The Great Highland Games Chase is an absolute triumph of a picture book with many an engaging element to have little readers demanding multiple reads!
So, what is there to love, you ask? Let me count the ways:
1. a lovable, mischievous Scottie dog
2. flawless, bouncy rhyme
3. ever-mounting mayhem to get children giggling
4. clever, dynamic and engaging illustrations
5. oodles of splodgy, squelchy words to read aloud
6. all the beauty, colour and fun of the Highland Games
7. a cast of colourful characters to count
8. a buildable refrain that children can learn and join in with
9. the gorgeously Scottish “Stop, ye WEE RASCAL!” at the end of the refrain
10. A perfectly satisfying ending
Phew!
Author Kate Abernethy really has thought of everything. And illustrator Laura Darling has illustrated all the shenanigans with incredible energy, and brought the wonderful Highland Games to life. There’s Grandad’s bakery stand, the caber toss, bagpipers, highland dancers, a tug-o-war competition etc, etc, ETC! But also…
The book goes from THIS…
To THIS…
Via THIS…THIS…and THIS! (and more)
A huge BRAVO to this double debut author and illustrator team. I hope this wonderful children’s book will be enjoyed by WEE RASCALS up and down the country!
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