Thursday 16 July 2015

The Grouse and the Mouse by Emily Dodd and Kirsteen Harris-Jones (Picture Kelpies)


It's a happy highland book birthday to the latest story from the genius author of "Can't Dance Cameron". Emily Dodd is back, this time with the story of a rather boorish bird with a big booming voice, prim and proud but about ready for a classic case of come-uppance. In "The Grouse and the Mouse" Bagpipe, the grouse in question is absolutely full of himself, proudly strutting over the Scottish moors proudly displaying his fine feathers and wattle. Bagpipe is befriended by a small brown and rather timid mouse named Squeaker, and Bagpipe never tires of pointing out just how small, how dull-coloured, how...inadequate the poor wood mouse is.


But Squeaker is happy. He rather likes being brown because it helps him blend in. He doesn't mind not having a fine feathered tail, a thin bendy useful one is much better for a mouse.

Bagpipe the grouse will hear none of it though and his proud boasting leads him into trouble as he gets his big fat bottom stuck in a wire fence.

Can the mouse, the tiny little insignificant rodent, possibly help this proud bird out?

It's a lovely novel take on the classic "Lion and mouse" fable, given a fantastic dose of fine Scots air to breathe new life into it. With glorious illustrations from Kirsteen Harris-Jones, you will absolutely love reading this out loud.

"The Grouse and the Mouse" by Emily Dodd and Kirsteen Harris-Jones is out today from Picture Kelpies.

Charlotte's best bit: The big-headed grouse wriggling and struggling when stuck in the fence. HELP!!!

Daddy's Favourite bit: A delicious fable subtly given a new lease of life, absolutely fab!

The Grouse and the Mouse

Written by Emily Dodd

Illustrated by Kirsteen Harris-Jones


Published by Picture Kelpies

Release Date: 16th July 2015

(Kindly sent to us for review by Picture Kelpies)

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