Maggie’s Mittens

Coo Clayton, illustrations by Alison Soye, Black and White Publishing £6.99.

Maggie’s Mittens is a charming children’s tale of a little girl keen to get rid of her scratchy mittens.

As she and her mother head off on holiday around some of Scotland’s wellkent destinations, she is determined to donate them to a new owner.

Her mother isn’t having any of it, mittens won’t fit on the Kelpies’ hooves, she explains, and Desperate Dan is tough enough to go without.

The journey takes in scenes in Edinburgh, St Andrews and Glasgow with a few humorous touches to keep the adults on board.

Author Coo Clayton, who grew up in St Andrews and is now based in Edinburgh, has brought the tale to life with an engaging and entertaining text, while Alison Soye’s illustrations will capture the imagination of young readers of all ages. Alison hails from Northern Ireland.

She studied at Duncan of Jordanstone in Dundee and is now also based in Edinburgh.

The addition of a find-the-squirrel activity is a lovely touch and, along with the map and detailed illustrations, helped to keep older children engaged.

Readers of Maggie’s Mittens are invited to log any squirrels that they see at www.ScottishSquirrels.org.uk as part of the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s campaign to save the red squirrel.

Maggie’s Mittens is recommended for children aged two to five years old.

Review by Nora McElhone.