books for kids

Makapakka wrote: »

My nephew is about to be twelve and very interested in irish. I'd like to get him some books in irish for his birthday next month. Can anyone give me any recommendations? Thanks ☺

I've recommended this version here before: Peadar Ó Laoghaire's classic Séanna, as read by Liam Ó Muirthile. He can listen to the story (70-minute-long cd), and then read the book so he'll get the best of both worlds with matching pronunciation with words. This Ó Muirthile version is abridged and, most importantly for your age requirements, is aimed at people from 12-years-old on according to the blurb here.

Séanna/Séadna is the 1910 Irish version of the famous medieval tale of Faust so you'll be introducing him to a wider European literature at the same time (it's also one of very many examples of similar stories, with similar moral messages, being found in diverse traditional societies across the world. In short, if he's a bookish kid you could open up worlds of thought to him by having great discussions on anthropology, the functions of folklore in society, etc - or he could just love the turn of phrase throughout. Nerdy, I know, but there you have it.)

I'd also recommend Rogha Scéalta, a collection of short stories by Pádraic Ó Conaire. Unfortunately, I can't find an audiobook with it. Nevertheless, one of the stories is An tÁdh (7-pages long so just challenging enough). It's the basis of this excellent short film which is on the Junior Cert Irish curriculum.

Comhairleoir wrote: »

Where in country are you? There are a number of Irish language bookshops and Irish language sections in bookshops that you could browse.

That's why nobody wants or can learn Irish. Because absolute lack of professionalism in teaching it. "browse in the shop" is one of that worst ever responses, like OP has never been to bookshop and never browsed?

Me myself as a beginner who already tried few sources and found them more or less useful, can advice this book:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1638997.Irish

It is not new book and I am not sure how and where to get it but I found that book much better than other.

An File wrote: »

Mod note:

There is absolutely no need at all for that kind of an indignant and sarcastic response to another poster. Calm yourself down before posting in future. Thanks.

/Mod

I didn't intend to be sarcastic. I would rather been sad as despite all afford to popularise and help people learn Irish, it seems to me quite often to be kind of mockery or incompetence instead. Something is wrong with teaching Irish in Ireland.

There is a series of The Famous Five books available in Irish.

An Cúigear Cróga is the name of the Irish language version,and is available from Cló Iar-Chonnacht.
www.cic.ie

I've also heard of an Irish version of Tintin being available.If I can get a direct link to any of these books,I'll post them here.

I can also definitely recommend Bánaí Is Bánó Faoileán by Íde Sionóid.I have this book myself,and it has also 3 discs with Íde telling the stories herself.I don't mean to brag but...the lady herself sent me that lovely book as a gift when she heard me speaking on R na G back in January!!!

Leabhair do dhéagóirí/teenagers as gaeilge:

http://siopagaeilge.ie/store-8.htm