Salford professor to release highly-anticipated next book in January 2025

'Coorie Doon' is a new Scottish lullaby story, accompanied by illustrations from Jill Calder, an award-winning illustrator and lettering artist.

The lyrical tale follows Shona, a little girl who journeys into a dream world every night, lulled by the familiar folk songs sung to her by her parents. Years later, when Shona is now 60 years old, she tucks her father, now an old man into bed and it is her turn to sing to him. 

Walker Books have bought the rights to the book which will be published on 2 January 2025.

Jackie said: "It's a first for me - a picture book. It's been so magical. To have Jill Calder bring my characters and story to life in such a truthful and beautiful way has been transforming."

Jill added: "Jackie's story brought back visceral memories of my childhood and family life in Dundee and I've tapped into them to bring Shona's world to life, from tangled cassette tapes, through fairy woods to owl teapots!"

Jackie is a multiple award-winning poet, former Chancellor of the University of Salford and an internationally acclaimed artist who was elected an Honorary Fellow from the British Academy in recognition of her contribution to the humanities in August 2023. She rejoined the University in early 2023 as a senior professor after her stint as Chancellor from 2014 to 2021. 

Her latest poetry collection, May Day, was released in April 2024. The collection casts an eye over several decades of political activism as Jackie brings to life a cast of influential figures.