This year looked likely to be a quiet one on the writing and publishing front. I didn’t have any book plans in place (I’m always writing, but those words don’t always make their way into print) and I knew that my family and day-job were going to take up a lot of time. But there has been some good news and it looks set to be a summer of stories after all!
I’m absolutely delighted that The Ugly Puffling and Other Stories, a collection of four children’s stories inspired by Scottish wildlife, and illustrated by Sarah Lovell, will be published at the end of July with Foggie Toddle Books.
This project is close to my heart because it celebrates the amazing creatures that my children and I have been privileged to see in the wild.
Most of the stories are inspired by real moments, such as watching gannets dive into the Minch, or laughing at a red squirrel taking over our Argyll bird table, but some celebrate animals that we would love to encounter but haven’t met yet – like wildcats and wolves.
The stories were written separately over several years, and it is only recently that I realised that they were actually all connected – and fitted together as a collection for young readers. I hope they can introduce Highland and island wildlife to young people who have not come across it before, and can help those who already feel a connection with wild animals to celebrate that – and maybe learn a few more facts as well.
The book is a collaboration with Jayne from Foggie Toddle books and the illustrator Sarah Lovell, who are also the team behind the Highland Cowgirl picture book series. I am so lucky that both of these creators were able to bring their time and talents to producing this book – and in super quick time too. While most illustrated books take years to put together, this has gone from discussion to publication in just a few months.
You can order The Ugly Puffling and other stories from foggietoddlebooks.co.uk and it will soon be available from bookshops.
I received a second piece of exciting news at the start of June – an email to say that I was one of the writers shortlisted for the 2026 Kelpies Prize.
Run by the publisher Floris, this is a widely-respected award for emerging Scottish children’s writers and has played a part in launching the careers of many writers that I admire, including Lindsay Littleson and Hannah Foley. I am absolutely thrilled to be heading to Edinburgh for the award ceremony in the Autumn and have thoroughly enjoyed reading the excerpts of the other finalists’ work. Follow the link to find out more about the Kelpies Prize
Louisa MacDougall - children's author 