A local group are distributing free books to local schools, and hope to expand this education initiative by funding school trips for pupils across Rutland.

In partnership with Langham Primary School and Rutland Water Nature Reserve, a local author and generous sponsors from Whissendine have created an illustrated children's book and free audio soundtrack download. 

The team behind the book, 'Oncar's Adventure at Rutland Water', have been distributing free copies to local schools, and hope to raise enough money through sales of the book to fund trips to Rutland Water for local schools.

Tracey has been attending local schools to speak about her local book. Image credit: Tracey Dene Powell.

The book by Tracey Dene Powell is about `The Rutland Panther' and his adventure with his new friends, who risk their lives and work together to save him from capture. The story tells of team support, loyalty, trust, facing your fears, love and family values.

The title was thought up by Tracey from Whissendine, and supported by two generous members of the Whissendine community, David and Jean Penny.

They funded the printing of this unique local narrative, explaining: "Our aim is to inspire children to both explore our beautiful countryside and develop a love for nature in a fun and unique way."

Tracey added: "Through kind sponsorship we have distributed free copies to every primary school in Rutland for their class size and our plan is to extend this project by giving free books to every primary school in Melton Mowbray and surrounding villages."

Tracey handed copies out to schools across Rutland. Image credit: Tracey Dene Powell.

Oncar's Adventure at Rutland Water is aimed at primary school aged children and comes with a free audio book download. The audio soundtrack can be found and enjoyed free online.

Tracey explained: "I have been working with Langham Primary School and Jonny Young, Visitors Services Manager, at Rutland Water to create a wonderful audiobook to inspire children to love nature.

"The book is about `The Rutland Panther' and how he meets various creatures around Rutland Water to learn about the nature of the forest, friendship, support, loyalty and trust. Each creature has a different genre of music and includes a variety of instruments, making this book a fully engaging experience for every young mind and listener."

Eight voice actors have recorded the various characters involved: crows, a badger, an osprey, bats, a hare, mice and fish, as well as the iconic Rutland Panther. Tracey voiced the narrator, and described the story as a "modern 'Peter and the Wolf'". Two professional musicians created the musical content to allow each character to have its own distinctive sound, which will enable the young listeners to enjoy a more wholesome experience and build a passion for music.

The audio soundtrack is divided into chapters, each under 10 minutes long, and the entire story is approximately 90 minutes. The physical book is full of magical illustrations and an adventure map of Rutland Water to help capture everyone's imagination to follow the panther's trail around Rutland Water.

Oncar's Adventure at Rutland Water is full of illustrations by Kevin Becken. Image credit: Kevin Becken / Tracey Dene Powell.

Tracey is a local Rutland artist and writer from Whissendine and she is passionate about nature, having already published a collection of nature notes written by her good friend after he passed away in 2020.

Now, she is sinking her energies into encouraging Rutland's youth to get involved with nature, learn about the local area, and be inspired by the legend of the Rutland Panther.

The cover of Tracey's latest book. Image credit: Kevin Becken / Tracey Dene Powell.

Oncar's Adventure at Rutland Water follows Oncar the panther as he journeys around Rutland Water after escaping from captivity. He meets a range of animals and learns about trust, friendship and respect.

The book contains beautiful illustrations by Kevin Becken, and it was sponsored by Whissendine residents, David and Jean Penny.

Their sponsorship has enabled the creative team to give every primary school in Rutland free copies for their class size.

Tracey said: "I had the pleasure of visiting Great Dalby Primary school earlier this month and talking to the children about being an author and reading extracts from the book. The book is actively being used within the school to encourage children to develop a love for nature and learn about the wonderful wildlife that can be found at Rutland Water."

The book is available in local stockists only and on December 6 at 4 p.m, Tracey will hosting a children's activity workshop about the book at Gates Garden Centre near Cold Overton.

Tracey continued: "Our next step is to raise enough money to provide free transport for each primary school to visit Rutland Water. We have already received kind donations for this initiative and are actively seeking local companies and businesses to support us by sponsoring a local primary school."

The team behind the book and audio book, as well as local officials, attended the launch event on 10 June. Image credit: Nub News.

Tracey said: "To know that my book is going to reach and inspire so many children is the most wonderful feeling. My vision is to inspire young minds to develop a love for nature; when love and inspiration meet, magic happens."

The launch of the book this summer was attended by the team behind this community-led project, Rutland's High Sheriff, Geraldine Feehally, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Rutland, Sir Laurence and Lady Howard, Tim Appleton MBE and Mark Andrews, the CEO Rutland County Council.

Geraldine Feehally, High Sheriff of Rutland, attended the book launch in the summer. Image credit: Nub News.

Geraldine said: "In my previous work I was a teacher, and I think that books and children go together very closely, and I think that this book, being an audio book, meets that challenge very well and will encourage young people to read and enjoy the content. So I commend Tracey.

"This is a timeless adventure story about characters who live in and around Rutland Water, including the elusive panther. It is an intimate exploration of the water under and ever changing sky, containing delightful descriptions of nature and the light and the water - and though we haven't mentioned it, I would say that the water itself is another character in the book.

"The characters have the understanding of friendship, respect and loyalty, and that is such an important lesson for young people to have."

This book is available to purchase at Warner's Sweet Shop at Rutland Garden Centre, Sykes Lane and Egleton information centres at Rutland Water, Rutland primary schools and other local Rutland outlets for just £7.99. This book will not be available on Amazon as the team feel that it is important to support the local schools and community.

Kevin Becken, Tracey Dene Powell and Jean and David Penny. Image credit: Tracey Dene Powell.

Tracey concluded: "We hope to inspire children to not only develop a love for nature but also engage with their imaginations in all the magic Rutland Water has to offer.

"I see this book as a force for good bringing families together in a fun way as they explore the Panther's trail around Rutland Water and creating a healthy activity for everyone to engage in.

"Our hope for the future will be to provide bus transport for children in Rutland to learn about Rutland Water and the locations explored before them by Oncar or the Rutland Panther, and to give more books to more primary schools in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and neighbouring counties."

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