An adorable book to read aloud for St. Patrick's Day. The story is about a giant who is afraid of the "neighborhood bully." His wife helps him by outsmarting the bully. The accompanying illustrations are charming! ( )

Fin M'Coul is the one giant left in Ireland who hasn't yet been beaten by the meanest giant, Cucullin. When word comes that Cucullin is headed his way, Fin's wife Oonagh plots to best Cucullin once and for all. Fin pretends to be their child and Cucullin is tricked into thinking Fin's baby son is stronger and meaner than Cucullin himself. Fin is able to bite off Cucullin's brass finger, the secret of his strength, and Fin and Oonagh live the rest of their lives happily.

DePaola captures the rhythm of the Irish accent so well that you almost accidentally find yourself using one. The besting of a bully through cleverness is both humorous and satisfying. DePaola's illustrations are well-suited to this larger-than-life folktale.

Fin M'Coul is the one giant left in Ireland who hasn't yet been beaten by the meanest giant, Cucullin. When word comes that Cucullin is headed his way, Fin's wife Oonagh plots to best Cucullin once and for all. Fin pretends to be their child and Cucullin is tricked into thinking Fin's baby son is stronger and meaner than Cucullin himself. Fin is able to bite off Cucullin's brass finger, the secret of his strength, and Fin and Oonagh live the rest of their lives happily.

DePaola captures the rhythm of the Irish accent so well that you almost accidentally find yourself using one. The besting of a bully through cleverness is both humorous and satisfying. DePaola's illustrations are well-suited to this larger-than-life folktale.

A retelling of the giant Fin M'Coul (Finn MacCool) and his clever wife, Oonagh. ( )

Fin M'Coul is a kind hearted giant who lived his entire life in fear of being beaten up by a ruthless giant who wanted nothing else but to be recognized as a champion who is feared and never lost a fight. Fin's wife had enough of his cowardice and decided to compose a plan that included him dressing up and pretending to be an infant in order to deceive the ruthless giant. His wife manages to save her husband from a thrashing from Cucullin but not without some level of humiliation!

This was a funny story silly with some degree of variation form the original tale of Mac Cumhaill (otherwise known as Finn McCool) the mythical hunter-warrior of Irish mythology.
Good story. Wasn't to fond of the illustrations. ( )