The Island of the Bees

An epic tale of volcanoes, dragons and wild storms, with themes drawn from Irish legend. Written by the current Irish Children's Laureate, this is a celebration of the magic of bees and the power we can all draw from the natural world.

Nestled on a peaceful island, Orla and her grandmother live tending their beloved bees. But bubbling below is a monster waiting to surface – a dormant volcano – and when it wakes Orla and the rest of the island must flee in search of safety. Orla adventures across the wild sea, guided by her buzzing friends, to find a new home. But what will they find over the horizon?

"The story has a wonderful legendary feel, a sparky central character, and an ecological message that resonates strongly with the contemporary moment." The Irish Times

"The Island of Bees brings together two stel­lar Irish tal­ents — Patri­cia Forde and Paddy Don­nelly — to cre­ate a beau­ti­ful piece of work . . . If you like bees, mys­tery, strong girls and even stronger grand­par­ents, you’ll love this book." The Belfast Telegraph