From Publishers Weekly
In this perky tale inspired by characters from Irish folklore, a clever woman uses a bit o' the blarney to prove that brains trump brawn . Cuhullin, a legendary giant, believes he's strongest in the world. Only one definitive test stands in his way: to defeat fellow giant Finn McCool. When Finn learns that Cuhullin is due to come after him, he turns to his wife, Oona, for advice. Well-practiced at getting Finn out of difficult scrapes, Oona quickly devises a plan to outwit Cuhullin. A fast-paced story results, filled with slapstick humor. Young readers will be giggling at both giants deriving power from a magic finger (Finn sees into the future when he sucks his thumb) and the sight of Finn mustache and all pretending to be a baby. Souhami's (No Dinner!: The Story of the Old Woman and the Pumpkin) artwork, a mix of cut- and torn-paper collage with pastel accents, lends an appropriately jaunty air to the proceedings. Her wide variety of perspectives and funny visual details play up the giants' stature and add depth to the retelling. A note on the story's origin is included. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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, PACopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
