Review: Oisín the Brave – Moon Adventure

Usually my reviews are food based so it was nice to do something a little different. We got a chance to review a book by a new publishing house – Eire’s Kids Publications, which was set up by a husband and wife team based in Galway. The book we were sent is called Oisín the Brave Moon Adventure and it is the first in a series of books about Oisín the Brave and his friends.

We loved the characters’ names as they were close to my own boys names, so when reading it, I alternate between calling them their proper names and inserting my own boys names instead. The adventure of going to the moon in a rocket ship was right up our street. My six year old spends his time giving people rocket-ship lessons, and he writes them out licences to drive the rocket ship when they have passed, or tells them they need more practice as appropriate. So anything space related goes down well here.

As well as being a storybook, the book aims to introduce the Irish language slowly. I was impressed with how this was done. The aliens being named after the numbers according to how many eyes they had was ingenious. There were some pages of basic Irish language with lovely pictures at the back also. The boys definitely learnt a few words at the pages at the back of the book, and each time we read the book we revisit the Irish focloir section. They love the delaying of bedtime with 5 more minutes to go through the words after storytime is over.  I liked the use of dolmens, the Irish flag and other little glimpses of Irish history and culture used in a modern day story book. The illustrations were beautiful, the only thing I didn’t like is the font, I thought the words could be spread out a bit more for young readers.

Here’s what my six year old said:

Well, I thought it was very ‘spacey’. My favourite part was when they went up to space. I actually liked ‘gurtle turtle turtle‘ and the Irish at the back of the book.

I read it last night for the first time and the boys asked for it again tonight so that is a good sign, it will be top of the favourite pile for a while. I am looking forward to getting the next book in the series which is due out soon. This book would make a lovely Christmas present for boys or girls in the age range of about 3 – 7. My boys are 3 and 6 and both enjoyed it.

Oisín the Brave – Moon Adventure is available in Eason stores around the country and if your local book shop doesn’t stock it you can ask them to order it in. You can also buy it directly from www.eirekids.com. The book can be personalised if you wish and can be sent to addresses abroad as well as in Ireland.

You can read more about Eire’s Kids Publications and this series of books at their website and on their facebook site.

Disclaimer: We were sent a copy of Oisín the Brave Moon Adventure to review. I was not paid for the review and all opinions are my own.