Mat o' Shanter: A Cautionary Tale

By Author / Illustrator

Simon Lamb, illus Ross MacRae

Genre

Myths & Legends

Age range(s)

Publisher

Scallywag Press

ISBN

9781836300090

Format

Hardback

Published

25-09-2025

Synopsis

A stunning new version of a Scottish classic for the ears and eyes and hearts of today by the Carnegie-nominated author of A Passing On of Shells.

'Tam o' Shanter' is one of the world's most famous poems. Written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1790, the narrative epic continues to enchant audiences the world over more than two hundred years after its composition.

Now, written in response to that classic poem and inspired by the author's own experiences of it, Mat o' Shanter is both a spiritual sequel, a redux, and something entirely all its own. Rooted in Scotland, with appeal and accessibility for readers of all ages and from all over, this highly original and moving work incorporates an introduction to the original verse, poet Simon Lamb's full-length modern-day reimagining, and commentary in the form of an extensive - and surprising - author's note.

Bold and energetic illustrations by Scottish muralist and first-time book illustrator Ross MacRae complete the package, making Mat o' Shanter a singular and unforgettable read.

Reviews

Louisa

Meet Mat o'Shanter. Rascal. Hooligan. Kid. It is always a pleasure to read - and then review - a book that is a little bit different, that draws you in by being unique and surprising. Mat o' Shanter: A Cautionary Tale is a narrative poem combined with a very relevant autobiographical author's note and a short introduction to the work of Robert Burns. The combination is powerful.

The central poem combines gothic melodrama with jaunty rhymes and manga-inspired illustrations. Scallywag Mat ignores advice, stays out late and says some deliberately hurtful things to a young witch. I won't spoil the ending but, suffice to say, this is subtitled as a cautionary tale.

It's a modern, reworked version of Robert Burns's classic, Tam o'Shanter, so it makes a great bridge to traditional poetry. It feels modern and yet it has some of the same resistance. Like Burns, it uses some specifically Scottish dialect, so raises the possibility of introducing a discussion of regional language variations (but don't worry, there's a glossary). It also reminded me of the classic poems of Hilaire Belloc, like Matilda in the way inventive use of grammar and vocabulary sustains the rhythm and rhyme.

The themes of hubris meeting nemesis and the the need for kindness and empathy both fit with a PSHE agenda. It could also be used to inspire writing a cautionary or journey tale. It's a book that doesn't neatly fit into a genre but it's all the better for that: original, imaginative and fun.

112 pages / Reviewed by Louisa Farrow, teacher