Ossiri and the Bala Mengro

by Richard O'Neill, Katharine Quarmby, Hannah Tolson (Illustrator)

Overview

A Traveller girl creates her own musical instrument from a willow branch and lots of recycled objects. She plays it enthusiastically, but it sounds terrible! Ignoring warnings not to awaken the ogre in the hills, Ossiri goes there to practise playing her instrument. Will she wake the ogre, and will it appreciate her playing? Told by a Romani storyteller and a picture book author, this original tale offers a fascinating insight into Travelling lifestyles and cultures.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781846439247
Publisher:	Child's Play-International
Publication date:	06/01/2016
Series:	Child's Play Library
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	9.62(w) x 10.50(h) x 0.25(d)
Age Range:	4 - 9 Years

About the Author

Richard O’Neill was born and brought up in a large traditional Romani family in the North of England. He is an award-winning storyteller and writer who tells his original stories in schools, museums, libraries and theatres throughout the UK. A sixth generation storyteller, he grew up in a vigorous oral storytelling tradition, learning his skills from some of the best Travelling storytellers in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Richard is the author of eleven children’s books, and his stories and plays have been broadcast on BBC Radio. His digital stories have been enjoyed throughout the world, and in 2013, he was the recipient of the National Literacy Hero award.

Editorial Reviews

02/13/2017
Romani storyteller O’Neill collaborates with Quarmby (Fussy Freya) on a tale set in an itinerant Traveler community that lives in caravans. Ossiri yearns to be a musician and fashions an instrument from bits of trash her family gathers. But her inexpert playing disturbs them: “Ossiri, please stop!” cries her brother. “My ears are hurting.” When the family travels to Lancashire, Ossiri climbs the hills to practice, and a farmer’s daughter warns her that the local ogre, the Bala Mengro (“hairy person”), will cause trouble if her playing awakens him. It does—which actually brings Ossiri good fortune. The narrator emphasizes the way Travelers save and reuse: “Ossiri helped her father and grandfather to load their cart with goods other people had thrown out.” Gentle talk between family members creates a sense of closeness and security, while Romani words sprinkled throughout give a further sense of the community and its argot (a glossary is included). Tolson’s (A Pocket Full of Treasures) scribbly illustrations go right along with the spirit of improvisation and simplicity. Ages 4–9. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

03/01/2017
K-Gr 3—Ossiri and her family are Romani, nomadic people who make a living by recycling settled people's castoffs into useful things. Disappointed that her parents can't afford to buy her an instrument, Ossiri builds her own and sets about practicing. Like many budding performers, she finds her initial efforts are not appreciated, so she disregards warnings about the savage Bala Mengro ("hairy person") and takes off into the Lancashire hills to play. Fortunately the Bala Mengro loves Ossiri's music and rewards her with silver and gold. A greedy stranger who steals her instrument gets his comeuppance at the claws of the intimidating beastie, and Ossiri realizes that the purity of her passion protected her. This tale positively highlights the role of the Travelers in the ecosystem of the land and the modern economy. Tolson's richly colored illustrations, with touches of gold and red popping against a background of earthy greens and browns, are evocative of folk art tradition and greatly enhance the narrative. The lifestyle portrayed is particularly relevant in the context of maker culture, and the book would also serve as a useful springboard for discussions about cultural diversity and stereotyping. VERDICT An original tale with the timeless allure of folklore, recommended for all picture book collections.—Laura Simeon, Open Window School Library, Bellevue, WA

School Library Journal

2016-12-14
Eager to play like other Traveler musicians, a Romani girl constructs her own musical instrument from a willow branch and recycled objects and is surprised by the results.When Ossiri begins to play the new instrument she calls a Tattin Django, the ugly noises it makes disturb the community. Soon she is warned that her playing will wake the Bala Mengro, a huge, hairy ogre. Ossiri moves beyond the campsite to play alone and is immediately surprised by the emergence of the large monster from his cave. Frightened, she begs to be allowed to leave, but the ogre insists on her playing more and begins to sing and dance to the ugly sounds. He then pays her with a silver necklace, so she plays for him daily, earning another piece of gold each time. When a stranger tricks her and steals her instrument, his playing for the ogre does not produce the expected generous results. Ossiri finds only her Tattin Django and the stranger's boots outside the ogre's cave and realizes that her inner desire to play rather than wanting riches truly impressed the Bala Mengro. Scenes set within their rural encampment show a family of light-brown-skinned "rag-and-bone" people in long skirts, bandanna scarves, and hooped earrings making a living from recycled items, as explained in the author's note. The inclusion of trucks, vans, and camper caravans along with horse-drawn vehicles makes clear to readers that the story is set in the present day. A familiar theme told from a distinct cultural and oral tradition by a Romani storyteller from England. (Picture book. 5-8)

Kirkus Reviews