Scotland Yard, USA
by
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Bump, bump, bump went the plane and before she knew it the plane had landed.
Rosie was now on American soil.
After landing, when Rosie went through customs, a great big dog came up and started to sniff her. Rosie began to giggle and told her mummy-
“Look, mummy.”
“ Are you sure I don’t have ants in my pants?”
“I’m positive, Rosie.”
“He is a police dog and he is looking for people who are
bringing things to
“You mean like smugglers?” asked Rosie- remembering the last Secret Seven Adventure Story her teacher had read them at school.”
“Well, something like that "said her mummy.
“Well do smugglers smell differently from other people?” Rosie wanted to know.
“Oh my goodness, Rosie!” said her mum.
“ You ask ssooooooooooo many questions.”
“No Rosie.” Said Mummy. “Smugglers don’t smell different from other people but the dogs are trained to smell the things that they are hiding”.
The customs guard told Rosie that the dog’s name was Gazuntag- because he kept sneezing all the time.
Rosie sniffed the next 20 people that she came close to see if she could pick out any smugglers. She wanted to help Gazuntag. In the end, she couldn’t find anyone that smelled different from anyone else, but decided that people in general just smelled bad. Mummy explained that most of the people Rosie was sniffing had been traveling all day and probably needed to take a shower.
Rosie thought” “No wonder Gazuntag sneezes all the time”.
Finally, someone from Daddy’s work arrived to take the family to where they would be living.
“Where are we going?” asked Rosie.
“Is it far?”
“Do we have to fly again?”
Rosie knew that the
“No” said Mummy.
“We have to drive for about 1 and half hours to get to where we are going to live for the next year.”
“What’s it like?” asked Rosie.
“Is it big?”
“Does it have servants?”
“If there are servants, can I play with them?”
“It’s a surprise, Rosie” said her mum, rolling her eyes a little.
“I will explain when we get closer to where we are going”.
Rosie looked out of the window at the hundreds of cars that were passing by.
Everyone was driving on the wrong side of the road.
This was a very strange place indeed and much busier than
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About the Book
This book is very insightful in the way it sheds light on diversity and integration. With humor it shows how a little girl overcomes a clash of cultures. Through a compromise, suggested by her wise dog Ripper, she learns how to stay Scottish and yet become American. The strength of this children’s book is in how it involves the parent. It is not a passive narrative in the sense that a child can sit and read and understand everything. Rather it sparks the creative processes that create within children inquisitiveness demanded of young developing mind.
This is a touching story about a little girl who must acclimate to a new culture when her family moves from Scotland to the United States. The story takes a look at how children at her new school tease her about her accent, her clothes, and other cultural differences. She learns what it's like to feel different and, later, how to blend in. Plus there is an enchanting storyline involving her dog, Ripper, highlighting how an animal can be your friend when peers are not being so nice. All in all, a very highly recommended child’s read.
About the Author
I obtained my medical degree at the University of Glasgow in 1976 and moved to the US
in 1977. I have lived and practiced medicine in Michigan since 1977.
Rip lives in Michigan with 4 horse companions and a scottie dog.