Granuaile: The Pirate Queen (Little Library)
Granuaile challenges expectations as a fearless island leader shaping Ireland's rebellious maritime legacy.
Learn about Ireland's original rebel girl in this exciting new series of inspirational Irish lives. This first book focuses on Granuaile, the daughter of a great trader and sea captain, Eoghan O'Malley of Mayo. Living in a castle on Clare Island 500 years ago, Granuaile spent her childhood on the sea in boats of all shapes and sizes. Granuaile's parents wanted her to do what other girls did, to be a good girl and get married and settle down. But Granuaile had other ideas.This superb illustrated book about this historic icon and fearless leader is a must to begin every child's collection of inspiring Irish lives. Ages 7+ "A rousing tribute to Granuaile O'Malley, 16th-century freebooter from County Mayo...a grand and stirring tale."--Kirkus Reviews "Appealing cartoon illustrations center on a fiery-haired, often-mischievous Grainne, who rescued drowning men and fought off pirates with a baby in hand. A two-page time line retreads her long and storied life, and an ending page of factoids provides then-and-now insight into her history. A playful examination of a powerful woman."--Booklist
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
I was so inspired by reading Ariel Lawhon’s The Pirate Queen that I was delighted to discover John & Fatti Burke’s Granuaile for kids! I did not know Granuaile meant “Bald Gráinnes” I did not know that Gráinne saved her father from being killed by a pirate. John & Fatti Burke described Gráinne’s relationship with Donal O’Flaherty as a love marriage, in stark contrast with Ariel Lawhon’s depiction of their relationship. Fatti Burke’s illustrations brought to life Ariel Lawhon’s description of the rescue of Hugh de Lacy and the kidnapping of the Lord Howth’s grandson as ransom for his hospitality, and the picture of Gráinne with pistol in one hand and newborn in the other was a triumph! I also loved the illustration of Pirate Queen Gráinne and English Queen Elizabeth’s groundbreaking agreement as a depiction of female solidarity; I did not realize, however, that Queen Elizabeth reneged and sent Bingham back to Ireland, so Gráinne returned to her attacks on English ships. Finally, I did not realize the close relationship Gráinne shared with her daughter, Maeve, and would have loved to explore the nuance of their relationship as part of the Maiden, Mother, Matriarch triquetra. In sum, John & Fatti Burke’s Granuaile makes a perfect Mother/Daughter book pair for Ariel Lawhon’s The Pirate Queen!
