I really enjoy writing verse, even though it can be fiendishly difficult. I used to memorise poems as a child and it means a lot to me when parents tell me their child can recite one of my books. Kirsty goes on: “The festival is about celebrating Scots language, literature and culture with the spirit of William Soutar bringing it all together.” A ‘fascinating man’ Renowned Scottish poet William Soutar was born in Perth on April 28, 1898 and lived in the city almost all his life. He published several collections in English and Scots, including a widely-loved book for children called Seeds in the Wind.

Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta. You can find the full video of the reading of the 'Glasgow Gruffalo' here. The book itself can be found here. She also explained that she had originally planned to do a reading for her granddaughter but instead decided to do one for everyone:

We might also have felt as apprehensive and scared as the animals who want to eat the mouse. We learn for instance, that the gruffalo’s favourite foods are “owl ice cream”, and “scrambled snake”. But in fact we don’t feel frightened, and we don’t even believe him! My little friend was giggling as much as I was, because: He died in October 1943, aged only 45, at his parents’ home in Wilson Street, now known as the Soutar House. Her original favourite was the Gruffalo in Scots but her auntie soon recommended the Glasgow Gruffalo by Elaine C Smith.

Resources to accompany the Scots versions of Julia Donaldson’s classic children’s book The Gruffalo. There are six Scots translations of The Gruffalo available which these activities support:Soutar spent his final 13 years bed-ridden as a result of ankylosing spondylitis, a type of arthritis which causes long-term inflammation of the joints of the spine. The author is now sending Jessica a signed copy of her book after watching the viral video herself. We also have many of Donaldson & Scheffler's other books - and I'm pleased to say that they're consistently good. The Gruffalo's Child, Room on the Broom, The Smartest Giant in Town, A Squash and a Squeeze, Charlie Cook's Favourite Book, and Superworm all have my little boy's seal of approval. I can’t believe that a wee thing like reading my version of the book would have the effect it has. I sat in my house and did it because id promised my granddaughter that I would read it to her and her wee pals. She’s been using Zoom to talk to them and play so I thought I’d record air and then they could share it!