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Katie Morag #2
Katie Morag and the Two Grandmothers
Katie Morag's two very different grandmothers, plain Grannie Island and sophisticated Grandma Mainland, don't seem to like each other until Granma Mainland's secret beauty formula saves the day for Grannie Island's prize sheep.
Paperback
First published June 1, 1985
About the author
Mairi Hedderwick
120 books26 followersAlthough she was born in Gourock, and attended the Edinburgh College of Art, the highlands and islands of Scotland have always been Mairi Hedderwick's true home. In 1962 she settled on Coll, where she raised her family and taught art at primary school. Her first home on Coll had no electricity or running water, and the nearest neighbor lived two miles away.
Mairi Hedderwick is the author and illustrator of the much loved Katie Morag series of children's books the first of which was published in 1984.
Hedderwick has also written and illustrated several travel books, including Highland Journey and An Eye on the Hebrides.
Mairi Hedderwick is the author and illustrator of the much loved Katie Morag series of children's books the first of which was published in 1984.
Hedderwick has also written and illustrated several travel books, including Highland Journey and An Eye on the Hebrides.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 22, 2022
The two grandmothers are so different, but Katie Morag has a story about them both that shows they are loved and valued.
Beautiful pictures make this a lovely book for a little girl.
Beautiful pictures make this a lovely book for a little girl.
June 21, 2019
Not sure that's any good for the sheep... And definitely counts as cheating!
September 19, 2012
Katie Morag and the Two Grannies by Mairi Hedderwick is a story about Two very different grandmothers; granny mainland the stylish granny from the big city, and granny island the granny who's more at home in her wellies working on the farm. During the island of Struays big annual show, granny islands prize winning sheep gets covered in mud, but Katie Morag saves the day by cleaning her up with granny mainlands abundance of beauty products.
I have seen this book used with a key stage 2 class over a variety of subjects. The class were weeks away from a summer fair, and taking the character Mrs Bayview and her garden as a starting point they planned a flower sale.
The children worked on their persuasive writing skills to produce leaflets and used their art skills to make posters to advertise the sale. Some groups also recorded a radio commercial using voice recorders which they then played to the rest of the class. The children decided where they should hang their posters and plotted these co-ordinates on a map. On another day they grew flowers for the garden sale and learnt how flowers grow. Finally they practiced their skills with handling money for when they would need to take change at the sale.
The children really engaged with the book by completing these projects, and had loads of fun selling the plants they had grown at the sale.
I have seen this book used with a key stage 2 class over a variety of subjects. The class were weeks away from a summer fair, and taking the character Mrs Bayview and her garden as a starting point they planned a flower sale.
The children worked on their persuasive writing skills to produce leaflets and used their art skills to make posters to advertise the sale. Some groups also recorded a radio commercial using voice recorders which they then played to the rest of the class. The children decided where they should hang their posters and plotted these co-ordinates on a map. On another day they grew flowers for the garden sale and learnt how flowers grow. Finally they practiced their skills with handling money for when they would need to take change at the sale.
The children really engaged with the book by completing these projects, and had loads of fun selling the plants they had grown at the sale.
January 25, 2012
Katie Morag and the Two Grandmother's by Mairi Hedderwick is a story about Katie bringing her two very different Grannies together. Grannie Mainland is from the big city and seen as stylish and well dressed, whereas Grannie Island works on her farm in her overalls and wellies. On the morning of the big annual Show Day, Grannie Island's prize-winning sheep gets filthy, and Katie Morag saves the day by remembering Grannie Mainland's ample collection of "beauty aids." After a bubble bath, and having her fleece perfumed, powdered and curled, Grannie Islands sheep is judged the hands-down trophy winner.
The Katie Morag stories are a wonderful aid for Key Stage one Geography. Grannie Mainland and Grannie Island show the differences between some of the people who live on an Island and in the City. The stories are used to assist children's learning in different environments, how tourism is important to Island life, how boats bring supplies to people living on an Island, and to also explain the differences between natural and man made features. The TES website has plenty of resources available using the theme of Katie Morag, and children make a connection with the stories.
The Katie Morag stories are a wonderful aid for Key Stage one Geography. Grannie Mainland and Grannie Island show the differences between some of the people who live on an Island and in the City. The stories are used to assist children's learning in different environments, how tourism is important to Island life, how boats bring supplies to people living on an Island, and to also explain the differences between natural and man made features. The TES website has plenty of resources available using the theme of Katie Morag, and children make a connection with the stories.
September 6, 2011
This book is one of the many "Katie Morag" stories written by Mairi Hedderwick and I enjoyed this one the most. Katie has a visit from both Grandmothers (humorously called "Grandma Island" and "Grandma Maindland". Both the Grandmothers are very different in style and character and do not get on with one another; however, they join forces eventually when a prize sheep gets stuck in Boggy Loch on show day. Together with Katie they haul the sheep from the loch and get her ready to be the star of the show!
This book is brilliant to read to children as it contains humour which both adults and children will enjoy(such as Katie and Grandma Island using Grandma Mainland's hair tint and rollers on the sheep!) It also has beautiful large illustrations with a lot going on to discuss.
The book also contains positive themes relating to diversity and getting along with people from different walks of life...and of course a happy ending!
I have read this book to many children and always get a good response from them, a funny and warm-hearted read!
This book is brilliant to read to children as it contains humour which both adults and children will enjoy(such as Katie and Grandma Island using Grandma Mainland's hair tint and rollers on the sheep!) It also has beautiful large illustrations with a lot going on to discuss.
The book also contains positive themes relating to diversity and getting along with people from different walks of life...and of course a happy ending!
I have read this book to many children and always get a good response from them, a funny and warm-hearted read!
May 3, 2012
This is a classic Katie Morag story. Katie Morag's two grandmothers are like chalk and cheese – so when lovely Grannie Mainland visits for the fair, Katie has a challenge on her hands. Tough Grannie Island thinks it is ridiculous how all the men follow Grannie Mainland around. But when Grannie Island’s prize sheep gets stuck in Boggy Loch on Show Day, can Grannie Mainland’s curlers and perfumes fix a very sticky situation?
The story can help to develop children's understanding of geographical features and ideas, whilst also developing their literacy skills. It also helps children to formulate views about other people in a contrasting environment. A comical story of friendship and family life, set on the Isle of Struay and featuring the ever-resourceful Katie.
The story can help to develop children's understanding of geographical features and ideas, whilst also developing their literacy skills. It also helps children to formulate views about other people in a contrasting environment. A comical story of friendship and family life, set on the Isle of Struay and featuring the ever-resourceful Katie.
June 8, 2012
The book is based around Katie Morag and her grand mothers. The ethos of the story is how different they both are with one preferring the glamorous life style in comparison to the other who prefers the good life style. The book itself has large illustrations that are full of pictographic information. There are only a few sentences on each page making it ideal for those children in KS1. The book does tend to sway towards a rather biased message of 'mutton dressed up as lamb' and the character assassination of poor old grandmother Mainland, all to humorous effect. All in all the book is a fair read and lots of lesson ideas have come out of reading it.
July 28, 2022
It felt a bit mean spirited to me, they stole the other grandma's stuff and put it on a sheep! When she finds out it's not going to be a pretty scene. I thought there might have been a nice reconciliation or something at the end, but just felt like it was about to kick off. Great pictures, and really liked the show. The bathroom was a bit of a state too!
August 15, 2017
3.5 stars.
A novel I just read kept referencing this author's series of children's books. They sounded intriguing and were unfamiliar to me, so I interlibrary loaned myself a copy. It is charming. I'd like to read the rest, but they're hard to come by here in California.
A novel I just read kept referencing this author's series of children's books. They sounded intriguing and were unfamiliar to me, so I interlibrary loaned myself a copy. It is charming. I'd like to read the rest, but they're hard to come by here in California.
May 27, 2021
Another great but silly Katie Morag book. My 4 year old loves these books and this one is no exception. It’s got that mischief element of using Granny Mainlands beauty products on the sheep and lots of fun phrases to read aloud like “boggy loch”. No complaints here!
August 8, 2017
It's amazing what it takes for 2 people to appreciate each other.
November 7, 2017
I don't think my 3 year old completely understands this one yet, but I enjoy it.
February 22, 2018
Works as an IDL topic for literacy, maths, geography and art
February 18, 2020
I loved this series as a child and I feel it really endears simple living and being surrounded by nature to children.
December 10, 2024
It's a cute, if somewhat dated children's picture book about a young girl's relationship with 2 g'mas—one from the city and one from the country. Illustrations are whimsical and very detailed.
June 17, 2025
a classic that I remember from my childhood. this book will never get old.
March 3, 2025
It has its charms.
January 30, 2015
This book is about a little girl called Katie Morag who lives on the Isle of Struay with her mum who’s the postmistress and her dad who owns the general store. This is one of many adventures of Katie Morag’s. This particular story is about Grannie Mainland coming to the island to visit Katie Morag. Grannie Island and Grannie Mainland have a lot of differences and therefore Katie tries to bring them together. Grannie Mainland is from the city and always looks good because she likes to dress up whereas Grannie Island works on the farm and dresses in her overall and wellies. There is an annual Show Day happening on the island and Grannie Island’s sheep Alecina always wins the Best Ewe and Fleece Trophy. When Katie Morag went to Grannie Island’s Alecina was all muddy and dirty. There wasn’t a lot of time before the Show. Katie Morag has an idea, she suggested that they use Grannie Mainland’s beauty aids to clean up Alecina and get her ready for the Show. Alecina won the prize again thanks to Grannie Mainland’s beauty aids. There was a lovely celebration but only Grannie Island and Katie Morag knew the true secret. Grannie Island never was horrible to Grannie Mainland for her fancy ways again.
The book is set on a fictional island called the Isle of Struay so children can actually use their map skills and locate the island on a map. This makes it more real for them to work and develop their learning. The book has a map at the beginning of the book which shows where the different places in the Isle of Struay is. It also uses a lot of illustrations which is really good as children can see and understand all about the island.
This book would be used in Key Stage One in particularly in Year Two lessons. This book is ideal for use as part of lessons especially literacy, numeracy and Geography. The book helps to understand human and physical features of an island. It also shows the difference in people that live on an island and mainland like between Grannie Mainland and Grannie Island. It helps children to understand different environments and how life is different on an island compared to the city. It’s a brilliant book for literacy as there is the use of character description, connectives and story planning.
The book is set on a fictional island called the Isle of Struay so children can actually use their map skills and locate the island on a map. This makes it more real for them to work and develop their learning. The book has a map at the beginning of the book which shows where the different places in the Isle of Struay is. It also uses a lot of illustrations which is really good as children can see and understand all about the island.
This book would be used in Key Stage One in particularly in Year Two lessons. This book is ideal for use as part of lessons especially literacy, numeracy and Geography. The book helps to understand human and physical features of an island. It also shows the difference in people that live on an island and mainland like between Grannie Mainland and Grannie Island. It helps children to understand different environments and how life is different on an island compared to the city. It’s a brilliant book for literacy as there is the use of character description, connectives and story planning.
July 3, 2016
This book is from the ‘Katie Morag’s stories written by Mairi Hedderwick. This book in particular is one of my favourites as Katie Morag is visited by her two grandmothers ; "Grandma Island" and "Grandma Mainland". As their two names suggest the two grandmothers are very different and do not get on. However, the two grandmothers join forces together along with Katie to get Grandma’s Island prize winning sheep to be the star of the show again after it gets covered in Boggy Loch on show day.
This book is age appropriate for KS1children and can also be enjoyed by readers in KS2. I have used this book with a year 1 class which has given me invaluable ideas for literacy, art, DT and PSHCE as well as geography. We discussed respecting others and valuing differences which rose a lot of conversation for PSHE and literacy on one day. On another day we used the book as means of comparing life in an Island and in the city – the children then made story boxes to illustrate the differences.
This book is age appropriate for KS1children and can also be enjoyed by readers in KS2. I have used this book with a year 1 class which has given me invaluable ideas for literacy, art, DT and PSHCE as well as geography. We discussed respecting others and valuing differences which rose a lot of conversation for PSHE and literacy on one day. On another day we used the book as means of comparing life in an Island and in the city – the children then made story boxes to illustrate the differences.
February 9, 2012
Katie Morag series is great for exploring local areas. It about a girl from the scottish island called Struay. She goes on different adventures in her village. These books explore familiar themes about family, behaviour and consequences.
This is also great for comparison exercises and can be extended to outer area such as Africa.
Other cross curricular activities may include: map drawing/ food tech; making oatcakes/ exploring different cultures and music.
However, i am sure there are many more books that KS1 teachers could use other than katie Morag....to be honest im getting a little bit sick of seeing her everywhere...anyone else?
Any other ideas?
This is also great for comparison exercises and can be extended to outer area such as Africa.
Other cross curricular activities may include: map drawing/ food tech; making oatcakes/ exploring different cultures and music.
However, i am sure there are many more books that KS1 teachers could use other than katie Morag....to be honest im getting a little bit sick of seeing her everywhere...anyone else?
Any other ideas?
May 6, 2013
This Katie Morag book allows for children aged between 6 and 9 to engage fantastically with geography and also relationships. The book is set on the fictional Isle of Strauy, based on the Scottish Western Isle's. The illustration within the book can get children, especially those without much travel experience, to experience vocabulary that would otherwise be difficult to relate to.
Also the relationship between the two grandmothers offer a good flowing story line as well as some comic relief. Most importantly though is that the prickly relationship can give the children an understanding how people interact with each other giving them a gauge of different people's opinions.
Also the relationship between the two grandmothers offer a good flowing story line as well as some comic relief. Most importantly though is that the prickly relationship can give the children an understanding how people interact with each other giving them a gauge of different people's opinions.
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June 1, 2014The series of books look at the life of children and folk on a British Island this book is perfect for pitching the discovery of the British isles as it offers great facts and illustrations in the natural geography of a Scottish highland island. The books are quite close to my own heart as I grew up every summer on one of the islands with my grandparents. You can use this book for ks1 as the text is approachable and the child in the story is the same age which gives a good example of comparing the classes lives to her life. It can also be a great idea to start a pen pal exploration with the school I used to go to. The change from London to a Scottish Island is very different.
November 22, 2011
Super cute. LOVE the illustrations. Love the stories.
June 14, 2010
I read this following a recommendation on a website. The pictures are detailed and very endearing, and it is set on a Scottish island. Very enjoyable, and lots to talk about in the pictures.
December 30, 2016
Nice illustrations, very average story.
December 27, 2013
BEST KIDS BOOK EVER!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews