Publishing in Irish since 1926, An Gum to date boasts some 1,900 books. These include school textbooks, dictionaries, reference books as well as a wide selection of books for children. In recent years An Gum has placed particular emphasis on the children's sector, publishing a range of original titles, translations and international co-editions. Their latest selection covers all three and ranges in age from five or six to late teens.
For the younger reader, there is just one original title - Gairdin an tSonais, by Brian O Baoill (£6.50). When Cliona and Colm explore their grandmother's garden they lead us into a world of wonder, magic and music. From Barney Bee to Feilimi Frog, every insect, every animal they meet has his or her own personality, his or her own song. Feilimi Frog, the coolest dude of them all, in his leather jacket, swimming gear and shades, invites them for a swim. Baba the ladybird shrinks them to her size so they can join her for tea. Beautifully illustrated by Deirdre Lyons Doyle, Gairdin an tSonais is a delight to read but would need adult support - in particular, support from an adult who can read music. Perhaps An Gum would consider a cassette to accompany the book.
Equally attractive to the younger reader, Seimi ar an gCoisir, by Lisa Stubbs (£4.50), was first published in English under the title Sonny's Birthday Prize. Translated into Irish by Seosamh O Murchu, it tells the story of Seimi, a fluffy white duck who is invited to a birthday party by one of his naionra/playschool friends. The book is superbly translated and beautifully illustrated. The suggested age range is six to nine years old. The language is so simple, however, that I would see Seimi ar an gCoisir as the perfect book to read aloud to the pre-school child. This one should be kept in mind for the Christmas market.
Also in translation, two stories of the escapades of Citi Cailleach (Winnie the Witch) by Korky Paul and Valerie Thomas (4.50 each). The first, Citi Cailleach, is translated by Liam Mac Coil and tells of the difficulties Citi has seeing her black cat, Smurog, in her everso-black house. Having been sat on in the black chair, tripped over on the black carpet, Smurog is subjected to some of Citi's magic and becomes first a bright green cat and later a multi-coloured yellow, red, pink, blue and purple cat, Incredibly embarrassing for a self-respecting, black witch's cat.
The second Citi saga, Citi sa Gheimhreadh, translated by Seosamh O Murchu, looks at how Citi uses magic to try and escape the winter. The magic works a treat, but the consequences come back to haunt poor Citi. Ideal for seven- or eight- to eleven-year-olds. The real magic of the Citi sagas lies in the high standard of translation. There is never a sense, at any stage, that these are anything but originals. Again, a must for the Christmas stocking.
For the slightly older reader, An Gum has two short novels on offer. Iarla Mac Aodha Bhui's An Lamborghini Bui is a Famous Five-style short novella, telling the story of three teenagers who surf the Internet to do some private detective work on a yellow Lamborghini they find stashed away in a local quarry. Although only forty-eight pages long, this is a well-written easy read suited - depending on the level of fluency in Irish - to children from ten to fifteen or sixteen years old. An Lamborghini Bui also has definite potential as a class reader for senior students at primary level.
Somewhat longer is an abridged version of Bram Stoker's Dracula (£3.95), rewritten for teenagers by Emmett B. Arrigan and translated by Gabriel Rosenstock. Although this is infinitely more readable than Bram Stoker's original, the story is somewhat dated and would, therefore, have limited appeal. While both of these short novels/novellas are well written and well produced, there is still a huge gap in the teenage Irish language market: we haven't yet produced a Gerard Whelan or a Gordon Snell in Irish.
Aine Ni Ghlinn is a poet and journalist; her most recent collection, Deora Nar Caoineadh/ Unshed Tears, was published recently