Quick Look
A unique guide with child-friendly maps to help children and adults discover Edinburgh and its children's books.
Description
'My love affair with writing in this city culminated in having the book launch of the sixth Harry Potter at Edinburgh Castle, easily my favourite launch so far.'
-- J. K. Rowling
'A glimpse of a lit room as one passes by is like seeing a little tableau. I don't want to be invited in and shown it in detail. I only want an impression. My imagination can do the rest.'
-- Joan Lingard, author of The Sign of the Black Dagger and Tilly and the Badgers
'Did you know that if Robert Louis Stevenson had never written 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde', there might be no big, green, angry superhero called the Hulk? In fact, there's a good chance we wouldn't have an evil Jedi Knight called Darth Vader either.'
-- Keith Gray, author of The Runner and Creepers
'I decided to poke gentle fun at some of the ladies who'd lived beside us. I turned them all into one Mrs McKitty. These ladies all wore hats from Jenners, and were afraid of nothing and no one. And of course they all had the famous Morningside "Panloaf Accent"!'
-- Aileen Paterson, author of the Maisie books
From its secret underground streets to the top of Arthur's Seat, the city of Edinburgh has been the inspiration for many children's books and writers.
This unique guide will help children and adults to discover Edinburgh through its children's books -- and to discover new books and writers through their city. With full-colour, child-friendly maps for different areas of Edinburgh, the book can be used as an informative walking guide around Edinburgh, or read as a fascinating overview of the city's rich contribution to children's literature.
The contributors to the book represent the cream of Edinburgh children's writing, from Joan Lingard and Mollie Hunter to Keith Gray, Gill Arbuthnott and Nicola Morgan. Each writer talks about why Edinburgh is such a perfect setting for their work, and introduces the area closest to their heart. There's also an Introduction by J. K. Rowling.
This book is a great present for children (and their families) who live in Edinburgh, or who are visiting the city. It is also a required purchase for libraries as the definitive guide to Edinburgh's literature for children.
Reviews
'[a] beautifully illustrated book.'
-- Tim Cornwell, The Scotsman, Tuesday 17th April 2007
'Read about Edinburgh's murky past, find out which areas inspire their inhabitants or simply enjoy dipping in and out of this fascinating book.'
-- Carousel, Summer 2007
'A literary guide with a difference.'
-- Teen Titles Magazine, Issue 39
'I thought this was a really good guide to Edinburgh ... I like the personal quotes in the book from authors such as J K Rowling - I really could picture her sitting writing Harry Potter.'
-- Gavin Todd, Craigmount High, for Teen Titles Magazine
'This was a really helpful book! The maps are clear and colourful and easy to understand.'
-- Emma McDougall, Craigmount High, for Teen Titles Magazine
'Despite living in Edinburgh all my life I discovered a new appreciation of the city through other eyes... This book is worth a visit even if you cannot make the trip to Edinburgh itself.'
-- Armadillo, Autumn 2007
'This small book... does an excellent job... I can recommend the book highly to both visitors and residents, on the grounds that it's given me plenty of freshly informed inspiration for future walks in streets I've been roaming for several years.'
-- George Hunt, Books for Keeps, November 2007
'An attractive 80-page guide which will help children and adults alike to discover our capital through its children's books.'
-- The Scots Magazine, December 2007
'The reader is stimulated by photographs and humorous drawings in this light-hearted and delightful exploration of Edinburgh.'
-- Wendy Axford, The School Librarian, Winter 2007
'... an invaluable guide to exploring the city, or simply for dipping into.'
-- Carousel, Summer 2009
Author
Lindsey Fraser is a partner in Fraser Ross Associates, a literary agency she co-founded after working for Scottish Book Trust for many years. Her reviews of children's books appear regularly in The Sunday Herald. She was also the manager of Heffers Children's
Bookshop in Cambridge.
Kathryn Ross is a partner in Fraser Ross Associates, a literary agency she co-founded with Lindsey Fraser after working for Scottish Book Trust for many years. They consult on many literary projects, including The Pushkin Prizes in Scotland and The Blue Peter Book Awards. Her reviews of children's books appear regularly in The Scotsman, and she used to teach English in schools in the UK and Germany.
