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This is...
This is Ireland
On the heels of the runaway bestsellers This is New York and This is Paris, Universe is pleased to reissue another title from M. Sasek's beloved and nostalgic children's travel series.
Like the other Sasek classics, This is Ireland is a facsimile edition of his original book from the 1960s and is still timely and current in every way. The brilliant, vibrant illustrations have been meticulously preserved, remaining true to his vision more than 40 years later and, where applicable, facts have been updated for the twenty-first century, appearing on a "This is...Today" page at the back of the book. The stylish, charming illustrations, coupled with Sasek's witty, playful narrative, makes for a perfect souvenir that will delight both children and their parents, many of whom will remember this book from their childhood.
This is Ireland, first published in 1964, brings the Emerald Isle to life, where the shamrock grows and a leprechaun stands at the end of every rainbow, guarding a crock of gold. There's Dublin with its bustling crowds, tall steeples, and Trinity College; there's Clonmacnois, the burial place of kings; there's the Blarney Stone to kiss for eloquence, and much, much more in this verdant, friendly land filled with enchanted lakes and mountains that fall steep to the sea.
Like the other Sasek classics, This is Ireland is a facsimile edition of his original book from the 1960s and is still timely and current in every way. The brilliant, vibrant illustrations have been meticulously preserved, remaining true to his vision more than 40 years later and, where applicable, facts have been updated for the twenty-first century, appearing on a "This is...Today" page at the back of the book. The stylish, charming illustrations, coupled with Sasek's witty, playful narrative, makes for a perfect souvenir that will delight both children and their parents, many of whom will remember this book from their childhood.
This is Ireland, first published in 1964, brings the Emerald Isle to life, where the shamrock grows and a leprechaun stands at the end of every rainbow, guarding a crock of gold. There's Dublin with its bustling crowds, tall steeples, and Trinity College; there's Clonmacnois, the burial place of kings; there's the Blarney Stone to kiss for eloquence, and much, much more in this verdant, friendly land filled with enchanted lakes and mountains that fall steep to the sea.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1964
About the author
Miroslav Sasek
33 books79 followersMiroslav Sasek (born Miroslav Šašek) (1916-1980) was an author and illustrator from the Czech Republic. He is best known for a series of books for children titled This Is...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 20, 2009
4.5 STARS. This is the first of Sasek's books I've read, though I've known about them ever since seeing them tantalizingly displayed (full price, alas!) at a bookstore in Ashland, OR last summer. I'm certainly going to read more!!!
This is like a mini-travel guide or illustrated snapshots of Ireland in condensed form--nods to people and places, country and city, restaurants and relics. I love that it feels at once wonderfully, warmly nostalgic and yet still inspires contemporary dreams of the country. I think I would have liked it even more if I'd already BEEN to Ireland and thus could see how he adapted all the famous places into his illustrations and contents (can't WAIT to get my hands on THIS IS LONDON!)
This is like a mini-travel guide or illustrated snapshots of Ireland in condensed form--nods to people and places, country and city, restaurants and relics. I love that it feels at once wonderfully, warmly nostalgic and yet still inspires contemporary dreams of the country. I think I would have liked it even more if I'd already BEEN to Ireland and thus could see how he adapted all the famous places into his illustrations and contents (can't WAIT to get my hands on THIS IS LONDON!)
July 4, 2020
Nostalgic illustrations in this cute travelogue. Though it keeps the original text, asterisks are placed wherever information has changed. You can find the updates at the end of the book.
January 27, 2009
The hell with the risk of coming across as an overrater. I'm dealing out another 5 stars. If only to keep the average rating of this book at the maximum. I'm not going to be the one to bring this average down.
Highlights of this volume of Sasek's series of picture book guides to interesting places include the two page spread of Pontoon, the idyllic pictures of 'subtropical' Glengarriff, and the view of O'Connoll Street (twelve lanes full of cars). But my favourite is the two-page spread of an Irish landscape at the beginning: green hills, low walls, scattered rocks, gray mountains in the back, gray sky above, a few cottages and two sheep. No people. After a short introduction Sasek shows and tells that Ireland "really is green--... every imaginable green-- " Then you turn the page, get the majestic spread, and the minimal caption, finishing the sentence: "green and silent."
This is the stuff that 5 star books ar e made of.
I noticed a slight change in Sasek's style with respect to the earlier books I've read. Those were from the fifties, this one's from 1964. The style seems looser, more impressionist than cubist. In one instance, the ruins of Dunluce Castle, perhaps a bit too impressionistic. I also see some added texture.
I'm glad that a new reprint volume is on the way (This is Greece, IIRC). AFAIK, Universe published these books at the rate of two a year, at the same time. Now they appear to have stepped up to three a year, but spread over the whole year. I can't wait to finally have the whole (18-volume?) series.
And I'd like to go to Blarney Castle in county Cork tomorrow, to kiss Blarney Stone "and get invincibly eloquent." I have to talk about innovation in high renaissance art next Friday, so I need all the eloquence I can get. Perhaps I should do it the Sasek way: "Leonardo's work really is innovative-- ...every imaginable shade of..." etc.
Highlights of this volume of Sasek's series of picture book guides to interesting places include the two page spread of Pontoon, the idyllic pictures of 'subtropical' Glengarriff, and the view of O'Connoll Street (twelve lanes full of cars). But my favourite is the two-page spread of an Irish landscape at the beginning: green hills, low walls, scattered rocks, gray mountains in the back, gray sky above, a few cottages and two sheep. No people. After a short introduction Sasek shows and tells that Ireland "really is green--... every imaginable green-- " Then you turn the page, get the majestic spread, and the minimal caption, finishing the sentence: "green and silent."
This is the stuff that 5 star books ar e made of.
I noticed a slight change in Sasek's style with respect to the earlier books I've read. Those were from the fifties, this one's from 1964. The style seems looser, more impressionist than cubist. In one instance, the ruins of Dunluce Castle, perhaps a bit too impressionistic. I also see some added texture.
I'm glad that a new reprint volume is on the way (This is Greece, IIRC). AFAIK, Universe published these books at the rate of two a year, at the same time. Now they appear to have stepped up to three a year, but spread over the whole year. I can't wait to finally have the whole (18-volume?) series.
And I'd like to go to Blarney Castle in county Cork tomorrow, to kiss Blarney Stone "and get invincibly eloquent." I have to talk about innovation in high renaissance art next Friday, so I need all the eloquence I can get. Perhaps I should do it the Sasek way: "Leonardo's work really is innovative-- ...every imaginable shade of..." etc.
April 22, 2014
When I first picked up this book in the book store, I was confused, and thought it was a brand new book and almost didn't buy it. But then I looked to see when it was first published.
It was actually written and illustrated in the 1960's, and a friend and admirer of the author reprinted it.
The book is dated, but that's what makes it so wonderful. It is utterly charming. Can't wait to get other books he wrote for my children's book collection.
It was actually written and illustrated in the 1960's, and a friend and admirer of the author reprinted it.
The book is dated, but that's what makes it so wonderful. It is utterly charming. Can't wait to get other books he wrote for my children's book collection.
March 26, 2016
4.25 stars Of all the books in this series...this is the one I want to go back and study and see real pictures! I could be that I am 29% Irish, It could be that I am planning a major Trip to Ireland but I really enjoyed it! I love Ireland and the 24 hours I spent in Dublin and County Wicklow just wet my appetite! It could be that we just had St Patrick's day but I am taking this one home to look at! :-)
March 16, 2013
Charming old fashioned illustrations that never lose their appeal. A bit dated but still highly readable.
March 21, 2014
We really enjoyed this book. Showed us lots of places and people and got us excited for where our trip will begin.
March 16, 2015
Not for little listeners. A bit dry and no help with pronunciation. This is San Francisco was a more interesting read, or maybe easier, especially for young children.
October 21, 2015
Gorgeous illustrations but not the most interesting text for little listeners. Definitely K and older.
November 16, 2015
Makes me want to visit Ireland again.
March 11, 2016
Lots of facts about Ireland.
March 15, 2016
This book is great, and I'd love to read the others like it. It gives just enough detail for learning a lot without getting bored.
March 26, 2024
Irish American Heritage Month: book number 6.
4.5 Stars rounded up - for nostalgia’s sake.
This book was part of Miroslav Sasek’s original travel series. It’s now available as a facsimile reproduction. It has an update page at the back of the book.
“The illustrations have been meticulously preserved.”
They are charming, vintage, and nostalgic. I see cubism and I also see a touch of impressionistic art on some of the pages.
The text is perhaps a bit dry by today’s standards, but it is part of the vintage charm, and it is packed full of information:
History
Historical landmarks
Interesting facts
Geography
Countryside and coastlines
Cities
Culture
Production
Music, art, literature,
Famous people
And more …..
One American connection is an illustration of the cottage where John F Kennedy’s great-grandfather was born.
If I could travel to Ireland, I may not come back. I’d definitely kiss the Blarney Stone for the gift of eloquence!
4.5 Stars rounded up - for nostalgia’s sake.
This book was part of Miroslav Sasek’s original travel series. It’s now available as a facsimile reproduction. It has an update page at the back of the book.
“The illustrations have been meticulously preserved.”
They are charming, vintage, and nostalgic. I see cubism and I also see a touch of impressionistic art on some of the pages.
The text is perhaps a bit dry by today’s standards, but it is part of the vintage charm, and it is packed full of information:
History
Historical landmarks
Interesting facts
Geography
Countryside and coastlines
Cities
Culture
Production
Music, art, literature,
Famous people
And more …..
One American connection is an illustration of the cottage where John F Kennedy’s great-grandfather was born.
If I could travel to Ireland, I may not come back. I’d definitely kiss the Blarney Stone for the gift of eloquence!
August 16, 2025
This is good. I’m not giving it 5 stars, because I don’t think it presents enough basic info on The Troubles (even in this 2005 revision). It tries to mention it briefly, but I don’t think it’s done in a way that a young kid would understand that “There is a long history of tension between Catholics and Protestants”—and I feel like a book like this should be imparting that key nugget of knowledge.
March 18, 2024
Charming. Had to add several places to my list of places to see one day.
March 10, 2017
There's some marvelously hip artwork in this brief history and tour of some of the Emerald Isle's most famous landmarks.
Originally published in 1964, I'm not sure how much of the information remains relevant . . .
Did you know that in Dublin during the early sixties, there were 166 churches and 700 pubs?
I found this on my local library's shelf, but I've got to get my own copy . . . and the rest of Sasek's travel series!
Originally published in 1964, I'm not sure how much of the information remains relevant . . .
Did you know that in Dublin during the early sixties, there were 166 churches and 700 pubs?
I found this on my local library's shelf, but I've got to get my own copy . . . and the rest of Sasek's travel series!
March 21, 2018
What a charming book about the Emerald Isle. I enjoy reading both children’s books from past decades and geography. It made me want to travel to Ireland back to 1964. It is cute when there is a spread that says Ireland has lots of green. I also could not help staring at the illustration of the stunning Trinity College Library - one of the items on my bucket list as well as the Blarney Stone, Bunratty Castle, and Ashford Castle. The only time I have ever set foot in Ireland was unfortunately for a few hours at Dublin Airport. That book made me want to hop on a plane to Ireland and visit the magnificent city of Dublin and experience the countryside as green as you can imagine.
April 2, 2026
This is a rerelease of Sasek's original 1960s book. The vintage watercolor illustrations are charming, and the facts are accessible to a preschool child while still being interesting for an elementary child.
☘️ Bookwyrms ✵ See our full St. Patrick’s Day read aloud list for Christian families.
☘️ Bookwyrms ✵ See our full St. Patrick’s Day read aloud list for Christian families.
November 11, 2015
This series is pretty cool, but they can be sort of boring to read front-to-back as they are rather long and there's not much fun text. The illustrations are very lovely though, and I like the general overview it gives. I love the greenness of this one in particular; Ireland!
October 31, 2021
Lovely memories of trips to Ireland. The tourist highlights are there for children to see and remember, and some interesting facts as well. This is a reproduction of a book written as part of a series in the 1960s when things seemed simpler.
August 12, 2014
Illustrations and lots of interesting details about Ireland. More than a travel book.
September 4, 2016
I read this to my first through fourth graders and they all loved it!
November 4, 2018
Na této knize není (pro mě) ani tak důležitý text, jako jsou ilustrace. Až na pár z nich jsem si vždy řekl: ale vždyť to znám, já tam byl. A já tam chci zase!
November 20, 2018
Great for kids especially before an Ireland trip
February 10, 2020
Ach, ako ma zas táto kniha preniesla do Írska. :) Je to taká útla chuťovka s peknými ilustráciami k nedeľnej káve. Samozrejme, (kedže sa jedna o Írsko) musím jej dať štyri hviezdičky :)
December 21, 2020
An introduction to the history and culture of Ireland. An older book but the information is written at a middle grade level. The illustrations support the text.
October 11, 2022
Neuveriteľne vie Šašek vykúzliť atmosféru. V Írsku som nikdy nebola - teraz po tom túžim.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews