Daniel O'Rourke: An Irish Tale (Viking Kestrel picture books) [Hardcover]

Gerald McDermott (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Series: Viking Kestrel picture books

Because of a pooka spirit, Daniel O'Rourke embarks on a fantastic journey.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4 On his way home from a party, Daniel O'Rourke becomes the target of the pooka spirit's mischief and is led from one perilous plight to another. McDermott has pared down the 19th-Century T. Crofton Croker version of this Irish folk tale and made it accessible to the young. Remaining faithful to its structure, he plays up the action and plays down the verbosities, retaining just enough of the language to hint at the Irish brand of humor central to the Croker version. He sidesteps altogether the premise that Daniel's woes come from drink, instead noting that Daniel feasted on "green cheese and goose livers until he thought he would burst." McDermott's illustrations are playful and full of momentum, yet every composition, defined in sepia ink, is meticulous, as if the frenzied moments have been captured for close inspection. The watercolors combine deep night blues, rich and evocative, with the dazzling verdure and pale mist of his Irish countryside, his pastel pencil adding texture and depth. Daniel himself is a figure of fun, although there is the slightest echo of St. Patrick's Day greeting-card art about him. The only characterization that seems a bit humorless is the man in the moon; in such a tale one suspects that everyone would look a bit like an Irishmen, not so otherwordly and faceless as this fellow. This, however, is quibbling; the book abounds with merriment and artistry and is perfect for group telling on St. Patrick's Day and all year round. Susan Powers, Berkeley Carroll Street School, Brooklyn
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile; First Edition edition (March 17, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670809241
• ISBN-13: 978-0670809240
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.1 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,430,858 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars It's just okay, May 2, 2003

By 

L. Hale (Illinois USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Daniel O'Rourke: An Irish Tale (Viking Kestrel picture books) (Hardcover)

Theme
This book has one central theme. That is be good to other people or you will get what you deserve. This is demonstrated several times. ... BR>Plot
The plot of this book is simple and follows a logical pattern of thought. Daniel falls into a stream after having a good time at the party. He gets rescued and then punished for misdeeds until he wakes up. Then he learns from his actions.
Characterization
The characterization is rather lacking in this book because that is secondary to the theme of the book. Daniel seems portrayed in a conflicting manor. He views himself as good and his mother seems to treat him nicely but this stands in marked contrast to the rest of the characters who punish him in some way.
Setting
The setting in the story is not very important. It sets the most of the events in the story. This story could make sense if it was set in another country and Pookas were changes to something else.
Point of View
The point of view this story is told from Daniel O'Rourke's point of view. This adds some confusion to the story as Daniel's view of himself does not match with other people's perception of himself.
Other Assessment
The pictures in this book beautifully done. The artistry is almost worth buying the book alone. The composition is wonderful. The artist knows how to draw the eye fluidly across a page.
This story is labeled as an Irish tale. The names could be changed and this story could be universal to almost any culture. This one of the aspects about this book which is disappointing.
Another aspect which makes this story some what disappointing is the pictures do not always seem to match the text. The book will mention that Daniel fell into the stream but the picture will have what look to be leprechauns laughing at Daniel as he falls in. This happens about three times. Because of the brevity of the book, these three occurrences are very noticeable and annoying.