Easter has passed yet again, but did you partake in the traditional cake dance at the crossroads after collecting your eggs? Edwina Guckian shines light on this and other customs in her book, Sparks from the Flagstone: Irish Folk Traditions and Calendar Customs (Lepus Print, €23, 3+), featuring illustrations from Andrea Rossi. The work merges personal narratives and historical studies to provide an authentic and culturally unique insight into rituals we still practice but might not comprehend their origin, ranging from hanging Brigid’s crosses over the threshold to cracking eggs for pancake batter (licking a lizard remains optional).
The book is organised seasonally and is brim-full of intriguing, possibly forgotten nuances and superstitions both severe and absurd. Sparks from the Flagstone is particularly suitable for familial sharing, allowing parents, grandparents and guardians to hand down their own piseogs to juvenile readers.
Furthermore, the realm of folk-art is alive with sinister enchantments in Lola and Larch Fix a Fairy Forest (Nosy Crow, £6.99, 6+), an exciting new chapter-book series initiated by Sinéad O’Hart with artwork by Rachel Seago. The lead character, Lola, an animal enthusiast, discovers a rabbit that is, in fact, a fairy in disguise.
Anticipating readers may be in for a surprise, as Lola’s magical accomplice, Larch, does not fit the typical fairy image. Instead, she is green, moody and is always in a mess. Mind you, she isn’t as wicked as the villainous Euphorbia Spurge, who is menacing Larch’s mystical kingdom.
O’Hart’s concise 120 pages narrative is filled with varying degrees of adventure and unexpected events, where her literary panache (and sometimes distasteful meals) never overshadow the transparency. Seggo’s monochrome images are also abundantly interspersed within the short chapters, ideal for young readers starting to read independently.
The first-time novelist, Jen Wallace, introduces a humorous and curious narrative in her book, Dinosaur Pie (Little Island, £7.99, 6+). The tale involves a strange twist of fate where Rory, the protagonist, is transformed into a tiny dinosaur, Roary, due to food poisoning. Notwithstanding this bizarre transformation, his companions, Oleg and Daria, embrace the change and help him in his endeavour to procure the solution to his ornithomimid predicament. Wallace’s narrative, while imaginative, is anchored in real-world situations that many readers, particularly restless children, will relate to. The monochrome graphics by Alan O’Rourke, combined with the ample font, further encourage the reader to engage with the narration in their leisure time.
The Tree Who Sang to Me, penned by Serena Molloy and adorned with illustrations by George Ermow (Hodder, £7.99, 8+), is a poignant tale set in large font with a layout that is friendly for those with dyslexia. The plot navigates the difficulties faced by Kai, a young boy who struggles to communicate his feelings for his estranged elder sister, Jen, and defend his friend, Caleb, against a group of athletic boys at school. Molloy’s mastery lies in her ability to weave a touching narrative about grief and individuality, showcasing nature as the source of solace, optimism, and steadiness that can enable a child to discover their voice. The Tree Who Sang to Me, celebrated for its resilience theme, will surely appeal to admirers of the esteemed British author, Katya Balen.
Shane Hegarty’s pictorial children’s book debut centres on a young boy named Dexter, who is on a quest to locate his missing item, the “Boo-Woo”. The text exploits the merriment of rhymes in this tale of loss and discovery, as the definition of a “Boo-Woo” bewilders even the law enforcement, firefighters, and military personnel who are all engaged in a frantic citywide pursuit to retrieve it ahead of Dexter’s sleeping time.
With vibrant, full-colour illustrations portraying both primary and secondary characters, Ben Mantle’s “Dexter Lost his Boo-Woo” (Hachette Children’s £12.99, for ages 3 and above) engages the readers by hinting at an untold narrative in the backdrop.
The Galway publisher, Futa Fata’s recent work, Na Trí Mhuicín (€12.99, suitable for 3 years and above) is a part of the flourishing series of Irish language fairy tales. Written by Áine Ní Ghlinn, the tale clings onto its traditional components while breathing life into them with the author’s signature repetitive patterns enabled by the rhythmic and rhyming Irish language. Paddy Donnelly’s comprehensive, full-colour illustrations surround and support the piggy lead characters, creating a rich and vibrant world for them. The narrative sounds delightful even to those unfamiliar with the native language.
Next, Patricia Nic Eoin breathes fresh life into Eithne Massey’s popular collection of legends Finscéalta na hÉireann, with her newly translated edition published by O’Brien Press (at €12.99, for readers aged 5 years and above). This beautifully illustrated book by Lisa Jackson sports a selection of well-known Irish legends, including The Children of Lir and Tír na nÓg. It would make a perfect complement to the new set of location-based tales, Legends of the Cliffs of Moher also drawn by Jackson and published by O’Brien Press (priced at €12.99, for readers aged 5 years and above). The latter steers readers through the landscapes of west Clare, calling at landmarks as diverse as the Hag’s Head, the site of the demise of Cúchulainn’s foe, Mal, and Kilmacreehy, a town oppressed by a giant sea serpent. Both books are excellent choices as companions for family travels, aptly timed as the summer is nearing.