Birlinn Limited was established in 1992 by Managing Director Hugh Andrew, and is comprised of a number of imprints.

Birlinn publishes Scottish and general UK interest books, from biography to history, military history, sport and Scottish Gaelic. Children’s books are also included in this list. The name comes from the old Norse word ‘birlinn’, meaning a long boat or small galley used especially in the Hebrides and West Highlands of Scotland in the Middle Ages.

Polygon publishes literary fiction and poetry, both classic and modern, from Scottish writers such as Robin Jenkins, George Mackay Brown and the author of the No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, Alexander McCall Smith, as well as selected music and film titles. International writers including Jan-Philipp Sendker, Rita Monaldi and Francesco Sorti are also published under this imprint. Polygon was originally set up by students of Edinburgh University in the late 1960s.

Arena Sport is Birlinn’s sport imprint and is designed for the general trade. The sport books range from football and rugby, to golf and cycling. These books have an international as well as national appeal. Arena’s first titles were published in June 2013.

John Donald publishes academic books.

Birlinn LtdWest Newington House10 Newington RoadEdinburghEH9 1QSTel: +44 (0) 131 668 4371Fax: +44 (0) 131 668 4466info@birlinn.co.uk

Customer and Trade OrdersBooksource50 Cambuslang RoadCambuslang Investment ParkGlasgowG32 8NBTel: 0845 370 0067Fax: 0845 370 0064Intl: +44 (0) 141 643 3961

Managing DirectorHugh Andrewhugh@birlinn.co.uk

Publicity and Marketing Director / Deputy MDJan Rutherfordjan.ppw@janrutherford.co.uk

Publishing DirectorNeville Moirneville@birlinn.co.uk

Finance DirectorJoanne Macleodjoanne@birlinn.co.uk

Rights represented by Script AgencyMaria Whitescriptagency2010@aol.co.ukMobile: +44 7866713512

Sales DirectorLaura Poyntonlaura@birlinn.co.uk

Creative DirectorJames Hutchesonjim@birlinn.co.uk

Editorial Director (Birlinn)Andrew Simmonsandrew@birlinn.co.uk

Managing Editor (Polygon)Alison Raealison@birlinn.co.uk

Academic Editor (John Donald)Mairi Sutherlandmairi@birlinn.co.uk

Export Manager, Digital Development Manager, Sports EditorPeter Burnspeter@birlinn.co.uk

Production ManagerLiz Shortliz@birlinn.co.uk

Sales and Marketing LiaisonVikki Reillyvikkir@birlinn.co.uk

www.birlinn.co.uk

www.polygonbooks.co.uk

Sixteen String Jack Tom Pow

Silver Skin Joan Lennon

The Secret Dog Joe Friedman

J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan Stephen White

Precious and the Zebra Necklace Alexander McCall Smith

Here Come the Trolls! Ron Butlin

The Tobermory Cat Debi Gliori

The Tobermory Cat Postal Book Debi Gliori

The Tobermory Cat 1, 2, 3 Debi Gliori

Tig and Tag Benedict Blathwayt

The Little House by the Sea Benedict Blathwayt

Wojtek Jenny Robertson

Pink! Lynne Rickards

Scottish Inventors Gary Smailes

Scottish Criminals Gary Smailes

The Story of Scotland Allan Burnett

Scottish Tales of Adventure: WWI Allan Burnett

Scottish Tales of Adventure: WWII Allan Burnett

The And All That Series Allan Burnett

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CONTENTS

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www.birlinn.co.uk

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Tom PowIllustrated by Ian Andrew

TOM POW is an award-winning writer and poet. From 2001 to 2003 he was the first writer in residence at the Edinburgh International Book Festival and he was Writer in Residence at the National Library of Scotland in 2013. His books for children in include Callum’s Big Day and Who Is The World For?, which won the Scottish Arts Council’s Children’s Book of the Year (2001).

IAN ANDREW is an award-winning animator and artist who has illustrated the work of numerous authors, from Charles Dickens and Robert Louis Stevenson to Russell Hoban, Penelope Lively and Michael Morpurgo. In 2013 he was awarded a prestigious Sendak Fellowship.

Sixteen String JackAnd the Garden of Adventure

One day, Daisy’s grandmother takes her to an overgrown garden. Many, many years before other children had played in that garden –Sixteen String Jack and Dare Devil Dick were shipwrecked there; and often they fought pirates side by side till the sun went down. But it was only Sixteen String Jack whose fame would never die, for he grew up to become J.M. Barrie, creator of Peter Pan.

In this poignant and beautifully illustrated story, award winning writer Tom Pow and Sendak Fellow Ian Andrew search out the magic that, in time, would produce the most famous character in children’s litera-ture.

Written with the support of Moat Brae Trust, which is currently restoring Barrie’s childhood home as a Centre for Children’s Literature and re-inventing the famous garden for play and active learning.

ISBN: 9781780272269 Price: £9.99Format: 224 x 259mm hbkRights: WorldMay 201532ppColour illustrations throughout

9781846972065£6.99 pbk

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JOAN LENNON was born in Canada but has lived in Scotland since 1978. She has written a large number of children’s books, including a number of successful series – The Wickit Chronicles, Tales from the Keep and the Slightly Jones series. Her books have been translated into numerous languages.

Skara Brae, Orkney, during the Neolithic period. The sun is fading, crops are failing, fierce storms batter the coast and the villag-ers fear that the end of the world is near. When a young man dressed in a strange silver suit emerges from the sea and bursts into flames, the community is thrown into confusion. Voy, the village wise woman, believes he’s a kelpie, a mythical being believed to have magical powers, and hides his ‘silver skin’. Cait isn’t so sure, but helps nurse him back to health and finds herself drawn to him, as he is to her. Both women have their own – very different – reasons for keeping him alive.

Rab, thousands of years from home, must learn fast about this world, so different from his own, as what was intended as a high-tech study trip turns into a struggle for survival . . .

Joan Lennon

Silver Skin

JOE FRIEDMAN was born in Chicago but has lived in London for many years, where he divides his time between writing and practising psychotherapy. He is author of the children’s series Boobela’s World, and is actively involved in running creative workshops for children in the 7–11 age range.

ISBN 9781780272870Price: £7.99Format: 198 x 129mm pbkRights: WorldMay 2015192ppIllustrations: b/w throughout

The Secret DogAfter the death of his mother, Josh goes to live with his uncle, Calum, a farmer on a remote island. Uprooted and lonely, Josh spends his free time wandering over the wild countryside and rescuing animals which are injured or ill. One day, when he finds a tiny Border collie pup left to drown in the river, he decides to look after her and keep her as his own.

But money is tight on the farm, and Calum has forbidden all pets, so Josh must raise the pup without anyone else knowing. And when someone discovers Josh’s secret, it threatens to ruin everything . . .

ISBN: 9781780272849Price: £7.99 Format: 198 x 129mm pbkRights: WorldMay 2015208pp

Joe Friedman

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Joan LennonJoe Friedman

Stephen White

STEPHEN WHITE (or ‘Stref’) is an Edinburgh-based illustrator, writer, and comic book artist. For a number of years he worked for DC Thomson on The Dandy, The Beano, The Broons and Oor Wullie. His first graphic novel, MILK+ was published in 2010 and was followed by Raising Amy in 2011. He also illustrated The Tattoo Fox written by Alasdair Hutton.

J.M. Barrie’s Peter PanThe Graphic Novel

Peter Pan is a familiar tale to many who have been enchanted by the adventures of the boy who wouldn’t grow up. In this graphic novel Steven White goes back to the very heart of Barrie’s original tale to create a story that is dark, magical, charming and authentic. The complexity of Barrie’s origi-nal is drawn out in vibrant illustrations and engaging text to create a new vision of the tale for those familiar with it and to enchant a new generation of readers.

The stunning illustrations draw on original, authentic features from the locations that inspired Barrie to write his tale, including Moat Brae House in Dumfries and the gar-den where he played as a boy. In choosing the format of a graphic novel for this retell-ing, Steven has created a new and exciting version of Peter Pan that is like nothing that has been done before.

ISBN: 9781780272900 Price: £12.99 Format: 210 x 295mm pbkRights: UK onlyJune 201596pp

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ISBN: 9781780273273Price: £9.99Format: 185 x 125mm hbk Rights: English language (UK, Europe & Commonwealth)July 2015

Praise for the Precious series:

‘Great for children, and one for grown-up fans to sneak a read of too!’ Bookbag

‘This delightful tale for children reveals how the young Precious became the crafty and intuitive private investigator we all know and love!’ Western Morning News

9781846973185£6.99 pbk

9781846972546 £6.99 pbk

Alexander McCall Smith

Precious and the Zebra Necklace

Precious and the Mystery of the Missing Lion was shortlisted for Scottish Children’s Book of the Year.

Once upon a time in the African country of Botswana, there was a little girl who would grow up to be one of the most famous detectives in the world: Precious Ramotswe of the No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.

When Precious finds out that all schoolfriend Nancy has of her missing parents is a photograph and a necklace, she offers to help. Precious and Nancy find themselves on an exciting adventure that takes them into the remotest parts of Bot-swana in their search for Nancy’s family.

ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH is one of the world’s most prolific and most popular authors. For many years he was a professor of Medical Law, then, after the publication of his highly successful No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series, which has sold over twenty-five million copies, he devoted his time to the writing of fiction and has seen his various series of books translated into over forty-six languages and become bestsellers throughout the world.

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Ron ButlinIllustrated by James Hutcheson

Here Come the Trolls!

This may be your first meeting with the Trolls but it won’t be your last! Tiny (a mere 7-10 centimetres) and mischievous, they are sociable and go around in swarms - like midges! The are a playful bunch with lots of energy and they live right beneath your feet, emerging out of drains and manholes to create maximum mess, noise and havoc.

RON BUTLIN is a poet, playwright, novelist, short story writer and opera librettist whose works have been broadcast in the UK and abroad and have been translated into many languages. His volumes of poetry include the award-winning Ragtime in Unfamiliar Bars (Secker & Warburg, 1985) and Histories of Desire (Bloodaxe, 1995). His New and Selected Poems was published by Barzan in 2005. His novels include the novels The Sound of My Voice (winner of the Prix Mille Pages 2004 and Prix Lucioles 2005, both for Best Foreign Novel), Night Visits and most recently Belonging. He was appointed Edinburgh Makar in May 2008.

TROLL NAMES

The best names are Troll names,they snarl and they bite –we make up our own,and make them up right!

There’s Bog-Breath and Smasher,Nosedrip and Trasher,Gapteeth and GasherAnd Basher Boy Blue!

There’s Flycatcher, Bumscratcher . . .

There’s Hairlsnarl, Slowstart,LipCurl, Fart-Fart,SickBag, SnotRag,And PlukeFace-All-Goo!

One for each troll,so each troll can be proudas he shouts out his name - and shouts it out loud!

ISBN: 9781780272955 Price: £9.99Format: 224 x 259mm hbkRights: WorldOctober 201532ppColour illustrations throughout

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Debi Gliori

DEBI GLIORI was born in Glasgow and studied at Edinburgh College of Art. She is well known both for her picture books and her novels for children, and has been shortlisted for all the major prizes, including the Kate Greenaway Award (twice) and the Scottish Arts Council Award. Debi was the Shetland Islands’ first Children’s Writer-in-Residence. She published her first book in 1990 and since then has published so many successful books that she has lost count. She has written and illustrated No Matter What, The Trouble with Dragons, Stormy Weather and, most recently, The Scariest Thing of All.

Praise for The Tobermory Cat:

‘will delight those who love the Isle of Mull and cats’ The Times

‘a witty and wonderful book’ Scotsman

The Tobermory Cat

ISBN: 9781780271996 Format: 224 x 259mm pbkRights: WorldOctober 2014

This the story of a very special ginger cat who, one upon a time, didn’t feel special at all – not like the woolly cats of Loch Ba, the singing cats of Staffa or the fishing cats of Fishnish. Join the Tobermory Cat as he dances on top of the fish van, speaks to otters, drives the big yellow digger, rides on top of cars, and discovers that just be being himself he has become a legend in his own time.ISBN: 9781780270999 ISBN: 9781780271316Format: 224 x 259mmRights: WorldOctober 2012

Young children will love this counting book in which the Tobermory Cat wakes up hungry and sets off in search of something to eat. But will he find enough to fill his empty tummy?

Tobermory Cat 1, 2, 3

Price: £4.99 (postage not included) 32ppColour illustrations throughout

The Tobermory CatPostal BookThe ideal gift, featuring the whole of the origi-nal Tobermory Cat. Just put a stamp on it and post it!

Price: £9.99 hbk Price: £5.99 pbk32ppColour illustrations throughout

ISBN: 9781780273297 Format: 146 x 170mm pbkRights: WorldJuly 2014

Price: £6.99 32ppColour illustrations throughout

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Benedict Blathwayt

BENEDICT BLATHWAYT is a well known writer and illustrator of children’s stories and author of the best-selling Little Red Train series and Dinosaur Chase and Dinosaur Disaster!

Tig and Tag

A delightful story featuring two naughty young lambs, for readers aged 3–7.

One night at Bay Farm, three lambs are born. The mother sheep has only enough milk for one lamb, so the farmer’s wife decides to look after the other two herself. Tig and Tag soon show their mischievous natures, and get into all sorts of trouble. But when a dog comes to threaten the rest of the sheep, Tig and Tag know exactly what to do, and save the day.

It’s not long before the naughty lambs are in trouble again as they try to avoid getting dipped and sheared. Hiding on an island might seem like fun, but they soon find it isn’t, and realize they’d rather be at home after all . . .

The Little House by the SeaFisherman Sam McFin moves into a lit-tle house by the sea with his dog, Jock. Nobody has lived there for a long time, but the house is home to lots of others – sheep, sparrows, rabbits, mice and a stray cat. What will happen to them when a human wants to live there too? They needn’t worry, as all are welcome.

Sam and Jock are soon used to their new home, and go out every day to catch fish. They also take people on a trip to Smug-gler’s Island. Join them as they head to the island and spot seals, seagulls, puffins and arrive at the Smuggler’s Cave, where Sam tells them stories of pirates and treasure.

Tig and TagBenedict Blathwayt

ISBN: 9781780273143 Price: £6.99 Format: 224 x 259mm pbkRights: WorldJuly 201532ppIllustrations: colour throughout

ISBN: 9781780273129 Price: £6.99Format: 224 x 259mm pbk Rights: WorldJuly 201532ppIllustrations: colour throughout

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JENNY ROBERTSON has written numerous books for children and adults – fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Her children’s novels and Biblestories have been widely translated and also read on Yorkshire Television and STV.

Illustrated by TIM ARCHBOLD.

Based on a true story.

When a tiny orphaned bear cub is adopted by Polish soldiers during World War II, little does anyone guess that young Wojtek will become one of the bravest fighters of all. As the soldiers train to take part in some of the fiercest fighting of the war, Wojtek grows up, providing headaches and laughter in equal measure. But at the famous Battle of Monte Cassino, he comes into his own, dodging the bullets to carry ammunition to his comrades as they inch their way to victory.

After the war, the Polish soldiers move to Britain. Wojtek comes too and soon becomes the centre of attention in a new country. But with hostilities ended, how long can he keep his freedom?

Jenny Robertson

WojtekWar Hero Bear

ISBN: 9781780272276Price: £6.99 Format: 198 x 129mm pbkRights: WorldMay 2014129ppLine drawings throughout

LYNNE RICKARDS was born in Canada and has lived in Scotland for twenty years. She is well known as a best-selling children’s author and her other books include Clementine’s Smile, Groovy Googles and Other Splendiferous Rhymes and I Do Not Eat the Colour Green.She makes regular appearances at book festivals throughout the UK, including Bath, Edinburgh, Borders and Aye Write (Glasgow).

ISBN 9781780271767Price: £6.99Format: 270 x 236mm pbkRights: UK & CommonwealthApril 201328ppIllustrations: b/w throughout

What’s a penguin to think when he wakes up pink?!

Patrick wakes up one day to find out he’s turned pink overnight! What will his friends think? Believing none of them will want to play with him anymore, Patrick runs away in search of pink playmates. He crosses the ocean where he finds some flamingos – but will they want to play with him?Patrick soon learns that friendship is never black and white, but that real friends will accept you whatever.Lynne Rickards’ book is a heart-warming story of learning to be a different, for chil-dren aged between four and six.

Pink!

Lynne Rickards

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Jenny Robertson

GARY SMAILES studied for a master’s degree in Military History before working as a researcher with Horrible Histories writer Terry Deary. He has written eight books on Modern Heroes for Waverley Books and four books about world-famous battles for Franklin Watts. As well as writing, Gary also runs BubbleCow, as company which helps fellow writers get published. He lives in Cheshire

Find out why your post isn’t delivered by hot air balloon.

Unravel the mystery of who really invented the telephone.

Learn how one man’s finger put thousands of criminals behind bars.

Scottish Inventors tells the stories of 32 famous (and some not so famous!) men and women, and their often bizarre inventions, who have put Scotland on the map, including James Watt, Thomas Telford, Alexander Graham Bell, John Logie Baird, James Young Simpson and Charles Mackintosh.

Gary Smailes

Scottish InventorsIllustrated by Scoular Anderson

ISBN: 9781841589305Price: £4.99 Format: 198 x 129mm pbkRights: WorldSeptember 2011128ppB/w line drawings throughout

SCOULAR ANDERSON has been writing and illustrating children’s books for twenty years. With over seventy books in print he is one of Britain’s most prolific children’s authors. For Birlinn he has written and illustrated the bestselling 1314 And All That and 1745 And All That. He lives near Dunoon.

ISBN 9781841589312Price: £4.99Format: 198 x 129mm pbkRights: WorldAugust 2011128ppB/w line drawings throughout

Discover what those grave robbers really did with the bodies they dug up.

Learn some tasty tips from a clan of real-life Scottish cannibals.

Read about the robber who was captured by a blanket.

Scottish Criminals features a motley crew of Scots who have made their infamous mark in history – from pirates and murderers to thieves, outlaws and even cannibals.

Scottish Criminals

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Allan Burnett

ALLAN BURNETT is one of Scotland’s best-selling authors for young readers. He was born and brought up in the Western Isles and educated at the University of Edinburgh, while working after dark as a ghost tour guide. Allan has written many books, including Mary, Queen of Scots and All That and Invented in Scotland – Scottish Ingenuity and Inventions through the Ages. He is also the author of World War II: Scottish Tales of Adventure.

The Story of ScotlandInspired by the Great Tapestry of Scotland

ISBN: 9781780272412Price: £9.99 Format: 230 x 180mm pbkRights: WorldAugust 2014128ppColour illustrations throughout

Inspired by the Great Tapestry of Scotland

Did you know that Scotland was once a huge jungle, that the Scottish crown jewels were lost for a hundred years, that at one time a quarter of the railway engines in the world were built in Glasgow, and that the world’s first colour photograph was taken by a Scotsman? Featuring hundreds of illustrations from the amazing Great Tapestry of Scotland, which was made by over 1,000 stitchers across Scotland in 2013–14, this book tells the story of Scotland from its beginnings right up to the present day. Full of fascinat-ing, fun and exciting stories, and featuring a colourful cast of real-life characters, from saints, soldiers and sportsmen to nurses, inventors and explorers, it’s the perfect way for younger readers to discover all about Scotland’s past.

World War I: Scottish Tales of AdventureISBN: 9781841589329£4.99

World War II: Scottish Tales of AdventureISBN: 9781841589336£4.99

Allan Burnett brings vividly to life the First and Second World Wars in two explosively exciting col-lections featuring true-life stories of awesome brav-ery about soldiers, sailors, air crew, nurses and even prisoners.

Scottish Tales of Adventure

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World War II: Scottish Tales of AdventureISBN: 9781841589336£4.99

The And All That seriesIllustrated by Scoular Anderson

Bonnie Prince Charlie and All That ISBN: 9781841584966 £2.99

Columba and All That ISBN: 9781841585710 £2.99

Macbeth and All That ISBN: 9781841585741 £2.99

Mary Queen of Scots and All That ISBN: 9781841584997 £2.99

Rob Roy and All That ISBN: 9781841585727 £2.99

Robert Burns and All That ISBN: 9781841585734 £2.99

Robert the Bruce and All That ISBN: 9781841584973 £2.99

William Wallace and All That ISBN: 9781841584980 £2.99

1314 and All That ISBN: 9781841580517 £4.99

1745 and All That ISBN: 9781841581293 £4.99

Find out all about the famous people, dastardly deeds and fantastic facts of Scottish history in these wickedly entertaining books. Accompanied with drawings by award-winning illustrator Scoular Anderson.

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