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Overview
This magical story will set Irish eyes a-smiling!
The happy Irish farmer Seamus and his pet goat, Finny, seek the chance of a lifetime at the King Puck Festival. And as Seamus and Finny's adventure unfolds, you'll adore finding the fairies hidden in each of the radiant illustrations. Set against the backdrop of Ireland's oldest and most unusual fair, king puck is a jig-reeling, kid-appealing tale of friendship, fun, and fairy magic!
Named one of the Top 100 Irish Americans by Irish America magazine, author and illustrator Michael Garland brilliantly captures the lushness of the Irish landscape and the warm-hearted cheer of the Irish spirit.
Synopsis
This magical story will set Irish eyes a-smiling!
The happy Irish farmer Seamus and his pet goat, Finny, seek the chance of a lifetime at the King Puck Festival. And as Seamus and Finny's adventure unfolds, you'll adore finding the fairies hidden in each of the radiant illustrations. Set against the backdrop of Ireland's oldest and most unusual fair, KING PUCK is a jig-reeling, kid-appealing tale of friendship, fun, and fairy magic!
Named one of the Top 100 Irish Americans by Irish America magazine, author and illustrator Michael Garland brilliantly captures the lushness of the Irish landscape and the warm-hearted cheer of the Irish spirit.
"A tribute to his Irish roots." Irish America magazine
"Lively pictures of Ireland's green country embellish the text, and children will have great fun pointing out the hidden fairies." Kirkus Reviews
Children's Literature
Seamus, an Irish farmer, and his goat, Finny, live on a mountain in Ireland. Seamus feels lonely because he has no one to talk to except his goat. At night, they read stories of Finn MacCool, a hero giant that ate a magic salmon and gained the gift of wisdom. Seamus wishes they had more books to read. One night, the fairies living on the mountain cast a spell on Finny, enabling him to talk. Then they find an invitation to the King Puck Festival, where the judges pick the best goat and crown him King Puck. Seamus and Finny attend the festival in Killorglin, but when the judges turn to look at Finny, they are unimpressed. Finny, however, steps forward and asks for another chance. Stunned as the goat recites the tale of Finn MacCool, the judges crown Finny as King Puck. These bright and colorful illustrations made me feel light-hearted and happy while I read the story. The characters are drawn with round edges, which shows how gentle they are. In the beginning of the story, the illustrations are on one page and the text on the other, but by the end, the illustrations take up the entire double-page spread, and author Michael Garland's use of white space reflects that Seamus feels alone in the beginning but extremely happy by the end. As a native of Ireland, Garland has actually been to the Puck Festival in Killorglin. No one knows the origin of the festival, but it could date back to the late seventeenth century when one legend says that a local goat saved the town by warning of an attack from Oliver Cromwell and the Roundheads. Reviewer: Rachel Geene
Editorials
Children's Literature -
Seamus, an Irish farmer, and his goat, Finny, live on a mountain in Ireland. Seamus feels lonely because he has no one to talk to except his goat. At night, they read stories of Finn MacCool, a hero giant that ate a magic salmon and gained the gift of wisdom. Seamus wishes they had more books to read. One night, the fairies living on the mountain cast a spell on Finny, enabling him to talk. Then they find an invitation to the King Puck Festival, where the judges pick the best goat and crown him King Puck. Seamus and Finny attend the festival in Killorglin, but when the judges turn to look at Finny, they are unimpressed. Finny, however, steps forward and asks for another chance. Stunned as the goat recites the tale of Finn MacCool, the judges crown Finny as King Puck. These bright and colorful illustrations made me feel light-hearted and happy while I read the story. The characters are drawn with round edges, which shows how gentle they are. In the beginning of the story, the illustrations are on one page and the text on the other, but by the end, the illustrations take up the entire double-page spread, and author Michael Garland's use of white space reflects that Seamus feels alone in the beginning but extremely happy by the end. As a native of Ireland, Garland has actually been to the Puck Festival in Killorglin. No one knows the origin of the festival, but it could date back to the late seventeenth century when one legend says that a local goat saved the town by warning of an attack from Oliver Cromwell and the Roundheads. Reviewer: Rachel GeeneChildren's Literature -
Seamus and his goat, Finny, live near the most beautiful mountain in Ireland. Finny enjoys listening to Seamus reading the tales of the hero giant Finn MacCool, but Seamus is lonely and would also like some new books to read. So the nearby fairies cast a spell, making Finny able to speak. Then they bring them a notice of the King Puck Festival in Killorglin, where the judges pick the best goat to be crowned King Puck for a day. Of course the judges are impressed when Finny recites the tale of Finn MacCool for them. Finny is named "the only king in Ireland." He is granted one wish, and he asks for books. From then on, Seamus and Finny are really happy, and so are the fairies. Garland peoples his folktale with doll-like characters set in charming interiors with appropriate Irish details, and lush green landscapes complete with running streams and flowers bursting with color. The good citizens of Killorglin have polished round heads with pink cheeks and noses. Everyone from goats to fairies seems content, in particular Seamus and Finny on the final page, relaxing with their new books. In a note, Garland discusses his Irish roots and the real Puck Fair in Killorglin on the Ring of Kerry.School Library Journal
K-Gr 3Farmer Seamus and his goat, Finny, live on the most beautiful mountain in Ireland, where each night he reads the stories of Finn MacCool (the only book he has). Life is simple and Seamus is content, but he wishes for someone to talk to. Fortunately, the fairies overhear him, and magically Finny begins to speak. When the two discover a handbill inviting everyone to the King Puck Festival where a lucky goat will be crowned king for one day, they make their way to Killorglin, and, predictably, Finny is chosen. The ending has a nice touch for book lovers: in answer to Finny's wish for more books, a librarian delivers new ones every week. An author's note explains the origin of the story. Garland's trademark illustrations feature a rotund, traditionally dressed Farmer Seamus, a sprightly, wide-eyed goat, and fairies set against authentic Irish landscapes. Children will be drawn in by these lively, colorful pictures, and they will delight in discovering the fairies hidden everywhere. This is a simple, silly story that youngsters will enjoy.
—Lee BockCopyright 2006 Reed Business Information.