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Ring of Truth
After the king of the leprechauns bestows on him the Ring of Truth, Patrick O'Kelley no longer expects to win a blarney contest
32 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1997
2 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Teresa Bateman
38 books54 followersTeresa Bateman was born in Moscow, Idaho, but moved to Washington State when she was three-years-old and that's where she has lived most of her life.
An avid writer and reader, Teresa has been making up stories and poems since she was in grade school. "To me it was as natural as breathing," says Teresa.
In school Teresa would drive her teachers crazy by 'creatively' completing assignments. She always met the letter of their assignment, if not the spirit. She worked hard to inject some humor into her work, knowing that the teachers would be reading hundreds of papers and wanting hers to stand out. It worked.
Teresa took English classes for fun in college and when she applied for a Washington State Teaching credential, the state looked at her transcripts and added an endorsement to teach English through the 12th grade!
Teresa cites her teacher Donnell Hunter at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, as having a big influence on her and her writing. He published a class magazine to which the class submitted their work under pen names. Their grades depended on how many stories were included in the magazine. Teresa submitted under about 15 different pen names--just to be annoying! But she knew her work was being judged on its merits alone. Mr. Hunter encouraged her journal writing and instilled in Teresa good writing habits that she continues to this day.
Teresa served an 18-month mission for her church in Argentina, and taught school for a year in Honduras. She also taught school briefly in St. Mary's, Alaska -- a little bush village with a population of 500 in the winter and 50 in the summer. She has been a librarian in the Federal Way School District in Washington for over 30 years.
Teresa writes every single day. She also works full-time, so that means some days she doesn't write much, but she always writes. When at home, Teresa's special spot for writing has a good view of the lilac bushes outside. A picture of a winding path through gentle rolling hills and meadows hangs on the wall. She tells herself, when stuck for an idea, that the story lies at the end of that path.
Teresa lives in Tacoma, Washington.
An avid writer and reader, Teresa has been making up stories and poems since she was in grade school. "To me it was as natural as breathing," says Teresa.
In school Teresa would drive her teachers crazy by 'creatively' completing assignments. She always met the letter of their assignment, if not the spirit. She worked hard to inject some humor into her work, knowing that the teachers would be reading hundreds of papers and wanting hers to stand out. It worked.
Teresa took English classes for fun in college and when she applied for a Washington State Teaching credential, the state looked at her transcripts and added an endorsement to teach English through the 12th grade!
Teresa cites her teacher Donnell Hunter at Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho, as having a big influence on her and her writing. He published a class magazine to which the class submitted their work under pen names. Their grades depended on how many stories were included in the magazine. Teresa submitted under about 15 different pen names--just to be annoying! But she knew her work was being judged on its merits alone. Mr. Hunter encouraged her journal writing and instilled in Teresa good writing habits that she continues to this day.
Teresa served an 18-month mission for her church in Argentina, and taught school for a year in Honduras. She also taught school briefly in St. Mary's, Alaska -- a little bush village with a population of 500 in the winter and 50 in the summer. She has been a librarian in the Federal Way School District in Washington for over 30 years.
Teresa writes every single day. She also works full-time, so that means some days she doesn't write much, but she always writes. When at home, Teresa's special spot for writing has a good view of the lilac bushes outside. A picture of a winding path through gentle rolling hills and meadows hangs on the wall. She tells herself, when stuck for an idea, that the story lies at the end of that path.
Teresa lives in Tacoma, Washington.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 8, 2019
Patrick O'Kelley was a peddler with the gift of gab. It was said that when he kissed the Blarney Stone, a piece must have come off and got caught in his teeth, so great was his ability to spin a fantastic tale. But when O'Kelley boasted that he "could spout better Blarney than the king of the leprechauns himself," he soon learned that it was better not to anger the little people. Brought to the leprechauns' fabulous underground realm, he was given a beautiful emerald ring with a very unusual quality: it made its wearer speak only the truth. Unable to remove the magical "Ring of Truth," Patrick O'Kelley confronted the reality that his days of spouting Blarney were over. Or were they...?
Like her subsequent Fiona's Luck , in which a clever lass tricks the king of the leprechauns, Teresa Bateman draws upon Irish folklore to create this original tale. I have it on good authority that leprechaun-tales are far more popular with Irish-Americans, than with the Irish themselves, but this engaging tale will undoubtedly appeal to a wide variety of children. The illustrations by Omar Rayyan are done in watercolor, and have numerous references to illuminated manuscripts - decorative capital letters, gorgeous borders - while also resembling some of the fantasy art of Brian Froud, among others.
Like her subsequent Fiona's Luck , in which a clever lass tricks the king of the leprechauns, Teresa Bateman draws upon Irish folklore to create this original tale. I have it on good authority that leprechaun-tales are far more popular with Irish-Americans, than with the Irish themselves, but this engaging tale will undoubtedly appeal to a wide variety of children. The illustrations by Omar Rayyan are done in watercolor, and have numerous references to illuminated manuscripts - decorative capital letters, gorgeous borders - while also resembling some of the fantasy art of Brian Froud, among others.
January 13, 2014
"Neither soap nor struggle could remove it, and Patrick had the sinking feeling that his life was going to change, and not for the better."
Patrick O'Kelley spouts the best blarney in the land but he ought not to be too haughty about it. Not when the goblin king is with in ear shot. This is a well told, clever tale very beautifully illustrated. A very nice debut book.
Patrick O'Kelley spouts the best blarney in the land but he ought not to be too haughty about it. Not when the goblin king is with in ear shot. This is a well told, clever tale very beautifully illustrated. A very nice debut book.
March 5, 2022
Oh this is funny. As I was squinting at the marvelously detailed pictures I was reminded of the hidden object scenes in the children's magazines, and trying to remember if it was Cricket or Highlights that I had seen them in.
Then I got to the author's bios and found that both author and illustrator had worked for that line of magazines!
This story, and this artwork, is much more elaborate than what would be found in the magazines, though. The details in the picture will take a relatively long time to make out. And the theme of the story is something better appreciated on second read. And the creativity of the design of art on the page is special, too (even though it gives my old eyes a strain).
The people all look like regular folk. I'd bet anything that they're friends, neighbors, and family of the illustrator. In fact, I bet the fairy woman on the title page is either the author, or possibly the artist's wife.
Oh, one more thing about the art. Some of it is clearly inspired by The Book of Kells: Selected Plates in Full Color.
And about the tale. It's original, but it reads as if it's a collected folktale. Nicely done. I'll look for more by her.
I would have absolutely loved this when I was younger and could see better.
Then I got to the author's bios and found that both author and illustrator had worked for that line of magazines!
This story, and this artwork, is much more elaborate than what would be found in the magazines, though. The details in the picture will take a relatively long time to make out. And the theme of the story is something better appreciated on second read. And the creativity of the design of art on the page is special, too (even though it gives my old eyes a strain).
The people all look like regular folk. I'd bet anything that they're friends, neighbors, and family of the illustrator. In fact, I bet the fairy woman on the title page is either the author, or possibly the artist's wife.
Oh, one more thing about the art. Some of it is clearly inspired by The Book of Kells: Selected Plates in Full Color.
And about the tale. It's original, but it reads as if it's a collected folktale. Nicely done. I'll look for more by her.
I would have absolutely loved this when I was younger and could see better.
December 12, 2017
Rating: 3.5
Kids will know the meaning of the word 'blarney' after reading this tale. The point is well made.
For the most part, we enjoyed the art. However, on a couple of pages, the images felt 'flat,' colorful but with everything appearing to be on the same plane, making it hard to decipher at a glance. Maybe that's intentional, or maybe it's a printing issue.
Kids will know the meaning of the word 'blarney' after reading this tale. The point is well made.
For the most part, we enjoyed the art. However, on a couple of pages, the images felt 'flat,' colorful but with everything appearing to be on the same plane, making it hard to decipher at a glance. Maybe that's intentional, or maybe it's a printing issue.
March 25, 2019
I didn't like this book because, well, it's sort of for a bigger audience. Kids will not be inspired to read it. It had pictures that kids wouldn't really like. It was sort of longish and had words that kids wouldn't find interesting. But I liked one part, where he zooms out of this dream he had: zoink! yoink! He goes out, out, and away. Until he's out of sight.
March 7, 2013
I grabbed this book from the displays at the library last week because it was based around Ireland, the name of it made me think even my 11 y.o. might like it, and because the illustrations on the cover caught my eye.
Oddly enough, it was not the only Teresa Bateman book I'd checked out that day.
I liked this story much better than the one about Fiona, even though I foresaw the ending to this one much easier than I could the other book. It was beautifully written, and had enough accent to it that I couldn't help but read it out loud that way. The illustrations were outstanding and helped to get my childrens' attention. I read aloud to an 11 y.o., a 4 y.o. and a 15 m.o. My oldest read it again to herself when I was finished and got to learn a new word. My youngest was more interested in his toys and the middle child kept wanting me to repeat the page again when I finished reading it.
Perhaps bedtime reading is more appropriate than daylight reading for a book like this to capture the attention of young ones. I would recommend it though as even I enjoyed the tale.
Oddly enough, it was not the only Teresa Bateman book I'd checked out that day.
I liked this story much better than the one about Fiona, even though I foresaw the ending to this one much easier than I could the other book. It was beautifully written, and had enough accent to it that I couldn't help but read it out loud that way. The illustrations were outstanding and helped to get my childrens' attention. I read aloud to an 11 y.o., a 4 y.o. and a 15 m.o. My oldest read it again to herself when I was finished and got to learn a new word. My youngest was more interested in his toys and the middle child kept wanting me to repeat the page again when I finished reading it.
Perhaps bedtime reading is more appropriate than daylight reading for a book like this to capture the attention of young ones. I would recommend it though as even I enjoyed the tale.
March 6, 2022
Bateman's original tale is set in the time of traveling peddlers and told in the style of a folktale. When Patrick O'Kelley boasts that he can spout better blarney than the king of leprechauns himself, the king decides to teach him a lesson. After bringing him to the leprechaun kingdom, the king gives him a ring, which Patrick eagerly puts on, only to find out that it forces him to tell the truth, and he is unable to take it off. But it sort of backfires when no one believes him when he tells the truth about going to the land of the leprechauns, etc. The book is beautifully illustrated by Omar Rayyan, with beautifully illuminated letters and sumptuous borders, reminiscent of the Book of Kells. He also does an excellent job of depicting facial expressions.
March 2, 2015
Great Irish tale for March with a good lesson about truth. Fantastic detailed illustrations.
March 26, 2021
The illustrations are astoundingly intricate~ humorous~ beautiful!!
An illustrator myself, I also work mainly with children and produce work for children, so I often read children's books to experience different styles and see how they interpret the story with their art.
The illustrator makes a note that 'any resemblance to actual persons is purely coincidental', yet the faces and expressions of his characters are so very specific, I'll bet they're modeled after real people....I can't help but think this is a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor on his part, snickering behind fingers once his relatives discover themselves drawn into the story...literally.
It gives me a warm feeling and brings a smile.
An illustrator myself, I also work mainly with children and produce work for children, so I often read children's books to experience different styles and see how they interpret the story with their art.
The illustrator makes a note that 'any resemblance to actual persons is purely coincidental', yet the faces and expressions of his characters are so very specific, I'll bet they're modeled after real people....I can't help but think this is a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor on his part, snickering behind fingers once his relatives discover themselves drawn into the story...literally.
It gives me a warm feeling and brings a smile.
Read
December 4, 2020This is a good book by itself and is very interesting because I have not seen or heard any other irish tales that I know of. I think that this is a great book for kids because it can teach them that lying can come back to haunt you and that telling the truth can be rewarding
January 18, 2019
Great book for elementary age kids about telling truth. Great illustrations.
August 28, 2020
A cute story about lying. The illustrations by Omar Rayyan are nice. Likable but not Rayyan's best work.
January 26, 2023
This had a fun surprise ending. Telling the truth can be just as fantastic as blarney!
February 4, 2024
Such a great tale and the artwork is rich in Celtic work. Many hidden things to find in its details.
April 16, 2025
This is my favorite leprechaun themed book and reading it with an Irish brogue will make you a storytime star!
March 10, 2021
This funny story is about a man who is tricked into being unable to lie.
ATOS: 4.6
Lex: AD860L
Trait: Ideas
ATOS: 4.6
Lex: AD860L
Trait: Ideas
February 9, 2017
I'm a big fan of Irish folklore, so I loved the story. However, I am not crazy about the style of the illustrations. This is definitely a picture book for older kids. The pages are too text-heavy for really little ones to sit through.
March 3, 2014
This is an entertaining book about the art of telling blarney (tall) tales. The story reminded me of the movie Liar, Liar featuring Jim Carrey, but, of course, with an Irish theme.
The narrative is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are nicely detailed, although some of the faces seem almost a bit too realistic, if that's possible. Our oldest totally anticipated the ending of the story, but it didn't diminish our appreciation of the tale. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
The narrative is fun to read aloud and the illustrations are nicely detailed, although some of the faces seem almost a bit too realistic, if that's possible. Our oldest totally anticipated the ending of the story, but it didn't diminish our appreciation of the tale. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
September 6, 2016
This may be my favorite leprechaun story ever! Peddler and blarney teller extraordinaire Patrick O’Kelly's boastful clams of being the best teller of tales has made their way to the King of the Leprechauns; and he is not amused. Everyone knows, or should know, that Leprechauns are the best bards of the land. The king tricks O’Kelly into accepting a gift that will forever change his storytelling ways. The Ring of Truth is a fantastically illustrated and entertaining story, perfect for a read aloud on Saint Patrick’s Day or any day.
December 3, 2012
Fun book. I would not say that this is a book for early elementary school readers. I would add this book to the trip around the world list of stories to help students visit stories from around the planet.
January 24, 2015
Sweet and whimsical, with a good moral and lots of magic. Just how I like a bedtime story to be. The illustrations are completely amazing, a blend of Rackham, Froud, and traditional Irish illumination.
April 1, 2016
Patrick O'Kelly was a peddler famous for his magnificent lies. One day he claims that he can "spout better blarney" than the king of Leprechauns. When the king takes him up on his boast, Patrick finds himself in a difficult situation. An original tale that reads like it's an old story.
June 27, 2011
I liked the story. But I didn't care for the illustrator.
November 14, 2011
The kidlets liked this one. :-)
October 9, 2012
A wonderful Irish folk tale about the wisdom of not stretching the truth. Fantastical illustrations too!
August 7, 2014
It's a fun story with beautiful illustrations.
March 17, 2015
My favorite picture book for St. Paddy's Day!
November 12, 2015
Kind of a disappointment, both story and illustrations.
August 10, 2015
Pretty pictures, fun story. Yay!
March 19, 2022
Beautiful watercolor illustrations, reminds me of “Darby O’Gill and the Little People.”
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews