A boy orphaned by invaders. A strange fairy girl in the forest.
Can Brendan outwit the serpent god? Will the Great Book ever be finished? And will the walls of Kells protect Brendan and the monks from the invading Vikings?
Adapted from The Secret of Kells, the Oscar-nominated film by Cartoon Saloon.
Category: Celtic, Children's fiction
A boy orphaned by invaders. A strange fairy girl in the forest. A serpent god seeking blood. A book to turn darkness into light.
Brendan’s uncle, Abbot Cellach, forbids him to set foot outside the walls of Kells. ‘The Vikings are coming,’ he warns. But Brendan longs to help the famous illuminator, Aidan, with the Great Book. In the dark of the night he sneaks into the forest to collect ink berries for Aidan. There he is attacked by wolves, meets a strange fairy girl – and stumbles on the cave of the evil Crom Cruach, the Dark One.
Can Brendan outwit the serpent god? Will the Great Book ever be finished? And will the walls of Kells protect Brendan and the monks from the invading Vikings?
Adapted from The Secret of Kells, the Oscar-nominated film by Cartoon Saloon, Les Armateurs, Vivi Film.
Eithne Massey has written many books for both adults and children, mainly based on the legends of Ireland. Her adaptation of the award-winning movie The Secret of Kells is set in the time of the early Viking raids; The Silver Stag of Bunratty and Where the Stones Sing are set in Norman Ireland; and Blood Brother, Swan Sister at the time of the Battle of Clontarf. All blend together historical detail with myths, legends and folklore, resulting in stories which will appeal to ‘young readers who enjoy an adventure with well-rounded characters and a touch of magic and history’ (www.childrensbooksireland.ie).
Cartoon Saloon is a Kilkenny-based animation studio formed by Paul Young, Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey in 1999. They are best-known for their Academy Award-nominated feature-length animations The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, but have also done a wide range of television programmes and some lovely illustration work for O'Brien Press books.
'full of eye catching, imaginative illustrations'
'an exciting adaptation of the Cartoon Saloon’s film … the line illustrations are an interesting mix of the realistic and the imagined with a strong emphasis on pattern and design'
'a well-crafted novel … beautifully illustrated …a rich, exciting and distinctive narrative that should greatly appeal to young readers, especially those aged 10+'
'this was one of the best books I have read … I would give it 10 out of 10'
'an entertaining children’s book.'
'lavish illustrations'
'stunning double-page illustrations'
‘A book to amaze and amuse any age … the blend of strong Celtic design with cartoon-like figures merge seamlessly together in this imaginative presentation of old legends.’
'lavishly illustrated … a very stylish adaptation’
'whirling illustrations, which blaze from the page'
'exquisite'
'Refreshingly different precisely because its look is so profoundly retro, 'Brendan and the Secret of Kells" harks back not just to older animation styles but to pre-medieval illuminated manuscript tradition. With its jewel-bright colors and intricate use of lines, the result is absolutely luscious to behold.'
Download Activity sheets: Education worksheets for primary schools from www.thesecretofkells.com
Download Activity sheets: Education worksheets for secondary schools from www.thesecretofkells.com
