posted on 05 Sep 2024

The Wild Beastie by Helen Kellock

Welcome to the Isle of Begg, a secret island ‘…far off the coast of Scotland, in a forgotten part of the sea..’. It’s a place that is ‘home to many strange and wonderful creatures’. This is the home Bumple, who lives with her Mumma in a house between the river and the forest.

Now, it has to be said that despite looking like a cross between a shaggy teddy bear and a small Angus steer, Bumple isn’t exactly brave and adventurous. To her going anywhere beyond stream near her house is far too fraught with danger on an island full of other strange beasties.

But on this occasion even this safe space turns out to be not quite as private as she expected. As she plays with her favourite toy, Peedie, a small, green, hairy creature lands with a plop in the water right in front of her. This, it turns out, is Little Mop. And Little Mop is out to find fun.

Bumple’s uninvited playmate launches Peedie down the river on its very own boat and the two new playmates have to set off in pursuit. Bit by bit the two go further downstream until, to Bumple’s astonishment, they reach the sea.

Now, of course, the two are lost – which doesn’t seem to worry Little Mop but Bumple just wants to get back to the safety of her house again. Through forest, down holes, along tunnels the two go until they find themselves once again in sight of the sanctuary of home. There’s just one problem – it’s on the other side of the river and there’s no obvious way to get across.

But a new, emboldened, Bumple has a brainwave. Want to know what it is? Well, I’ll leave you to find out the answer for yourself when you get your own copy.

This is a book for younger children who might be a bit wary of stepping out into the world and who need to be convinced that there’s fun to be had by taking a few chances and making some new friends. Growing up is about problem solving and that can’t be done without sometimes going into territory you’re not familiar with – and meeting people you don’t already know.

Available from Walker Books, you will be able to get a copy from your local independent bookshop – who will, of course, be happy to order it for you if they don’t have it on the shelf.

 

Terry Potter

September 2024