CAMERON KIDS ONLINE BOOKS

Two listings in one! First, a listing of kids books written by Camerons and second, a listing of kids books about Scotland...you'll find them at your local library!!

KIDS BOOKS WRITTEN BY CAMERONS

Harry (The Monster)
by Ann Cameron; 1980: Pantheon Books

"A monster who is afraid of little people discovers they are even more afraid of him.  Who wouldn't be happy to have such an endearing monster as Harry for a friend? Or a sympathetic and courageous frog for a protector?...An entirely charming book, imaginative and funny from beginning to end."

Beyond Silence
by Eleanor Cameron; 1980: E.P Dutton, New York

"Hoagy should be here, I thought. Any other way never even thought of. But no use thinking. Just take everything for now, for the moment. Don't go outside it or back. Don't go back...But the trip to Scotland, to the castle where his father had spent so many memorable childhood days, was a going back, no matter what Andy willed for himself. Furthermore, the past that he found was not his own - the one he was trying to escape from, in which he has lost his brother Hoagy - but Deirdre's. This past belonged to the castle, and yet it came alive to Andy in a way that seemed to make him a part of other lives - and they a part of him, an American boy of fifteen."

The Big Book of Real Trains
by Elizabeth Cameron; 1963: Grosset & Dunlap. Inc., NY

Wonderfully illustrated by George J. Zaffo, this "simplified text for easy reading" book is ideal for all kids who love trains. This 40 page masterpiece was first published in 1949, so many "classic" trains await the young reader, including the now gone "little red caboose."

The Cat Sat on the Mat
by Alice Cameron; 1994: Houghton, Mifflin Company, Boston

"For very young children, here is a story, a game, and a vocabulary builder in one. Look through the peep-hole and guess where the cat is heading. Now turn the page and learn a new word. Pages showing the cat's progress help reinforce the words learned. And don't forget to search for a daring little mouse who pops up in each picture, always a safe distance from his feline pursuer. Children will find much to explore and enjoy in this friendly, colorful and innovative book."

The Court of the Stone Children
by Eleanor Cameron; 1973: E.P. Dutton & Company, New York

1974 American Book Award Winner

"Who was Dominique? The day that Nina, lonely and adrift in San Francisco, played her imaginary game in the museum with the court of the stone children, she first saw her. And soon the question became, what was this strange, beautiful girl? The answer, Nina gradually discovered, lay in the past - when the museum was still a chateau in France; when Napoleon ruled, and when Dominique was a young girl!"

The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet
by Eleanor Cameron; 1954: Little, Brown and Company

"Wanted: A small space ship about eight feet long, built by a boy, or two boys. The ship should be sturdy and well made, and should be of materials found at hand. Nothing need be bought. No adult should be consulted as to it's plan or method of construction. An adventure and a chance to do a good deed await the boys who build the best space ship. Please bring your ship as soon as possible to Mr. Tyco M. Bass, 5 Thallo Street, Pacific Grove, California...If you were David Topman, always dreaming of cruising about the solar system in your own space ship, what would you do when you read an advertisement like that? You'd get to work right away on plans and then you'd enlist your friend Chuck Masterson to help build, and the space ship would be ready in exactly three days. Which it was, except for the finish and fuel to be supplied by Mr. Bass - Tyco Bass, that is, the mystery man who was inventor, astronomer, artist rolled into one - Mr. Tyco Bass, the mushroom grower who was badly in need of a space ship and two boys for The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet"

I Can't Said the Ant
by Polly Cameron: 1961; Coward-McCann, Inc., New York

"The scene of action is the kitchen. The hero is an ant. The time is now.

Teapot fell, said the dinner bell
Broke her spout, said the trout
Push her up, said the cup
I can't, said the ant
Please try, said the fly

The ant struggles in vain to lift Miss Teapot from the floor. Unable to do so by himself, he sets out for help, returning with an army of ants and two spiders. How Miss Teapot is finally saved, through the brilliant teamwork of the rescue party - with the moral support of her fellow kitchen occupants, is the exciting climax of this uniquely told tale."

KIDS BOOKS ABOUT SCOTLAND

Castles of Scotland
Text by J.K. Anderson, models by Nick Taylor; 1993: Bellerophon Books, Santa Barbara, CA

A very detailed black and white "cut out & put together" book, with two Scottish castles: Doune (31 pieces) and Caerlaverock (51 pieces). Parents, you'll have a great deal of cutting and pasting to help with (not the computer kind, but the "real thing"). With patience and care, these paper models, especially when colored with marker pens prior to cutting, will make impressive additions to any child's room...

The Celts
by Hazel Mary Martell; 1994: Reed International Books, Lmt.

"Long ago, even before Rome became a power in the ancient world, the Celts dominated much of Europe. Ferocious in battle, skillful at clothmaking, metalworking, and storytelling, the Celtic tribes conquered and ruled a vast area: from Britain, Ireland and France in the North, to Portugal and Spain in the South, and East as far as the Balkans and Turkey. Discover the customs and daily lives of these fascinating peoples in detailed see-through cutaways of a celtic house, a stone tower, a Celtic Christian monastery and the tombs of a noblewoman and a Prince. Combined with an authoritative text and vivid illustrations, these see-through scenes bring ancient civilizations alive for today's readers."

David Balfour
by Robert Louis Stevenson; 1892: various publishers

"This story is as exciting and adventurous as Kidnapped, and concerns the same people who endeared themselves to readers in that fine book. Although David Balfour is a complete novel in itself, it is about the hero of Kidnapped and his friends - some old and some new..."

Great Scots! The Scottish American Hall of Fame
by James Casement Thomson; 1996: The Illinois Saint Andrew Society

The author profiles the 119 members of the Scottish Hall of Fame, a permanent display of plaques bearing the biographies and likenesses of notable Americans of Scottish descent; located at the Scottish Home, in North Riverside, Illinois. Concise and interesting biographies are grouped into: "America's Founders," "Explorers and Pioneers," "U.S. Presidents," "Politicians and Public Officials," "Religious Leaders," "Soldiers and Sailors," "Business Leaders and Industrialists," "Writers and Publishers," Fine Artists," "Inventors," "Scientists" and "Physicians". For ordering information, contact the society

Hamish and the Wee Witch
by Moira Miller; 1986: Cannongate Books, Edinburgh

"Hamish and Mirren live in a little farmhouse by a beautiful loch. They are very happy - until one day a wee witch comes and steals the milk from their cow. Can they outwit the witch and live a peaceful life once more?"

The Jacobites
by Antony Kamm; 1995: HMSO, Edinburgh, London

From the "Scotty Books" informational books for young readers series. Each full-color, exciting title "contains a wealth of interesting facts, stimulating activities and suggestions for places to visit."

"Who were the Jacobites? What were their aims? And what did they achieve? The most colorful period in Scotland's past is brought vividly to life. Follow the risings of Viscount Dundee (1689), the Earl of Mar (1715), and Bonnie Prince Charlie (1745), and read about other events and people of their times."

"Share the fortunes of Rob Roy MacGregor as you play the Rob Roy game."

"Break the code in the message sent to James VIII, and solve the puzzle of an embarrassed letter from the Duke of Atholl."

"Plot the course of two armies; draw your own plan of the Battle of Culloden."

Kidnapped
by Robert Louis Stevenson: (1886: various publishers)

The memoirs of Stevenson's character David Balfour in the year 1751, how he was kidnapped by his "villainous" Uncle Ebenezer, but later escapes and becomes involved in the struggle of the Scottish Highlander Jacobites against English rule...a "must read" classic in every sense!

Lad with a Whistle
by Carol Ryrie Brink; 1941: The MacMillan Company

"Guardian for two children of wealth and gentle birth is an unusual responsibility for a young beggar boy who had earned his living by whistling and playing the drums. But strange events which happened fast brought young Bob McFarland into this amazing situation. Since Bob is a lad of convictions and of resourcefulness, as well as of jolly disposition, he not only wins over the children and becomes their lively playmate, but also circumvents a plot and brings the story to an unexpected and happy ending. A lively, "romantic" story of Scotland in the days of Sir Walter Scott, a land of wandering minstrels and high adventure."

Prince Lachlan
by Nette Hilton; 1989: Orchard Books, New York, New York

"Crash went the drawbridge.  Slide went the rug.  Thus went the table.  Smash went the vase.  Prince Lachlan's home....Life in the castle is never dull.  There's a constant racket as the young Prince creates havoc everywhere he goes.  The King and Queen tolerate his mischief lovingly.  But one day, an evil villain threatens to overthrow the Kingdom.  So Prince Lachlan pays the bandit a visit - a visit the villain will never forget." 

Scotland (from the "World in View" series)
by Doreen Taylor; 1991: Steck-Vaugh, Austin, Texas

A book from the "World in View" series, packed with up-to-date information about the people and country of Scotland. The author, Doreen Taylor, grew up in Scotland and now lives and works there, as a freelance journalist and broadcaster. She has travelled widely and is well-known as a travel writer.

Scotland in Pictures
by Donald Grant Campbell, Irving Nach...; 1963-79: Sterling Publishing Company, New York

"Caledonia stern and wild - Sir Walter Scott's haunting description evokes images of the ancient Pictish kingdom that became Scotland after many wild battles fought on rugged mountain slopes, in the secluded glens, in deep forests surrounded by lochs, tarns and rivers. MacBeth was a real historic figure, raised to immortality by Shakespeare. Mary Stuart, tragic sovereign, will never be forgotten in a land that has preserved many magnificent castles. Scottish traditions are observed faithfully to this day, and a full knowledge of the Scots' customs is essential to a clear understanding of these sometimes dour, often witty, always frugal people...Understanding the Scots is not easy. This book attempts to give an intimate glimpse into home life and recreation, as well as history, geography, industry and culture, with an eye to seeing Scotland - in a hundred photographs - and comprehending what you see."

Tam Blake & Co. The Story of the Scots in America
by Jim Hewitson; 1993: Cannongate Press, Edinburgh, Scotland

"In 1540 Tam Blake, mercenary and adventurer, became the first recorded Scot in the New World. Since then, American-Scots have played an important part in all areas of American history, even among the Indian nations...The previously understated influence of the Scots on the history, culture and people of the United States is the subject of this remarkable collection of stories and illustrations. Jim Hewitson documents the lives of settlers and their descendants: transported prisoners, refugees from clearances, poverty and repression, immigrants in search of land, fame or fortune, or those just trying to avoid having to thin neeps. Tam Blake & Co. is an overdue tribute to the hardiness and determination of the Scots in America, and highlights the special qualities and heritage they have imparted to the world's most powerful nation."