LOVEABLE robot Benny hasn't just saved his planet from hairy, scary collectors... he's also gone and earned Galashiels author Alan Windram a shortlist place for a major national award.

One Button Benny is the wonderful story of heroes and the unlikely places they can be found.

Beautifully illustrated by Lauder's Chloe Holwill-Hunter, the fun-packed book has already been thrilling three-to-six year olds throughout the summer.

And after being shortlisted for the 2019 Bookbug Picture Book Prize, One Button Benny will be entertaining thousands more Primary 1 pupils - with free copies of all three shortlisted books being handed out to children during Book Week Scotland.

Alan told us: "I am absolutely thrilled that One Button Benny has been shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize.

"I had such fun working with Chloe as she brought Benny to life with her amazing illustrations.

"I hope that everyone enjoys reading the book as much as we enjoyed creating it.

"Like Benny the robot, I am literally over the moon."

Local children will have the chance to hear Alan read One Button Benny as well as perform the Zing, Zang, Zoom song when he takes to the Volunteer Hall stage in Galashiels on Wednesday for a Borders Book Festival event.

The shortlist for the 2019 Bookbug Picture Book Prize was announced last week, with the vote opening to schools and the public.

One Button Benny is joined by Emily Mackenzie's Eric Makes a Splash and I am Bat by Morag Hood on the shortlist.

The award was established to celebrate the most popular picture books by Scottish authors and illustrators, and is run by the Scottish Book Trust, with support from Browns Books for Students.

Susan Northey, who is director of Alan's Oban-based publisher Little Door Books, said: "I am delighted for Alan and Chloe that their wonderful book One Button Benny has been shortlisted for the Scottish Book Trust's 2019 Bookbug Picture Book Prize.

"As a small independent publisher we work hard to put out high-quality picture books that reflect the first-class writing talent of our authors, and also showcase the work of talented, but little known or newly graduated illustrators, with the ultimate aim of producing picture books that children will love.

"To be shortlisted for such a prestigious prize is a real honour."

During Book Week Scotland, which runs from November 19 to 25, all three shortlisted titles will be given to primary one pupils within the Bookbug Family Bag.

And pupils as well as their parents will be encouraged to vote for their favourite.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, told us: "The Bookbug Picture Book Prize highlights some of the finest children’s books in Scotland.

"We are delighted to work with Browns Books for Students to make this award possible and celebrate the wonderful authors and illustrators working in the picture book industry.

"We are sure children will love reading these stories and we look forward to finding out which is their favourite."

Videos of each author/illustrator reading and talking about their book are available at www.scottishbooktrust.com/bpbp

The winner of the Bookbug Picture Book Prize 2019 will be announced next January.

Alan Bett, Literature Officer at Creative Scotland, said: "We would like to congratulate the authors and illustrators of the three books shortlisted for the Bookbug Picture Book Prize.

"These might be some of the first works of fiction young readers enjoy for themselves, and an early step in a lifetime’s love of books.

"Creative Scotland is delighted to support this initiative, through Scottish Book Trust, which lets the readers themselves vote for the winner."

For more information, the One Button Benny audiobook and downloadable songs visit www.littledoorbooks.co.uk

Author Alan will be at the Volunteer Hall on Wednesday (September 12) from 10am.