Ossiri and the Bala Mengro

By Richard O'Neill, Katharine Quarmby, Hannah Tolson

A girl risks waking an ogre with her homemade instrument's terrible sound.

3.5/7 Bookroo expert·3.9/5 Goodreads · 127 ratings

32 pages

$19.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon.

Bookroo's summary

Ossiri, a spirited Traveller girl, crafts a unique instrument from recycled materials. Despite its dreadful sound, she ventures to the hills, ignoring warnings of a slumbering ogre. As she plays, the question looms: will her music rouse the beast, and if so, what will it think of her tune? This enchanting tale weaves cultural insights with the suspense of an unexpected encounter.

From the publisher

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.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Reading age: 4–9
Audience: Picture

Themes & topics

Books about music Books about culture Books about making friends Books about performing arts Books about country life

Inside the book

A peek between the covers

What readers & critics say

Reviews

3.5

out of 7

3.5

“This story was interesting and the pictures were lovely. I love books that give a glimpse into another culture or artistic tradition. However, there were just so many words. It was way to lengthy and wordy to read to my pre-schooler.”

Lauren Hancock

Trusted reviewer

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