5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I believe I may have been the first to read it!!, September 13, 2007
This review is from: O'Shaughnessey: A Boy and His Leprechaun (Paperback)
OK I have to brag a little bit. I got to read this book as it was being written. Chapter by chapter as it came off of our old dot matrix printer. It was about 17 years ago when I was only 12. Since my dad is the author he would bring me the chapters of the book as he finished them. The only bad part about this was that I constantly had the "to be continued" thing happening. As I finished one chapter...I wanted to read the next!! The problem was...there was no next chapter yet. It was still being created! Then I had to wait as that old printer printed out the pages. How frustrating for a tweenager. Haha. Fortunately as you read this book you can just keep on turning the pages, because trust me, you will want to. This is a book you will be able to read over and over again.
I read it then and I am very excited to read it now that it is published and is accompanied by the drawings that were meticulously created by my dad. It's amazing what a person can do with a blank piece of paper and ink. If only I had inherited that gene.
So, to sum up. You should buy this book. Read it for yourself, read it to your children, nephews and nieces. Read it to your grandchildren. Read it to your parents. Whoever. It has something for everyone.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge. -Albert Einstein, May 18, 2008
This review is from: O'Shaughnessey: A Boy and His Leprechaun (Paperback)
Bobby Mahoney wakes from a nightmare only to see a Leprechaun, named O'Shaughnessey, perched upon his bedpost. Not quite sure of his eyes, he remains silent and still, until his mother calls him for breakfast. Later when he sees the Leprechaun again, Bobby now believes what he is seeing and begins to talk with the Leprechaun.
At age 7, Bobby's life is fairly typical. He has a little sister who annoys him and he longs for more time with his dad now that his parents are divorced. But when his sister falls ill, Bobby is determined to save her, with a little help from the Leprechauns and other fairy folk.
At the beginning of this children's tale the author states that it is meant to be read aloud in the tradition of the Seanachaí, Irish story tellers, and I couldn't agree more. The style of writing is a narrative that begs for a voice and an audience. I read it over the course of a couple of nights to my son who is 5, it was something he enjoyed and looked forward to.
There is the usage of some "big words" that I think would be lost on most children being read to or older children reading it on their own, but in my case I would explain what they meant to my son and continue on. I plan on passing this book on to my 10 year old niece with the instructions that my sister read it with her; I think it's a charming tale that should be shared.
In my house believing in the fey, Leprechauns and fairy folk is practically a requirement and this story was a fun edition to the tales that already fill our walls. The drawings that accompany the story are detail rich and delightful and they really help bring this story to life. O'Shaughnessey is a magical mix of the real and fanciful, blended together to make the perfect story time tale.
Cherise Everhard, May 2008
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Charming Children's Fantasy, May 15, 2008
This review is from: O'Shaughnessey: A Boy and His Leprechaun (Paperback)
Seven year old Bobby Mahoney can't believe it when he wakes up one morning and sees a leprechaun sitting on his bedpost. Soon O'Shaugnessy the leprechaun is taking Bobby on a series of adventures including a visit to a cave filled with gold. While these adventures are fun and exciting, Bobby has some real life problems to deal with - his parents' divorce and his younger sister's sudden illness. O'Shaugnessy will help Bobby see he can change some things but magic can't solve everything.
"O'Shaugnessy: A Boy and His Leprechaun" is a charming fantasy for children. Author Jeremy McGuire says in his introduction to the book that it is meant to be read out loud and it's almost impossible to not use an Irish brogue when doing so. The 1950's setting is a bit vague and this gives the book a timeless feel. McGuire does a wonderful job of portraying young Bobby who is upset about his parents divorce and at times not too fond of his younger sister Maggie or so he thinks until she becomes ill. O'Shaugnessy is another delightful character and children will hope he turns up in their bedroom. McGuire does a great job of capturing the magical leprechaun world and children will love reading (or hearing if the book is indeed read out loud) about Bobby's adventures in that world. Interweaved with the fantasy elements are some real life issues - Bobby's parents' divorce and Maggie's serious illness. Bobby's visit to the Ban-shees and the Death Coach adds suspense to the book but may be a bit scary for younger children. My one complaint about the book is that the narrator tends to be a bit intrusive at times. However, that's a small complaint in an otherwise wonderful book with an ending that left a smile on my face.
"O'Shaugnessy: A boy and His Leprechaun" is a delightful fantasy for young and old alike.
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