Merlin Woods

Why buy this book? This charming & beautifully illustrated book is a useful reader for preteen social science discussions, where the key focus points in this book are bullying, friendship, and self-esteem. The Main Story This endearing book is excellent at outlining the importance of friendship and teaches young readers especially preteens to talk about their issues if they have been bullied. It also offers an opportunity to talk about when we could be bullies ourselves. Flappy is a pigeon who is outcast after the group decides his flapping wings are an embarrassment to the community. Alone and despondent, he decides to do his best when he hears that the princess has been kidnapped by dragons. It is the very fact that his wings flap so loudly that frightens away the dragons and he can save the princess. For his efforts, the King of the Claddagh awards him with a medal for bravery and he goes to live with his new friend. He realizes that the very reason everyone bullied him was in fact, the reason he became a hero. The Premise of this Story This book covers issues such as bullying, kindness, friendship as well as finding the strength within. The talking points at the end of the story help stimulate discussion around these topics. In addition, there are fun facts about pigeons to get detailed insights about the animals.

Why get this book? This endearing book is excellent at outlining the importance of friendship and teaches young readers especially preteens not to ask for pets as Christmas presents if they are unprepared to take responsibility for them thereafter. The Main Story Buster is an energetic young puppy who was picked up by a family as a Christmas gift. However, the family weren't prepared to deal with the dog's antics after Christmas, as Buster began eating shoes, chewing on handbags, and so on. Following this, the family abandon him at the edge of Merlin woods in Galway, on the west coast of Ireland. On his own, lost, in the freezing weather, Buster is now homeless and forced to make do. He spends a long while traversing the grounds of the woods, cold and hungry. Eventually, he gives up and lays down to perish in the cold. A mother badger named Billa arrives, dragging Buster to her sett where he awakes the next morning; warm and comfortable. He has been saved from perishing by the badger. A beautiful friendship blossoms between Billa & Buster as they look out for and support one another through thick and thin. Especially when it comes to fending off muggers who tried to attack an old lady, who came every day to feed them treats. The Premise of the Story The story interweaves the topics of irresponsible abandonment of animals after Christmas, the pain of homelessness, the importance of kindness, the need to nurture friendships as well never judging the book by the cover. This book covers issues such as homelessness, charity, kindness, friendship as well as our responsibilities towards animals. The discussion points at the end of the story help any group expand on these topics. In addition, there are fun facts about badgers to get detailed insights about the animals.

This charming & beautifully illustrated book is a useful reader for preteen social science discussions, where, the key focus points in this book are friendship, teamwork and how to get along with others by seeking the good in everyone. The Main Story Seven little squirrels live in the woods together and there is a lot of conflict between them. It is, when one finds a golden key that they all decide to go on an adventure to find what the key opens, all except one. They plan together and prepare for their journey, which brings them to overcome many obstacles. It is through teamwork that they are successful in finding what the key opens. But, there, an unexpected surprise awaits them that brings out the learning in the story. The squirrels make it back home with far different outlooks than they set out, with. The premise of this story This book covers issues such as self-esteem, the fact no two squirrels (or people) are alike and most importantly that we have to develop ways in getting along with each other. The talking points at the end of the story help stimulate discussion around these topics. In addition, there are fun facts about squirrels and their role in nature.

This charming & beautifully illustrated book is a useful reader for preteen social science discussions, where, the key focus points in this book are friendship, depression & lifestyle choices. The Main Story This endearing story is excellent at outlining the importance of friendship and teaches young readers especially preteens to talk about their issues if they are depressed. The owl, Tristan, is rejected by all other animals in the woods because he is just "not normal"; always "off-balance". It takes the curious cat, Emily to come along and change all that. She helps set up safety nets around Tristan to prevent him getting as hurt when he loses his balance. Although, it takes some time for trust to develop, she perseveres and carefully starts introducing new lifestyle choices to Tristan that may help him combat his depression. The Premise of this Story This book covers issues such as depression, kindness, friendship as well as our lifestyle choices. The talking points at the end of the story help stimulate discussion around these topics. In addition, there are fun facts about owls, to get detailed insights about the animals.

This charming & beautifully illustrated book is a useful reader for preteen social science discussions, where, the key focus points in this book are friendship, family, stress, and modern-day stressors for children. The Main Story Little Johanna arrives at the base of the tree one day as she is running away from home. You can imagine her surprise when the tree starts to talk to her. He listens to her problems and offers ways to approach the different issues she has. The friendship grows when she returns often or in times of change in her life and always with the same result. She gets advice and most importantly, a listening ear. The story highlights the idea that listening is a key support to preteens and teenagers and that age-old solutions, may often be useful, even nowadays. Johanna goes through issues such as family relationships, exam stresses, judging others, the importance of saying sorry and more. With "The Listening Tree" we highlight the importance of trees in our environment, also for our mental wellbeing. The Premise of this Story This book covers issues, such as, the ability to listen, saying sorry, exam stresses, kindness, judging others as well as self-esteem. The talking points at the end of the story, help stimulate discussion around these topics. In addition, there are fun facts about trees and the benefits they bring not only, to our environment, but to our wellbeing also.

With charming and educational, Celtic stories about relatable animal characters living in the Merlin Woods in Galway on the West Coast of Ireland, the characters all find their way through difficult topics that children have to face nowadays. The compilation of crafted stories brings together: • Flappy. The Pigeon Who Overcame Bullying. Where Flappy is born with abnormally long wings that flap too loudly and frighten everyone. He is, asked to leave home and is sorely, bullied by the others. Only when, he rises to meet the challenge of saving the kidnapped princess does he realize that his greatest weakness was in fact his greatest strength. • Billa & Buster. The Circle of Kindness. Abandoned after Christmas after caring for him became too strenuous for a family, Buster is, left to perish in the woods. Homeless he nearly perishes in the cold winter, but Billa the badger saves him and shows him how kindness is a circle. • The Golden Key of Wisdom. A Journey into Teamwork. Here you get to read the antics of seven squirrels, all with entirely different personalities who don't get along. Until they find a golden key and go in search of what the key opens. On their way, they have to overcome several obstacles that help them form a team and friendships with each other. • Emily & Tristan. How Friends can Make a Difference. Emily the cat comes across a pretty grumpy and hopeless Tristan the owl in Merlin Woods. It takes several attempts before enough trust is, built up and friendship can develop. Bu,t Emily perseveres and builds a support network for the depressed owl that changes his life around. • The Listening Tree. Befriending Nature. Johanna goes running away from home. On her journey, she takes a rest at a tree. Surprisingly the tree starts to talk to her and then, listen to her problems. The tree becomes a valued friend, listening and offering advice all through her lifetime. The story highlights the importance of nature in our lives, as well as the meaning of family, the importance of honesty and reputation, the need for compassion, the importance of saying sorry and there's more.... Enjoy an Irish Story!