Introduction

You are about to read a highly enjoyable, absorbing, vibrant and original children''s story. Prepare to enter the world of the Irish Fae at a place where it meets the Human world. That place is Ballynoosle, a small lakeside village in the west of Ireland which receives government funding to help Faeries and Humans live together in harmony.

The Setting and Characters

Four children have arrived in Ballynoosle and are living on an old barge moored outside the village. They are all dyslexic. They may not be good at reading and writing but they are good at plenty of other things.

Sam is courageously tackling the problem of how to save the bees; Danny is supporting his neighbour, BombAlong, in his time of need; Amber is caring for the school goat and is an example of how to relate to an enchanted community that you might not fully understand. Anika Das is the protagonist of the story and steps up in a time of crisis when commanded to by the Faery Queen. She is also helping her friend Felim in his struggle to accept his two sides, for he is meascán which means half and half. His mother being a Lake Maiden and his father a Human eel fisherman.

The Themes and Appeal

This is an adventure with a moral heart which subtly guides. Young readers will love the colourful characters with their mischief and magic. And they will learn a great deal about the environment along the way.