A boy orphaned by invaders. A strange fairy girl in the forest. A serpent god seeking blood. A book to turn darkness into light.

Brendan's uncle, Abbot Cellach, forbids him to set foot outside the walls of Kells. 'The Vikings are coming,' he warns. But Brendan longs to help the famous illuminator, Aidan, with the Great Book. In the dark of the night he sneaks into the forest to collect ink berries for Aidan. There he is attacked by wolves, meets a strange fairy girl - and stumbles on the cave of the evil Crom Cruach, the Dark One.

Can Brendan outwit the serpent god? Will the Great Book ever be finished? And will the walls of Kells protect Brendan and the monks from the invading Vikings?

Adapted from The Secret of Kells, the Oscar-nominated film by Cartoon Saloon, Les Armateurs, Vivi Film.

About the Author
Eithne Massey has had a lifelong attachment to the legends and traditions of her native Ireland. Her best-selling books of Irish myths and legends for children include what is fast becoming a classic picture book, Best-Loved Irish Legends, and of a number of novels for young readers, among them the award-winning Blood Brother, Swan Sister, with its backdrop of the Battle of Clontarf, and the skilful story of the man behind the rebel leader in Michael Collins: Hero and Rebel. Her other books include Legendary Ireland: Myths and Legends of Ireland and The Turning of the Year. Cartoon Saloon is a Kilkenny-based animation studio formed by Paul Young, Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey in 1999. They are best-known for their Academy Award-nominated feature-length animations The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, but have also done a wide range of television programmes and some lovely illustration work for O'Brien Press books.

Reviews

'full of eye catching, imaginative illustrations'

-- Books Ireland

'an exciting adaptation of the Cartoon Saloon's film ... the line illustrations are an interesting mix of the realistic and the imagined with a strong emphasis on pattern and design'

-- Books Ireland

'a well-crafted novel ... beautifully illustrated ...a rich, exciting and distinctive narrative that should greatly appeal to young readers, especially those aged 10+'

-- Inis

'this was one of the best books I have read ... I would give it 10 out of 10'

-- Evening Echo (Reader Review)

'an entertaining children's book.'

-- The Irish Catholic

'lavish illustrations'

-- Books Ireland

'stunning double-page illustrations'

-- Primary Times

'A book to amaze and amuse any age ... the blend of strong Celtic design with cartoon-like figures merge seamlessly together in this imaginative presentation of old legends.'

-- Irish Examiner

'lavishly illustrated ... a very stylish adaptation'

-- Books Ireland

'whirling illustrations, which blaze from the page'

-- CBI Bookfest 2009

'exquisite'

-- CBI Bookfest Guide 2009

'Refreshingly different precisely because its look is so profoundly retro, 'Brendan and the Secret of Kells" harks back not just to older animation styles but to pre-medieval illuminated manuscript tradition. With its jewel-bright colors and intricate use of lines, the result is absolutely luscious to behold.'

-- Variety Magazine



Book Information
ISBN 9781847171214
Author Eithne Massey
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint O'Brien Press Ltd
Publisher O'Brien Press Ltd
Weight(grams) 183g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 130mm * 14mm