Garland, Michael: King Puck.Garland, Michael KING Michael King, OBE (December 15, 1945 – March 30, 2004) was a widely respected New Zealand popular historian, author and biographer. Life Educated at Sacred Heart College in Auckland and St Patrick's College at Silverstream (Wellington), he went on to study history PUCK. II. by author. ISBN-10: 0-06-085809-X. ISBN-13: 978-0-06-085809-5. New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of : HarperCollins, 2007. 32 pp. $16.99. Michael Garland brings an authentic Irish festival to fictional life in this charmingly illustrated story. Seamus, who lives in a cottage on a lonely mountain, amuses himself by reading aloud to his only companion, a goat named Finny--but they are both frustrated by his limited library. One morning, Seamus awakens to find that the fairies have given his goat the power of speech, and have delivered a handbill HANDBILL. A printed or written notice put up on walls, &c., in order to inform those concerned of something to be done. describing the King Puck Festival. At the festival, a goat will be crowned as the "only King of Ireland" for a day, and Seamus believes that Finny fin·ny adj. fin·ni·er, fin·ni·est 1. Having a fin or fins. 2. Resembling a fin; finlike. 3. Of, relating to, or full of fish. will be a sure bet to win. Indeed, although the competition is impressive, the judges are astonished a·ston·ish tr.v. as·ton·ished, as·ton·ish·ing, as·ton·ish·es To fill with sudden wonder or amazement. See Synonyms at surprise. by Finny's recitation rec·i·ta·tion n. 1. a. The act of reciting memorized materials in a public performance. b. The material so presented. 2. a. Oral delivery of prepared lessons by a pupil. b. of the tale of Finn MacCool, and crown him king. As king, he is allowed one wish, and of course he chooses "books!" This wish is granted by the town librarian, who starts making weekly trips up the mountain to Seamus' home. In an Author's Note, Garland relates his love of Ireland, and describes the real-world Puck Festival, held annually in the town of Killorglin. This clever tale is enhanced by beautiful illustrations of the mountain countryside and the village streets, and fairies appear on every page. Garland is clearly hoping that Seamus' and Finny's enthusiasm for books will rub off on his young readers, and this volume is the sort that could make that happen. Ages 4-8. Reviewed by Tom Smith, Pittsburgh, PA |
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