Shawn O'Hisser, the Last Snake in Ireland

The illustrations are adorable--I'm not a big fan of snakes, but I have to admit Shawn really is cute. However, if you need a book to explain the traditional story of St. Patrick ridding Ireland of snakes, this is not the book for you. The story, while entertaining, is more of a "fractured fairy tale," with St. Patrick in a very minor role.

Rarely do we see a writer so gifted as the amazingly talented Mr. Welling. Not only does he spin a good tale but he also illustrates his own books. That's almost unheard of in any time period.Shawn O'Hisser is the story about the last snake in Ireland. Upon returning to Ireland from a visit abroad, Shawn finds that all the snakes in Ireland have disappeared (except himself), and all the leprechaun's gold. He embarks upon a whimsical journey that leads him all over Ireland, where he encounters many potential pitfalls but escapes from those predicaments with the help of his two new friends, Edmund the toad and Kathleen the mouse. The written tale is cute and the illustrations tell the exact same tale. For very young children and those just learning to read, it is especially helpful to have two storytelling aides: text and pictures. This is a joyous adventure for both parent and child, and I highly recommend the book! (A glossary and pronunciation of Irish terms used throughout the book is included at the very end as an added bonus.)