This is a story for children aged around six to eight years old or as a read to for younger children.
It is about a group of special Frogs who lived a log time ago, long before Dinosaurs.
The Frogs had many fearsome enemies who wished to eat them.
The Leader of the Frogs was called Korban the Krokka, (Krokka means Leader).
Because of the Artwork, the file size is large (nearly 14 MB) and may take a little while to download.
This story also exists in booklet format. Let me know if you wish a copy.
Click here to download the PDF.
This story was written for a boy called Fraser Stuart. We met him with his grandparents in the summer of 2012 (?) at a caravan site in Braemar.
When he rode his bike around the caravan site he would usually stop outside or ‘van an wait until I went out for a chat. He told me of the previous year when he had been at the Braemar site and it had been visited by “a monster stag which ran at people”.
Fraser Stuart and I agreed that this would make a great story. After a discussion with his grandparents he agreed names for the stag and the title.
It was July and the weather was mixed. The day before we left the wind got up and howled all night long. As we breakfasted the next morning we saw several fellow campers taking photographs of a group of stags who were sheltering from the wind in a copse of fir trees which bounded the site. Just beyond the trees was a fast flowing river which hurtled past to join the main river about a mile away.
If you enjoy this one you might like “The Fox of Bannockburn”.
This was my first effort at publishing a printed booklet. Susan at Purple Edge Graphics did most of the work and I thank her for her patience and skill. It was the start of a friendship which continues to this day.
Click here to download the PDF.
This story was written for Ruaridh who lives next door to us.
One day, then aged 8 years, he asked me, “Mr Bonthron, do you ever write anything about the medieval period?
“Do you mean knights with horses?”
“Yes. Have you heard of The Battle of Bannockburn?”
“Right, Ruaridh, you’re on! I’ll write you a story. “
His siter Anja, then aged 6 years, piped, “Can I be in it too, please?”
A few days later his Gran said, “John, do you know that we are related to William Wallace on our Kenneth’s side of the family?”
These conversations took place in March 2014, a few months before the 700 year anniversary of the great battle. From my researches this little tale complements this great event.
Perhaps what you read actually happened?
This is a read to story for younger children and a self-reader for P3 and upward.
If you like this one, try “The Terror of Braemar”.
Both stories are available in A5 booklet hardcopy. Let me know if you want copies.
Click here to download the PDF.
Each summer we meet with our friends Paul and Judy at Rosemarkie Caravan Park, on the peninsular known as The Black Isle, just beyond Inverness.
We park our caravans right on the beach.We watch Dolphins cavort.
Last year their grandson Harry then nearly four years old was with us.
Harry and me have fun, playing on the beach. Harry is the Big Boss, I am his Servant.
We build sandcastles, talk to the seagulls. You get the picture.
Reads well on iPad or tablet in portrait mode.
Click here to download the PDF.
Our grandson Matthew shares a vivid fantasy life with me.
We visited Durham in August 2105, hen he was almost five years old.
This is just one of the stories he told me.
Many, many thanks to our friend Les Adams for his superb illustrations.
They are much better than my words!
This reads well on an iPad or tablet.
Click here to download the PDF.
This is a fantasy story about about a boy called Harry who loves trains.
Harry has a some very special friends who go everywhere with him.
This is a ‘read too story’, suitable for three and four-year-olds.
If you would like a hard copy version, (free of charge), let me know using the Contact Form.
Click here to download the PDF.
This is a fantasy tale about a little boy called Ethan whose Grauntie Mana sent him a first birthday present of a huge cuddly toy spaniel.
This is a ‘read too story’, probably more suitable for two and three-year-olds.
If you would like a hard copy (free of charge), use the Contact Form to let me know.
Click here to download the PDF.
We have just enjoyed another caravan holiday at Rosemarkie, our fourteenth consequtive year.
One of the delights of caravanning is meeting interesting people, chatting to them and sharing tips on what to see and do.
This is a nonsense tale you might enjoy, suitable for children of all ages.
You may also wish to read a related story called “Rosemarkie Remembrances”.
Click here to download the PDF.
This is a story for our grandson Matthew who was born while we were visiting the West Coast of Canada.
We were in Whistler when we got the great news!
We bought a little teddy bear.
This is the story of Rx the Orsinaurus, a tiny Dinosaur bear whose name was changed to Whistler before he came to England to live with Matthew.
It is suitable as a ‘read to’ for children up to about 7 years.
And as a self-reader for ages 7 to 10.
Click here to download the PDF.
This is a children’s story written for our grandson Matthew.
On our way to visit Matthew we bought an ornament of a Hare.
We called him Teo, an Italian derivative of Matthew.
In Matthew’s house there are two ornamental Elephants, who are now Teo’s friends.
Matthew has a huge garden to play in.
Plenty room for two Elephants and a Hare to roam around in!
This story is suitable as a ‘read to’ bedtime story for younger children
And as a ‘read alone’ for 7 or 8 year-olds.
Click here to download the PDF.