Monday, December 29

bookshelf -wee gillis

Wee Gillis came after The Story of Ferdinand for Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson. In Wee Gillis the eponymous orphan, living in Scotland, spends half of each year with his mother's people in the lowlands, while the other half in the highlands with his father's family. In the lowlands, he is taught to herd cattle, calling to them in the heaviest of evening fogs. In the rocky highlands, he stalks stag, holding his breath so as not to make a sound. Lung power improves. Bagpipes come into it. Hairy tweeds and woollen socks. Fantastic illustrations.