Tales from Old Ireland PB w CD - Softcover

Tales from Old Ireland contains seven classic stories, beautifully retold by Malachy Doyle in 90 big pages. Some of the tales will be instantly familiar: "Fair, Brown, and Trembling," for example, is a straightforward version of the Cinderella story right down to the lost shoe. Others are much less well known, like the tale of the fisherman, Jack Doherty, who always wanted to meet a Merrow (a man who lives beneath the sea). Niamh Sharkey's delightfully quirky illustrations (also seen in Jack and the Beanstalk and The Gigantic Turnip) are simple and striking; a few take up a full page, and smaller ones are scattered throughout the text. While culturally specific (and complete with a pronunciation guide for names and a few unusual words), Tales of Old Ireland has universal appeal and should occupy shelf-space in every child's imagination. (Ages 5 and older) --Richard Farr

Malachy Doyle is a celebrated children's author whose work has gathered critical acclaim from all quarters. 'The Dancing Tiger' was chosen as Children's Book of the Week by the Sunday Times, and 'Cow' won the English Association award for Non Fiction (2002). Malachy's other books cor Barefoot include The Barefoot Book of Fairy Tales (2005). Niamh Sharkey works in oils on textured background to create the richness that has quickly established her as a world class illustrator. Her other Barefoot books include 'Tales of Wisdom and Wonder' (1998), The Gigantic Turnip (1998) and Jack and the Beanstalk (1999). Niamh lives and works in Dublin.