The second in the Shona the Vet series of rhyming picture books sees Shona and her canine assistant Jock return to tackle new wildlife emergencies in iconic Scottish settings.
The adventurous pair head to their helicopter to rescue creatures in trouble including an otter on the Falkirk Wheel, a peregrine falcon injured at Edinburgh Castle and a fox entangled in litter at Glasgow Docks.
Written by a real-life vet and inspired partly by her own experiences the story is action and information-packed and a good reminder that wildlife thrives in our towns as well as the countryside. While the rhymes keep it feeling light and fun, there’s plenty of learning too – about peregrines, for example.
“They’re the fastest fliers in the world, so small, but full of power. A falcon hunting prey can reach two hundred miles an hour!”
This picture book may be pocket-sized, but it is big on animal appeal. We especially enjoyed finding out how wee Jock would play his part in each new rescue.
Shona the Vet, City Wildlife Rescue, by Catherine Stables (Foggie Toddle Books)
Roaring Reads 