TWO Glasgow teachers who felt there were not enough stories about children with disabilities solved the problem ... by producing their own book.

TWO Glasgow teachers who felt there were not enough stories about children with disabilities solved the problem ... by producing their own book.

Shay Wilson and Edmere Mackie work part-time at Langlands School for primary youngsters with complex needs, in Drumoyne.

They realised few books or stories that feature children who need additional support had been published.

So Shay and Edmere took up the challenge and the result is Meeting Milligan, a story for primary children about Jamie, who cannot walk, and Shabana, who cannot speak.

The touching tale tells the story of Milligan, an alien from the planet Milgos, who comes to earth and learns about his new friends' disabilities.

Shay said: "We felt there were no children's books in the curriculum that had a main character with a disability.

"It is important to stress that just because you have a disability does not mean you can't help others. Our hope is the book will help mainstream children and those with additional support needs to understand each other a little better.

"Over the last 12 years I have been lucky enough to have a number of articles published in girls' magazines, but this is my first venture into children's books."

Edmere is a retired art teacher who now gives art and craft lessons on a part-time basis at Langlands. She said: "We are really excited about the project and enjoyed working together immensely.

"This is the first time I have used my skills to illustrate a children's book and we already have our next one in the pipeline, Puddles On The Pavement, which will be aimed at a younger age group."

Gordon Matheson, the city council's education spokesman, said: "I never fail to be impressed by the creativity and commitment of Glasgow teachers.

"In this case they saw a gap in how disabled children are depicted in books and set about addressing the issue using their own talents and time.

"I am proud of how our teaching staff go that extra mile for their pupils.

"I understand the book will be distributed to other additional support for learning schools in Glasgow, with the potential of it being made available to main primaries, all of which specifically teach about disability in primary four."