Title: The Cottage at Bantry Bay
Author: Hilda van Stockum
Rating: ★★★★★
Age Category: Middle Grade
Back Cover Synopsis:
Introducing the O'Sullivan Family of Glengariff, Country Cork, Ireland.
"Mother washed up the tea things and settled herself in a chair with her knitting. Michael fetched Father's pipe and tobacco and took a stool to sit beside him, whilst Brigid and her homemade rag doll shared the bench in the chimney corner with the twins. They made a nice picture, as they sat around the flickering fire. Michael, the eldest boy, had a round freckled face, Merry blue eyes, and a mop of red hair; Brigid was the pretty one with red-gold curls and an elfin face. The chubby twins looked like sweet blond cherubs, though they often acted otherwise.
'How are y e feeling now, Father?' Mrs. O'Sullivan asked anxiously, when she'd finished counting stitches.
'Better, much better,' Father said. 'But I'm afraid I won't be able to go to Kenmare tomorrow to bring Farmer Flynn the donkey he wanted to buy from me.'
'Will he mind Father?' Michael asked.
Father smiled sadly. 'He may not, son-o, but I do. He may buy some other donkey, and then where will we be? Mother needs the money, doesn't she?
Mother sighed a little, but she smiled bravely and said: 'No harm, we'll manage.' By the way her needles clicked the children could tell she did mind. There was always a lot to be bought and never much money to do it with."
Little did the O'Sullivans realize the adventures, complete with an unexpected treasure, about to seize the simple fabric of their lives at Bantry Bay and give it a happy shake.
