection for kids, creating a new a free audio book version of the Lion Tell A Story Bible.
The audio version features the well-known Gaelic broadcaster Angus MacDonald from Point on Lewis, who waived his recording fee. A QR code in the book allows children and families to listen to Angus's narration while reading serving as a valuable resource for language learners of all ages.
"The completion of the audio book has been transformative," Rev Hugh M. Stewart, minister of Lochs-in-Bernera and Uig, commented.
"The child, if they wish, can hear the text being read as they read it for themselves. The audio version also, helps parents, grandparents and guardians of children in Gaelic Medium Education who do not have any Gaelic themselves but have begun learning the language.
"You are supplementing the written page and it is very good for parents, grandparents and guardians who are learning Gaelic along with their children. It allows them to both enjoy what the book teaches, in terms of the story, but they are also learning the language at the same time."
Around 1,500 free copies of the Tell A Story Bible, translated into Gaelic by Maletta Macphail for the Gaelic Committee, are being offered to children upon request. Already, 550 copies have been distributed, with requests coming in from across Scotland, as well as from Canada and Spain.
