Sunday 29 August 2021

Cluasa Capaill ag an Rí le Bridget Bhreathnach agus Shona Shirley Macdonald


Seanscéal é seo faoin misneach a theastaíonn uaireanta leis an fhírinne a insint, is cuma céard a cheapann daoine eile.

Nuair a bheirtear páiste do bhanríon na tíre, tá sí féin agus an rí an-bhuartha: tá cluasa capaill ar an bpáiste. An nglacfaidh muintir na tíre lena mac, Labhraí?

An mbeidh sé in ann a rún aisteach a choinneáil ar feadh a shaoil, fiú nuair a bheidh sé féin ina rí ar an tír?

A retelling of an old tale from Irish folklore about the courage that is needed sometimes to tell the truth, regardless of what other people might say or do.

When a child is born to the Queen, she and the king are very anxious: the child has horse’s ears. Will the people of the kingdom accept their son, Labhraí?

Will he be able to keep his unusual secret for his whole life, even when he becomes king?


Sneaking in off schedule because I couldn't wait with this one!

I love Shona Shirley Macdonald. I have a copy of The Moon Spun Round which I pick up to look through now and then, and I always find something new in the images that I missed the previous time. I can already tell Cluasa  is going to be the same way; always something new to see.

Unfortunately, the images are all I can talk about, as I have only a cupla focail Gaelige. I turned to my favourite Gaelgor to see what he thought of the language used. Below are his comments, exactly as he wrote them:
Sa leabhar tarraingteach seo tá ath-insint bhríomhar ar seanscéal le clú domhanda air - scéal a chuala mé don chéad uair sa bhunscoil na blianta fada ó shoin. Ritheann léaráidí dathúla mionsonracha leis an téacs, agus cuireann siad go mór le taitneamh a bhaint as an leabhar. Maith sibh!

This attractive book brings us a spirited re-telling of an old, internationally-known folk tale, a tale I first heard many years ago in primary school. The text is complemented by colourful, detailed illustrations, which add greatly to enjoyment of the book. Well done!


Even without knowing the exact words - I know the story, of course, we all know the story, so I can guess at most of it - I still very much enjoyed going through this book, and I'll very much enjoy coming back to it over and over to go through these beautiful, haunting images again. Just beautiful.


Cluasa Capaill ag an Rí publishes on the 1st of September, 2021. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.

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