Scotland Loves Local Ambassador Sean Batty has released his debut Christmas children’s book – and is touring local events across the country.
We’ve known Sean as the energetic and passionate weatherman on STV for nearly 20 years, but this year, he’s taking his love for both Christmas and weather to new heights with The Worst Christmas Weather EVER!
Sean said: “After launching the Mini Met Team during lockdown, where children from all over the country sent me daily weather reports, I realised I wanted to inspire more young minds to get interested in weather – just like I did when I was seven years old.”
As he thought about how to introduce climate change to younger audiences, Sean realised that Santa Claus, the most well-travelled person in the world, would be the perfect guide.
“Santa has seen it all— the weather changes, the extremes, the challenges. He’s been on the same route for years, which means he’s witnessed the effects of climate change first-hand,” Sean added.
In The Worst Christmas Weather EVER!, Sean takes readers on an adventurous ride around the world, using real-life weather events to tell an exciting and thought-provoking story. From record-breaking snowfalls in Japan to wildfires in Australia, floods in South Sudan, and even unseasonably warm December weather in the Scottish Highlands (based on the record 18.7°C recorded in Achfary on December 28, 2019), the book draws inspiration from actual climate events.
Sean, who has toured the country championing the Scotland Loves Local message to choose local, explained: “I wanted the story to be as realistic as possible because climate change is not something that needs exaggerating. The extreme weather Santa encounters is based on real events. It’s not about scaring kids – it’s about educating them through fun and adventure.”
In the book, Santa’s festive journey is full of unexpected calamities: losing presents in the snow, rescuing koalas from bushfires in Australia, crash-landing in Ethiopia’s dry landscape, and even getting caught in a winter tornado over Kentucky.
But the story doesn’t end there. Santa calls upon children around the world to become Ho Ho Heroes by adopting eco-friendly actions that help protect the planet and ensure a smoother delivery for Santa in the future.
“The book is a fun way to encourage kids to think about their own environmental impact,” Sean said. “It’s all about inspiring positive change while still embracing the magic of Christmas.”
The Worst Christmas Weather EVER! is now available for purchase online at Amazon, Waterstones, WH Smith, and for personalised copies, through Sean’s website seanbatty.co.uk.
While it’s already on sale, Sean will be doing an official launch in his hometown with an event at the Paisley Learning and Culture Hub on Thursday 28 November, just before the Christmas light switch-on.
In the coming weeks, Sean will be taking The Worst Christmas Weather EVER! on tour, with signings and meet-and-greet events scheduled right across the country, including visits to schools. Confirmed upcoming events are listed below:
- Thursday 28 November: Paisley (launch event) – Paisley Learning and Cultural Hub before the town’s Christmas light switch-on
- Saturday 30 November: Brookfield, Renfrewshire – Brookfield Christmas Market
- Tuesday 3 December: Stirling – Stirling Castle Christmas Shopping Fair 6pm – 9pm
- Wednesday 4 December: Aviemore – Macdonald Aviemore Resort
- Thursday 5 December: Edinburgh – Edinburgh Botanics
- Saturday 7 December & Sunday 8 December: Glasgow – Glasgow Christmas Market, George Square
- Friday 13 December: Stirling – Blair Drummond Safari Park Christmas Spectacular
- Saturday 14 December & Sunday 15 December: Edinburgh – St Andrews Square, Edinburgh Christmas Market
- Friday 20 December: Aberdeen – Aberdeen Christmas Market
- Saturday 21 December: Aviemore, Highland – Macdonald Aviemore Resort
- Sunday 22 December: Aberdeen – Aberdeen Christmas Market
Sean is excited to share his new book with young readers, combining his expertise as a weatherman with his passion for inspiring the next generation to care about the environment—one Christmas at a time.
