Novels Featuring Kerries

Case of The Iceland Dogs
A Icelandic Sheepdog~Kerry Blue Terrier story
Published in 1977
Ages 9-14
Illustrated
Out of print, and rare.
Shows up occasionally on Ebay.

Sudden Light: Donegal's Novel
Authored by J. A. Greenleaf (Kerry owner), Illustrated by John Quigley
List Price: $14.95, $13.46 for Kerry owners, and $9.99 as an e-book
6" x 9" (15.24 x 22.86 cm)
Black & White on Cream paper
320 pages
Swordpoint Intercontinental, Limited
ISBN-13: 978-0615447957
ISBN-10: 0615447953
BISAC: Fiction / Fantasy / Epic

Amazon:

e-book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004X1U1VK/ref
United Kindom: http://www.amazon.co.uk
Germany: http://www.amazon.de

To order an autographed hard copy, email J.A. Greenleaf. Mention your Kerry and Joe will give you 10% discount.

There are two Kerries in the book and one on the cover. Part of the book tells a fanciful tale of how the Kerries came to be in Ireland. All fictional, of course, but, "If it isn't true, it should be!" The book covers 400 years of Irish history, as well as the Great Fire of London, cannibals in Borneo, the French Revolution, around the Horn on a Clipper ship, the Wild West, the First World War, the days before Pearl Harbor, as well as the present. There are reincarnations and time-travel. "Something for everyone."

The English army attacks Donegal Castle in Ireland in 1589. The few defenders fight vaingloriously but they are overwhelmed by the English in numbers, weaponry and surprise. Maire and Uilliam are a young, married couple who try to fight off the invaders but are lost when the castle burns. In 1666, Mary Goode is a young girl indentured to the King's Baker. Smelling fire late one night, she sounds the alarm. It is the start of the Great Fire of London. Maire is reincarnated as Mary, but remembers nothing of her past life in Ireland--that is until she meets--and touches--an English gentleman, realizing this overweight, aged, aristocrat is the embodiment of her Uilliam! Uilliam, however, remembers nothing, with tragic consequences. Throughout the next four hundred years, Uilliam and Maire live many other lives, sometimes near in age, sometimes not, and sometimes of other races. If they meet--and touch--Maire remembers all past lives, and, to her chagrin and great sadness, Uilliam has no recollection of Maire or their lives intertwining over the centuries. Borneo, the French Revolution, a clipper ship around the Horn, the American West, the trenches of World War One, the days before Pearl Harbor, crashing across the ages to the present. Maire, now Marisa, is a high-powered American lawyer and Uilliam--Bill--is an ex-convict, now charged with murder. Can she save him? Will she risk her fortune and her very life to rescue him and spirit him away? Will history repeat itself once again for these star-crossed lovers? Will Uilliam ever recognize Maire? Will they ever find one another—and happiness?

J.M. Jeffries
Cupid: The Bewildering Request, 2000
ImaJinn Books
http:/www.Imajinnbooks.com
Softcover

Southern belle lawyer, Merrill Prescott, can't believe she just became legal co-guardian to a Grand Champion Kerry Blue Terrier, Psyche's Folly, worth seventy-five million dollars, but she also has to move in with sexy, hardworking, Jason Stavros to baby-sit the pampered pooch. These are just the beginnings of her troubles. The Gods on high, Jupiter, Venus and Cupid try to manipulate these two mortals into believing they were made for each other. Couple this interference with a pair of greedy dognapping relatives, and Jupiter's secret plan to seduce Merrill for himself. It is up to Venus and Cupid, their reputations at stake, to save the dog and Merrill, while avoiding the wrath of Jupiter. A witty fast read and steamy sensuality between Merrill and Jason. Note: why is a Kerry Blue Terrier (and Psyche's Folly, a Champion) always referred to as a "black dog?"

Report provided by Lonie Ward

Cora Chene
The Case of The Iceland Dogs, 1977
Illustrated by Al Michini
Dodd, Mead & Company, New York

Hannes, a young Icelandic boy, lives with his relatives in the capital city, Reykjavik, where dogs are forbidden by law. Yet Iceland is the home of a distinctive breed of dogs that are considered to be the most intelligent and lovable in the world, this purebred, Iceland dog is rare even in its own country. On his Uncle's distant farm, Hannes, through carelessness, had been responsible for the death of a female Iceland dog and her litter. Grieved by guilt, Hannes vowed to find a new mate for his Uncle's remaining Iceland sheep dog, Samur. His Aunt forbade Hannes from even speaking about dogs, but she hadn't forbidden walking dogs. Hannes finds a secret friend, Patrick, a Kerry Blue Terrier puppy, owned by an American diplomat, who was given special permission to keep a dog in the capital. The American gives Hannes permission to walk Patrick whenever the boy wants. Still, Hannes years for his beloved Iceland dog, Samur, far away on the farm. When he hears that a man somewhere in the country was breeding Iceland dogs, it seemed that running away to find one was the thing to do. No one would miss him anyway......
A picturesque journey through Icelandic culture, from the Norwegian Vikings who settled there a thousand years ago and relating their still rich literature and traditions.

Report provided by Lonie Ward

Benary-Isbert, Margot
The Wicked Enchantment. 1955.
Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc..
New York

The medieval town of Vogelsang, is in the middle of Germany, on the road between Nowhere and Somewhere. Vogelsang means Birdsong, because for centuries singing birds flock there to nest. Anemone and her Kerry Blue Terrier, Winnie have to run away from home, because of the wicked housekeeper and her nasty son, the widowed father had hired, being so cruel to she and the Kerry. They take refuge with Aunt Gundula, a very remarkable person who had been Anemon's mother's dearest friend. Strange and disturbing things begin happening around the town's cathedral, even the songbirds, who had always been welcomed, were being caught in nets. The last straw for Aunt Gundula, who painted the most beautiful of all Easter eggs, was when the Mayor forbid their sale. With the help of Gundula's cat, mouse and parrot, they discover the root of all the trouble, after Anemone and Winnie join the traveling circus in town, with Winnie as the star attraction. Subtle humor, skillful characterization, interwoven with present day and ancient legend, the story keeps the reader in mounting suspense.

Report provided by Lonie Ward

Cregan, Mairin.
Old John. 1936.
The Macmillan Company
New York

Corcoran, Barbara.
Me and you and a dog named Blue. 1979.
Atheneum
New York

Ms. Corcoran is a prolific Children's book author who often includes dogs in the storyline. In this novel though, it's clear that not enough research was expended on how a Kerry Blue is groomed, clip and pluck the fur is certainly not how a Kerry coat is trimmed. The story is about Maggie, who excels in high school baseball, and the only girl on the varsity team. Maggie is befriended by CoCo Rainbolt, a wealthy lady who breeds and shows Kerries. CoCo, much to Maggie's surprise, gives her a gift of a young Kerry, who the breeder explains, is too small to qualify as a show prospect. Maggie names the dog "Blue." CoCo then offers Maggie a summer job at her kennel, and a promise to go on the next show circuit as an assistant. Everyone is meddling in Maggie's life it seems, and the girl's only dream is to be a professional baseball player. Although the Kerry is featured throughout the story, the ending will probably upset most all fanciers of the breed, many will perhaps throw the book across the room in frustration. The title is borrowed from a song by Kent "Lobo" Lavoie.

Report provided by Lonie Ward

Clymer, Eleanor, Illustrated by Ingrid Fetz
Sociable Toby. 1956.
Franklin Watts, Inc.
699 Madison Avenue, New York

Sociable Toby, A Book Review and Comments By Randy A. Hayes

MacDonald, Golden
Illustrated by Weisgard, Leonard
Big Dog Little Dog. 1943.
Doubleday, Doran & Co, Inc.
Garden City, New York

A simple children's story, beautifully illustrated, about a Father Dog and his little Son. Whatever they did, they did together. They even ate together, only the big dog had a big dish and the little dog had a little dish. The big dog ate big bones and the little dog ate little bones. The big dog took care of the little dog and the little dog kept right at his heels. One day big dog takes little dog into town for a walk, and oh the exciting things that each one sees, the noises, and new adventures for little dog, an elephant, a fire engine and even a battleship. Little dog goes "yip, yip, yip" at everything new, but nothing barked back. Finally big dog and little dog meet another little floppy-eared dog. The two little dogs played together all afternoon while big dog sat in the sun and watched, until little dog was so tired that big dog took him back home.

Report provided by Lonie Ward

Musgrave, Florence
Dogs In The Family. 1952.
Houghton Mifflin Company
Boston.
The Riverside Press
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Darling, Kathy
ABC Dogs. 1997
Walker and Company
435 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10014

A childrens book featuring an alphabet of dogs with photos taken by Tara Darling. The highpoint of the book, as usual, is the letter K.

Tice, Clara
ABCDogs, 1995
Harry N. Abrams, Incorporated
New York
A Times Mirror Company

A Facsimile Edition of a book originally published in 1940.
An alphabet book for dog lovers featuring appropriate drawings and a brief story description of each breed used. The high point of the book is the letter K, featuring the Kerry Blue.