Customer Reviews

O'Sullivan Stew (Picture Puffins)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"O'Sullivan Stew" is a rollicking book with a truly heroic female protagonist. The pictures are both lovely and funny--if you pay special attention to facial expressions I guarantee you'll be laughing out loud. Kate, the heroine, spins yarns with a skill beyond her years, painting pictures with her inventive tales. Her speech is like music--you can practically hear her brogue while you're reading. And if her storytelling doesn't convince you that she's painting pictures with her words, then the illustrations will. They vary from dreamy pastels to muted and murky to bold and bright depending on the nature of the tale she's telling. And when she stops, the world turns black and white.

Not only does this book contain excellent illustrations, a strong, believable heroine, and a captivating story line, but there are several surprises and an unexpected ending. I hope you'll read it... it would be a shame to miss out on such a marvelously fun book!

This is a modern day folktale with a terrific, spunky heroine, a good story and a wonderful ending. It would make a very satisfying read aloud for children 5 years of age and older. The words and pictures work well together. Highly recommended by me, a children's librarian.

I bought this book for my nephew but decided to wait to give it to him for several reasons. The main one being that I absolutely LOVE the book myself! LOL! However, while the story is good and I know he'll enjoy it, he's still a bit young (not even 2); it seems more appropiate for 4 years old or older.

In the story, Young Kate uses her wits to save her family and her village with an ending I never saw coming -- not your typical 'Fairy Tale Ending' but an excellent one nonetheless especially for our modern times. I fell in love with the illustration's ton of detail that kept me looking at each page long after the reading was over.

My one complaint is that, while the book itself is good sized so you can see the pictures, the paperback edition seems a bit flimsy. If this story is to be loved (and thus read) as much as I think it will then I may have to order another copy or two to last through the years. Perhaps the school binding edition is more sturdy?

Both girls and boys will enjoy this story and I think you grown ups will, too.

The children in my school love this book. One of my little boys asked, a couple of weeks ago, if it was St. Patrick's day yet,and could I begin reading O'Sullivan Stew! The pictures are quite detailed, and the adventure story is a good one. I am a school librarian and I highly recommend this title for storytime., or for a study of Irish folktales. Another excellent title is the new The Last Snake in Ireland .

Bejabbers! What fine yarns here are spun - and true, every one - in this Irish-flavored Scheherezade-style story. Brave, clever Kate O'Sullivan leads the way and saves the day for the men (and women) of her clan. In this brew of a stew with its wonderfully whimsical illustrations, there's a King, a Witch, giant monsters and monstrous giants. Then there's the real story beneath it all, and, a surprise ending. As a storyteller meself, I could only enjoy this yarn more by telling it to others. As a children's librarian, I've already witnessed the magic of this book with children and adults. So, sit yourself down and relish a heaping helping or two of some delicious O'Sullivan Stew!

This is probably my favorite story for a St. Patrick's Day read aloud. The village of Crookhaven is cursed when the local witch's horse is stolen by the king. Kate O'Sullivan and her father and brothers try to steal the horse back but are captured. It is up to Kate to weave a series of tales to get them all off the hook by describing other "true" stories where her family was in a "worse spot" than this one. The King is amused and enthralled by Kate's tales until the last one and all her work is about to be undone until an astonishing secret is revealed.

Hudson Talbott's illustrations are a riot of color and action. The expressions of the characters are so evocative you will laugh out loud.

Grab some Irish music to play in the background and share the story with everyone. The story will compell you to read with an Irish brogue even if you never have before.

Hudson Talbott books are like having a storyteller sitting at your elbow. The pacing of the story as it interplays with the illustrations is perfect.

The Irish have long memories, and even longer tales to reflect that. This book is a wonderful way to get children caught up in the excitement and tension of a classical tale, while also giving them a resourceful and modern heroine to admire. The book is everything a children's story should be: it's funny, the languish reads well and beautifully, and the illustrations are well done. This is a must-have.

What a great addition to any St. Patrick's Day arsenal! A great cliff-hanger-type folk tale, complete with kings, sea monsters, vindictive witches, and a heroine who gives a whole new meaning to "riding off in the sunset"! The illustrations are superbe! My kinders raved about this book, even though I feared it would be a bit above them. We read it in sections, stopping at the brink of each near-certain disaster, so that it was just the right amount of listening for my many wiggily boys!! It fits in so well with our current fairy tale theme, that I would include in this genre, as well. This is a not-to-miss adventure, complete with classic twists and turns, and a few new ones!

A typical Irish tale of woes...and how to survive them. A charming young girl.. who comes to the aid of her family. A wonderful witch.. who you will be able to understand her actions. But..best of all..the young girl doesn't settle for the Prince...at least not at the end of the story! A truly simple story...one that CHILDREN can understand. No explaining the story to 4-to-8 year olds. A breath of fresh air..reading this book.

I love this book and so do my girls. It's got wonderful, funny illustrations and a great story (or is it 5 great stories?). I bought it mostly for the illustrations because they're wonderful! The one that sold me was the one with the sea monster with a rowboat stuck sideways in his mouth. The look of dismay on his face is priceless! The rest of the illustrations are great too, but the sea monster was the absolute best!

If you can manage to read it with an Irish accent, it makes it even better. :)

Karen B. Jones
Author of The Squishy, Stinky Diaper