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!






(Kindly sent to us for review by Picture Kelpies)

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"Can't Dance Cameron" by Emily Dodd and Katie Pamment (Picture Kelpies)

Never call him a grouse! Charlotte mistook him for a pigeon. But he's one of my favourite birds, he's Cameron - the Scottish Capercaillie and as awesome as he is, there's just one problem. Cameron can't dance!

He's tried so many times to emulate the fine popping and bopping of his eminent grandfather, but try as he might, Cameron just ends up getting his feet in a twist and falling flat on his face.

It takes a rather knowledgeable and wise squirrel called Hazel to restore Cameron's belief in himself. If he helps her find her missing nut, she'll teach him how to dance. It sounds like an awesome plan!

Emily Dodd and Katie Pamment give a goodly dose of scottish flair to a fabulous book about self-belief, friendship and awesome dancing. The Picture Kelpies range is perfect for little ones who want stories that feel fresh, original and fun and "Can't Dance Cameron" ticks all of those boxes.

We like to think of Hazel imparting her words of wisdom like a female more-squirrelly Morgan Freeman :)

Just in case you need a little introduction to why I think this is the most awesome bird in the world, check out the Capercaillie in action (and DO NOT watch this clip without audio, just listen to the fantastic noises they make!) - There's also an awesome "Can't Dance Cameron" Event Trailer!





Charlotte's best bit: Cameron's expert pine-cone kicking skills when faced with a wild scottish cat

Daddy's Favourite bit: A superb fresh-feeling tale with my favourite bird, what could possibly be better! Marvellous work Emily and Katie!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Floris Books)

Rounding off our trio of reviews looking at the fantastic Picture Kelpies range, we've been taking a look at "The Selkie Girl" by Janis Mackay and Ruchi Mhasane. Tapping into scottish legends once again, it tells the tale of a young boy called Fergus and his father who are very poor, eking out a living from the sea and shore where they live. One day Fergus finds a mysterious fur blanket tucked away amongst the rocks as he combs the beach. He takes this newfound treasure home but doesn't realise that the fur belongs to The Selkie Girl, and without it she cannot return to the sea. For the fur holds the power to change the girl into a seal, allowing her to dive and swim underwater.

Trapped on land, the girl has no choice but to find her way to Fergus' cottage to beg for the return of her fur coat. Fergus (rather meanly in our opinion) likes her company, so tells her that he will return the coat to her if she spends a week with him on land.

The two become firm friends, and Fergus enjoys having a friend around - stark contrast to his usual lonely and miserable existence. But as the two play together, the Selkie Girl misses her family and thus must return to the sea...but what of Fergus, is he destined to be forever lonely? We'll let you discover this story and find out for yourself in the book.

Janis Mackay's thoughtful and touching retelling of this classic scottish folk tale is beautifully brought to life by Ruchi Mhasane's illustrations, and the lyrical text makes this a wonderful story to read before bedtime. We have been completely and thoroughly impressed with the Picture Kelpies range, fusing fantastic traditional stories with the very highest quality artwork and presentation. Do seek them out because they really are worth a place in your collection.

Charlotte's best bit: Fergus and Selkie playing together and having lots of fun

Daddy's Favourite bit: Another brilliant addition to the Picture Kelpies range, with a fantastic traditional tale melded with gorgeous art.

(Kindly sent to us for review by Picture Kelpies)

A stunning new range of children's books landed on our doorstep just before we disappeared on holiday for two weeks. So we spirited them away with us and have been enthralled by them.

The first one we're taking a look at is "The Dragon Stoorworm" by Theresa Breslin and Matthew Land. A traditional feel to a Scottish tale of legend and of dragons, as the colossal dragon Stoorworm threatens the entire country. His huge appetite means that he is in danger of stripping the land of its flora and fauna. Only one thing will satisfy him. In return for not trashing the place, the dragon demands a young healthy person to eat every day - starting with the King's lovely daughter, Princess Gemdelovely (heck of a name, huh!)

The king cannot sacrifice his daughter, so puts word out that if any man can stand between Stoorworm and his daughter, and free the country from the evil dragon's tyranny, he will win the king's sword, the king's throne and the hand of his lovely daughter in marriage (though quite sensibly Princess Gemdelovely isn't exactly enthralled with the idea of daddy giving away her hand on a whim!)

Knights come and go, brave souls succumb to the dragon's awesome power but one day Assipattie spies the princess through the window of the castle and so desperately wants to get to know her that he decides to help the king. Assipattie and Princess Gemdelovely have a cunning plan to get rid of Stoorworm, and bravely they set out to battle!

Will they succeed? Ahh you know us, we're not here to tell you the ending of this fantastic tale, but to let you discover this wonderful range for yourself. Picture Kelpies combine brilliant traditional tales with utterly stunning artwork (it's amazing to think that this is Matthew Land's first picture book - the man has a bright future ahead of him!)

Check out the range - we'll be following up with reviews of "The Selkie Girl" and "The Legend of Tam Linn" very soon.

Charlotte's best bit: Charley's visit to the dentist. Rinse please!

Daddy's Favourite bit: Brilliant fun for tiddlers, beautifully illustrated and told

(Kindly sent to us for review by Picture Kelpies)