Tim Archbold

Set in the Scotland of "long ago," this charming original pourquoi story from Tim Archbold explains how bagpipes came to be. It is the story of Charlie McCandlewick, a nightsweep who captured all the many bogle creatures of the night, making homes safe for young and old alike. From the Skelpies who lived under the floor, to the Nippers and Nabbers lurking under beds, waiting for the opportunity to grab unsuspecting ankles, Charlie had a special tool to capture every kind of creature, and a plan for how to dispose of them, once caught...

Part of Edinburgh-based Floris Books' Picture Kelpies line, intended to highlight and promote Scottish picture-book authors and artists, and to publish picture-books with a Scottish theme, Bagpipes, Beasties and Bogles is simply a delight! The artwork is quirky and appealing, in a style that reminded me of artists such as Quentin Blake and Tony Ross. I liked the little fold-out guide, attributed to Charlie himself, and placed midway through the book, that details all of the different kinds of bogle confronted by the industrious nightsweep. The itself story is entertaining, tying together two Scottish traditions - the wailing of the bagpipes and the depredations of bogles - in a creative way. Highly recommended to anyone looking for stories concerning bogles and other night terrors, or for picture-books with a Scottish theme. This is my first book by Tim Archbold, whom I see has worked on many other titles, but it will definitely not be my last!… (mere)