Unsung stories from ancient Irish myths re-imagined for nine to twelve-year olds.
Have you heard of Eithne the supernatural scholar or Fand the shape-shifting eco-warrior?
What about Bé Mannair, a gender-fluid spy who challenges an entire army, or Bé Binn, a giantess who gets her own back on her bullies?
From mermaids and fashionistas to athletes and farmers, meet goddesses of all shapes and sizes from Ireland’s ancient myths. Stand by their sides as they wield magic, fight monsters, and protect the powerless – and you might discover that you, too, are a force of nature.
There's a trend recently of folktales moving away from Clever Jack and passive princesses, and towards women who know what they're doing and how to get what they want. This new book is a major part of that trend.
Ireland's goddesses were not soft, floaty beings in togas and chiffon. They were warriors, scholars, protectors and lovers. This book features 24 stories of Celtic goddesses, along with a beautiful full page illustration and some facts about the heroine or setting.
The illustrations are absolutely a higlight, using Celtic motifs but not overpoweringly so, sparing in colour which makes it all the more arresting when a goddess appears with flame red hair or blue tattoos dance on pale white skin. Shona is one of the best illustrators working in children's books today and this book is one of her best pieces of work.
The stories are well written and will hold kids' attention without being too long for them. This is a great introduction to Ireland's mythology and will hopefully lead to many more readers!
Girls who Slay Monsters is available now. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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