The King with Horse's Ears and Other Irish Folktales

Author: Batt Burns
Illustrated by: Igor Oleynikov
Hardcover: 96 page(s)
Age Range: 8 - 12

Book Description:

Storytelling is one of Ireland-???+-?-+s oldest and grandest traditions, and these vivid tales of far-off days will introduce young readers to the country-???+-?-+s irresistible folklore. Here are brave warriors with superhuman skills, monster dogs with blazing eyes, fairy folk and leprechauns, and the magical land of Tir na n+??g. Author Batt Burns grew up with these beloved characters and legends, and he captures all their enchanting language and flights of fancy. Exquisite art by Igor Oleynikov enhances every tale.

Contents include:

• The King with Horse-???+-?-+s Ears
• The Greedy Barber
• Ois+???+-?-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-ín in the Land of the Ever Young
• Back from the Fairies
• Paying the Rent
• A Clever Leprechaun
• The Lost Island of Lonesome Seals
• And many more!
  
  From The Critics:
  
  

  Booklist
  These 13 Irish tales retold by storyteller Burns follow fairies and warriors, heroes and clever thieves. The oft-anthologized tale jostles alongside the lesser known in a collection that features Fionn Mac Cumhail, one of Ireland-???+-?-+s most famous heroes, as well as Gadai Dubh, one of Ireland-???+-?-+s most famous thieves. The stories are cleanly retold in contemporary, accessible language, and each is introduced with a short paragraph providing cultural or other information. A glossary offers a guide to the pronunciation of Gaelic words, and Gaelic names are given phonetic pronunciation within the tales themselves. Burns opens with an introduction explaining his storytelling upbringing and concludes with sources for his selected tales. Oleynikov-???+-?-+s paintings have a rough texture that suits the energy of the retellings and adds to the lively tone. This is a hearty collection, handsomely produced with Celtic-knot borders and gouache full-page and spot illustrations. Readers (and potential storytellers) seeking humor and adventure would do well to begin here.

  School Library Journal
  This collection of folktales by a master storyteller will make readers feel as if they have stepped into an Irish country farmhouse for an evening of tales near the hearth. The 13 stories range from legends of warriors such as Cuchulainn and Fionn Mac Cumhail, to tales of leprechauns and pookas, to stories of resourceful farmers and demanding landlords. The selections range from 4 to 10 pages in length, and are suitable for reading aloud. Each story contains a smattering of Gaelic names and phrases; pronunciation guides are included as footnotes, and a glossary expands upon unfamiliar terminology. The author provides a note at the beginning of each story to set the scene, and in the back matter he cites sources for the tales. Oleynikov's gouache illustrations provide a fitting accompaniment to the lyrical yet wild tone of the stories, at times haunting and mysterious, at times rollicking and playful.