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: In 2019 we marked the 20th anniversary of The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson with a very special Authors Live broadcast during Book Week Scotland. James Robertson reads his Scots translation of The Gruffalo, and Catriona Lexy Campbell brings the Gaelic translation, An Gruffalo, to life. We also hear from lots of pupils all around the country who share their favourite Scots and Gaelic words! We know time is tight, so here is just one activity you could do before or after watching this event.

Glaswegian! Translated by Elaine C. Smith this new edition of The Gruffalo's Child will delight both children and adults alike.There is vocabulary support for Shetland, Orkney and for Doric. These materials were used when Education Scotland and Into Film held Scots Language Through Film events in these areas. Give each pupil a piece of paper. Ask them to write their favourite Scots and/or Gaelic word on it, as well as the meaning and why it is important to them. Go around the class and ask each pupil to say their word and why it is important. These favourite words can be collected onto a word wall. In the event, James Robertson and Catriona Lexy Campbell share their favourite words in Scots and Gaelic and also explain why they like them. Children in the audience also share their favourite words.

For a range of activities you can use to introduce pupils to Scots, take a look at our learning resource on using Scots in the classroom (this link will open in a new window). Education Scotland also have excellent resources specifically on The Gruffalo in Scots (this link will open in a new window). Itchy Coo is delighted to share that The Glasgow Gruffalo’s Wean has won the Scots Bairns Book o the Year at the Scots Language Awards 2021. As an extension activity, each week pupils can find and share a new Scots or Gaelic word with the class and the wall can be updated on a regular basis to celebrate these new words.