King Puck

In the Irish town of Killorglin, they hold a festival where they crown a local goat as King Puck. From this local tradition, the author spins a tale of Seamus, who lives on a mountaintop and loves to read the Finn MacCool stories at night, sharing them with his pet goat, Finny. But he wishes for more books to read. The fairies who live nearby take pity and hatch a plan. They cast a spell on Finny, who begins to talk, and Seamus “discovers” a handbill advertising the Killorglin fair. Finny captures the crown when he tells a Finn MacCool tale, and his prize is anything he wishes. From that time on, the local librarian visits Seamus and Finny weekly. She provides them with all the books they could desire and a bit of company. Lively pictures of Ireland’s green country embellish the text, and children will have great fun pointing out the hidden fairies. An author’s note includes the origin of the legend and a photo of the author’s Irish ancestors. (Picture book. 5-8)