The Moon Spun Round: W. B. Yeats for Children

Bringing the spirit and beauty of Yeats’s writing to a whole new young audience! This sumptuously illustrated book complements the carefully selected works of W.B. Yeats, which include poems, stories, a letter from childhood, and an account of his daughter Anne’s memories of childhood. Including unpublished work, this gorgeous book draws on Yeats's preoccupation with magic, fairy lore, place, family and childhood. A mystical and magical tone that pervades the collection will enthral younger readers.

About the Author :
William Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. A pillar of both the Irish and British literary establishments, in his later years he served as an Irish Senator for two terms. Dr Noreen Doody is a writer and academic who has published extensively on W.B. Yeats and Oscar Wilde. She is a senior lecturer in English Literature and the former head of the Department of English at St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin. She currently teaches on the MA programme in Children’s Literature in the School of English, Dublin City University. Dr Noreen Doody is a writer and academic who has published extensively on W.B. Yeats and Oscar Wilde. She is a senior lecturer in English Literature and the former head of the Department of English at St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin. She currently teaches on the MA programme in Children’s Literature in the School of English, Dublin City University. Shona Shirley Macdonald is an award-winning illustrator/author, originally from Scotland and now living by the sea in County Waterford. She studied stop-motion animation at Edinburgh College of Art, and now works mainly on children’s books. Her debut picture book The Pooka Party was selected for the IBBY International Honours List, and nominated for a CBI Award, Irish Book Award and LAI Award. Her illustrated titles include An Féileacán agus an Rí written by Máire Zepf, which won the Gradam Réics Carló, and The Moon Spun Round: W.B. Yeats for Children, edited by Noreen Doody. Her work has been exhibited throughout Ireland in both solo and group shows, and internationally at the Bratislava Illustration Biennial.

Review :
a beguiling collection of Yeat’s poems, stories and memories from childhood, steeped in magic and fairy lore, this mystical treasure trove is sure to enchant ... MacDonald’s stunning compositions perfectly match the imaginative world Yeats conjures and together they form an enticing vision of an Irish landscape. This is a book to be pondered, pored over and visited many times, each time hearing or seeing something afresh in the words and images sumptuously illustrated … will enthral younger readers breathtaking I do of course have to wax lyrical about the visuals. And they're just brilliant. If anyone can put pen to paper and recreate the heavens' embroidered cloths, then it's Shona Shirley Macdonald, on this evidence. There's a brief lament to a fleeing squirrel, which makes the critter and the tree it's escaping up completely mythical entities. The Sidhe here can be quite vicious-looking faerie-folk, but have an appealing turn to their eye when needed; they're often dancing in multitudes, forcing no end of detail on to the page. And I just loved The Wild Swans at Coole, and how one of the birds practically becomes the titular lake. Oh, and the cover of this hardback edition is actually a fold-out poster of the frontispiece poem, which any Yeats fan would hold up as worthy tribute … fabulous visual craft a lyrical treasury of W.B. Yeats’s most magical works will take children of all ages on an imaginative journey through his poetry, folktales and childhood writing. Mysterious and beautiful illustrations spin out from Yeats’s haunting and enchanted words and rhythms, bringing the spirit and beauty of his writing in this collection to a whole new audience for all ages too, despite its title … evocatively illustrated by Shona Shirley MacDonald … Perfect for winter nights by the fire beautifully illustrated beautifully illustrated I was thrilled to be asked to review this book … beautifully illustrated … warm, colourful images, which enhance the book further. For the teacher who wants to dip their toe into poetry … a very good start One of the most beautiful children's books I have ever seen you won’t get more Irish or beautiful … magical illustrations a beautifully produced book to introduce younger readers to the joys of WB Yeats illustrations … wonderfully reflect the poet’s magical vision beautifully illustrated delightfully illustrated, expertly edited and full of brilliant poetry a beautifully produced book to introduce younger readers to the joys of WB Yeats superb … beautifully illustrated … promises to introduce a new generation to Yeats’ magical world of fairies and folklore handsome an absolutely beautiful book … magical …  It has such a beautiful lullaby quality to it, you can actually imagine reading to a very small child what The Waterboys communicated through music, Shona Shirley MacDonald now brings to life afresh through her magical, mist-swirled illustrations for The Moon Spun Round … gossamer-light drawings dance around the text like a wave on the sea … will enchant readers of all ages and open many eyes to the beauty of the poetry they describe Swooning over Yeats ... what a beautifully illustrated edition. Perfect gift. Take note, Santa! Today I received a children's book so beautiful it'd make you reckless with birth control. Yeats for children. Absolutely gorgeous. a very nice gift book for any age, not just kids. It’s a lovely book to have and to cherish what purports to be an introduction to the poetry of W. B. Yeats could well be classed as Yeats introducing an exciting new illustrator to the Irish market. The superb selection of illustrations, sometimes reminiscent of Clark, Rackham and P J Lynch, are breathtaking in scope and composition. The movement of the nine and fifty swans at Coole, the interaction between stolen child and the fairies, the fluid lines as The Fiddler of Dooney strikes up a tune and the dark menacing colours in He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven expertly complement the lyrics of some of Yeats’s best known poems. The anthology is masterfully edited by Noreen Doody Apart from the written word, the strength of this collection is the presentation and illustration of Yeats’ poems and stories. Illustrated by Waterford-based artist Shona Shirley MacDonald, the design and illustrations illuminate and complement the text. Faery worlds and faery creatures come to life through the colourful illustrations which surround the text and this will instantly appeal to children … Pupils could be inspired by the illustrations in the collection to take a favourite Yeats poem of their own, illustrate it and display it in the classroom. I’m sure that there are lots of other creative ways which teachers could use this book as a resource in the classroom You may think that W B Yeats' poetry is not an ideal match for children - but you'd be wrong, as this sumptuously illustrated book shows. The work included has been carefully selected, including, I am glad to say, my favourite, The Lake Isle of Innisfree. The book includes a cross-section of poems, stories, a letter from childhood, and an account of his daughter Anne’s memories of childhood; as such, it is an excellent collection to introduce to secondary age pupils studying the poet, as it shows a wider picture, and therefore offers a fuller understanding, than simply his poems. Including unpublished work, this gorgeous book draws on Yeats's preoccupation with magic, fairy lore, place, family and childhood; the stunning illustrations capture to perfection the mystical and magical tone that pervades the collection. A wonderful book takes children of all ages on an imaginative journey through his poetry, folktales and childhood writing …  this lovely book draws on Yeats’s preoccupation with magic, fairy lore, place, family and childhood. A mystical and magical tone that pervades the collection will enthral younger readers … this book, published by O’Brien Press, is a great starting point for learning about the man who is a national treasure