The Picture Kelpies must be the best thing to come along in Scottish publishing this century. Floris have assembled a sensitive, witty, and very talented team of writers and illustrators to produce this series. The latest two are no exception.
Thistle Games, written by Mike Nicholson and illustrated by Jo Litchfield, the team who brought us Thistle Sands, tells the story of a Highland Games, but again using fantastic Scots words in context. Not a page is wasted as Jo Litchfield’s sketches perfectly portray the events and personalities of a good day out. I love the details of things going on in the background, the little boy running up late for his race, unzipping his top, grandparents with their flasks and picnics, everyone trooping out with their prizes at the end, exchanging opinions about the best bit of the day. I guarantee you will see people you know on these quirky, but modern pages.
Skye the Puffling, written by Lynne Rickards and illustrated by Jon Mitchell could well be a follow-on from Harris the Hero, only by this time Harris is a father. This is a sweet story of a baby puffin who gets lost. She’s a bit of an adventurer, but one day she goes too far and falls off a cliff. Still unable to fly, she is caught by a gannet and whisked off to the Bass Rock. Her parents find out what has happened and go to rescue her. They all stay on the Rock until Skye learns to fly.
These are both charming books which I’m really looking forward to sharing with my grandchildren.
