This highly anticipated book is the latest volume of much-loved Scottish tale treasuries by Carnegie-award-winning children’s author Theresa Breslin and Kate Greenaway Medal-longlisted artist Kate Leiper.

Explore secret passages beneath Edinburgh Castle, search for the mysterious monster of Glamis, capture the faery flag of Dunvegan, joust with knights at Stirling Castle and swim with the selkie of Eilean Donan in this sumptuous collection of tales from iconic Scottish castles. Read much-cherished and little-known legends, each illuminating the character and history of its castle, all brilliantly retold and beautifully illustrated to amuse, thrill and enchant.

A wonderful gift, this is a stunning book to be treasured for a lifetime, bringing history, place and story alive for children, parents and grandparents alike.

Table of Contents

The Ghostly Piper of Edinburgh Castle —
The Mysterious Monster in the Castle of Glamis —
The Wizard of Stirling Castle —
The Faery Flag of Dunvegan Castle —
The Redcap Goblin of Caerlaverock Castle —
Doe Not Vaken Sleiping Dogs —
The King’s Three Questions —
Long Ago, Before Castle Urquhart and the Loch Ness Monster —
Meg with the Muckle Mouth —
The Selkie Girl and the Otter King —
Tale End —
Glossary

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Multi-award-winning author Theresa Breslin, who has carefully researched Mary’s life, has adapted this famous adventure into a picture book for children.

Through stunning illustrations and a gripping story, both packed with historical detail, children will feel the tension of Mary’s imprisonment and the excitement of her escape plans, gaining insight into this fascinating period of Scottish history.

A full and engaging historical tale for children from a fabulous Scottish storyteller.

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Nina Ivanovna’s world is in turmoil. Her only hope is to travel to St Petersburg, to escape the past and find a future.

Stefan Kolodin is a medical student – young and idealistic, he wants change for Russia and its people.

Amidst the chaos of a city in revolt, their lives collide. And a stormy relationship develops . . . full of passion and politics.

But soon Nina is drawn in to the glamorous, lavish lives of the Russian royal family – where she begins to fall under the spell of their mysterious monk, Grigory Rasputin. The ruby-studded dagger he carries – beautiful and deadly – could save her and Stefan from a cursed life
… or condemn them to it.

Publication date Thursday 10th August 2017

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Escaping from a troubled home and struggling to survive on the streets, the abandoned tunnels of the London Underground are a perfect sanctuary for Kai. Along with other teenagers running from their pasts, he finds somewhere to belong in this strange community of outcasts.

But Kai is now facing a very different kind of fight. Every night, led by the enigmatic Spartacus, the runaways must become cage fighters, each fight broadcast to the outside world via YouTube. With pay-per-view profits racking up, Kai and his friends hope to be able to start a new life.

Yet treachery and danger are never far behind, and a new arrival threatens the order that Spartacus has worked so carefully to maintain. And then there is the looming finale, the last battle between Kai and his nemesis Leo: the Kill Fight . . .

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In the highly anticipated companion volume to the much-loved An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales, award-winning children’s author Theresa Breslin brings together a stunning collection of tales from across Scotland.

Alternately humorous, poignant and thrilling, each story is brought to life with exquisite illustrations by Scottish fine artist Kate Leiper.

A wonderful gift, this is a truly stunning book to be treasured for a lifetime and will be enjoyed by parents and grandparents as well as children.

Table of Contents

• The Monster of Loch Ness
• Gillon and the Selkie
• The Story of the Giant’s Causeway
• Thomas the Rhymer or True Thomas
• The Whirlpool of the Corryvreckan
• The Mermen of the Bell Rock
• The Archer and the Island Beast
• The Big Grey Man of Ben Macdui
• The Wulver
• The Wee Folk of Merlin Crag
• The Saving Grace

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“As Rob helped Millie over the wall, he couldn’t resist taking a final glance back at the house.
Again – from the end attic window . . . a flash of white.
Rob’s breath caught in his throat. Then he laughed
at himself. It would be a gull nesting on the windowsill. Not a ghost.
There were no such things as ghosts…”

Rob and Millie’s father goes missing in action while serving at the front during the First World War. The children desperately search the hospital trains returning to Edinburgh with the wounded. But there’s no sign of him.

An abandoned building deep in the woods is suddenly full of doctors treating soldiers with shellshock – but after Rob and Millie overhear a suspicious conversation they decide to uncover what is really going on at this new hospital. Who is the ghostly figure the children spy looking out of one of the top windows? And will their beloved father ever return to them alive?

‘If a WWI story can be lovely, this is it. Lots of brave acts from lots of people, and much kindness.’
THE BOOKWITCH

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The King of Scotland called for warriors to defeat the terrible dragon and save his daughter, the Princess Gemdelovely, from being eaten. But none who faced the dragon ever returned, until…

Gentle Assipattle is no warrior, but maybe together, he and Princess Gemdelovely can free Scotland from the wrath of the Dragon Stoorworm.

A lively retelling of the traditional Scottish folk tale of the Dragon Stoorworm (or Mester Stoor Worm), which explains the origins of Scotland’s many islands, adapted for a young audience. Award-winning author Theresa Breslin’s story unfolds with wry humour while Matthew Land’s magical illustrations capture the fairy-tale beauty of Scotland.

The Dragon Stoorworm is one of the first titles released in the new Picture Kelpies: Traditional Scottish Tales range of picture books that bring classic Scottish folk and fairy tales to life for young children.

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Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers of 12+.

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