Books

The King with Horse's Ears and Other Irish Folktales

  • Publisher: Sterling Publishing
  • Pub. Date: February 2009
  • ISBN-13: 9781402737725
  • Sales Rank: 39,744
  • Age Range: 8 to 12
  • 96pp
  • Series: Folktales of the World Series

Synopsis

Storytelling is one of Ireland’s oldest and grandest traditions, and these vivid tales of far-off days will introduce young readers to the country’s irresistible folklore. Here are brave warriors with superhuman skills, monster dogs with blazing eyes, fairy folk and leprechauns, and the magical land of Tir na nÓg. Author Batt Burns grew up with these beloved characters and legends, and he captures all their enchanting language and flights of fancy. Exquisite art by Igor Oleynikov enhances every tale.

Contents include:

· The King with Horse’s Ears

· The Greedy Barber

· Oisín in the Land of the Ever Young

· Back from the Fairies

· Paying the Rent

· A Clever Leprechaun

· The Lost Island of Lonesome Seals

· And many more!

Kirkus Reviews

Although he was born to the tradition, Burns's strong storytelling skills nevertheless too-frequently just simmer under the surface of this collection of Irish folktales, which lack the full power of his wit and timing. Selections include the fascinating changeling tale, "Back from the Fairies"; the enduring favorite, "The King with Horse's Ears"; the hero tale, "Fionn Mac Cumhail and the Fianna of Ireland"; the cunning "The Greedy Barber"; and the remaining nine, some of which are undocumented. A short, insightful paragraph of background information precedes each tale, but the tales themselves are pared down to fit the space, flattened by too much summarization. One of the Folktales of the World series, this collection of overly edited, shorter-than-necessary tales is still memorable because when the teller's inflections empower them, they leap to life. The border art and Oleynikov's gouache illustrations add to their charm. Folktale collections are low circulators for the intended readership, which makes this collection's shortcomings all the sadder. (introduction, glossary, sources) (Folktales. 9-11)