The Children of Lir

Many of us know The Children of Lir as a haunting tale of the Irish folklore tradition. Stepmothers fervently stash old copies from their newly conferred brood. Laura Ruth Maher’s re-telling of the famous legend, illustrated in watercolour by Conor Busuttil, however, is a gentle edition of the tale that cushions some of the story’s harder edges. Maher has a keen interest, and has completed research, in the importance of rhyme for early literacy development. Her use of rhyme in this book is simple but effective and imparts a meditative quality to its reading. The intoning rhythmic pattern takes hold and allows the child opportunity to anticipate rhyme. This meditative mood is complemented by Busuttil’s naturalistic watercolour illustrations. The illustrations are given ample space – often full pages – to narrate the tale with emotion. Busuttil’s palette, like Maher’s prose, is soft – blues, greens and yellows – which makes cruel Aoife’s flaming red hair all the more shocking. This charming re-telling is a wonderful introduction to Irish legendry for young people. The high-quality production – that is both hardback and of substantial size – lends itself ideally to group-reading scenarios (though can equally be enjoyed between parent and child). The Children of Lir would make a wonderful gift or addition to the learning environment!

* Children’s Books Ireland *

a lovely introduction to Irish legends for children … a rhyming version of The Children of Lir which enables children to join in … suitable for 1^st class upwards … a lovely, enjoyable book for children and teachers

* InTouch Magazine *

magical story 

* Bray People *

O’Brien Press has been producing beautiful books for the last 45 years … this rhyming version is a particularly good

* Sunday World *

a modern twist on a classic Irish legend of times past … A must read for all young people, either with or to them. Rich in language and with a playful use of rhyming, this book is a treat. I read this book to my two boys who are seven and four, they thoroughly enjoyed the colourful and detailed illustrations. They love to read and re-read this book and in no time at all they were completing the rhymes for themselves! This book is a great resource for teaching Myths and Legends in primary schools. It integrates well with Literacy and in particular the use of rhyming couplets provides a wonderful stimulus for exploring this rhyming technique' Sarah Ryan (Primary Teacher & mother of two small boys)

* Seomra Ranga *

In The Children of Lir … Laura Ruth Maher finds music and rhythm in the ancient Irish myth … Conor Busuttil’s pencil drawings bring character to each of the children, both in their human and their avian form, and he cleverly uses the details of torcs and headbands to ensure we know which child becomes which swan. The watercolours draw from a warm palette that cuts through the fear inspired by the flame-haired beauty Aoife, making the story suitable for young readers, as well as those already exposed to Irish mythology

* Irish Times *

charming … the perfect introduction to Irish legends for children

* NI4Kids Magazine *

this rhyming version of the Irish legend is the perfect introduction to the genre for younger readers … a lovely retelling

* Woman's Way Magazine *

beautiful illustrations

* RTE Guide *

The illustrations in this really really bring it to life

* RTE Radio 1’s Claire Byrne Show *

In Ireland we are so lucky to come from an island of storytellers, with endless ancient tales for all ages ... Young readers aged 6+ might also enjoy delving into traditional Irish myths and legends like Laura Ruth Maher’s retelling of The Children of Lir illustrated by Conor Busuttil

-- RTEJr Book