“Oor Wullie’s ABCs in Scots” comic connections

By John Freeman on 20 August 2026 • ( 0 )

DC Thomson recently published Oor Wullie’s ABCs in Scots, a joyful introduction to Scots language whose creators both have comic connections, and not just because “Oor Wullie” is a longtime feature in The Sunday Post newspaper.

Oor Wullie's ABCs in Scots by Kate McAuliffe, Illustrated by Mike Donaldson is available from all good bookshops | ISBN: 978-1917436816

Step into the world of Oor Wullie, Scotland’s most favourite wee laddie, as he takes young readers on a braw A–Z journey through the Scots language – packed with fun, friendship, and mischief!

From A to Z, each page introduces a Scots word or phrase, paired with a clear explanation and a beautiful illustration that capture the charm and humour of the beloved Scottish comic strip.

Alongside Wullie, you’ll meet his pals – Bob, Soapy, Wee Eck, Primrose, Jada, Ollie, and his faithful dug Wee Harry – as they share little stories filled with friendship and fun.

Young readers will also love the hidden letter challenge in every picture, adding an extra layer of interactive discovery to every page.

Oor Wullie’s ABCs in Scots is the creation of Commando editor Kate McAuliffe and “Oor Wullie” artist Mike Donaldson.

Kate McAuliffe hails from Fife, Scotland, and is the current Content Editor for Heritage Comics at DC Thomson. After studying English and Creative Writing at the University of Dundee, she joined the Heritage Comics department in 2017, before becoming Content Editor in 2018. She enjoys writing the occasional “Oor Wullie” and “The Broons” strips and has written several Commando comics, with more in the works.

Mike Donaldson started out as a teacher before swapping the classroom for the drawing board. With a background in fine art painting and illustration, he now draws “Oor Wullie” and “The Broons” every week for The Sunday Post. His work has also appeared on covers and in strips for Beano and, previously, The Dandy.

• Oor Wullie’s ABCs in Scots by Kate McAuliffe, Illustrated by Mike Donaldson is available from all good bookshops | ISBN: 978-1917436816 | Buy it from AmazonUK (Affiliate Link) | Buy it via BookshopUK.org (Affiliate Link)

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.