Fergus and the Night-Demon

by Jim Murphy, John Manders (Illustrator)

Acclaimed nonfiction author Jim Murphy now turns his hand to spinning yarns. Fergus O’Mara, a resourceful Irish lad, is especially clever at avoiding work. On his way to an evening of fun, he encounters the dreaded Night-Demon. Fergus keeps on walking, but this demon means business, and our hero will have to work hard to get himself out of a “grave” situation.

With haunting humor and high spirits, Jim Murphy and John Manders have created a suspenseful tale that’s scary enough for a Halloween read-aloud and funny enough to be enjoyed at any time. Author’s note.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Folklore, Ireland, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Irish Literature

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 18, 2006

About the author

An American author of more than 35 nonfiction and fiction books for children, young adults, and general audiences, including more than 30 about American history. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 2010 for his contribution in writing for teens. Jim lives in Maplewood, New Jersey, in a hundred-year-old house with his wife Alison Blank, a children’s TV producer and children’s book author and editor, his two talented musician sons, a regal mutt, an African water frog that will live forever, and a house vast collection of books..

Reviews

[Capn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Terrifying illustrations - great for frightening lazy, good for nothing children at bedtime... XD

But seriously - a bit intense, so be forewarned. ;)

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful Irish tale about a lazy and vain boy named Fergus who disrespects his mother and refuses to do chores about the house, preferring instead to go out and have fun. A scary encounter with the "Night-Demon" changes his attitude completely. This is a great tale to read aloud with children, especially those who are loathe to do their chores.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short picture book that delves into the myths and legends of Ireland. I appreciate that as a children’s book, this title is pretty mild on the scare factor. A lot of the Irish legends give me the creeps, so I usually wouldn’t share them with my young children. Although not a traditional legend, the combination of its elements makes it feel traditional enough. The illustrations are good, there’s a lesson learned. It’s short and fun.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and just a bit scary. Classic folk tale elements and resolution.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good irish ghost story where a lazy, self-centered boy outwits the grim reaper essentially and learns his lesson and becomes a hard worker. I liked the illustrations of Fergus, and the irish charm.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a great book.

[Eadrinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting folktale about a boy who is lazy. A bit creepy for younger readers (at one point he is forced to dig his own grave).

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grandaddy read it to Carly; 5 y/o opinion unknown

[Koorihime-sama · Rating 5 out of 5]

CHECKED OUT THE BOOK FROM MY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

APART OF THE GOODREADS 2011 READING CHALLENGE.

Review/Rating:

5 out of 5

Ease of Reading Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Plot: 5 out of 5

Fergus O’Mara is very clever, but it is too bad that he uses it to get out of work. On his way to go have fun in Skibbbereen, he might discover that his cleverness can be put to better use when he meets up with the Night-Demon.

The plot is kind of like the usual legend/ghost story — someone needs to be taught a moral lesson, they go out and they meet spirits, and they almost always learn their lesson. No matter how much this plot is used, it is always fun and enjoyable to read, and it also teaches children certain kind of lessons. I found the characters enjoyable for this kind of plot. I think everyone will be able to see a little bit of themselves in Fergus, and it’s always wonderful when authors are able to make characters like that.

I also enjoyed looking at the illustrations. They matched the story almost perfectly, and they were all so pretty to look at. It was also easy to read/see the text. :D

Overall, the story is a great read for children and for adults as well. I think your children will really enjoy this book.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever Irish ghost story about Fergus O'Mara who encounters a night-demon on his way to the next town of Skibbereen. One night, Fergus uses his quick thinking to get himself out doing chores. His mother, who calls him a "lazy, good-for-nothing lad" warms him that he will get what's coming to him. After avoiding chores to head out the play in the next town of Skibbereen, he encounters a night-demon on the trail. Convincing himself that the demon is a figure of his imagination, the infuriated demon decides it time for Fergus to dig his own grave with a head stone epitaph, "Here lies Fergus O'Mara, a lazy good-for-nothing lad." Once again Fergus uses his wits and quick thinking to get himself out of lying in his own grave by convincing the demon that the man the demon was looking for was in another town. The night-demon vanishes. Fergus quickly learns his lesson of laziness and returns home with a more than willing determination to help out with chores.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fergus O'Mara is a lazy lad. He's much more worried about getting his clothes dirty than helping his mother. As he goes off to town to visit friends he encounters a creature. Fergus is told that it is "his time." Slightly frightened but thinking it's just an apparition, Fergus goes running. However, he keeps encountering this creature until he finally comes to a sight that scares the wits out of him: his own gravestone. The demon orders him to dig at the grave site. Thinking he will trick the demon, Fergus tells him that he is not the lazy person as claimed on the headstone. When the demon thinks on it and realizes that a lazy person would not dig their own grave he blows away in the wind, off to find the "real" Fergus.

Fergus O'Mara heads home to help his mother in any way he can.

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lazy Fergus O’Mara uses his quick wit to escape death--the “Night Demon”--in this original tale based in Irish tradition. Manders’ cartoon gouache and pencil illustrations have a lively, comic feel, alerting the reader that Fergus’ soul is never in mortal peril. For a fun lesson on how some archetypes appear in different cultures, have students compare Fergus with Brer Rabbit and Anansi.

[Ariel Cummins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightfully scary book about a lazy lad who is also very clever. Nice because it's an Irish folk tale, so you get a little bit of different culture in there. May be a bit scary for kids who are prone to scaring.

The artwork has a nice, pastel, almost Disney-like appeal.

Way too long for a pre-school story time. Might be fun for an elementary school readalong.

[Amanda M. Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! I've rarely come across a book with such wit and humor for children and it makes for a great way to have fun with my son as I can read it with an accent to add to the story. Great book for any day of the year and especially great near St Patrick's Day.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an Irish ghost story about a young boy named Fergus O'Mara. The illustrations are bright and colorful and the story is whimsical. At times it's simplistic and leans towards the stereotypical in its depiction of Irish culture.
Appropriate for elementary school children.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Steve says...kids into fairy tales may enjoy. Child is lazy, runs into a demon. Didn't really like the story. As I reviewed it, some of the illustrations may spook the child weak of heart.

[Charlotte Osborn-bensaada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fergus is a never-do-well that meets a night-demon on the road to some fun. Eventually he realizes that his previous lazy ways are going to get him an early grave courtesy of the night-demon.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story of a lazy boy who runs into an amalgam of Celtic spirits, learning a lesson, of course.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever Irish ghost story picture book by Jim Murphy--famous for 35+ non-fiction books! Love the ending as well as the note about this story at the end.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not crazy about the cartoonish illustrations (particularly Fergus), but the story is good.