Fia and the Last Snow Deer

In prehistoric Ireland, in a time of myth and folklore, 13-year-old Fia and her snow deer Solas struggle against the harsh cold of a seemingly eternal winter which has starved their village for years. Only the mythical Deer Mother, the bringer of Spring, can put an end to the ceaseless cold.

Based on an ancient prophecy, Fia sets out with her cousin Mish on a quest to bring warmth and hope back to the world. Along the way, they find a lone wolf who becomes their guide and battle against the sinister temptations of shadow spirits who seek to lead them astray.

Written in beautiful verse, this gripping story moves at pace and immerses the reader in a world of forest and snow from the outset.

Dermot Flynn's gorgeous black and white illustrations feature prominently and are generously distributed throughout the book. They make excellent use of light and dark, and combine cleverly with the text which uses placement, font, and spacing creatively to add emphasis to the story.

The use of verse in this book allows space for the reader to infer and imagine and there is lots of potential for discussions around themes of environmental awareness, community, sacrifice, and self-determination. The brevity of text and the use of illustrations also make this a good choice for readers who may have less stamina for reading but who would still enjoy a richly told and layered adventure story.