Update

GEORGE NEWS - As usual, the beloved author and educator, Dr Hugh Houghton-Hawksley charmed everybody in his audience - from the tender age of three right through to 93 - during the official launch of his book series on the travels of Jamie Jaguar. 

The audience was introduced to Hello Jamie Jaguar, Speak to me Jamie Jaguar, and Jamie Jaguar's World Tour at the George Museum on 12 November.

Jamie Jaguar must be the best-travelled soft toy in the world as he regularly accompanies the Houghton-Hawksleys on their overseas tours.

Not only does Houghton-Hawksley use him as the star of his children's books, he also uses the adorable toy to attract people to him and his wife on their travels, ensuring he has many anecdotes and photographs to use in his next book.

Instead of using the launch to sell his books, he handed out a free copy of each of the three books in the series to every attendee. All that Houghton-Hawksley asked in return is that the books be put to good use - to teach children to love books and reading as they broaden their knowledge of the world.

George resident Annamie van Rensburg, who was fortunate enough to have Houghton-Hawksley as her English teacher at Montagu High in the 70s, said he was an absolute inspiration. "He instilled a love of literature and language in me. You will be hard-pressed to find a more wonderful teacher than Doctor Hugh."

Hugh Houghton-Hawksley and the graphic designer of the Jamie Jaguar series, Olga Ludick. Photo supplied

And the doc is equally proud of Annamie who achieved an A for English in matric on his watch.

Houghton-Hawksley became an inspector of schools and has written many educational and other books during his career.

Each member of the audience wrote a plea to Imperial George, that has the Jaguar vehicle agency, to support the books about its namesake with a sponsorship to make them more widely available.

To order the Jamie Jaguar series or for more information, contact Houghton-Hawksley at hughhawksley@gmail.com.

With Dr Hugh Houghton-Hawksley are teachers of George Pre-primary, from left: Colette Rossouw, Janke van Rensburg, Talné Jordaan, Regina Koekemoer and Marelize Buxmann-Lindeque.