The Grouse and the Mouse

Quick Look

• A fun picture book stars two of Loch Lomond and the Trossach's residents -- an endangered black grouse and a wood mouse
• A funny, noisy, heart-warming, Scottish tale about valuing difference
• Children and parents alike will enjoy the beautifully rendered Scottish scenery

A funny and lively tale about two of Scotland's best-loved animals -- an endangered black grouse and a wood mouse -- who learn to value their differences.

Description

Bagpipe the Black Grouse loves admiring his glorious red eyebrows and his magnificent straight tail feathers. He feels sorry for his friend, Squeaker the Wood Mouse, with his boring brown fur and bendy tail.

But Squeaker's help, along with brown-ness and bendy-ness, might be just what Bagpipe needs when he gets into some serious fox trouble.

Starring two of Scotland's best-loved residents, an endangered black grouse and a wood mouse, this is a funny and heart-warming tale about valuing difference, from the author of Can't-Dance-Cameron.

Reviews

'A delightfully funny and heartwarming story of two very unusual friends, animals who learn to understand their differences and work together. Charming illustrations luring the reader into the beauty of the Scottish countryside add to the appeal.'
-- Armadillo

'A delicious fable, subtly given a new lease of life, absolutely fab!'
-- Read It Daddy

Praise for Can't-Dance-Cameron by Emily Dodd:

'A wonderful, gentle wee story about learning to believe in yourself, and discovering what you are good at.'
-- Dorky Mum blog

'... if you like your creatures resolutely Scottish, there is always The Grouse And The Mouse... which follows Bagpipe the puffed up and pompous grouse and Squeaker the wood mouse, as they find out just who really is the most magnificent animal in Scotland.'
--Herald Scotland

'The illustrations by Kirsteen Harris-Jones work well. The setting is unmistakably Scottish, and the animals are beautifully depicted, with amusing facial expressions. This story would also be fun to read aloud, with a lot of opportunities for audience participation.'
--Agnes Guyon, SLA

Author

Emily Dodd is passionate about science, wildlife and storytelling. She is a screenwriter for CBeebies science programme Nina and the Neurons and has written and presented science shows for the Edinburgh International Science Festival, the Scottish Seabird Centre, Edinburgh University, National Museums Scotland and Our Dynamic Earth. Emily was the 2012/2013 Scottish Book Trust Reader in Residence at Leith Library, Edinburgh. Among other fiction and non-fiction books for children, she is the author of Can't Dance Cameron, also in the Picture Kelpies range.

Kirsteen Harris-Jones completed a BA in children's illustration for publishing, and has worked in advertising, graphic design and animation. She's now a freelance artist living in Shropshire with her husband and three children. She is also the illustrator of another Picture Kelpie, No Such Thing As Nessie!

Links

The Grouse and the Mouse is in Floris Books' range of Picture Kelpie Scottish children's picture books. Parents of young children might also enjoy the dedicated Picture Kelpies website. Download and print out games, colouring and jokes for your children based on Picture Kelpie favourites, and find out more about these quality Scottish picture books to enjoy together.