Papa the stockfarmer

Papa the Stockfarmer is the second book of the series 'What Do the Grown-Ups Do?' The stories are based on life in the north-west Highlands of Scotland in a village called Badaneel and follow three local girls as they investigate the world of grown-up jobs.

Designed for children aged 5-10 years, their aim is to help children understand different jobs and educate them about working life in a light-hearted manner.

Whilst in story format, they are also factual, based on a real place, written about real people.

Papa the stockfarmer calls the children one morning to ask for help moving the cattle and the girls embark on an adventure where things don't exactly go as planned!

During their work on the farm, they learn about the difference between high and low ground farming, how to make silage so that the animals have food in the winter, how the cattle 'poo' can improve the ground, and how to save a baby calf!Other books in the series include: Joe the Fisherman, Sean the Actor, Fiona the Doctor and Richard the Vet. "My children constantly ask, 'What do the grown ups do at work?' It was this interest that sparked the idea for the books.

Whilst they love to play, they are equally eager to tag along with the adults, learning new things," says Mairi, about her inspiration for the series. "I thought it would be useful to educate them about the workplace and broaden their ideas for their life ahead.

Although the message is educational, it is designed to be fun too," she said.