A new book has been released that allows pre-school children to learn the basics of the alphabet and also find out about Manx culture.

Author Gemma Hjerth and illustrator Kim Graziano have teamed up to create ’M is for Manx Cat-An Isle of Man ABC’, a bright and colourful wander through the alphabet, packed with eye-catching pictures, charming small lines and of poetry and translation of the pictures into Manx gaelic, along with pronunciation guides.

The book was created by Gemma, a freelance marketer, after she noticed that there was a lack of locally-themed children’s books that would enable parents to teach their children about the basics of Manx culture.

’The idea for the book first came about during my maternity leave with my son Colby, now six, and became more insistent whilst I was more recently on maternity leave with my daughter Aalin, now 20 months,’ said Gemma.

’I love our island, and was surprised and frustrated by the lack of a concise, image-focused summary of its icons that could be enjoyed by young children/early readers and shared with "grown up"Isle of Man enthusiasts (and novices) from near and far away.

’In January this year, when Aalin started playschool, I decided that now was my chance to try publishing my book, and that it would be a fulfilling way to restart my self-employment as a freelance marketer and project manager, and now author and publisher too.’

The book, which was created with the support of the Isle of Man Arts Council and the Year of Our Island project, was launched last week.

Also, Nina Johnstone, on behalf of the financial services company Equiom (Isle of Man) Limited, gave a copy to every pupil in year two at Bunscoill Rhumsaa, along with copies to be kept in each class room and the school library