The Moon Spun Round

a beguiling collection of Yeat’s poems, stories and memories from childhood, steeped in magic and fairy lore, this mystical treasure trove is sure to enchant ... MacDonald’s stunning compositions perfectly match the imaginative world Yeats conjures and together they form an enticing vision of an Irish landscape. This is a book to be pondered, pored over and visited many times, each time hearing or seeing something afresh in the words and images

-- CBI Recommended Reads 2016

sumptuously illustrated … will enthral younger readers

-- Education Magazine

breathtaking

* Irish Examiner *

I do of course have to wax lyrical about the visuals. And they're just brilliant. If anyone can put pen to paper and recreate the heavens' embroidered cloths, then it's Shona Shirley Macdonald, on this evidence. There's a brief lament to a fleeing squirrel, which makes the critter and the tree it's escaping up completely mythical entities. The Sidhe here can be quite vicious-looking faerie-folk, but have an appealing turn to their eye when needed; they're often dancing in multitudes, forcing no end of detail on to the page. And I just loved The Wild Swans at Coole, and how one of the birds practically becomes the titular lake. Oh, and the cover of this hardback edition is actually a fold-out poster of the frontispiece poem, which any Yeats fan would hold up as worthy tribute … fabulous visual craft

-- thebookbag.co.uk

a lyrical treasury of W.B. Yeats’s most magical works will take children of all ages on an imaginative journey through his poetry, folktales and childhood writing. Mysterious and beautiful illustrations spin out from Yeats’s haunting and enchanted words and rhythms, bringing the spirit and beauty of his writing in this collection to a whole new audience

-- Primary Times

for all ages too, despite its title … evocatively illustrated by Shona Shirley MacDonald … Perfect for winter nights by the fire

-- irishtimes.com

beautifully illustrated

-- Evening Echo

beautifully illustrated

-- Sligo Champion

I was thrilled to be asked to review this book … beautifully illustrated … warm, colourful images, which enhance the book further. For the teacher who wants to dip their toe into poetry … a very good start

-- InTouch Magazine

One of the most beautiful children's books I have ever seen

-- Bleach House Library

you won’t get more Irish or beautiful … magical illustrations

-- Sunday Times

a beautifully produced book to introduce younger readers to the joys of WB Yeats

-- Galway City Tribune

illustrations … wonderfully reflect the poet’s magical vision

-- The Irish Catholic

beautifully illustrated

-- The Gloss, Irish Times,

delightfully illustrated, expertly edited and full of brilliant poetry

-- Clondalkin, Lucan, Rathcoole, Saggart, Tallaght News

a beautifully produced book to introduce younger readers to the joys of WB Yeats

-- Connacht Tribune

superb … beautifully illustrated … promises to introduce a new generation to Yeats’ magical world of fairies and folklore

-- Belfast Telegraph

handsome

-- Books Ireland

an absolutely beautiful book … magical …  It has such a beautiful lullaby quality to it, you can actually imagine reading to a very small child

-- Tipp FM’s The Arts Show

what The Waterboys communicated through music, Shona Shirley MacDonald now brings to life afresh through her magical, mist-swirled illustrations for The Moon Spun Round … gossamer-light drawings dance around the text like a wave on the sea … will enchant readers of all ages and open many eyes to the beauty of the poetry they describe

-- Evening Echo

Swooning over Yeats ... what a beautifully illustrated edition. Perfect gift. Take note, Santa!

-- Gobblefunked

Today I received a children's book so beautiful it'd make you reckless with birth control. Yeats for children. Absolutely gorgeous.

-- Eithne Shortall, Sunday Times

a very nice gift book for any age, not just kids. It’s a lovely book to have and to cherish

-- mykidstime.ie

what purports to be an introduction to the poetry of W. B. Yeats could well be classed as Yeats introducing an exciting new illustrator to the Irish market. The superb selection of illustrations, sometimes reminiscent of Clark, Rackham and P J Lynch, are breathtaking in scope and composition. The movement of the nine and fifty swans at Coole, the interaction between stolen child and the fairies, the fluid lines as The Fiddler of Dooney strikes up a tune and the dark menacing colours in He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven expertly complement the lyrics of some of Yeats’s best known poems. The anthology is masterfully edited by Noreen Doody

-- Irish Examiner

Apart from the written word, the strength of this collection is the presentation and illustration of Yeats’ poems and stories. Illustrated by Waterford-based artist Shona Shirley MacDonald, the design and illustrations illuminate and complement the text. Faery worlds and faery creatures come to life through the colourful illustrations which surround the text and this will instantly appeal to children … Pupils could be inspired by the illustrations in the collection to take a favourite Yeats poem of their own, illustrate it and display it in the classroom. I’m sure that there are lots of other creative ways which teachers could use this book as a resource in the classroom

-- SeomraRanga.com

You may think that W B Yeats' poetry is not an ideal match for children - but you'd be wrong, as this sumptuously illustrated book shows. The work included has been carefully selected, including, I am glad to say, my favourite, The Lake Isle of Innisfree. The book includes a cross-section of poems, stories, a letter from childhood, and an account of his daughter Anne’s memories of childhood; as such, it is an excellent collection to introduce to secondary age pupils studying the poet, as it shows a wider picture, and therefore offers a fuller understanding, than simply his poems. Including unpublished work, this gorgeous book draws on Yeats's preoccupation with magic, fairy lore, place, family and childhood; the stunning illustrations capture to perfection the mystical and magical tone that pervades the collection. A wonderful book

-- Parents in Touch

takes children of all ages on an imaginative journey through his poetry, folktales and childhood writing …  this lovely book draws on Yeats’s preoccupation with magic, fairy lore, place, family and childhood. A mystical and magical tone that pervades the collection will enthral younger readers … this book, published by O’Brien Press, is a great starting point for learning about the man who is a national treasure

-- Ireland’s