The Terrible Finn MacCoul

Joan Buchanan is a writer, storyteller and instructor, and author of
Taking Care of My Cold.

Harpur has given us his family’s version of one of the well-known
Irish legends about the giant Finn MacCoul. Although he looks ferocious
to the country folk, MacCoul is afraid of fighting. He is especially
fearful of other giants, like Fergus from across the sea in northern
Scotland. When Fergus comes to challenge him, Finn’s cunning wife,
Sara, takes charge. She fools Fergus into thinking that Finn is really
just her son. Fergus is convinced that the absent father must be
gargantuan and not someone to confront.

This adaptation is easy to follow and worth reading, a story many ages
will enjoy. The ending shows how oral traditions still provide
fascinating explanations for natural phenomena, in this case the
Giant’s Causeway.

The illustrations are accessible and detailed, and they display
appealing colors.

Storytellers will be particularly interested in this book.