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The Secret of Kells by Tomm Moore
Published by The O’Brien Press Ltd., 2009

Brendan is twelve years old and lives in the monastery at Kells. Monastery life for a twelve year old is not very exciting until Aidan arrives and suddenly life becomes one big adventure.

Suddenly Brendan finds himself rescued from wolves in the forest by Aisling, a mysterious green-eyed girl. Risking his life to steal the eye of the serpent god, Crom Cruach in the cave of the Dark One is just another job to be done in his new, exciting life.

But Brendan doesn’t know Aidan’s secret and how it will challenge him. That and the approaching Vikings will give Aidan plenty to contend with in an action-packed story set against stunning full-colour Celtic illustrations in this storybook, to be treasured.

An animated film based on one of Ireland’s finest national treasures, Brendan and the Secret of Kells was released in March 2009. The film is the brainchild of Tomm Moore who has produced Irish language graphic novels through The Cartoon Saloon, an Irish company which provides illustration, design, animation, film and TV services. Tomm was also the creator of last year’s Children’s Book Festival’s official poster and artwork.