More Favourite Scottish Kids Books

Friday Five More Scottish Kids Books

Seeing as it was Burns Night this week, the day where Scotland celebrates its national bard each year, I thought it would be a good excuse to introduce you to some more of our favourite Scottish kids picture books. You can also check out my previous post on Scottish kids books, and the one specifically on picture books set in Edinburgh, for additional recommendations. But back to today’s round-up, clockwise starting from the top:

  • Maggie’s Mittens, by Coo Clayton (author) and Alison Soye (illustrator) – This book was only just released end of last year, and of course we had to go straight out and buy it. Maggie doesn’t like her mittens, because they are hot and fuzzy, so she sets out to find a new home for them on her trip around Scotland. But wherever she goes, nobody needs them, not the doggie, nor the Kelpies, the piper, the golfer or even Nessie. Until a naughty puffin steals them, and Maggie realises that her mittens were quite good at keeping her hands warm after all. But all’s well, that ends well. The book never actually mentions where any of the places are, but anyone familiar with Scotland will recognise some of the famous landmarks such as Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh, the Kelpie statues in Falkirk, the Duke of Wellington in Glasgow with a traffic cone on his head, the Dandy’s Desperate Dan in Dundee, or St Andrews famed for its golf courses, and Loch Ness, home to the legendary Loch Ness Monster. It’s a funny sweet story, and the illustrations are lovely too. There’s a colouring picture of mittens at the back of the book, and a little squirrel to spot on each in each scene.
  • Katie in Scotland, by James Mayhew – This book is part of the Katie series, which often see Katie exploring artists and artworks in various museums. In this edition, however, she is on holiday in Scotland with her brother and grandma, and lo and behold, runs in to the Loch Ness Monster. Nessie decides to tag along to visit the Edinburgh Festival, via a stop-over in Glasgow, and they all end up performing at the Edinburgh Festival together. The book features lots of real life landmarks, such as Kelvingrove Museum and Park, Edinburgh Castle and the One o’Clock Gun, Holyrood Palace, Greyfriars Bobby, the Scottish Portrait Gallery, and the Forth Bridge. And Loch Ness, of course. A great book to prepare for a trip to Scotland, or as a souvenir.
  • The Fourth Bonniest Baby in Dundee, by Michelle Sloan (author) & Kasia (illustrator) Matyjaszek – This is one we read at the library, and the story is quite funny and sweet. It’s told from the point of view of the baby’s big sister, who spots a sign for a contest to find the bonniest baby in Dundee. So they dash home to scrub up the baby and make it to the judging in time. But along the way they are caught in the rain, splash through puddles, get soaking wet, and arrive with “sticky, claggie, clarty” baby instead. Is there any chance left of winning? Especially after the baby blows a raspberry in the judge’s face? Read to find out! (though the title of the book is a bit of a giveaway, lol) Featuring recognisable scenes from downtown Dundee.
  • The Tobermory Cat, by Debi Gliori – This is another one we read at the library. It’s set in the real life town of Tobermory on the island of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. All the other villages in the area have special cats – wooly cats, fishing cats, singing cats – drawing in tourists, but not Tobermory, so there the tourists are staying away. Up steps one ginger cat, to try and save the day. Will he succeed? A lovely, cat filled story about realising the skills you have and embracing difference.
  • Wee Granny’s Magic Bag, by Elizabeth McKay (author) & Maria Bogade (illustrator) – This book doesn’t feature any real life places at all, just a Scottish grandma and her magical tartan bag. A little reminiscent of Mary Poppins and her infamous bag, this story centres around Emily, Harry and their ‘Wee Granny’. Surprising things always happen, when Granny brings her bag along and pulls out things such as a lamp-post to assist with carol singing, or deckchairs for the beach. What will she pull out of her bag this time? Find out, as Granny steps in to help get the cakes ready for the school fair. A slightly bonkers story, but the boys love it.

Do you have any other favourite Scottish picture books recommend? Please feel free to share them in the comments below.


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Linking up with ‘Read With Me’ hosted by Mama Mummy Mum

Comments: 16

  • reply
    26 January 2018

    Ooh I like the sound of Wee Granny’s Magic Bag. Love a new book to read to my daughter :)

  • reply
    26 January 2018

    Aww what a fantastic selection of books – I’ve not read the Katie in Scotland book, but we have the London version :)

  • reply
    26 January 2018

    I’m so ashamed to admit I didn’t actually know what Burns Night was celebrating until I just read your post. I love the idea of theming the books you read and this is a great one. I think Wee Granny’s Magic Bag sounds especially great x

  • reply
    26 January 2018

    I love books like this that have a theme. We normally go for seasonal themes but I love the idea of using countries instead!

  • reply
    26 January 2018

    What lovely books. I can’t actually say that I’ve ever come across any children’s books with reference to Scotland. I love the sound of Katie in Scotland. I’m not even sure my little boy understands all about Scotland. I think it’s time we changed that.

  • reply
    26 January 2018

    What beautiful books. Alison Soye did my blog header, I really love her work.

  • reply

    Ray

    26 January 2018

    Katie in Scotland sounds like a fun read ! I’ve heard of Wee Granny – I’ve definitely seen it on CBeebies story time before.

  • reply
    27 January 2018

    I loved the Katie Morag books when my kids were wee. We’ve got a Shetland dialect version of the Gruffalo too, did you know? I think there’s a Scots’ version as well.

  • reply
    28 January 2018

    Oh I love that these are all Scottish books! We haven’t read any of them yet but as huge fans of Scotland Im sure I will look them up!

  • reply
    30 January 2018

    We love Wee Granny’s Magic Bag, it was one of the first book we reviewed on Story Snug. I would also add Katie Morag and There Was a Wee Lassie by Rebecca Colby and Kate McLelland.

    #ReadWithMe

  • reply
    30 January 2018

    I don’t have a favourite Scottish book but I can see these being some entertaining reads. Loving the look of Wee Granny’s Magic Bag. Thank you for sharing with #readwithme

  • reply
    31 January 2018

    How lovely! It’s nice for children to learn about new places or see familiar ones as they’re reading. For me, Tobermory will always be Balamory!

  • reply
    20 February 2018

    Wow amazing thanks for this collection of books

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