Brigid's Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story (Paperback)

by Bryce Milligan (Author), Helen Cann (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Told with the gripping delivery of a well-seasoned storyteller, this tale of a fifth-century Irish saint has the broad appeal of folklore while retaining the power to inspire religious awe. Milligan (With the Wind; Kevin Dolan) draws in readers immediately with his evocation of "a wild and windy night" when the slave daughter of a warrior prince is born. The infant receives a visit from a Druid: "I am one of the fathers of old Ireland. I greet little Brigid, who will be a mother to the new Ireland that is to come." The Druid gives Brigid a blue cloak and blesses her with magic. Ten years later, Brigid finds herself mystically transported to a stable in Bethlehem, where a man named Joseph introduces himself and his wife, Mary: "Brigid felt as one does when a candle is lit in a very dark room." She lends Mary her cloak, and blesses Mary and her child. Returning to her own world, Brigid longs for the family in the stable-but her cloak is now covered with tiny glowing stars. Cann (The Loving Arms of God) matches Milligan's deceptively easy mix of intimacy and awe with her clear, slightly stylized watercolors. Her Brigid is plain and sturdy, with cropped red hair and freckles, her holy family tired but inwardly directed. Borders along the bottom of the spreads incorporate Celtic motifs, echoed within the illustrations with such patterns as the Druid's flowing locks of white hair, the sheep's curling wool, the striping on the rams' horns. Readers don't have to share Brigid's faith to enjoy this story, but those who do may find that faith strengthened. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist
Gr. 1-3. Milligan's folktale-flavored telling, which incorporates elements of Druidic and early Christian beliefs, introduces Brigid, one of Ireland's favorite saints, in a story that reveals the origin of her reputation for generosity. Borders of Celtic designs frame Cann's mixed-media pictures and add both authenticity and wonder to the tale, which begins with her birth and goes on to tell of a vision in which she is transplanted to Jerusalem at the time of Jesus' birth, welcomes Mary and Joseph, and helps care for the newborn baby Jesus. A full-page close-up of a Druid wizard holding the infant Brigid, wrapped in the blue cloak he gave her, is particularly impressive; his light-green eyes exude wisdom as his white hair flows around his face. Just as good is the portrait of the Holy Family, with Brigid in their midst, which evokes the peace and happiness Brigid feels at Mary's kind words, "Thank you, child of the West. Your generosity will be remembered always." An author's note explains more about Brigid and the stories surrounding her cloak. Diane Foote
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (September 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802852971
• ISBN-13: 978-0802852977
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #199,006 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The story of Saint Brigid of Ireland and her blue cloak, June 2, 2003

By	Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: Brigid's Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story (Hardcover)

"Brigid's Cloak" retells an ancient tale about the beloved Saint Brigid of Ireland (453-524). The day she was born Brigid was given a brilliant blue cloak by a mysterious Druid, who was told in a dream to bring the fit to the child born on the night of the singing stars. Ten years later young Bridig is taking care of a small flock of sheep belonging to Prince Duffy, the blue cloak now tattered but her most treasured possession. One evening, after doing her chores, Brigid says a prayer of thanks as she always did. But when she leaves the stable to go in for supper she finds herself in a strange land, where the air is dry and warm and the men are dressed in oddly colored robes. Eventually, Brigid discovers that one of the things she had always liked to imagine is about to come true. What is remembered about Saint Brigid today in Ireland is not only her cloak but also her generosity, both of which play pivotal parts in this ancient Irish story. American writer Bryce Milligan and English artist Helen Cann tell the story of faith simply with appropriate mixed media illustrations (with Celtic designs used as the lower borders). For any young Irish lass, even if she does not have red hair and freckles, let along a blue cloak, this would be an ideal St. Patrick's Day gift.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A compassionate and charming story, October 12, 2002

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brigid's Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story (Hardcover)

Brigid's Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story is the tale of one of Ireland's beloved saints, who receives a wondrous blue cloak as a little girl. Years later, she is still wearing the now-ragged cloak as fate and wonder lead her to a crowded inn within the town of Bethlehem, where she meets the baby Jesus Christ and his family. Deftly written by Bruce Milligan, and beautifully illustrated by Helen Cann, Brigid's Cloak is highly recommended for young readers as a compassionate and charming story with mystical color illustrations.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Famous Cloak Of St. Brigid., November 20, 2008

By	John P. Rooney "John" (Plymouth, MA USA-America's Hometown) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"Brigid's Cloak" by Bryce Milligan. Subtitled: "An Ancient Irish Story". Illustrated by Helen Cann. Eerdmans Books For Young Readers, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2002.

Ireland is the "Isle of Saints and Scholars". Most would consider St. Patrick the première saint, and many would hold St. Brigid as second among the many saints of Ireland. She was the daughter of a Druid and the legends state that she was given a magical (miraculous) cloak by a Druid priest. This nicely illustrated book describes the miracle of Brigid's cloak transporting the young servant girl, in time and place, to the Stable at Bethlehem, where Brigid was able to adore the newly born Christ Child. So, this is an idea, book to be given as a gift at Christmas time. The illustrations by Helen Cann follow a Celtic theme, and Brigid is given red hair and freckles. "Joseph gave the child to Brigid to hold ....Lovingly she held the child, then carefully laid him in the cow's hay manger". The words of author, Bryce Milligan, match the beauty of the illustrations. This is a good but different Christmas book.

The legend I like best about St. Brigid also deals with her cloak. It seems that Brigid was asking the "King of Leinster" for some land for a convent. This particular man was miserly; (can an Irishman be miserly?) So, Brigid hemmed and hawed and negotiated for all the land her cloak would cover. The miserly King happily agreed to this. But, then, Brigid gave her cloak to four of her nuns and they stretched the cloak and stretched it and stretched it until the cloak covered almost all of his kingdom. The miserly King was therefore rebuked and he was happy to agree to the donation of just a few acres to St. Brigid!