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Caitríona agus an tÉinín Oir
written and illustrated by Rosemary Canavan
translated into Irish by Donal Ó Liatháin
An Gúm £4.95 24pp
 This is the second in the series of the Caitríona books by Rosemary Canavan. It tells the story of how Caitríona becomes aware of the illegal activities of two strangers who are using a metal detector in the fort near her house, and how her anger at their vandalism causes her to find a wonderful gold ornament in the shape of a little bird.
The text is just right in its complication of language and the story interesting enough to encourage young readers to involve themselves in its resolution.
The delightfully detailed illustrations are a perfect balance to the text and an integral part of the book, further encouraging readers to solve any problems of the understanding of the words.
It seems to me to be an ideal book for the age group at which it is aimed (8 to 11 year olds) whether they are learning Irish or are lucky enough to have it as their first language.
It also advocates a very important message about the need to value our found treasures and to appreciate that their rightful place is in a museum where they can be enjoyed by everyone rather than becoming loot to unscrupulous pillagers of ancient sites.
An ideal present likely to stimulate all kinds of visual and intellectual responses.
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