Drawn from the Irish Traveller storytelling tradition, DeBhairduin's tale is a gentle allegory about identity, self-acceptance and different ways of seeing the world.

Two slugs travel happily together until they meet a crow who asks them where their home is. The younger brother, embarrassed, makes himself a shell, and calls himself snail. The older brother carries on as he is. At first, the brothers grow apart. But in time, they learn to respect each other's way of life.

About the Author

Oein is from Galway in the west of Ireland. He loves stories, new and old, long shared and freshly told. It brings joy to his heart to read and tell tales from and about his community, the Minceiri. He works in the National Museum of Ireland where he collects the objects and their stories that connect our past to our present and hopeful futures. He was gifted this tale and he's sharing it with you, in hopes that it travels well.

Olya is an artist-illustrator and visual storyteller. She holds an honours bachelor's degree in animation and an honours master's degree in children's book illustration from Cambridge School of Art. Olya paints, illustrates books, and occasionally makes short animated films. One of her main sources of inspiration is the quiet mystery of the Irish countryside, especially along its western seaboard.
Where, as Olya believes, live many magical creatures like fairies and elves.

Reviews

"Beautifully illustrated."

* The Irish Times *

"A beautifully illustrated picture book ... It's a clever story about acceptance and celebrating, as the book says, "similarities and common connection"."

-- Sarah Webb * Irish Independent *

"A warm story of difference and commonality."

* Sunday Independent *

"In melodic prose, DeBhairduin weaves a tale about a time when no snails existed in the world ... Anima's radiant illustrations illuminate fine details within vast landscapes in a gentle work about perspective and connection."

* Publishers Weekly *

"A beautifully illustrated refreshing modern-day Aesop's Fable ... This sweet and unique picture book is rooted in the oral tradition of the Irish Traveller community and gently explores themes of belonging, community, friendship, acceptance, and feelings with a light-hearted and thoughtful touch."

* BookTrust Northern Ireland *

"I love this story."

* The John Toal Show *

"In a world full of prejudice, the message here is one of respect for all ways of life."

* The Echo *

"This is a gorgeous book and hopefully not the last we hear of Oein and Olya."

* Read and Reviewed *

Praise for Oein DeBhairduin's Why the Moon Travels

"A beautiful book, immaculately written in clear but inventive language AND Why the Moon Travels, the title story, may be the most beautiful of all the tales, a metaphysical love story and tragedy that echoes everything from Lorca to Ladyhawke."

* Irish Times *

Praise for Oein DeBhairduin's Why the Moon Travels

"Life-affirming, luminous and lyrical, these vividly told stories of folklore, make the reader see nature - and the Travelling community in a new light."

* Irish Examiner *

Praise for Oein DeBhairduin's Why the Moon Travels

"DeBhairduin is a born storyteller. And here is a book that extends its hands generously across a boundary. A gift to the settled community, it belongs in every school and household."

* Children's Book Ireland, Editors Choice *

Praise for Oein DeBhairduin's Why the Moon Travels

"DeBhairduin writes with extraordinary lyricism and deep passion."

* Books Ireland Magazine *


Awards
Short-listed for An Post Irish Book Awards: Specsavers Children's Book of the Year (Junior)) 2023. Nominated for Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2024.



Book Information
ISBN 9781915071071
Author Oein DeBhairduin
Format Hardback
Page Count 32
Imprint Little Island
Publisher Little Island