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Georgia McKinlay
Cover of Hamish McAfferty and the Gigantic Cavity by Georgia McKinlay, illustrated by Amy Malkin

A debut picture book for young children

Hamish McAfferty and the Gigantic Cavity

When Hamish finds a mysterious hole in the garden, he and his cheeky cat embark on a quest to fill it with the most nonsensical things imaginable.

From piles of plums to a yodelling whale, this whimsical tale celebrates the messy, marvellous magic of a curious mind.

Illustrated by
Amy Malkin
Format
Paperback
Publication
28 Oct 2026
Price
£9.99
ISBN
9781806347315
About Georgia

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Activity sheets

Printable activities to enjoy alongside Hamish McAfferty and the Gigantic Cavity.

In the news

Hamish makes the headlines

The story behind Hamish McAfferty and the Gigantic Cavity has reached the local papers. Read how a curious three-year-old and a former teacher’s love of words turned a hole in the garden into a picture book.

  • Banbury Guardian

    Former Banbury teacher turns son’s curiosity into debut picture book

    Georgia tells the Banbury Guardian how a curious three-year-old who “loved words almost as much as his mother” inspired Hamish McAfferty and the Gigantic Cavity, why books give children space away from screens, and how the little top hats in Amy Malkin’s illustrations honour her late friend Martyn.

    Read the article

  • Oxford Chronicle · 4 Oct 2026

    Banbury author Georgia McKinlay’s debut picture book inspired by three-year-old Hamish

    The Oxford Chronicle previews the 28 October publication of Hamish McAfferty and the Gigantic Cavity and its launch at Lock29’s Secret Cinema in Banbury, with a live reading and signing by Georgia and illustrator Amy Malkin.

    Read the article

Reviews

  • Rated 5 out of 5

    A fantastic short story with a lovely rhythm to it.

    Molly Z

  • This is a delightful and imaginative tale which grabs your attention right from the beginning with that yodelling whale. It takes you on a journey into creativity, reminding us that nothing is impossible in the eyes of a child! Absolutely refreshing to read! Hamish will help young children explore with their parents and encourage older children reading the book for themselves to disconnect from online influences and reconnect with their own imagination. I’m already looking forward to the next book!

    Karen E

  • A charming and wonderfully imaginative picture book which will delight young children. When a small boy discovers a mysterious hole in his garden, he sets about filling it with an increasingly surprising collection of treasures — toys, plums, drums and, with a quirky twist, a giraffe!

    The illustrations are beautifully crafted, bringing the story and its colourful collection of objects to life. In these screen-driven times this story provides a perfect antidote to passive viewing. There is plenty for children to spot, name and talk about, making the book engaging on every page.

    It is also a marvellous way to introduce and reinforce vocabulary, offering a varied mix of familiar and more unusual objects. The combination of rhyme, repetition, humour and beautiful illustrations makes it an ideal book for sharing together.

    Alison M.

  • I liked that story. My favourite bits were counting the facts and when the giraffe got put in the hole.

    Levi B, aged 3

  • What do a penny, a giraffe and a tractor have in common? They all feature in this wonderfully written rhyming story for all the family to enjoy! With beautiful illustrations to bring this tale of Hamish truly to life, I would 100% recommend this for parents and carers to share with their children for a fun reading time! Of course, I now need to know what happens in Seoul!

    Katie B, primary school teacher