Mrs. McCool and the Giant Cuhullin: An Irish Tale - Hardcover

Souhami, Jessica

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 080506852X ISBN 13: 9780805068528

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR), 2002

Synopsis

A hilarious Irish folktale with a terrific female heroine.

"Long ago, there lived a giant called Cuhullin.
My, but he was big and fierce and strong.
And what made him so strong?
He had a magic finger. And believe it or not,
all his strength was in that little finger.
Now Cuhullin had fought all the other giants,
and squashed them flat. Well, all but one,
and that was Finn McCool."

But Finn doesn't want to fight. Finn is SCARED.

When he sucks his magic thumb, Finn can see Cuhullin coming to get him. So he runs straight home to his wife, Oona.

Oona isn't scared, not one bit. She just laughs . . .

Will Cuhullin find Finn McCool and SQUASH HIM FLAT?

Or will Oona save the day?

About this title

About the Author:

Jessica Souhami studied textile design at the Central School of Art and Design in London. In 1980 she formed Mme. Souhami and Co., a traveling puppet company using colorful shadow puppets with musical accompaniment and a storyteller. They performed folktales from many cultures, including the tale of Mrs. McCool and the Giant Cuhullin. Ms. Souhami has written and illustrated several books for children.

From School Library Journal:

reSchool-Grade 2--Rejoice! Here's a new feminist fairy tale for your collection. As soon as Oona McCool hears that Cuhullin wants to flatten her man to prove that he's the strongest giant in the world, she swings into action. After hiding her husband in a cradle, she invites the bully in for tea and proceeds to test him with Finn's "chores," such as lifting the house so that she can sweep under it. All the while, Finn McCool trembles in the cradle. Finally, Cuhullin practically breaks his teeth on bread (with a griddle baked inside), and when the "baby" gobbles down an identical loaf (sans griddle), Cuhullin decides to leave. First though, Oona asks him to look at the baby's new teeth, whereupon-"SNAP!"-the giant loses his magic finger, the source of all his strength. Souhami's rollicking retelling will quickly become a storytime favorite. The foibles of the two giants will tickle small funny bones, and the fact that Finn sucks his thumb to see the future will have them rolling from their seats. They may even pick up on the refrain, "What a storyteller that Oona was!" Indeed, she is the star of the show, with a worthy lesson to teach: "Big is big. But brains are better!" Paper collage illustrations in eye-popping colors play up the silliness. Tomie dePaola's Fin M'Coul, the Giant of Knockmany Hill (Holiday, 1981) is Irish through and through. On the other hand, Souhami's retelling features almost tropical illustrations and a punchy text that will exercise some ham bones and have children asking for repeat performances.
Jeanne Clancy Watkins, Chester County Library, Exton, PA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 080506852X
• ISBN 13: 9780805068528
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32