ONE of the many challenges facing Irish language writers who write for younger readers is that of telling a good story in a style suited to the chronological age of the reader, while at the same time maintaining a level of vocabulary and language structure suited to that reader's ability to read in Irish.
Because of the variety and abundance of books available in English and the shortage of same in Irish, even the most fluent Irish speaker is likely to have much more reading experience in English.
In An Eala Dhubh (Cosceim, £3.00), Cliodna Cussen meets this challenge head on and succeeds with ease in walking the thin line of keeping it simple, without being condescending. A well known artist, she brings all her artistic skills to bear on what is essentially a folk tale and love story based around the lives of Neasa and Art. Neasa and Art grow up in a world of tradition, pisreoga and made matches.
All of these must be overcome before the story ends in a relatively predictable, happy ever after double wedding. Simply written, beautifully told, it's no surprise that Cliodan Cussen won an Oireachtas award for An Eala Dhubh (in manuscript form) in 1995.
Jobo Tacsai agus Mioruilt na Teicneolaiochta (Cosceim, £3.00) by Joe Bogle, though not in the same league as An Eala Dhubh, is a relatively easy read for younger teenagers. An amusing off the wall fantasy, the story line might be more suited, however, to an even younger reader. It is unlikely that teenagers would, in general, accept the introduction of Pol Peannluaidhe (Paul Pencil) and friends.
Also for teenage (and indeed any age) readers - from An Gum - a series of pocket books of knowledge, or Eolai Poca (£3.95 each). Subjects covered include - birds, bees, mammals, wildflowers - to name but a few. Beautifully illustrated, crammed with facts, the series would be an addition to any bookshelf.
FOR younger readers, Mary Arrigan (well known for her series on the eccentric granny Mamu) has written and illustrated An Bho Fhionn (An Gum, £4.95), suitable for eight to 11 year olds. The disappearance of their only source of income, the white cow, takes Sean and Mamo Neain on a trail of poverty, hunger and even some toneless busking as they search from town to town, eventually finding not just their white cow but also - in the strangest of circumstances - great wealth.
As always, Mary Arrigan's illustrations are superb. The pictures tell not just the story but stories within stories. My four year old "assistant" became totally absorbed in the facial expressions of a mouse who had no apparent connection with the basic story but who appeared from time to time for our amusement and entertainment.
Muriel O'Connor's Bundearg (An Gum, £4.95) is well suited to six to 9 year olds. Bandearg is a small pink duck who is determined to make her mother's life easier by buying her a sewing machine. While appreciating the basic theme, some parents may have some gender based doubts about the actual gift; my four year old assistant, however, has none and Bandearg joins An Bho Fhionn as a favourite.