The online reader site I use had a new listing of titles up. I saw the cover of Beanie the Bansheenie by Eoin Colfer and illustrator Steve McCarthy and said, sorry, not now. But I would go back to it. Okay, let’s read the description… banshee, a little girl, death. Nope, not right now. Then went back a third time. Still a no. It would be several looks later that I said I would read it. I still wasn’t sure if I should read, as I wasn’t in a reading mood, and it still wasn’t “grabbing me.” However, I read it and honestly mostly enjoyed it. There were a few little spots “here and there” that were not my “thing” but overall, it worked out well.
It is a delightful story about changing your own fate by going against the grain and listening to the elements of nature around us. Things are sweet, with a bit of humor (some familiar toy friends pop up on the child’s shelves) and much love. Beautiful illustrations support and become their own character. They are busy, but not crowded (though a few pages are more involved than others). The colors fit the setting and the tone of things. They can be soft and dreamy or even a bit darker, but not overwhelming or too spooky/scary. It might be about a banshee, but remember, she’s not like other banshees.
The older reader would probably be best for things (from 5 to 8), but it can be adapted to multiple ages. I would give this as a gift to adults as well as to kids as it has a nice overtone, message and again, the illustrations are clever and worth reading as well. I read via an online reader copy but it is currently available. It is younger than Into the Goblin Market by Vansickle (which can be mature, but has similar elements) and is more along the lines of Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden by Mandin and Prunella by Ferry, but without the plants and has more fish.