Millie and her family are on holiday on the island of Inis Óirr. When travelling by boat to their holiday cottage, an excited Millie spots the shipwrecked MV Plassey. But under the light of the moon, things get even more exciting as later that evening, the magic really begins. While Millie dreams in her bed beside Bunny, the moonlight weaves a spell.
Millie and Bunny are transported up into space as the not-so-shipwrecked MV Plassey sails again. Zooming high in the air, Millie can see the holiday cottage down below. Millie enjoys a magical moonlit adventure. She is carried to the moon where she hops, skips, and jumps for joy. With the sunlight appearing again, Millie is safely transferred back to the moonlit waters.
The next morning, she wakes safely in her bed. Later that day, while exploring the island by bike, Millie and her family visit the shipwrecked MV Plassey. A mysterious, knowing smile comes across Millie’s face as her Dad claims it to be donkey’s years since the MV Plassey’s last sailing.
This is a heartwarming story featuring a young girl’s imaginative visit to the moon – or maybe not imaginative! The illustrations by Phillip Cullen are highly appealing and aid in bringing the story to life.
This book would be suitable for an infant group or 1st/2nd classes. It could be neatly added to a theme of transport or alternatively an exploration of space. When reading it with my junior infant daughter, some of the language needed further explanation but the story was thoroughly enjoyed overall. I would give this a score of 7/10.
By Brian Cahill, Co. Tipperary
“Millie and the Magical Moon”, published by O’Brien Press, is on sale now for €12.99 (H/B).
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, O’Brien Press, free of charge to Seomra Ranga for the purposes of this review.
