Haggis MacDougall
Children’s book series
Haggis MacDougall (he’s Scottish would you guess?) is a mouse with a very long tail, and has his very own children’s book series!
In 2017 I was approached by Glaswegian author Katie Lorna McMillan to illustrate the first three Haggis MacDougall books she had written. Subsequently, we also collaborated on a fourth and fifth book in the series, and most recently the standalone story Bee and Bear.
Each Haggis book follows him on an adventure, while subtly teaching a life lesson to the children reading it or being read to. Whether it’s learning to love yourself despite being ‘different’, following your dreams, or listening to your parents, each book sees Haggis triumph over adversity linked to a moral within the tale. There’s also a fun quiz at the end of each book where kids can search back through the story to find special characters I’ve hidden throughout :)
Illustrating children’s books is a joy
To take a script and imagine characters into being, to create scenery and add colour; all to bring a story to life and engage with kids’ imaginations. I’ve also loved being part of the creation of a series of children’s books which help to teach children to love their own unique differences. We learn at the start of book one that Haggis doesn’t like his ‘Very Long Tail’ as this makes him different to the other mice; but he soon learns to love it as it becomes the very thing that helps him find adventure, friendship & confidence throughout each book.
The five-book Haggis MacDougall series has colour, character and a little bit of fun on every single page. From ‘Pi-rats’ to Dinosaurs, it’s been a pleasure to
create each animal character and their home.
Looking for a professional artists to help you tell your own story?
If you have a story idea waiting to be illustrated and brought to life, drop me an email to hello@oldmangrey.com to start the conversation.
It’s really important to me to make sure sure my illustrations bring author’s characters to life as they’ve envisaged when creating their stories.
Haggis MacDougall and his Very Long Tail
A book about learning to love yourself the way you are.
Haggis MacDougall Saves the Day
A book about listening to your parents! And helping out your friends when they get into bother :)
Haggis MacDougall and the Pirate King
A book about making friends and following your dreams :)
Haggis MacDougall Saves Santa
A book about being different and helping Santa to save Christmas :)
Haggis MacDougall and the Dinosaur Egg
A book about adventures!