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PRESS RELEASE

Braw Scots Words for Blethering Bairns

Two Edinburgh Authors Launch New Picture Books
Edinburgh author Mike Nicholson plays around with rhyming Scots words and funny scenarios in his first picture book, Thistle Street. With the help of humour and rhyme, Mike introduces children to Scottish words like blether, crabbit and braw. The book was born one rainy Monday at a caf in Cannonmills. I had an idea for a set of funny scenarios which introduced and explained to young readers in a humorous way what commonly used Scottish words meant. The words came quickly and the snapshots of life in the street emerged, Mike explains. In Thistle Street, we go for a DAUNDER down the bustling wee high street in a Scottish seaside town. The streets residents go through their day, trying to avoid a STRAMASH on the way to school, having a good BLETHER outside the bakers, and rushing indoors when the weather gets DREICH. Each scenario was written backwards. I would start with the last word on the page; the Scottish word, then work out what best rhymed with it, and then invent the scenario from there, Mike reveals. Mike is looking forward to the launch of Thistle Street next week, and promises to dress in a kilt for the occation. Braw! Also launched in the same series is Macs Christmas Star, the second picture book about Mac the Edinburgh cat by author/illustrator team Margaret Forrester and Sandra Klaassen. The stories of Mac are inspired by a real cat, an existing resident in Margarets family home in Edinburgh. In Macs Christmas Star, Macs friend Catriona has peeked at her Christmas present, and Mac wants to climb the Christmas tree. What could possibly go wrong? Thistle Street and Macs Christmas Star, available to buy from 20 September, are two of the latest releases in the Picture Kelpies series of original Scottish picture books. Both books will be launched next week at Augustine United Church in Edinburgh.
About the Authors
Macs Christmas Star by Margaret Forrester and Sandra Klaassen (978-086315-842-1 paperback, 5.99)

Thistle Street by Mike Nicholson and Claire Keay (978-086315-910-7 paperback, 5.99)

Mike Nicholson is the author of childrens novels Catscape and Grimm. He won the Kelpies Prize for new Scottish childrens fiction in 2005. Mike lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. Thistle Street is his first picture book.

Margaret Forrester was born and brought up in Edinburgh. She worked in India and England before returning to Edinburgh. She is the author of My Cat Mac and The Cat Who Decided, a novel about Mac for 6 to 9-year-olds.
Launch: Thursday 20 September, Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh. Review copies and book jackets are available on request from Benedicte Lerfald at Floris Books (0131 337 2372 or benedicte@florisbooks.co.uk).