The King Of Ireland's Son - Softcover

Behan, Brendan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0531095495 ISBN 13: 9780531095492

Publisher: Scholastic, 1997

Synopsis

The adventures of three king's sons, who are challenged to find the source of the heavenly music heard throughout the kingdom, include encounters with hospitable old men, a captured maiden, lots of food, and a fierce giant with an appetite for princes.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-6. A lively folktale containing all of the elements that please children. Originally published in Brendan Behan's Island-An Irish Sketchbook (Random, 1962; o.p.), the text was transcribed from a tape recording of Behan telling the story, adding to the immediacy of the narrative. The King of Ireland wishes to know the source of the heavenly music that can be heard all around the country, so he sends his three sons off on the quest. When the brothers notice the music coming from a hole in the ground, Neart and Ceart lower Art down, hoping to get rid of him. Art travels through a tunnel and meets three old men, each the father of the one before, and finally comes upon a talking horse who leads him to a palace garden, where he discovers a captive princess playing a harp. Art must trick her captor, a giant, and keep himself from being devoured in the process. With the help of the magical stallion and his own quick wits and good humor, he rescues the princess and returns triumphantly to his father's castle, where he inherits half of the kingdom, marries the princess, "and wasn't I at the wedding as well as everybody else...." The exuberance of Lynch's vigorous watercolors, from lush gardens to humorous facial expressions, perfectly matches the rollicking rhythm of the text to create a wholly satisfying read-aloud. A perfect choice for St. Patrick's Day or any folklore unit.?Connie C. Rockman, formerly at Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

A story from Brendan Behan's IslandAn Irish Sketchbook (1962), turned into a lavishly illustrated picture book. The king of Ireland sends his three sons--Art, Neart, and Ceart--to find the source of heavenly music. Art descends into a cave, where he meets various strange old men, a helpful talking horse, and a not overly-bright giant. The style is that of an Irish storyteller relating the tale to an audience, with long, rushed sentences and keen exaggerations, e.g., in the listing of Art's many meals. The pictures are an odd mix: The fantasy elements (the old men, the giant) as well as the landscapes and backgrounds are buoyant and delightful, but a bad fit for the ordinary mortals, done in a somewhat jarring realistic style. Still, the phrasing and rhythms of the text make it ideal for reading aloud so listeners can hear its exuberant lilt. (Picture book/folklore. 6-8) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Scholastic
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0531095495
• ISBN 13: 9780531095492
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 40