Finn McCool and the Great Fish - Eve Bunting

Illustrated by Zachary Pullen
Sleeping Bear Press, 2010
$16.95
32 pages
Rating: 4.5
Endpapers - Green with yellow diamonds & dot pattern

This brand new picture book/Irish legend by the great Eve Bunting will be a perfect read aloud for St. Patrick's Day. Not only is it a feast for the eyes, it's a story that can be richly discussed.

Finn McCool-a huge giant who lives in Drumnahoon, Ireland, is a kind and helpful soul. He is also not the brightest - and he wants some wisdom so he can be more helpful to his countrymen. He hears of a man named Simon the Baker who knows a great source of wisdom, so Finn travels to a nearby town to speak with him.

He is told that the wisdom he seeks is in a red salmon who lives in a nearby river. "Catch him and eat him," he is told.

So yes, Finn catches the great fish, but he is a compassionate giant and cannot bring himself to kill it. In typical mythological fashion he is rewarded for this sparing-of-life, thus bringing up the aforementioned discussion topics.

Every page is a masterpiece. The storytelling is fun. Add an outline map of Ireland, show its place in Europe and the world, and you have a tantalyzing St. Patrick's Day presentation!

Uncle Andy's Cats - James Warhola

G. P. Putnams, 2009
$16.99
32 pgs.
For: Kids of all ages
Rating: 5
Endpapers: Pale peach with numerous "Sams" in many stances and sizes

As a child, James would go to visit his Uncle Andy and his Bubba in New York City. The tall, skinny house was full of Uncle Andy's art projects (including numerous soup cartons) ..... and cats. This is the story - made into a bit of a tall tale, but based on fact nontheless - of Andy Warhol and his dozens of Sams. Yes, they were all named the same as the father cat because all the kittens looked like the father. But it all started with a blue pussycat named Hester.

The illustrations are fun-fun-fun, drawn from different angles and points-of-view. They also give us a good peek into the life, home, and art of Andy Warhol. Each colorful illustrations tells a story in itself. I will definitely share this book when the art teacher at my school does his unit on Andy Warhol. Perfect for a fun-and-easy fourth grade read aloud.