Storytelling has always been at the heart of Celtic societies. From firesides to books, these tales have been passed from generation to generation. Some are well known, such as the Irish legend of Diarmaid and Grainne, while those less frequently told, including The Magic Pail from Cornwall, deserve their place in this unique collection. Tales from all celtic lands, including Brittany, The Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales, meet here. Skillfully retold by author and poet Una Leavy and brought to life by Fergal O'Connor's lively illustrations. Read of giants and dragons, of fairies and princesses: all beautifully illustrated and told for a new generation of children.

About the Author
Una Leavy has written many books for children. She works as a primary school teacher in County Mayo. Una Leavy was born in Charlestown, Co. Mayo. She has been writing since early childhood. A primary school teacher by profession, she is married to Lorcan and they have six children. Her writing includes poetry, articles and short stories which have been published in various magazines and periodicals. Much of her work has been for children and to date she has published seven books with the O'Brien Press. Fergal O' Connor is an artist and illustrator from Co. Kerry. His work is set within an imaginative, fantastical, and often dark universe inhabited by strange characters and creatures, a sombre world where the amazing and the beautiful lives side by side with the bleak and tragic. He currently works from his home in Kerry where he creates artwork for exhibitions as well as illustrating for books and other publications.

Reviews

I've always loved folk tales, especially ones from our Celtic past. Una Leavy's nine tales come from Brittany, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. They tell of the bravery of heroes; the woman's world, which demands cunning as well as weaving skills; of dragons and selkies, giants and fairies. These stories have survived because they tap into something very deep within us: the importance of doing the right thing ... These stories, evocatively illustrated by Fergal O'Connor, are both about everyday Bronze Age life, and about the problems of being human. Recommended for all ages

-- Historical Novel Society Review

unique and captivating

-- Ireland of the Welcomes

skilfully retold by author and poet Una Leavy and brought to life by Fergal O'Connor's lively illustrations

-- Primary Times

warm, humourous and entertaining ... suitable for reading aloud in the classroom or for the class library

-- InTouch Magazine

these tales from the Celtic lands did not all originate as children's stories, but they have been engagingly reimagined for a new generation of younger readers in this attractive book

-- Books Ireland

the lyrical retellings are brought to life by Fergal O'Connor's detailed and atmospheric illustrations. Read of giants and dragons, of fairies and princesses: all beautifully illustrated and told for a new generation of children. A beautiful book

-- Parents in Touch

richly coloured

-- Evening Echo



Book Information
ISBN 9781847175465
Author Una Leavy
Format Hardback
Page Count 96
Imprint O'Brien Press Ltd
Publisher O'Brien Press Ltd
Weight(grams) 596g
Dimensions(mm) 265mm * 205mm * 12mm