The Boy Apprenticed to an Enchanter
by Padraic Colum, first published 1920
Here’s a children’s book that not every young child will read, but having read it, I feel compelled to give it a place in the list of great children’s books. For sure, it is for an older child, about 12. It has both a girl and boy as the main characters so both genders could relate to it. And it is by a superb Irish storyteller, Padraic Colum, whose book, The King of Ireland’s Son, is perhaps his best known work.
When I first began the book, I was uncertain if I would stay with it. The language is somewhat archaic to our modern, and especially American, ears. However, by the time I finished the first part of the three-part book, I was ready to see what happened next. And by the time I reached the concluding section, The Two Enchanters, I was quite glad I did.
This children’s book is pure adventure, from start to finish, fantastical and far removed from any daily life experience one might have ever, whether today or in the olden days. Therein lies its charm: It is pure fantasy writing, but mixed with historical information that grounds the book into a time and place that one could imagine really existing.
I tried to imagine what child would gravitate towards this book, and I felt that it requires someone of a more serious bent, with a very good grasp of reading. This children’s book is not for struggling readers. However, it is also written by a great storyteller. Therefore, I could see an adult reading this story to a more mature 10-year old, who might not be able to read it themselves, but would be transported by the drama of the adventure. I leave it to you to decide. It’s a classic, a little difficult to read, but memorable if you make the effort. (By the way, it may be hard to find this book, but Amazon has some copies.)
