Quick Look
- A laugh-out-loud caper that sees a cheeky wee dog chased by a growing crowd of hilarious Highland games characters
- A perfect book for practising counting -- the number of pursuers steadily increases as the irate hat owner is joined by two pipers, three granddads, four strong folk... all the way up to ten tug o' war teammates
- The humorous, rhythmic rhyming story from Kate Abernethy is ideal for reading aloud with young children
- Laura Darling's charming, lively illustrations capture Wee Rascal's playful, naughty dog energy and the mounting chaos that follows her
- A fun, vibrant depiction of a contemporary Highland Games reflecting a diverse and inclusive modern Scotland
- Young Scots and visitors alike will love this lively Scottish picture book
A cheeky Scottie dog steals a hat and sets off on an increasingly chaotic chase through a busy Highland Games in this delightfully funny rhyming tale, bursting with character and charm. Will anybody catch the wee rascal?
Description
'One hat-loving lady,
Two pipers with puff,
Three grandads in pinnies,
They've all had enough!
She sprints to the field -- it's time for a play,
But some cumbersome cabers get in the way.
CRASH! SMASH! BANG!
"Stop, ye WEE RASCAL!" the four strong folk cry.'
Uh-oh! There's a great Highland Games chase afoot when Wee Rascal, a cheeky Scottie dog, runs off with a delicious-looking hat!
Dodging out-of-puff pipers, cake-covered grandads, runaway coos and dizzy Highland dancers, Wee Rascal leads an increasingly hilarious pursuit through a Scottish Highland Games. Can anyone catch the mischievous puppy?
This quirky counting and rhyming picture book is full of chaotic charm. With humorous text from author Kate Abernethy and lively illustrations from illustrator Laura Darling, The Great Highland Games Chase is a fun, memorable read that's perfect for children from Scotland and beyond.
Reviews
'An absolute triumph of a picture book with many an engaging element to have little readers demanding multiple reads... Illustrator Laura Darling has illustrated all the shenanigans with incredible energy, and brought the wonderful Highland Games to life.'
-- My Book Corner
'Overall, we really enjoyed this book, between the rhyming story, the counting fun, and the lovely illustrations with lots of details to study. Whether or not you've been to a Highland Games before, you’ll find it really captures that Scottish flair, and it was impossible to choose a favourite scene.'
-- The Bear and the Fox
Author
Kate Abernethy is a Scottish children's author. She has an MA in English Literature but spent a number of years working as an accountant before following her dream of writing for children. Kate loves the challenge of making every word count and, when not wrestling words into shape, you may find her strolling through the woodlands or tinkering at a spreadsheet. The Great Highland Games Chase is Kate's debut picture book. She lives in the New Forest, Hampshire, with her family.
Laura Darling is a Scottish children's illustrator and writer. She has an MA in Illustration from Edinburgh College of Art. Laura has worked with organisations such as the V&A Dundee and UNESCO City of Design Dundee. Her playful, pencil, paint and ink illustrations have been featured in activity books, appeared as murals and been used as maps. In 2021 she was mentored by Chris Haughton as part of the prestigious Picturehooks programme. The Great Highland Games Chase is Laura's first picture book. She lives in Dundee.
