Children's Books about Sailing
Finding good children's books to inspire a love of the sea can be a challenge. I've been keeping track of good selections for some time. There is a listing of children's books on our website CoastalBoating. Recently, a graphic novel caught my attention. Here is my review.
The first graphic novel presenting the story
of Granuaile, the Pirate Queen, is set in sixteenth century Ireland, a turbulent time when clans lived and competed under Brehon Law, the British were expanding ever farther from the East, and the Spanish plundered along the west coast.
Granuaile: Queen of Storms
Dave Hendrick and Luca Pizzari,
Publication date: 16th February 2015,
ISBN 978-1-84717-671-4 PRICE €12.99/£9.99 PB, Format 259 x 168mm EXTENT
64pp, The O’Brien Press Ltd Tel: +353 1 4923333; Web: www.obrien.ie,
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOBrienPress,
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OBrienPress/
The first graphic novel presenting the story
of Granuaile, the Pirate Queen, is set in sixteenth century Ireland, a turbulent time when clans lived and competed under Brehon Law, the British were expanding ever farther from the East, and the Spanish plundered along the west coast.
Granuaile (known in English as Grace
O’Malley), the daughter of a Connacht seafaring chieftain, grew up wanting to sail
with her father aboard his mighty ships.
He forbade her to board, citing (according to legend) her long fiery
hair which would get caught in the ropes. She defied her father by cutting off
her hair and dressing like a boy to stow away on one of his voyages.
Granuaile honed her seamanship and fighting
skills, and eventually took her father’s place at the head of his fleet,
leading men and ships into battle against neighbouring clans and plundering
Spanish Armada ships plying the coast.
She fought for her country, to protect its customs, culture and
traditions against the encroaching rule of those who sought to destroy it. Along the way, she married and bore children
while never relinquishing her leadership and establishing strongholds in
several locations along the west coast, especially in counties Galway and Mayo.
As the rule of the British Empire under
Elizabeth Tudor spread west, Granuaile’s strength was deemed to be a threat. To
keep her in check, the British attacked and took her family as hostages. Granuaile, who ruled the seas and risked her
life to protect her family and her way of life, sailed up the Thames and
negotiated with Queen Elizabeth for the return of her family.* In exchange, Granuaile promised to maintain
peace with the British while allying with them against the Spanish.
Follow the tale of Ireland's Queen of
Storms brought to life in this astounding and sometimes tragic yet historically
accurate and stunningly illustrated full-colour graphic novel. It takes us on an exciting and sometimes
gruesome adventure alongside the brave and fierce woman whose passions,
motivations, tragedies and triumphs are brought to life. A warrior and leader of men, defiant Granuaile
became the most revered woman in Ireland for generations to come. Teens and young adults are likely to find this
both entertaining and informative.
Dublin native Dave Hendrick's previous work
includes The Symptoms (Zuda) and Short Sharp Schlocks. He is currently
working on a number of projects including a Pearl Jam comic book anthology and
other graphic novels. Luca Pizzari is a
freelance cartoonist currently living and working in London.
DOB
*Note: this meeting with Queen
Elizabeth is well documented in British historical records. Granuiale (a knickname meaning bald headed)
is also sometimes spelled Gráinne Uaile or Gráinne Mhaol.
Thanks Rohini. Perhaps you can post here any that you would like to add.
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