Once Upon a Place

Where can you find a story about a bear who isn’t, perhaps, a bear? A corpse that doesn’t realise it is a corpse? A poem about a strange friendship? Or a meeting at a bus stop? Well, here, in this anthology of short stories and poems commissioned by Eoin Colfer as Irish Laureate. Each of the stories is inspired by a place in Ireland, and yet, like all good stories they are not tied to any place and reach out to readers everywhere. There are ghostly stories, fantastical stories, family stories and a clever detective story that has a neat twist. Then there are the poems, teasing the imagination. Each story has been written by a different author including Colfer himself. Here is real feast – and like all collections, you will have your own favourite. Drawing all together are the atmospheric illustrations and decorations by P. J. Lynch. There is no colour to distract the attention. Rather the prose is enhanced and deepened by the monochrome; the work of an artist who has engaged with the text. This is a collection to explore and recommend to teachers and parents looking for something a little different to share or tempt young readers looking for a shorter, yet intriguing, read.