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Finn McCool and the Great Fish
Finn McCool is the largest giant in all of Ireland. He’s a fierce warrior, even beating the giant Culcullan and saving Ireland from the Scots. Helpful and kind, he helps the farmers bring in the hay. And everyone in the village of Drumnahoon admires him. “He’s the best-hearted man that ever walked on Ireland’s green grass.” But for all his strength, courage, and goodness, there’s one thing that Finn lacks. He’s just not smart. And he knows it. When a wise man living in a nearby village tells Finn about a magical red salmon with the wisdom of the world, Finn sets out to catch the fish. And he learns a thing or two about himself in the process.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published December 29, 2009
8 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Eve Bunting
311 books409 followersAlso known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 30, 2019
A gentle giant, more kind than clever, Finn McCool was beloved of all the residents of Drumnahoon, who valued his freely given aid, and who called him "the best-hearted man" in Ireland. They also surreptitiously called him "turnip-head," a name that cut Finn to the quick, because he knew that it was true: he just wasn't very smart. Determined to do something about this, Finn visited a local man said to know the source of wisdom, and after an adventure with an extraordinary salmon, emerged as a gentle giant who is both kind and clever.
Eve Bunting's Finn McCool and the Great Fish is an interesting tale, in that in seems to bridge the two very different Finn McCool traditions to be found in Irish folklore - that of the giant Finn, who is often a rather comical figure, and that of Fionn mac Cumhaill, the heroic leader of the legendary Fianna. The episode involving the Salmon of Knowledge usually belongs to this latter tradition (see Lady Gregory's Gods and Fighting Men: The Story of the Tuatha De Danaan and the Fianna of Ireland , or Ella Young's The Tangled-Coated Horse and Other Tales: Episodes from the Fionn Saga ), and is one of the key episodes in Fionn's boyhood, so it is surprising to see it in a story about the giant Finn. I'd be very interested to know Bunting's source for this tale - something that is not given in the book, I'm sorry to say.
Eve Bunting's Finn McCool and the Great Fish is an interesting tale, in that in seems to bridge the two very different Finn McCool traditions to be found in Irish folklore - that of the giant Finn, who is often a rather comical figure, and that of Fionn mac Cumhaill, the heroic leader of the legendary Fianna. The episode involving the Salmon of Knowledge usually belongs to this latter tradition (see Lady Gregory's Gods and Fighting Men: The Story of the Tuatha De Danaan and the Fianna of Ireland , or Ella Young's The Tangled-Coated Horse and Other Tales: Episodes from the Fionn Saga ), and is one of the key episodes in Fionn's boyhood, so it is surprising to see it in a story about the giant Finn. I'd be very interested to know Bunting's source for this tale - something that is not given in the book, I'm sorry to say.
February 16, 2019
A retelling of an Irish legend about a giant who is known throughout Ireland for his kindness, but also for being dim-witted. The giant seeks wisdom from an old villager who is known for secret knowledge that he has refused to reveal to anyone but "the right one." He reveals to the giant that he must catch and eat a scarlet salmon. The giant catches the salmon but refuses to kill it, instead releasing it back into the river. As he eases the hook out of the salmon's mouth, it pricks the giant's thumb. The salmon's blood seeps into the giant, along with his wisdom. The giant uses his newfound wisdom "in the service of others and of Ireland," just as the salmon predicted. This picture book imparts the message that you will get what you want through kindness, not force. Gorgeous illustrations reflect the Irish heritage of this tale.
March 17, 2023
Very good! Eve Bunting has a way with the writing of picture books that is very much all her own, and possessed of a great deal of charm. In this book she adds beautiful dimension to the Irish legend of Finn McCool, perceptively bringing it into focus for contemporary readers who likely have never heard the legend.
Finn McCool is a big man (a true giant, in fact), a strong man, a kind man, but like the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, one thing he lacks: brains. Finn embarks upon a journey to find a wise man who is said to know the ultimate secret of wisdom, and Finn honestly explains that the reason he is seeking wisdom is to make himself of greater aid to the people around him. For what are strength and size without discernment to guide them?
Perceiving the goodness in Finn McCool, the old man directs him on an unusual errand to gain ultimate wisdom as his own. He is to catch a special fish, a salmon of a most unusual scarlet color, and eat it. This imperative carries much more significance than Finn realizes, however.
When he does catch the fish, will Finn's inherent kindness allow him to eat the writhing little creature? What will happen if he doesn't? What comes about in the end is surprising and imbued with richness of thought, a satisfying and wondrous finish to a terrific book. I would give two and a half stars to Finn McCool and the Giant Fish.
Finn McCool is a big man (a true giant, in fact), a strong man, a kind man, but like the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, one thing he lacks: brains. Finn embarks upon a journey to find a wise man who is said to know the ultimate secret of wisdom, and Finn honestly explains that the reason he is seeking wisdom is to make himself of greater aid to the people around him. For what are strength and size without discernment to guide them?
Perceiving the goodness in Finn McCool, the old man directs him on an unusual errand to gain ultimate wisdom as his own. He is to catch a special fish, a salmon of a most unusual scarlet color, and eat it. This imperative carries much more significance than Finn realizes, however.
When he does catch the fish, will Finn's inherent kindness allow him to eat the writhing little creature? What will happen if he doesn't? What comes about in the end is surprising and imbued with richness of thought, a satisfying and wondrous finish to a terrific book. I would give two and a half stars to Finn McCool and the Giant Fish.
June 4, 2012
Author Eve Bunting and illustrator Zachary Pullen's retell an old Irish legend in the picture book Finn McCool and the Great Fish. The book provides an affectionate and amusing look at the giant Finn McCool, known far and wide both for his kindness and for not being very wise. This is the tale of Finn McCool's search for wisdom and how he obtained wisdom, not through violence, but through kindness. Finn McCool and the Great Fish is a good book to share with ages 4-8. I read the story to a Year 3 class as part of a St. Patrick's Day lesson and they really enjoyed it.
As the story goes and on a quest to find wisdom, Finn McCool visits an old man who is rumored to know where wisdom can be found, although he has always refused to tell anyone, keeping it a secret. When Finn McCool asks the old man for wisdom, the man asks Finn why he needs wisdom. Finn's reply - that he wants to use it to help the people of Ireland - convinces the old man to share his secret.
The old man tells Finn McCool to go to the River Boyne and catch, cook and eat the large red salmon that lives in the river. How Finn McCool's kindness prevents him from killing the fish yet results in his gaining wisdom makes an entertaining, and heartwarming, story.
As the story goes and on a quest to find wisdom, Finn McCool visits an old man who is rumored to know where wisdom can be found, although he has always refused to tell anyone, keeping it a secret. When Finn McCool asks the old man for wisdom, the man asks Finn why he needs wisdom. Finn's reply - that he wants to use it to help the people of Ireland - convinces the old man to share his secret.
The old man tells Finn McCool to go to the River Boyne and catch, cook and eat the large red salmon that lives in the river. How Finn McCool's kindness prevents him from killing the fish yet results in his gaining wisdom makes an entertaining, and heartwarming, story.
December 3, 2020
A nice story time read.
December 2, 2021
Finn McCool and the Great Fish by Eve Bunting Illustrator Zachary Pullen- Children’s Illustrated Colour Picture Story Book- Irish Folktale- The book narrates the story of Mr Finn McCool, an Irish gentleman. He was larger in size than other Irishmen. He was kind to all but he was not clever. He lived in Drumnahoon, Ireland. People named him "turnip-head," because he just wasn't very smart. Finn determined planned to improve himself. So, he visited a local man who was known to be wise. It is known to locals that the wise man has secret knowledge. He keeps going out of his hut for long intervals. On the meeting, the wise man informed Finn that he was waiting for him. He is the right man to whom he will reveal his secret. He reveals to Finn that he must catch and eat a scarlet salmon. Finn catches the salmon in his fishing hook but he refuses to kill it. Instead Finn releases the salmon back into the river. As he eases the hook out of the salmon's mouth, it pricks the Finn's thumb. The salmon's blood seeps into the giant, along with his wisdom. The giant uses his newfound wisdom "in the service of others and of Ireland," just as the salmon predicted. Message from this picture book is that you will get what you want through kindness, not force. Beautiful illustrations reflect the Irish heritage of this tale and help the reader to relate to the folktale. I have read this book in Hindi language.
February 10, 2019
I stumbled upon "Finn McCool and the Great Fish" in the fairytale/ folklore section of my local library. The book is a spin on a traditional Irish tale, and is an entertaining lesson about wisdom. The town in which Finn, a giant, lives regard him to be very helpful and friendly, but quite dull. However, after his encounter with a red fish, the reader learns that perhaps Finn was always quite wise. This book would be a great tool for teachers. It could be added to a classroom library for St. Patrick's Day, or for a unit on Ireland or fairytales from other countries. The story could also be a good starting point for discussion about making snap judgments about individuals and the harmful effects of stereotyping.
February 25, 2018
I initially heard this Irish folk tail from a podcast I listen to about myths and legends. I decided with St. Patrick’s day soon approaching that it would be fun to read a few Irish legends to my kids, especially since discovering that my husband has a bit of Irish heritage. Fortunately my library had a good selection of Irish picture books that I could check out.
I was pleasantly surprised to find this legend that I had already heard, although it was a bit different than what I remembered. It’s not scary, as many older stories can be-and had a good lesson with it. Illustrations on each page are also beautiful and compliment the story well.
I was pleasantly surprised to find this legend that I had already heard, although it was a bit different than what I remembered. It’s not scary, as many older stories can be-and had a good lesson with it. Illustrations on each page are also beautiful and compliment the story well.
March 11, 2020
I loved the message in this one. Finn the Irish giant is told to eat the “wisdom fish” to gain wisdom. Turns out Finn is wise all along, because he makes the decision to return the large fish to its home.
February 6, 2024
There is a big man in a village, and he is helpful, but he doesn't have a lot of brain-power. He goes in search of wisdom. I really enjoyed this as a folk tale. The pictures were aesthetically pleasing.
September 27, 2017
There are many legends with Finn. In this one we learn how he got to be so smart.....
March 12, 2018
Fun look at some Irish folk tales for St. Patrick's Day without actually getting into the holiday.
April 20, 2018
I especially loved the illustrations.
March 14, 2019
I say 4 stars, my second grader says 2 stars. So we're averaging 3 stars for this Irish tale.
April 3, 2019
I did not know that Eve Bunting was Irish.
May 15, 2019
Finn McCool tale of how he got wisdom. He was strong and kind, but not very smart. A wise man tells him to catch and eat a certain fish, but Finn can't bring himself to kill it...
December 2, 2019
A cute enough tale. The illustrations were nice.
February 16, 2021
This is weird, as so many folktales are, but it has a nice message, and the Irish setting feels authentic.
January 29, 2022
Finn McCool catches the Salmon of Wisdom and releases it back into the water. For his kindness, the Salmon of Wisdom grants him a magical thumb.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2022
I like this Irish folk story as a read aloud for grades 2-4. Very nice illustrations and sentiment.
August 1, 2023
LOVE this book! I may want to buy a copy. The story is heartwarming and the I have another favorite illustrator---Zachary Pullen. His illustrations are WONDERFUL!
July 11, 2012
I read this to residents at the nursing home in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, and they loved it. The colorful pictures are extremely well-detailed, and I researched the history of this Irish legend to add some depth to the discussion. Finn McCool was a kind, tenderhearted giant, but he wasn't too smart. As the story goes he is advised to catch, then eat the red salmon, and he will gain wisdom. This is where his kindness is highlighted. When he snags the salmon's mouth with his hook, he is saddened by the pain it causes the fish and the thought of ending the fish's life to make himself more intelligent doesn't seem worth it.
Finn's kind heart earns him trust and respect from the townspeople and in the end he realizes that he is smarter than he thought.
Finn's kind heart earns him trust and respect from the townspeople and in the end he realizes that he is smarter than he thought.
February 13, 2015
Opening: "Who can tell me what a salmon is?" (children respond) "Do you know what makes salmon so different? They swim upstream against the current. That's very hard. Like when you have to run hard and make a goal in soccer when all of the other players are trying to stop you. What do you think that says about the salmon?" (children respond) "A salmon's goal is to overcome all the obstacles it encounters. A salmon is very wise fish. Today's story "Finn McCool and the Great Fish" is about a salmon and a giant who wishes to be very wise. Listen carefully about how the giant gains his wisdom..."
Opening Moves:
1) Prompt sharing of personal experiences related to the topic (sports and goals)
2) Raise interest in the topic (giants)
3) Raise questions int he student's minds (how will the giant gain his wisdom)
This book is a folktale from Ireland...a country not yet connected with in my text set topic. Children will learn a bit about what it's like to live in Ireland and about kindness of the Irish people. They will also learn what it means to be kind above everything else...even something you wish you really had.
Opening Moves:
1) Prompt sharing of personal experiences related to the topic (sports and goals)
2) Raise interest in the topic (giants)
3) Raise questions int he student's minds (how will the giant gain his wisdom)
This book is a folktale from Ireland...a country not yet connected with in my text set topic. Children will learn a bit about what it's like to live in Ireland and about kindness of the Irish people. They will also learn what it means to be kind above everything else...even something you wish you really had.
February 15, 2011
My 6 yo gives this book 3.5 stars. Finn McCool is the largest giant in all of Ireland. He’s a fierce warrior, even beating the giant Culcullan and saving Ireland from the Scots. Helpful and kind, he helps the farmers bring in the hay. And everyone in the village of Drumnahoon admires him. “He’s the best-hearted man that ever walked on Ireland’s green grass.” But for all his strength, courage, and goodness, there’s one thing that Finn lacks. He’s just not smart. And he knows it. When a wise man living in a nearby village tells Finn about a magical red salmon with the wisdom of the world, Finn sets out to catch the fish. And he learns a thing or two about himself in the process.
January 30, 2017
A very large giant that has protected Ireland and his village. Helps out when he can and just in general everyone loves. BUT everyone thinks he doesn't have any wisdom or smartness of him. So he asks and finds out that a fish holds the secret to wisdom. He very easily catches the fish but instead of killing him and eating it he puts the fish back. He feels like if no one else have been ever able to catch the fish then he shouldn't eat it and let it live. People realized he had more wisdom than they gave him credit.
October 20, 2015
I used this book during a 4th grade read aloud. The students were deeply engaged both with the illustrations (which were wonderful) and with the magical story line. This book provides many opportunities for students to make predictions and also is a great way to introduce new vocabulary as students are required to use context clues to determine word meaning.
June 21, 2011
This is the story of the Irish giant, Finn McCool and his quest for wisdom. I liked the story, but it got a bit long for my boys who are younger, so if I were to use this in a classroom, I'd go for a 2nd grade classroom. This book is beautifully illustrated.
July 11, 2014
Online teacher's guide available for download:
https://sleepingbearpress.com/teachin...
or
https://sleepingbearpress.com/shop/sh...
or
http://www.btsb.com/libcorner/lp/Finn...
https://sleepingbearpress.com/teachin...
or
https://sleepingbearpress.com/shop/sh...
or
http://www.btsb.com/libcorner/lp/Finn...
March 8, 2011
Love the Irish lilt in her writing. The illustrations are great as well, minus the fact that Finn is missing a nail on the cover. It makes me crazy.
February 11, 2012
K-3
This is an Irish tale about a kindly giant in Ireland. I would read this during St Patrick's Day week as an example of Irish literature and and to higlight the importance of kindness.
This is an Irish tale about a kindly giant in Ireland. I would read this during St Patrick's Day week as an example of Irish literature and and to higlight the importance of kindness.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews