by Jack Thomson

AN author has penned a children’s book – based in Drumchapel – which tackles the topic of refugees through a 12-year-old Syrian girl called Reema.

Victoria Williamson’s debut novel The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle tells the story of the growing friendship between an unlikely pair.

Refugee Reema’s family resettle in Drumchapel and the girl becomes close with Glaswegian school bully Caylin, who is struggling to cope as a young carer to her mother.

It’s a story of friendship despite cultural and language differences and finding a sense of belonging, having been inspired by Victoria’s experience of working in special needs and latterly teaching.

The writer is visiting around 50 schools in the area.

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Speaking about her inspiration, the 39-year-old said: “I used to be a primary teacher at a school that had a lot of asylum seekers in it.

“These were kids who were coming here looking for safety. I was also teaching kids who were just having a hard time in Scotland.”

She also spoke about why she decided to base the story in “Drumhill” – a fictional version of Drumchapel.

“My grandparents were in Drumchapel,” she said.

“It’s nice memories of going out and playing in Ledmore Drive, playing in the park and going to the ice cream van or going to the canal. All of those memories are in the book.”