Edinburgh is the focus of a new book of short stories by 10 of Scotland’s best-loved children’s authors.

Our City, which includes a historical fantasy, a futuristic sci-fi and a retelling of the Pied Piper, is being published in support of the Edinburgh social-inclusion charity the OneCity Trust.

The collection, which was specially commissioned, features stories by Nicola Morgan, Julie Bertagna, Cathy Cassidy, Vivian French, Keith Gray, Elizabeth Laird, Jonathan Meres, Alison Prince and Alison Flett, with a comic strip and illustrations by John Fardell. The introduction has been written by children’s BBC presenter James Mackenzie, known to many as Raven from the adventure show. All proceeds are being donated to the OneCity Trust.

Five Edinburgh primary schools - Oxgangs, Balgreen, Sciennes, Tollcross and Lorne - will be visited on publication day, November 6, by two authors, for project work based on the book with P6-7 classes. The trust is donating a class set - 30 copies - to all 96 primary schools in Edinburgh and an accompanying teaching resource, Creative Sparks, giving ideas for activities and projects related to each story.

“They’re all great stories and you don’t have to live here to appreciate it, but it will have a special significance for children who live in Edinburgh,” says Amy Dolman, a spokesperson for the book’s publisher Polygon.

www.ourcitybook.org.uk

Our City, Polygon, Pounds 5.99.