The Island of the Bees

An epic adventure inspired by Irish myth, full of volcanoes, dragons, wild storms and a quest to find a new home. This story celebrates the magic of bees and the wonder of the natural world.

An epic tale of volcanoes, dragons and wild storms, with themes drawn from Irish legend. Written by the current Irish Children's Laureate, this is a celebration of the magic of bees and the power we can all draw from the natural world.

Nestled on a peaceful island, Orla and her grandmother live tending their beloved bees. But bubbling below is a monster waiting to surface – a dormant volcano – and when it wakes Orla and the rest of the island must flee in search of safety. Orla adventures across the wild sea, guided by her buzzing friends, to find a new home. But what will they find over the horizon?

"The story has a wonderful legendary feel, a sparky central character, and an ecological message that resonates strongly with the contemporary moment."The Irish Times

"The Island of Bees brings together two stel­lar Irish tal­ents — Patri­cia Forde and Paddy Don­nelly — to cre­ate a beau­ti­ful piece of work . . . If you like bees, mys­tery, strong girls and even stronger grand­par­ents, you’ll love this book." The Belfast Telegraph