Matthew Fitt

Written entirely in Scots, this is a science fiction novel set in a future where the Scottish Highlands are the only unsubmerged area of Britain. With strong characters and a gripping plot, the well-defined settings create an atmosphere of paranoia and danger.

Zeus, high-held-yin o the gods and held-bummer o the universe, had a son and he cawed this son Hercules...So begins Matthew Fitt's exciting, hilarious and boisterous retelling of the ancient myth of Hercules and his twelve labours. When the mighty Hercules commits a terrible murder, his father, Zeus, punishes him by making him the slave of his step-brother Eurystheus. To win his freedom back, Hercules must perform twelve seemingly impossible tasks or trauchles. Hercules has to use all his strength and cunning to defeat terrible creatures, like the Lion of Nemea and the Bull of Crete, but not even he believes he can journey to Hades, the underworld, and come back alive with the fearsome fufty-heidit dug Cerberus. Matthew Fitt's rich but familiar Scots will delight young readers and draw them into the ancient world of gods, monsters and mortal combat. Vividly enhanced by Bob Dewar's energy-packed illustrations, Hercules is a perfect way to encourage children to read a sustained piece of Scots prose and also to introduce them to one of the greatest stories of all time.

After a wild night-oot up at Kirk Alloway, Tam o Shanter has got some explaining to do. How does Kate take the news o his hell-raising ceilidh wi the witches? Why is the family cuddie wrapped aroond a lamp post? Does Tam get his tea or has he had his chips? Read and recited at Burns Suppers all over the world, Kate o Shanter's Tale is a classic of modern Scots poetry. Complemented by more rants and whigmaleeries by Scots writer Matthew Fitt, this vibrant first collection engages as much as it entertains.

'Fair fa yer honest sonsie faceGreat chieftain o the pudding race'Marking the 20th anniversary of Itchy Coo, this beautifully illustrated collection of Scotland's best loved poetry is back in the form of the extremely popular lift-the-flap book, to inspire even the youngest budding poet in a simple, entertaining and colourful way. Kids will delight in the hidden surprises within the pages, lifting the flaps to reveal where the moose is hiding and what the haggis has on its head, while singing along with parents and teachers to favourite Scottish tunes such as 'Red Red Rose' with Rabbie travelling alongside them through the story, ending up in a marvellous Burns Supper rendition of 'Auld Lang Syne'.

Katie's Coo is a collection of eight of Scotland's best loved rhymes and songs. Little ones can sing or chant along with their parents, aunties, uncles, sisters, brothers and grandparents to 'Wee Willie Winky', 'Ally Bally Bee' and more, whilst enjoying the bright colours and friendly farm animals along the way.Illustrated by award winning artist Karen Sutherland and developed alongside the Scottish Book Trust and Craigmillar Books for Babies, it's a fantastic introduction to Scots language, humour and rhythm.

King o the Midden is back, and mankier than ever, with his cast of grimy guests, like Sergeant Snoddy (fae Kirkcaldy), exploding fairies and a hungry hairy mammoth. Brewing belly laughs for kids and adults alike, this collection of ridiculous rhymes is not for the faint-humoured. Marking the 20th anniversary of Itchy Coo, and devilishly doodled by Bob Dewar, this collection of musings from mischievous Scots writers covers everything from aliens to sport, family life to superheroes and how it feels to be a fish 'Swimmin in batter'.

This packed anthology contains a vast selection of literature in Scots. From the Renaissance makars to contemporary authors, together with work in translation from a number of different languages, it gathers into one volume writers as diverse as Robert Henryson, William Dunbar, Robert Fergusson, Robert Burns, Jean Elliot, Walter Scott, Hugh MacDiarmid, Liz Lochead, Charles Baudelaire and Feodor Dostoevsky, as well as some of the finest anonymous ballads and songs ever composed. Arranged thematically into topics such as love, home, death, jealousy, pride, ambition, freedom, work and play, it gives teachers and students immense scope both for comparative analysis and exploration of the main concerns of individual authors. It is, therefore, not only a major contribution to the study of Scots literature but a fascinating and enjoyable tour through some of the greatest writing Scotland has ever produced. Ideal for both students at upper secondary level and beyond, as well as anyone wishing to indulge in the best in Scottish literature.

This collection of eight plays has been conceived and written by teachers and pupils from all over Scotland. Taking a poem, story or historical event as its starting-point, each piece retells the episode in modern Scots, using dialects and forms that reflect the way Scots is spoken across the country today. Subjects include: Tam o Shanter - but not quite as Robert Burns imagined his adventure; Sir Patrick Spens - based on the traditional ballad, but with some modern additions; The Abbot of Tungland's attempt to fly from the walls of Stirling Castle; Heartbreak Hotel - Scots-style; Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - but with a modern twist. Not only will this anthology give students access to modern Scots texts for speaking aloud, but it will also help to build confidence in writing in Scots. Use the plays as templates and classes can then devise, write and perform their own pieces based on a subject of their choice.