The Ring of Truth: An Original Irish Tale (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Omar Rayyan (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Epitomizing the best of Irish storytelling, this blithe debut pokes fun at its own blustery genre," said PW. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-6?A charming read-aloud, particularly for St. Patrick's Day. Patrick O'Kelley is a peddler who never tells the truth when a lie will do. When he boasts of his grand blarney-spouting abilities, the King of the Leprechauns decides to teach him a lesson. He brings Patrick to the land of the Little People and presents him with an emerald ring that forces him to speak only what is true. This causes problems not only for Patrick's gift of gab but for his customers who were used to the peddler's flattering ways and walloping yarns. Eventually he is coerced into performing in the famous Blarney Contest and, of course, he can only tell the truth?the account of how the magical Leprechaun king appeared to him in a hall of crystal and gold, arriving on four tiny ponies and gave him the enchanted ring. This outlandish though accurate story is judged the "biggest pack of blarney" ever and the sheepish man actually wins the pot of gold. He has learned his lesson, however, and he continues telling truthful tales of the days he spent with the Leprechauns. Rayyan's wispy pastel watercolor illustrations are peopled with Rackhamesque fairies and realistic characters. There is a fine blend of energy, humor, and magic in the Celtic-bordered pictures. This is a well-crafted tale told with a storyteller's touch; the language flows and the story satisfies.?Beth Tegart, Oneida City Schools, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823412555
• ISBN-13: 978-0823412556
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.8 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #715,392 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars believe in the little people, March 19, 2001

By	Chess Heart "paxbear" (Cattauraugus County, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ring of Truth (Paperback)

"Patrick O'Kelly was a peddler of scarves and trinkets, with a habit of telling magnificent lies." So begins "The Ring of Truth". "Magnificent" may even be an understatement for him. He is supposed to have kissed the Blarney Stone once, that fabled and mystical rock that gives one the gift of gab, and by the way he carries on, it's believed that he managed to get a bit of that rock stuck in his teeth! He is such a fine artist of Blarney, that he easily boasts that he could out-fib the very king of the Leprechauns himself!!

Well, as any good Irish legend will tell you, be careful about what you say about the Fair Folk, for they have great ears for hearing and egos to boot!! It's hardly long before Patrick O'Kelly is swept off to the very land of the Faeries to meet the king of the leprechauns himself!

Like any fine Celtic tale, the book is full of twists and turns and play on words, of which the title of the book is just one (I'll not give away the ending for fear of spoiling the fun for readers!). The ending is a fun surprise for readers, as well as for our brave hero, Patrick O'K. Himself! What will stick to readers' ribs most, however, are the illustrations.

Illustrated by Omar Rayyan, the book resembles now an illuminated manuscript, now a surrealistic painting. Faeries and other Fair Folk are mischievous creatures, to say the least, and to step into their world, however briefly, is to take a roller coaster ride into the ethereal and strange. Winged sprites flit too and fro, and the King has always about him a smile that is first playful and fun, and upon closer inspection, hinting at some darker purpose. Once Patrick has gone to their fair land, they are all about him, hiding here and there, yet the reader knows that they are invisible to everyone-another example of that mischievous, almost sinister magic they weave.

All in all, a tremendous book and perhaps too overlooked in the children's section. Though Irish in nature, it is not about St. Patrick's day, so there is no need to keep it mothballed until then! Bring out this treasure of a story and illustration and read it often!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant fairytale!, June 30, 1998

By A Customer

Rich, complex and gorgeous illustrations provide the perfect compliment to the story of the braggart Patrick who is tricked by the Leprechaun King and must now tell only the truth. Obviously, this will be a decided disadvantage in the Blarney contest in which he is entered. Or will it? A thoroughly enjoyable tale which has the familiar feel of a truly great fairytale for the ages.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining and delightful Irish tale, July 7, 1998

By A Customer

Teresa Bateman's Ring Of Truth is simply wonderful! I enjoyed reading this wild tale of "true" blarney. Delightful and entertaining---A great read.