Julia Donaldson's popular children's book, The Gruffalo, has sold over 13 million copies in 58 different editions, and it is now available in Shetland dialect!
The story has been translated by author and co-editor of the Shetland Life magazine Laureen Johnson and published by Itchy Coo, an imprint publishing best selling books into Scots for children and young people.
Over 100 children and parents attended the launch of The Shetland Gruffalo at the Old Library in Lerwick on the 24th of October 2015, to buy their copies of the book from the Shetland Times book store and have them autographed by Laureen Johnson herself.
Afterwards, we had the pleasure of listening to Laureen read read the story in full dialect.
Ida hert o a forest deep an dark, a peerie broon moose guid oot for a waak.
Noo, Tod da fox tinks, "Dat's juist whit A'm wantin! A'll glaep up dat moose, for A'm juist black fantin."
The Shetland Gruffalo is available to buy online from Amazon and the Shetland Times bookshop as well as in-store at the book shop for only £6.99. There may even be some autographed copies still available for sale.
It's fantastic to see a children's book causing such a stir - Karen Baxter, Shetland Times Shop Manager
Come a peerie bit farder untae da deep, dark forest, an fin oot whit happens when da fly peerie moose comes face ta face wi Kattiyugl da owl, a sliddery snake an a hungry gruffalo...
I am a self taught home cook, feeding my family on the west side of Shetland with as much local produce, flavour and love as I can. I am no expert by any means, but I do enjoy learning and writing about food, flavours and techniques.