This latest book in the Deadly! Irish History series is jam-packed with all kinds of well-researched and fun facts and madcap stories (including a swashbuckling adventure called Seamus the Sinister Swordsman) about the Normans. It covers Strongbow and the Norman invasion and the broad sweep of medieval life in Ireland, showing how the people lived, played, and what they worked at (from the castle builders, chandlers, weavers, millers, to the leech collectors, medicine women, spit-boys and professional farters!)

There is a spotlight on Irish castles throughout the island of Ireland with Deadly! Data on 40, including how and when they were built, fascinating facts about them and the people who lived there and their haunting scores. John Farrelly takes the reader inside castles and tower houses with detailed drawings and interactive puzzles, searches, true and false features and a good sprinkling of Deadly! craft (make your own castle, shield, sword and even crossbow!). And if you are hungry there is always the Norman recipe for roast hedgehog for tea!

About the Author
John Farrelly was born and raised in a village just outside Newry, Co. Down. After dropping out of art college because all he wanted to do was write stories and draw pictures, he became a freelance caricature artist. He always did a full day's work - he just spread it over the whole week. Finally, after a three-day siege, where no one was injured and all hostages were released, The O'Brien Press let him write stories and draw pictures.

Reviews

'Farrelly's writing and drawings never miss a beat in this well-informed and witty account of the Celts ... with comic strips, guess-the-answer sessions, roll-the-dice-to-see-which character-you-are games, how to make your own games board or roundhouse ... Great fun!'

-- Children's Books Ireland

Deadly Irish history, told through cartoons, tales of pointy-shoed medieval fashion flops, pig's bladder sports, roast hedgehog dinners, and not forgetting the Black Death

-- Evening Echo

the best of what has been an excellent series ... a great book for kids of the right age and John's superb art and a comic delivery, this is a volume that will delight comic fans of any age

-- Down the Tubes

Continuing on the author's tremendous tradition, The Normans leaps right into action with a mixture of facts, cartoons and jokes. There are plenty of activities and quizzes to compliment the funny cartoons and hands-on crafting activities ... Children from 10 years old will be amused by the comical story-telling and illustrations on each of the pages. Learning about and reading these fun facts and cartoons can explain the history of Ireland and the people who lived in it all those years ago in a very child-friendly way. Farrelly has done his research on these fun facts and outlandish stories about the Normans which includes a daring fable aptly called Seamus the Sinister Swordsman. It deals with important people and events such as Strongbow and the Norman invasion and gives a general indication of medieval life in Ireland. It illustrates how the everyday people lived, played, and what their jobs and trades, i.e. from the castle builders, chandlers, weavers, millers, to the leech collectors, medicine women and spit-boys! This fantastic book also shows us the interesting medieval fashions and how a castle was constructed ... finely illustrated drawings and interactive puzzles, searches, true and false features and many stimulating Deadly! crafts, i.e. assemble your own castle, shield, sword and even crossbow! There is even a Norman recipe for roast hedgehog for tea! - Julie Anne De Brun, Co Galway

-- InTouch

entertaining and comprehensive book on The Normans ... dynamic and fun ... laugh yourself silly

-- Children's Books Ireland Reading Guide 2022



Book Information
ISBN 9781788492874
Author John Farrelly
Format Paperback
Page Count 144
Imprint O'Brien Press Ltd
Publisher O'Brien Press Ltd
Weight(grams) 138g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 129mm * 11mm