THE KING OF IRELAND'S SON

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)