Molly and the Dolphins

Malachy Doyle has over 100 children’s books published by leading English, Welsh and Irish publishers, from picture books to teenage novels. His work has been translated into 27 languages and he is a previous winner of the Tir na n-Og Award, the Nestle Children’s Book Award, the English Association Award for Non-Fiction and many other awards in the UK and USA. Andrew Whitson is an award-winning artist and Belfast native who likes to be called Mr. Ando! He lives in an old house which is nestled discreetly on the side of a misty hill; at the edge of a magic wood, below an enchanted castle in the shadow of a giant’s nose.

Nearly every child, at some stage, has a favourite toy - that one totemic object, however grubby and tattered, whose loss would be unbearable. This lovely story makes powerful use of a child’s emotional attachment. Molly’s father is a seaman who has not returned after a great storm. Whilst the women of the village weep and pray, Molly prepares to bargain with the sea which has taken him by throwing into the water her most precious possessions. First to go are the pretty and rare cowrie shells which she has collected, but the sea remains impassive. Then she throws into it the picture of her father from her locket but although the sea is now calm, no ship comes into sight. Then there is only one more sacrifice she can make, her beloved doll, Megan. She tenderly gives it to the waves but this too is carried away and Molly is bereft. Yet hope does not desert her and she stays strong, watching and waiting until her father’s ship returns with its crew safe.The story is beautifully and lyrically told, with superb illustrations by Andrew Whitson, which reinforce the story’s drama, suggesting the sea’s power and the strength of Molly’s resolve. This is a story to which one could return again and again, to read aloud, share and cherish.