Sheila MacGill-Callahan

Determined to drive all of the snakes out of Ireland, Patrick rings a special snake call on his magic bell, and every serpentine resident of the Emerald Isle heads out to sea. Every one, that is, save Ireland's oldest and largest snake, who is determined not to leave his home. Thus commences a struggle between the two, as Patrick attempts to trick and entrap the snake. Eventually, they chase across Ireland, over the Giant's Causeway into Scotland, and towards Loch Ness...

As she makes plain in her afterword, author Sheila MacGill-Callahan combines traditional folklore concerning Saint Patrick and his role in ridding Ireland of all serpentine life with more recent stories of the Loch Ness Monster in The Last Snake in Ireland: A Story about St. Patrick. It's cleverly done, with the snake having as much to say about matters as Patrick. A part of me felt rather bad for the snake in this story - after all, despite being demonized by humanity, snakes are no more destructive than many other kinds of animal - so I was interested to see that the author emphasizes that this was all done in the time before Patrick became Saint Patrick. Is she implying that his actions were somewhat less than holy - perhaps because they were lacking in compassion? Whatever the case may be, the story here was engaging, and the accompanying artwork from Will Hillenbrand, painted on both sides of vellum in oil pastel, egg tempera, watercolor, water-soluble crayon and colored pencil, is quite appealing. I really liked the color palette used - the deep red snake, the green and purple-clad Patrick - and found many of the scenes quite expressive. All in all, this would make for a fun St. Patrick's Day read, and it is in that capacity that I would recommend it.… (more)

Gennady Spirin was born and raised in an area of Russia near Moscow. He is one of my favorite illustrators. He lives with his family in Princeton, NJ. I know he sells his exquisite art, commanding well-deserved high prices. If I was rich, I would certainly buy his offerings.

In this tale, the four beautiful children of the king are turned to swans by the wicked, jealous step mother. The swans are given beautiful voices to lure people to capture them. They are captured, netted and slated to fall in the deep ocean. Saved by a whale, they are eventually returned to original form.

On one day of the year, they can return to human form, but cannot touch the ground. In the seventh year of their curse, the step mother prepares a feast for those who support her. Stating that when the twin mountains of their father's kingdom come together, they will be freed. As this is about to occur, their father watches as his children are slated to be killed. Suddenly, the whale named Jasconius slaps the water with his tale creating a huge shape of eagles who arrive to cut the net that bounds the swans.

Wild swans created a bridge connecting the mountains as warriors fought to free the children of the king. The wicked stepmother is banished and never heard from again.

Their are no words to describe the incredible illustrations of Gennady Spirin and his renditions of folk tales, some of which are not well known.

Highly recommended, I give this book a well deserved five stars. Here are some illustrations of the book which I include to encourage you to read the books he illustrates and see the beautiful artistry.… (more)