Magic!: New Fairy Tales from Irish Writers

by Siobhán Parkinson (Editor), Olwyn Whelan

Edited by ex-Children's Laureate Siobhan Parkinson, seven top Irish writers write brand new fairy tales for the 21st century, but with plenty of the magic, wisdom and laughter that we find in the traditional Irish tales. Including wolves and dragons, magic frogs, a kind monster, a mysterious mermaid, a mischievous wee man, a heroic sky snake, as well as human boys and girls, this is a spellbinding collection of contemporary writing. Each story is beautifully and decoratively illustrated with Olwyn Whelan's jewel-like, brightly coloured paintings.The stories are:The Princess and the Other Frog by Siobhan Parkinson; Eleanor by John Boyne; Badness, Madness and Trickery by Malachy Doyle; Finbar the Furious by Paula Leyden; The Woman who Stroked Stones by Maeve Friel; The Princess who Wanted to be Queen by Deirdre Sullivan; Nora and the Sky Snake by Darragh Martin.

Genres: Childrens, Ireland, Fairy Tales

64 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2015

About the author

Siobhán Parkinson is an Irish writer for both children and adults. Siobhán grew up in Galway and Donegal. Her books have won numerous awards and have been translated into several languages. She is currently a co-editor of Bookbird, the magazine of international children's literature organsation IBBY. She resides in The Republic of Ireland with her husband Roger Bennett and son Matthew.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book of fairy tales written by Irish writers. The stories are wonderful and I particularly liked the one by John Boyne which was very clever. My granddaughter had me read it to her three times because she loved how the princess became a queen.

The illustrations are lovely and really added a nice dimension to the stories.

If you're looking for a wonderful present for a child this is it.

[Christina Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully-illustrated book of seven wonderful, new fairy tales from a variety of Irish writers. Should be a treasured part of any fairy tale collection!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seven original fairy tales from up-and-coming Irish writers are included in this book, which is handsomely illustrated with watercolors. The tales bear some resemblance to their forebears but are also fresh and original. Readers will find magic and frogs and princes and beasts among the book's pages. My favorites were "The Princess Who Wanted to Be Queen" and "The Princess and the Other Frog". There are unique elements that bring to mind the stories' country of origin, of course, and this is an ambitious effort with uneven results, at least in my eyes. The collection may awaken an interest in folklore in readers, but I tend to think that those who already enjoy it will be most interested in the book's offerings.

[Penny lurkykitty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book of original fairy tales. I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway and made it into a Christmas present for my five year-old. She loves the stories. It makes a wonderful gift. If you read carefully, you can pick up the Irish lilt in the language. This is one we are going to read over and over.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A handsomely collection of seven original fairy tales from Irish writers.