11/01/2024
We are delighted that our bilingual Gaelic-English children's book, âNa Peataichean a thĂ inig gu SrĂ id Phalmerston/The Pets that came to Palmerston Street'' (written by Laurie Stanley-Blackwell, illustrated by Theresa MacKenzie, and translated by Effie Rankin) has received a very enthusiastic review in "An Rubha The Highland Village Gaelic Folklife Magazine" (Vol. 19, No. 1).
An exciting new Gaelic-English publication has been released by Pictou Bee Press. Pictou County, the âBirthplace of New Scotland,â has a vibrant history of Gaelic language and culture. Beginning with the arrival of the ship Hector at Pictou Harbour in 1773, tens of thousands of Gaelic-speaking immigrants came to the province and set roots in Nova Scotia soil. âNa Peataichean a thĂ inig gu SrĂ id Phalmerston/The Pets that came to Palmerston Street'' is a recent publication out of Pictou and is a marvelous collaboration between author Laurie Stanley-Blackwell, Gaelic translator, Effie Rankin, and illustrator, Teresa MacKenzie.
According to publishers John Blackwell and Laurie Stanley-Blackwell, âthis childrenâs book commemorates the 250th Hector Anniversary and pays homage to the remarkable contribu tion of one of Pictouâs earliest publishers, James Dawson, who published in 1836 the first Gaelic book written and printed in North America. This work celebrates the dedication of Nova Scotiaâs Gaels to preserve their language and to pass it down to their children.â
âNa Peataichean a thĂ inig gu SrĂ id Phalmerston/The Pets that came to Palmerston Street'' delights young readers, and those young at heart. It tells the story of siblings, Henry and Abby, who feel their lives are incom plete without the addition of a pet dog. Their mother, concerned about the tidiness of their home, is hesitant to oblige, and suggests âeas ierâ pets. Before they know it, Palmerston Street becomes a bustling home to a multitude of climbing, twittering, and nibbling animals! This lively story is beautifully conveyed through MacKenzieâs warm illustrative style.
Stanley-Blackwellâs cleverly written story is ideal for readers and Gaelic learners of all ages. Each page seamlessly provides Gaelic and English text. The text is light, giving the reader the option to read in one or both lan guages. Learners of any age can benefit from the simple, repetitive phrases that build as the story progresses. Visual cues tie in well with the text, making the beginner learner or young viewer able to follow the story. The story can be enjoyed by families, in classrooms, or other Gaelic learning settings. It is a fun and effective way to expose readers to the language. On the back of the book, readers are given the option of listening to Effie Rankin read the story in her beautiful North Uist Gaelic, accessible via QR code.
The storyline is simple and suitable for younger audiences; it is definitely âkid-approvedâ at our house. The funny storyline quickly drew in my two children. My youngest is an animal lover and was delighted to see what animal would appear on the next page. Last fall, we were fortunate to attend an event at An Drochaid in Mabou where local childrenâs publications were shared and celebrated. Local Gaelic speaker, Dougie MacPhee, shared an expressive reading of âNa Peataichean a thĂ inig gu SrĂ id Phalmerston/The Pets that came to Palmerston Streetâ. It was a special moment to have this new publication in the hands of a native Gaelic speaker, who laughed as he told the story in his great Barra Gaelic, giving youth an opportunity to naturally absorb the positive associations with Gaelic language and culture.
I suspect âNa Peataichean a thĂ inig gu SrĂ id Phalmerston/The Pets that came to Palmerston Street' is already becoming a staple in children's book collections around the province. The pub lication signifies more than just a new addition to bookshelves but is a celebration of the Gaelsâ persistence in Nova Scotia. This is a new treas ure to share âbho ghlĂšn gu glĂšn,â from knee to knee. Well done to Dr. Laurie Stanley-Blackwell and her capable team for releasing this sweet story and resurrecting the Gaelic publishing tradition in Pictou County!
Emily C. MacDonald
Ban-chleasaiche | Gaelic Cultural Animator
See the full latest issue of "An Rubha The Highland Village Gaelic Folklife Magazine" (Vol. 19, No. 1) at https://highlandvillage.novascotia.ca/about/rubha-gaelic-folklife-magazine.
âNa Peataichean a thĂ inig gu SrĂ id Phalmerston/The Pets that came to Palmerston Street'' may be ordered online at https://pictoubeepress.com/Current-Offerings/Na-Peataichean-a-th%C3%A0inig-gu-Sr%C3%A0id-Phalmerston-The-Pets-That-Came-to-Palmerston-Street
Highland Village Museum
