By Róise Collins
MULLAGHDERG artist Kim Sharkey was shocked to see her Irish language book Mamaí Gé feature on the Late Late Toy Show last Friday.
“I actually saw a teeny slither of Mamaí Gé on the shelf behind Patrick Kielty when he sat down and I let out a little yell.
“The next thing it was in his hands and I screamed.”
Mamaí Gé is a bilingual treasure trove of Mother Goose rhymes and other classic poems, transcreated by Gabriel Rosenstock and beautifully illustrated by local woman Kim Sharkey.
As well as appearing on the Toy Show the book has also recently featured in The Times, listed in both the best Irish children’s books and the best Irish-language books of 2024.
Kim told the Donegal News that it has been beautiful to see Mamaí Gé on this journey following the many years of hard work and dedication by the team behind the children’s book.
She has also had her own personal challenges to overcome during this time including a recent spinal surgery that she is still recovering from.
Kim had great support from her publishers Eabhlóid and Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde as well as support from The Arts Council’s Agility Award.
This funding helped her tackle the “mammoth project” that contained over 80 double page spreads.
Kim Sharkey and publisher Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde holding Mamaí Gé, an Irish take on Mother Goose classic rhymes.
Kim explained how she really tried to be different with her approach to the illustrations of the treasury of the famous Mother Goose Rhymes.
“I have loved rhyme books and poetry books from when I was a child, but I really wanted to lift the books, in terms of drawings into today’s society,” she said.
The first poem in Mamaí Gé is their version of “There was an old woman lived under a hill” a nursery rhyme which dates back to at least its first known printing in 1714.
“My old lady has got funky short hair, far removed from the petticoats and mop caps of old rhyme books,” Kim laughed.
The billingual book also includes another Mother Goose classic rhyme, “Little Jumping Joan”.
“You could illustrate that in a really sad and lonely way, but I said no, this wee girl is going to be empowered.
“She has got the universe in her hair and she has her rollerblades on going down a hill with a fishing road, enjoying life.”
A cosy event to mark the launch of Mamaí Gé will take place at the Amharclann Gaoth Dobhair on Saturday, December 14 at 2pm.
There will be special readings from children and a display of original art work from the book.
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