Óstán na bhFeithidí

Óstán na bhFeithidí is a book full of rhythm, rhyme and bright, bold colours where we get to know all the insects that want to hibernate for the winter. Readers will recognise the ‘Bug Hotel’ from similar ones in real life that can be seen on the side of the road, in the school yard and in parks that aim to provide a warm spot for insects to sleep. In this book, the beetle is the host and welcomes the other insects to stay at the hotel.

A different insect arrives on each page including bees, spiders, ladybirds, lacewings and more. Through rhyme and musical verse, the beetle welcomes them with a repeated chorus which young readers are sure to enjoy joining in with:

‘Fáilte agus fiche, Fáilte mhór ó chroí, Fáilte romhaibh isteach, In Óstán na bhFeithidí’.

Written by previous Laureate na nÓg, Áine Ní Ghlinn, her style is as polished and lively as ever between the satisfying rhyme and the playful use of words. She uses alliteration to great effect for the names of the insects: Barraí Beach, Beití Bóín Dé, Cití Cláirseach. The short, snappy sentences make for a clipping pace throughout.

Andrew Whitson, or Mr. Ando as he is better known, uses his trademark thick dark lines and bright colours to enhance this bright and beautiful picture book. There are clever details in the illustration for children to notice from the colour of the sky darkening throughout the book to little details in the hotel rooms as the ten rooms fill up.

This book is ideal for bedtime and especially useful for educators who are teaching their students about insects, hibernating and the materials that insects gather to make their beds and nests.
Readers will be looking forward to settling down and getting cosy themselves after this gorgeous read!