N is for Nessie: A Scottish Alphabet for Kids

by Kate Davies (Illustrator)

Overview

Explore Scotland from A to Z in this beautifully illustrated journey through the alphabet.

Sing Auld Lang Syne while you climb to the top of a Castle. Wave to a Highland cow in John O'Groats. Put on a Kilt and avoid those Midges as you visit a Loch to meet Nessie. Then speed back over the Forth Bridge to Edinburgh Zoo – not forgetting your Umbrella...

Take a whistle-stop tour through the Scottish alphabet, from Bagpipes and Kilts to Puffins and Thistles. Each letter from A to Z represents the best of everything Scottish: beautiful landscapes, fascinating history and amazing wildlife. Just watch out for the weather!

Illustrator Kate Davies fills each page of this charming and fun book with humorous Scottish details. Featuring one word per letter, it's ideal for younger children to enjoy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782508526
Publisher:	Floris Books
Publication date:	02/06/2024
Series:	Picture Kelpies
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 9.80(h) x (d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Kate Davies is a children's illustrator based near Bath, England.

Editorial Reviews

2014-02-12
Another niche alphabet book, this one is an exercise in pairing Scottish words or items with each of the 26 letters. As is common in ABC books with a narrow focus or theme, some word choices are obvious, while others are unusual or even odd. With one word (or short phrase) per page, the text is dependent on the illustrations to provide context and entertainment. These are colorful and appealing, featuring a family (Dad carries a toddler in a front pouch) with a Scottie dog interspersed here and there. Adding them to more of the scenes would have livened up the visual interest; the Castles page has no people in it, for instance (though there's that Scottie). Unsurprising word choices include: Kilt, Loch, Queen of Scots, Thistle and Umbrella. On the other hand, Forth Bridge, John O'Groats, Midgies, Whiskey, and "Very, very wet" seem like a stretch. The challenging letter X is the saltire cross on the Scottish flag. Some will be disappointed to see that H is for Highland cow, not Haggis. The two-page glossary in the back will help to clear up some confusion; it informs readers that a "midgie is a biting insect that lives in Scotland." Sure to be prominently displayed in gift shops all over Scotland, this might be useful in the States for Scottish expats or families preparing for a trip. (Alphabet picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews