The Great Auk’s Great Escape

The Great Auk’s Great Escape

Published 28th June 2024

• by Louisa MacDougall
• Illustrations by Joceline Hildrey

This is an illustrated picture book for children by Louisa MacDougall, with hand-drawn images by Joceline Hildrey and published by Islands Book Trust.

It is a fictional story based on a real historical incident in 1821. When a rare and valuable seabird is snatched from her ocean home off St Kilda, she seems destined to end her days as a museum exhibit – until the Great Auk befriends a young cabin boy, who sees her differently.

Can Auky and Finn outwit her captors and reclaim her freedom, or is it too late?
Set in St Kilda and the Hebrides, this story has themes of extinction, friendship and protecting what is precious.