King Puck

by Michael Garland

Set against the backdrop of Ireland's oldest and most unusual fair, King Puck is a jig-reeling, kid-appealing tale of friendship and fun. Experience the power of the fairies' magic through radiant illustrations by Michael Garland. With affection and skill, he captures the lushness of the Irish landscape and the cheer of the King Puck festivities. (And don't forget to find the fairies hidden throughout the book!)

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Ireland, Holiday, Storytime, Fantasy

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 23, 2007

About the author

Author and illustrator Michael Garland was born in Manhattan in 1952. He studied art at Pratt Institute and soon after graduating, he sold his first illustration to True Confessions magazine. He has written or illustrated over 40 books.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seamus is mostly content with his life; he's got his books, and his pet goat Finny, but he's a little lonely. One night, the fairies cast a spell . . . and it all leads to the King Puck Festival where a goat is crowned King of Ireland.

All of which leads to my favorite part - When offered gold, silver, or a mountain of hay, the winner chooses the best thing in the world - BOOKS!

There is something that I can't quite put my finger on that creeps me out about Garland's artwork . . . is it that the humans' eyes are too far apart?

Anyway, it's a cute story, and the goats are adorable.

Here's a photo from the real festival, celebrated yearly in Killorglin, County Kerry.



I love how it takes THREE PEOPLE to steady the crown on the winner's head.

Sometimes even aristocrats need to run free and eat a shrub or two.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is inspired by a real Irish Festival. The tradition is so old they aren’t sure why it started. Each year, a goat is chosen at the Puck Festival to be King of Ireland for a day. The whole town of Killorglin is small and takes part in this.

In our story, a lonely man living with a goat has only the goat to talk with. So fairies take pity on him and give the gift of speech to the goat. The man loves reading the goat a story every night. On the day of the festival the goat tells a good tale to the judges. He wins. What is his wish? To have more books to read. That’s a great prize.

The nephew thought this book was funny. A talking goat. He would have asked for a robot as a prize. He has a one tracked mind. Well, right now, he is also into mario bros. It’s a curse. He gave this 4 stars. The niece enjoyed seeing the fairies all over the place. She was looking for them. She gave this 3 stars.

[Lea Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I plucked this book off the bookshelf at our library because the vivid illustrations caught my eye. King Puck is a cute story based on a real Irish festival. My children, ages 12 and 11, enjoyed the book, but were confused about the legendary tale of Finn MacCool - something referenced twice during the story of King Puck but never explained. I have to admit I was so curious about it that I looked Finn MacCool up online. If the author meant to pique his reader's attention then I'd say it worked, but I feel the story of King Puck would have been more complete with this background information included.

[Jamie Swenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book a few years ago while getting ready for a St. Patrick's D ay celebration at the library. The illustrations are bright & large enough for group use -- the story is entertaining and full of blarney (what more could one ask for on St. Paddy's Day?). I loved the book so much, I purchased my own copy -- and I read it every year in March. An added activity -- why not crown your own King Puck? I have a lovely goat puppet who loves being crowned King for the Day -- and the kids LOVE it too!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

BRB Going to Ireland now!

[Christine Turner]

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 cheer of the Irish spirit.

Subject: Fairy tales
Goats -- Juvenile fiction.
Books and reading -- Juvenile fiction
Geographic Term:
Ireland -- Juvenile fiction.

Note: This might work for Saint Patrick's Day storytime. It's a nice length for Pre-School Storytime

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have not read King Puck by Michael Garland for St. Patrick's Day, you need to do yourself a favor and read it. It is such a sweet, gentle, beautiful tale. Here is how it starts:

"Ah, Finny," Seamus said to his goat, "we're so lucky. Our mountain is the most beautiful in all of Ireland."
It was beautiful, but it was lonely. Only the wee fairies lived nearby. Seamus had no one to talk to but his goat!

And that is how you set up a modern-day fairy tale. The best goat in Ireland is crowned King Puck. Finny is not the biggest, the strongest or the prettiest goat. The judges scarcely notice him. And yet, he is the best.

Michael Garland's artwork is just as enchanting as the story: Sweet, gentle and beautiful. In short, perfect.

[Katie Ellis]

I thought this book was really cute and funny. I would definitely include this book in a unit in my classroom, particularly a unit discussing different cultures or possibly St. Patrick's day. The book has phenomenal illustrations and it makes the story that much more enjoyable. This book is definitely different from most picture books because of its unique story!

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Ireland...the pictures are fantastic the story is based on a true story and were silly but if they are true, then okay. (Okay I doubt the fairies and the goat talking are true but the King Puck festival with where they crown the best goat aka KING PUCK is true. It really really happens Aug 10 to Aug12 in Kilgorin Ireland. Fun book!

[Tina B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book for St. Patrick's Day story times. It's a little long but there's a spot in the middle of the story where the main character dances a jig, so, we take a break to dance a jig, then continue the story. We also count the fairies and I get to read aloud in a "goat" voice. So much fun, and good read aloud books for this holiday are hard to find.

[Sam]

This is a story based in Ireland about a goat who's dream to talk is granted and goes to try to become mayor of the city. The townspeople decide to elect him over the other goats and his only wish is to read books with his owner at their home and they send books to him every week.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids enjoyed trying to find the fairies that were on most pages. Interesting to note that they really do crown a local goat as king for the day in Killorglin.

[Benjabean · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

[Sandybear76]

Preschoole

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good St. Patrick's Day book for children and a fun one.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, the librarian loves the book mobile in here! (minor point but fabulous!!)

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the few picture books about Ireland suitable for storytime. Why are they all so long??

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often folk/fairy tales can be too wordy for reading aloud. This one isn't. It is great for read-a-louds (and it puts in a good word for reading)!

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very colorful illustrations and a cute story. I do wish they hadn't spoiled the ending by putting it on the cover!

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Irish fairies? This story about them is well worth a read.

F0r that matter, although not in this book, Irish BUTTER is superb. (In America you may be able to buy it in your local supermarket.) Anyway, back to "King Puck"....

With this fabulous story, my favorite aspect is the pictures. (Like the narrative itself, the art comes courtesy of Michael Garland.)

Among those pictures, I especially recommend the illustration when Finny, the goat, "clacked his hooves in time to a fancy jig."

FIVE STARS of admiration.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seamus and his goat, Finny, live alone in a beautiful place at the top of a mountain. They love it, but it gets lonely and they've run out of new books to read. When the fairies gift Finny with the ability to speak, they travel down the mountain to participate in the King Puck Festival. A fun, silly read aloud!

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable Irish story for storytime!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great illustrations and such a fun Irish story

[Bethany Vines]

I thought that King Puck by MIchael Garland was a really funny book that had great illustrations. The book incorporates other cultures and would be good to incorporate into a unit about St. Patricks Day or something or that sort. I think that young readers would find this fantasy book very interesting because of the magic and fairies that are incorporated in the story. I would recommend this book!

[Margaret Cobb]

I think this book allows children to better understand traditions and would be a great book to read around St. Patrick's Day since it deals with Ireland. Since it is a fantasy book (the goat speaks), it will attract the attention of children, while still teaching the idea behind traditions.

[Betty · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was okay.

[Bates Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is fun for St. Patrick's Day. It is based on a real festival in Ireland. It is a pretty short book with great illustrations.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the help of fairies, Seamus the farmer and his scrawny goat win top honors at a festival in Killorglin, Ireland, and receive a lifetime supply of books.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Josie x 2