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Children of Ireland
Michael Elsohn Ross
Photographs by Felix Rigau
Meet John, a young fisherman from Castlemain Harbour,
Valerie and Elizabeth, two school girls from Cork, Cormac the eager
hurley player, Cait who loves to sing and play the violin, Gerard
the eager entrepreneur, and cherubic Amy and her playmates on St.
Stephen's Green. They are some of the faces of Ireland's youth--bright,
eager and expressive. From the coastal villages, the lush hills
and the bustling cities, they present to the reader a multifaceted
country with a rich history and a sound future. The text focuses
on the daily activities of modern life. Striking photographs are
a visual feast and give the full flavor of the Irish countryside.
What better way to introduce a country to children then through
the eyes and voices of its children? Part of "The World's Children"
series. 2002, Carolrhoda, $23.93. Ages 8 to 12. . Reviewer: Beverley
Faheys
ISBN: 1-5750-5521-X
Feed the Children First: Irish Memories of the Great Hunger
Edited by Mary E. Lyons
Following a three page introduction about the
causes and effects of the potato famine in Ireland in the 1840s,
the reader discovers selected passages from first hand accounts.
These are divided into thirteen brief chapters that, taken together,
give a broad picture of the time period. Topics such as the search
for food, the soup kitchens, starvation, fever and cholera, eviction
from the land, and emigration show how the population of this island
was depleted. Lyons has selected many heart-wrenching and emotionally
difficult passages. These present the harsh realities of the conditions
as they were; they are not sensationalized. The drawings and illustrations
from mid-nineteenth century and photographs from the 1890s add to
the reader's understanding of the conditions and the plight of the
Irish in the last half of the nineteenth century. Not as detailed
as Susan Campbell Bartoletti's Black Potatoes (2001), this is nevertheless
a good source for information about this major historic event. It
is a good companion book to Bartoletti. Lyons relates this famine
to those around the world today and offers three web sites for information
about combating world hunger. The bibliography is comprised of adult
titles since so little has been written for children about the Irish
famine. 2002, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $17.00. Ages 9 to
12. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo
ISBN: 0-689-84226-0
Best Books:
The Children's Literature Choice List, 2002 ; Children's Literature;
United States
School Library Journal Book Review Stars, March 2002 ; Cahners;
United States
Ireland
Bob Italia
This book in the "Checkerboard Geography
Library" series makes the story of Ireland, both Republic of
Ireland and Northern Ireland, accessible to young children. In addition
to the text, it includes fast facts, timeline, maps, weather charts
and a description of Irish money. A chart of Irish words and English
equivalents is included. Since Ireland changed from using the Irish
pound to the Euro in 2002, the illustration covers both currencies.
Brief chapters, written in simple language, cover history, government,
economy, cities, geography, plants and animals, holidays and festivals
and sports and leisure. A recipe for soda bread (to be used only
with adult supervision, the reader is cautioned) could be used to
give the child a taste of a traditional Irish food. "Dia Duit,"
a typical Irish greeting, along with a picture of Irish children
with a donkey in the countryside introduces children to the Emerald
Isle. The book also includes a glossary, web sites and index. 2001,
Abdo Publishing, $21.35. Ages 4 to 8. Janet Crane Barley
ISBN: 1-5776-5496-X
Ireland
Joanne Mattern
The rich and sometimes violent history that helped shape this enchanted island is succinctly summarized and becomes the cornerstone for describing the Ireland of today. Readers can explore the land by regions, learn about its economy that is gradually shifting from agriculture to manufacturing and discover the importance of Irish legends and storytelling. The Irish passion for music and sports and the celebration of religious festivals and ceilidhs are also covered. Sidebars explain Irish currency, contain a recipe for Apple and Barley Pudding, and allow the reader to attempt a few common Gaelic phrases. Chapters are clearly labeled with topic paragraphs highlighted in green. Clear, concise language combined with outstanding color photos make this a very appealing and inviting introduction. There seem to be a market glut of books about Ireland and this is by far one of the better ones. Part of the "Countries and Cultures" series. 2003, Bridgestone Books, $23.73. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-7368-1549-X
Ireland
Patricia McKay
This book in the "Festivals of the World" series
showcases the Emerald Isle. A brief introduction and map of Ireland
is provided at the outset. The real strength of this book is in
the large, colorful photos of Irish citizens enjoying cultural activities,
such as St. Brigid's Day and Puck's Fair. Of course, a St. Patrick's
Day parade is also shown, as well as Orange Day festivities and
Samhain, a holiday akin to Halloween. A basic outline of each holiday
is provided; hopefully, it is enough to stimulate further interest
in the country. There are also suggested activities for readers
at the back of the book. Adults can assist children in baking Shamrock
cookies and learning a bit of Gaelic. The book can be used effectively
by elementary school teachers to support ongoing classroom studies
of other cultures. 1998, Gareth Stevens, Ages 6 to 10, $18.60. Reviewer:
Jeanne K. Pettenati
ISBN: 0-8368-2004-5
Ireland
Patricia J. Murphy
The focus of this tour of Ireland is on Ireland as it is today. There is no mention of its rich and troubled history; rather, the emphasis is on its geographic features, the climate of the country and the pleasures and pastimes of its people. Smiling children busy at school are juxtaposed with young dancers, burly sportsmen, and lovely colleens celebrating St. Patrick's Day. Stunning color photos fill the pages and there is a liberal use of green and orange as accent colors in the crisp layout and design. There is information on Irish currency, famous Irishmen--from James Joyce to President Mary Robison, counting from 1 to 10 in Gaelic, and even a recipe for Irish soda bread. This serves as a useful introduction to Ireland and is part of the "Discovering Cultures" series. 2003, Benchmark Books, $16.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 0-7614-1515-7
 Ireland 
Kay Melchisedech Olson
The book begins with three evocative sentences about Ireland's greenness, but leaves the reader clueless about why Ireland's green is more worth talking about than say, Wisconsin's. Despite that omission, the book covers Ireland's geography, climate, family life, pets, places to visit, and laws, rules and customs rather well. A sidebar on potatoes in Ireland is the major reference to history. Four pages are devoted to Irish legends, but Saint Patrick and leprechauns are the only ones discussed. This legend-rich country has Brian Boru, Cuchulain, Finn MacCool, Strongbow and many more, so the focus on one legend seems narrow. The text does make an important point that usually "legends make a true story seem more important than it really is." A recipe for Irish tea bread has a note about customary times for tea in Ireland. Instructions for the Dead Fox Game, a favorite with Irish children, includes phonetic pronunciation for its chant in Irish Gaelic. Finally there are instructions for a craft project on growing a leprechaun. The well-illustrated book includes many photographs, a map, as well as a list of words to know, sources for further information, Internet sites, and an index. 2004, Blue Earth Books/Capstone Press, $22.60. Ages 7 to 9. Reviewer: Janet Crane Barley (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-7368-2168-6
Ireland the Culture
Erinn Banting
Captioned color photos and a concise text introduce
readers to the cultural heritage of Ireland. The role of the Catholic
Church in the celebration of holidays and the long history of the
influence of music and dance and the visual arts are also explored.
The rugged landscape is littered with ancient ruins and medieval
castles, all of which played a part in establishing traditions,
myths, and superstitions. The literary accomplishments of the Irish
from the oral tradition with its fairies, giants, and warriors to
the books of Jonathan Swift, James Joyce, William Butler Yeats and
playwright G.B Shaw are mentioned. There may only be enough information
here to whet the appetite for more, but it is as good a place as
any to begin. Glossary, index, and bibliography are appended. 2002,
Crabtree, $7.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey
ISBN: 0-7787-9351-6
ISBN: 0-7787-9719-8
 The Irish Dresser: A Story of Hope During the Great Hunger
(An Gorta Mor, 1845-1850)
Cynthia G. Neale
Besides eating green-frosted cupcakes, families might celebrate St. Patrick's Day by reading a book about Ireland. More than two million Irish people emigrated, largely to the United States, during the potato famine of 1845 to 1850 and another one million died of starvation. Author Cynthia Neale limns these terrible times in The Irish Dresser. To forget the hunger, 13-year-old Nora McCabe hides in her family's big dresser and daydreams about food and a richer life. Her father manages to scrape together passage on a ship to America, but there is no ticket for Nora. The piece of furniture is her only hope; and she stows away in it for the long journey filled with sickness, hunger and unfair treatment of the poor. In addition to a gripping plot, the story is beautifully told in the cadences of Irish speech. 2004, White Mane, $6.95. Ages 9 to 14. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-572493-44-5
Ireland the Land
Erinn Banting
To understand the Irish people, it is necessary
to know the land of rugged mountains, rocky cliffs, magnificent
lakes and rivers, and growing cities that they call home. Filled
with colorful photographs and concise text, this slim volume will
introduce readers to a land divided but struggling to reach accord.
In addition to the description of its physical features, the author
looks at industry from land and sea: fishing, farming, factories
that turn out world-class wool and linen, and tourism. Part of the
"Lands, Peoples, and Cultures" series, this book along
with its counterparts Ireland the People and Ireland the Culture
gives a comprehensive view of the land of Eire. Glossary, index,
and bibliography are appended. 2002, Crabtree, $7.95. Ages 9 to
12. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey
ISBN: 0-7787-9349-4
ISBN: 0-7787-9717-1
Ireland the People
Erinn Banting
This pictorial journey through Ireland introduces
the people of Ireland in the cities and farms, at work and play,
celebrating at holidays or engaging in sports. A brief history acquaints
readers with the early settlers such as the Vikings and the Celts
and helps them understand how events shaped the people of Ireland
today. The text is brief but insightful and the book could serve
as a useful tool for school reports. The captioned, colorful photos
are the hallmark of this slim volume, which is part of the "Lands,
Peoples, and Cultures" series. The smiling colleen on the cover
will surely beguile the reader into taking a look inside. Glossary,
index and bibliography are appended. 2002, Crabtree, $7.95. Ages
9 to 12. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey
ISBN: 0-7787-9350-8
ISBN: 0-7787-9718-X
 Katie's Wish
Barbara Shook Hazen
Illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully
In the Irish potato famine, young Katie thinks
her curse on their sole food source ("I wish they'd go away")
is the famine's cause. With her father in America, her mother dead,
Katie lives with Grand Da and other relatives in hard conditions.
Father has sent money for Katie to emigrate and finally Grand Da
relents, sending her on board a ship with her cousin Brian. In Boston,
Katie finally confesses to her father, aunt and assembled family
her guilt in "causing" the famine but father reassures
her that disease, not her words, caused it. While the story introduces
this time to children who might not otherwise know of it, the abating
of Katie's guilty thoughts is a slim hook to hang the story on.
However, Hazen's lovely telling is expressive and lilting, with
enough period details such as idioms, toys, and the troubled relationship
with the English landlords, to suit a social studies curriculum
that encompasses American history. McCully's blurred watercolor
illustrations depict the red-haired child and family, who stand
out against poverty-stricken grays and browns of their house and
landscape. An author's prefatory note explains "The Great Hunger"
of 1845 and beyond, giving the story even more historical resonance.
2002, Dial, $15.99. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Susan Hepler
ISBN: 0-8037-2478-0
Northern Ireland: Troubled Land
Eric Black
The World in Conflict Series attempts to present
information on current world countries in turmoil by examining them
through the people involved, the rise of the conflict, its development,
and standing today. The introduction to this volume provides a spread
of the "major players" in the conflict in Northern Ireland, naming
individuals, parties, political and military groups. It presents
information about geography, economic discrimination, paramilitary
groups and the "fundamental issue"-Protestants and Catholics living
in the same land view themselves as separate cultures. Historical
facts from 250 B.C. through the late 1700's discuss the many nations
that influenced Ireland, most particularly England. A subsequent
chapter is devoted to the many causes of discord between the English
and Irish, over both political and human rights issues (potato famine),
from the 1800's to 1950. The "present conflict" begins in the 1950s
and lasts to today, with, it seems, both sides desiring peace but
hesitant to make concessions, caught in a violent circle of retaliation.
The Epilogue briefly touches on the elections in May 1997 and significant
events through July 1997; several periodicals and websites are referenced
as sources for recent information on the ever-changing conflict.
Today's news reports are hopeful that this conflict may be edging
closer to solution. Index, bibliography, chronology. 1998, Lerner
Publications Company, Ages 9 to 14, $16.95. Reviewer: Mary Sue Preissner
ISBN: 0-8225-3552-1
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