The Bear & The Fox

@bearandfoxblog

Family blog + children’s writer: recipes, crafts, book reviews, Edinburgh travel tips. Shortlisted for The Kelpies Prize for Writing 2026.

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The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· 3d

Happy International Book Lovers Day! 📚❤️ I’m reading my way around Scotland through children’s books. You can find my recommendations so far on my map here >> bit.ly/ReadingAroun... #kidsbooks #booksky 💙📚 #bookloversday

A screenshot showing a map of Scotland with locations marked on it. The location markers are book symbols, to indicate there are children's books set in Scotland that feature these locations. The locations include Aberdeen, the Highlands, Dundee, Edinburgh, Fortrose, Glasgow, Isle of Lewis, Loch Ness, North Berwick, Paisley, Scalpay, Shetland and St Andrews.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· 12d

New 'Scottish Book of the Week' review: Breaker, by Annemarie Allan, is a seaside adventure with suspense and mystery, and an environmental message at its heart. Full review here >> www.thebearandthefox.com/scottish-boo... For adventurers age 8+ #kidsbooks #booksky 💙📚

Graphic showing the front cover of the children’s chapter book Breaker, by Annemarie Allan. Above it the words Scottish Book of the Week.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· 13d

Today, my kids and I visited Edinburgh's cat cafe. If you've ever wondered what it's like inside, and whether it's worth a visit (we thought so), then check out our full review on my blog www.thebearandthefox.com/maison-de-mo... #Edinburgh #VisitEdinburgh #CatCafe

Exterior of the maison de moggy cat cafe in Edinburgh.

Inside the cat cafe in Edinburgh with a big
cat tree in the middle and behind that tables and chairs for cafe visitors.

A cup of cafe latte with a cat face in the foam on top.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· 18d

New 'Scottish Book of the Week' review: Adam-2, by Alastair Chisholm, is set in a futuristic Edinburgh which has been destroyed in a war between robots and humans. Full review here >> www.thebearandthefox.com/scottish-boo... For science fiction fans age 9+ #kidsbooks #booksky 💙📚

Graphic showing the front cover of the children’s chapter book Adam-2, by Alastair Chisholm. Above it the words Scottish Book of the Week.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· 19d

RECIPE - If you’re looking for a quick, refreshing summer picnic or side dish to throw together, then I have just the thing for you – melon salad! My kids love this: www.thebearandthefox.com/honeydew-mel... #recipe #recipeoftheday #glutenfreefood #summersalad #easyrecipe

Photograph of a plate with a portion of melon salad on it, which include honeydew melon, cucumber, feta cheese, and mint.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· 25d

You might have spotted this in my Summer Activity Pack - my first Bear & Fox story 🐻🦊 It’s the start of a new series I’ve been working on for a while. Download the pack to read the rest of the story >> www.thebearandthefox.com/product/summ... (free download option included) #kidlit #booksky 💙📚

A photograph of a beach with the following text overlaid: Bear & Fox at the Seaside - Bear and Fox had packed carefully. Two honey sandwiches. One bottle of lemonade. Four biscuits. A red bucket. A blue spade. "...And one kite," said Fox. "Perfect!" grinned Bear.

A graphic with a preview of the front cover of an activity pack in the centre. The cover reads 'Summer Activity Pack' and has an illustration of a bear and a fox sitting on a packed suitcase. Above this there is text which says 'Read the rest of the story, exclusively available in my Summer Activity Pack! Pay-what-you-can. Free option included. Download your copy now!" And below the image is the URL www.thebearandthefox.com/shop

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· 26d

Reviving my Scottish #kidlit book of the week series. First up is The Weather Weaver by Tamsin Mori - an adventurous fantasy story set in Shetland. Love it! Full review at www.thebearandthefox.com/scottish-boo... #kidsbooks #booksky 💙📚

Graphic showing the front cover of the children’s chapter book The Weather Weaver, by Tamsin Mori. Above it the words Scottish Book of the Week.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Jul 9

Check out my new printable Summer Activity Pack! Includes: 10 puzzles (with solutions) A colour picture An exclusive Bear & Fox short story 3 summer picnic recipes Available now at www.thebearandthefox.com/product/summ... #booksky #kidslit #summerholidays #printables

Photo showing a printed copy of a summer activity pack, including the cover page and index of what is included: ten puzzles, a colouring picture, a Bear and Fox story, picnic recipes, and puzzle solutions.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Jun 15

Beautiful day on Edinburgh’s Union canal on Saturday ☀️ What are your favourite spots for a weekend walk? #scotland #visitscotland #edinburgh #exploringedinburgh #thisisedinburgh

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Feb 2

Happy Hedgehog Day! Yes, it’s a thing 🦔💕 Check out our favourite hedgehog books in this video from the blog archives >> www.thebearandthefox.com/2019/02/new-... #kidslit #kidsbooks #booksky

Photograph showing five picture books all about hedgehogs stacked on top of each other, with the heading ‘5 Happy Hedgehog Books’ superimposed on the photo.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Sep 11

[AD] Out today…the gnaw-some new picture book from Lu Fraser & Kate Hindley! The Busiest Beaver is a heartwarming story about thinking differently, trusting yourself, and the power of having a cheerleader in your corner. www.thebearandthefox.com/review-the-b... #kidslit #kidsbooks #booksky 💙📚

Photograph of a boy holding up a copy of the book The Busiest Beaver, which he is seen reading.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Apr 12

This charity shop understands how to sell a dress! #pocketsforthewin

A dress in a charity shop window, with a tag on it that says “I’ve got pockets!”

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Mar 20

[AD] Out today - two fab new #Scottish picture books! My Granny Went to Scotland, a fun caper with bold & colourful illustrations; and By the Beaver Pool, a gentle story about new beginnings, connecting with nature & rewilding. www.thebearandthefox.com/review-two-n... #kidslit #kidsbooks #booksky 💙📚

A photograph of the two books My Granny Went to Scotland and she brought back, and By the Beaver Pool, laying on top of a tartan blanket.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Mar 6

Happy #WorldBookDay! My latest Scottish #kidlit book of the week is The Highland Falcon Thief by @mglnrd.bsky.social & Sam Sedgman - a brilliant mystery adventure story set aboard a steam train which travels through parts of Scotland. www.thebearandthefox.com/scottish-boo... #kidsbooks #booksky 💙📚

In the centre of the graphic is a photo of the cover of the children's book The Highland Falcon Thief. The cover shows a big red locomotive, with two children hanging off it either side. Behind the book cover is a pink splatter on a pale blue background. In the bottom left corner of the graphic is an outline of Scotland, which is blue with a white St Andrews cross on it. At the top of the graphic is the text Scottish Book of the Week.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Feb 26

My next Scottish #kidlit book of the week is ‘A Pattern of Secrets’ by @lindsaylittleson.bsky.social 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Set in 19th century Paisley this gripping Victorian adventure story expertly blends facts with fiction. I couldn’t put it down! www.thebearandthefox.com/scottish-boo... #kidsbooks #booksky 💙📚

In the centre of the graphic is a photo of the cover of the children's book A Pattern of Secrets. The cover shows silhouettes of a boy’s and a girl’s head, with a colourful Paisley pattern in the background. Behind the book cover is a pink splatter on a pale blue background. In the bottom left corner of the graphic is an outline of Scotland, which is blue with a white St Andrews cross on it. At the top of the graphic is the text Scottish Book of the Week.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Feb 16

My next Scottish #kidlit chapter book of the week is ‘Artie Conan Doyle and the Gravediggers Club’ by Robert J. Harris 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Set in 19th C #Edinburgh, the fun adventure story features the famous author Arthur Conan Doyle as a school boy. www.thebearandthefox.com/scottish-boo... #kidsbooks #booksky 💙📚

In the centre of the graphic is a photo of the cover of the children's book Artie Conan Doyle and the Gravediggers’ Club. The cover shows the title of the book in big letters against a blue background, surrounded by footprints. At the top is the silhouette of two boys, one wearing a deerstalker hat and holding a magnifying glass, and at the bottom a silhouette of a gravestone with a shovel next to it. Behind the book cover is a pink splatter on a pale blue background. In the bottom left corner of the graphic is an outline of Scotland, which is blue with a white St Andrews cross on it. At the top of the graphic is the text Scottish Book of the Week.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Feb 3

My Scottish #kidlit chapter book of the week is ‘Away With Words’ by Sophie Cameron 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Set in Fortrose in current times. Unlike any other book I’ve read before, it was a unique little gem that I just couldn’t put down. www.thebearandthefox.com/scottish-boo... #kidsbooks #booksky 💙📚

In the centre of the graphic is a photo of the cover of the children's book Away With words. The book cover shows an open pair of hands surrounded by lots of words in different colours. Behind the book cover is a pink splatter on a pale blue background. In the bottom left corner of the graphic is an outline of Scotland, which is blue with a white St Andrews cross on it. At the top of the graphic is the text Scottish Book of the Week.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Jan 26

My Scottish #kidlit chapter book of the week is 'The God of All Small Boys' by Joseph Lamb 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Set in Dundee in 1917, it celebrates the ups and downs of boyhood against a WW1 backdrop. Beautifully written, I couldn't put it down. www.thebearandthefox.com/scottish-boo... #kidsbooks #booksky 💙📚

In the centre of the graphic is a photo of the cover of the children's book The God of All Small Boys. The book cover shows the black silhouettes of four boys against a sunrise lit sky. Behind the book cover is a pink splatter on a pale blue background. In the bottom left corner of the graphic is an outline of Scotland, which is blue with a white St Andrews cross on it. At the top of the graphic is the text Scottish Book of the Week.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Jan 25

Happy Burns Night! Here's a wee freebie to keep the kids entertained for a while today. Download your copy of my Burns Night Activity Pack from my blog here >> www.thebearandthefox.com/burns-night-... #Scotland #Scottish #BurnsNight #BurnsSupper #Freebies #FreePrintables

A photograph showing three printed pages with Burns Night Puzzles, alongside some colouring pencils. The pages include a word search, a a maze, and a picture to colour in.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Jan 18

My project for 2025: Reviewing a #kidlit chapter book set in Scotland every week (there are so many!) 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 First up, the fabulous Rivet Boy by @scattyscribbler.bsky.social which is set during the construction of the Forth Bridge. Loved it! www.thebearandthefox.com/scottish-boo... #kidsbooks #booksky 💙📚

In the centre of the graphic is a photo of the cover of the children's book Rivet Boy. The book cover show an illustration of the Forth Bridge. Behind the book cover is a pink splatter on a pale blue background. In the bottom left corner of the graphic is an outline of Scotland, which is blue with a white St Andrews cross on it. At the top of the graphic is the test Scottish Book of the Week.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Dec 25

#bookadvent #christmascountdown Day 24: The Night Before Christmas, by Clement C. Moore & Eric Puybaret. There could only be one choice for the final day. I’ve recorded a video review of it too youtu.be/UsuNiV8fdL4 #christmasbooks #kidsbooks #kidlit #booksky 💙📚

Photograph of the book cover The Night Before Christmas. The cover shows an illustration of Father Christmas with a sack full of presents about to go down a chimney of a snowy rooftop as two reindeer look on.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Dec 24

#bookadvent #christmascountdown Day 23: Mouse’s Night Before Christmas, by Tracey Corderoy & Sarah Massini. A new take on the famous poem, where the mouse is awake - and ends up saving the day! #christmasbooks #kidsbooks #kidlit #booksky 💙📚

Photograph of the book cover Mouse’s Night Before Christmas. It shows an illustration of a mouse standing in a snowy landscape, watching Santa with his sleigh and reindeer flying through the sky. There are some
Houses in the background.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Dec 22

#bookadvent #christmascountdown Day 22: The Christmas Eve Tree, by Delia Huddy & Emily Sutton. This story about a homeless boy & a scrappy little tree is quite sad, but also full of hope. #christmasbooks #kidsbooks #kidlit #booksky 💙📚

A photograph of the book cover The Christmas Eve Tree. The cover shows an illustration of a big carry a cardboard box with a very small pine tree inside it. Next to him is a black dog. In the background there are houses with lit windows. It is snowing.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Dec 22

Check out my guide for the #Edinburgh #Christmas holidays, with free or low cost events and activities to get you out the house without breaking the bank. www.thebearandthefox.com/christmas-ho... #WhatsOnEdinburgh #EdinburghWithKids

A graphic with the words What's On for the Christmas Holidays in Edinburgh inside a dark blue rectangle. The patterned background is different shades of blue with white snowflakes. There is a red circle highlight with the words Free Events and Activities.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Dec 22

#bookadvent #christmascountdown Day 21: The Empty Stocking, by Richard Curtis & Rebecca Cobb. A tale of twins, one on the naughty and one on the nice list. But Santa leaves the wrong twin’s stocking empty! Will she do the right thing? #christmasbooks #kidsbooks #kidlit #booksky 💙📚

A photograph of a white Christmas stocking, with colourful pom-poms at one end of the opening and the embroidered words Be Jolly. Next to the stocking lies the book The Empty Stocking. The book cover shows an illustration of two girls in front of a Christmas tree. One is holding a full stocking, the other is kneeling down with an empty stocking next to her.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Dec 20

#bookadvent #christmascountdown Day 20: Oliver Elephant, by Lou Peacock & Helen Stephens. A sweet Christmas story about a lost toy, with gorgeous illustrations. #christmasbooks #kidsbooks #kidlit #booksky 💙📚

A photograph of the book cover Oliver Elephant. The cover shows an illustration of a little boy holding a toy elephant, standing in front of a Christmas tree. There is a small toy elephant next to the book.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Dec 20

#bookadvent #christmascountdown Day 19: Christmas in Exeter Street, by Diana Hendry & John Lawrence. In this funny story, more and more Christmas visitors keep arriving, until there’s even a baby sleeping in the kitchen sink! #christmasbooks #kidsbooks #kidlit #booksky 💙📚

A photograph of the book cover Christmas in Exeter Street. The cover shows an illustration of a row of houses, outside on the streets there are lit street lamps, a red post box, and snow on the ground. It is snowing. The middle house shows all the windows lit up, and Santa Claus standing outside the front door.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Dec 18

#bookadvent #christmascountdown Day 18: The Christmas Department Store, by Maudie Powell-Tuck & Hoang Giang. Christmas has lost its magic for Benji, until he stumbles upon an extraordinary department store. #christmasbooks #kidsbooks #kidlit #booksky 💙📚

A photograph of the book cover The Christmas Department Store. The cover shows an illustration of a little boy in a red hat standing in the snow in front of a shop. The shop has stained glass windows, and is decorated with Christmas wreaths and garlands. A polar bear wearing a hat and bow tie is opening the door of the shop from the inside.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Dec 18

#bookadvent #christmascountdown Day 17: Ollie’s Christmas Reindeer, by Nicola Killen. A sweet story about a wee girl who meets a reindeer and goes on a magical adventure. #christmasbooks #kidsbooks #kidlit #booksky 💙📚

A photograph of the book cover Ollie's Christmas Reindeer. It shows an illustration of a little girl wearing a reindeer costume against a snowy landscape, in the background are some houses ans trees. There is a reindeer head dress laying next to the book.

The Bear & The Fox@bearandfoxblog· Dec 17

#bookadvent #christmascountdown Day 16: Christmas Eve at the Mellops’ by Tommy Ungerer. A story about giving, compassion, and the true meaning of Christmas. #christmasbooks #kidsbooks #kidlit #booksky 💙📚