Brigid's Cloak

By Bryce Milligan

Book Overview

The wind groaned and swirled that night and likely it seemed to tear the thatch from the roof. But when the baby gave her first cry, the wind shushed to a whisper and the stars began to sing. Brigid's Cloak retells an ancient tale about one of Ireland's most beloved saints. On the day she is born Brigid receives a brilliant blue cloak from a mysterious Druid. Years later, the young girl still wears the now tattered but beloved cloak while she tends her sheep. Is it her imagination that suddenly takes her to an unfamiliar land? Or is it something far greater that leads Brigid to a crowded inn in a town called Bethlehem? Bryce Milligan's eloquently told story about Brigid is a moving tale of compassion and wonder. Beautifully illustrated by Helen Cann, Brigid's Cloak sparkles with the timelessness of legend and the transcending power of faith.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802852971
• ISBN13: 9780802852977
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 9.0" x 10.5"
• Age Range: 5 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 4

Customer Reviews

Great story~

A sweet story about St. Brigid. Taking you from her childhood to her example through her life.

The story of Saint Brigid of Ireland and her blue cloak

"Brigid's Cloak" retells an ancient tale about the beloved Saint Brigid of Ireland (453-524). The day she was born Brigid was given a brilliant blue cloak by a mysterious Druid, who was told in a dream to bring the fit to the child born on the night of the singing stars. Ten years later young Bridig is taking care of a small flock of sheep belonging to Prince Duffy, the blue cloak now tattered but her most treasured possession. One evening, after doing her chores, Brigid says a prayer of thanks as she always did. But when she leaves the stable to go in for supper she finds herself in a strange land, where the air is dry and warm and the men are dressed in oddly colored robes. Eventually, Brigid discovers that one of the things she had always liked to imagine is about to come true. What is remembered about Saint Brigid today in Ireland is not only her cloak but also her generosity, both of which play pivotal parts in this ancient Irish story. American writer Bryce Milligan and English artist Helen Cann tell the story of faith simply with appropriate mixed media illustrations (with Celtic designs used as the lower borders). For any young Irish lass, even if she does not have red hair and freckles, let along a blue cloak, this would be an ideal St. Patrick's Day gift.

A compassionate and charming story

Brigid's Cloak: An Ancient Irish Story is the tale of one of Ireland's beloved saints, who receives a wondrous blue cloak as a little girl. Years later, she is still wearing the now-ragged cloak as fate and wonder lead her to a crowded inn within the town of Bethlehem, where she meets the baby Jesus Christ and his family. Deftly written by Bruce Milligan, and beautifully illustrated by Helen Cann, Brigid's Cloak is highly recommended for young readers as a compassionate and charming story with mystical color illustrations.