The Vanishing Lake

Written and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly

A captivating tale that celebrates a young girl’s determination, a granddad’s wisdom, and the fantastical wonders of the natural world.

Something mysterious is happening at Lake Loughareema. There are days the lake is beautiful, shimmering, and full. And then there are other days . . . where the lake is completely empty. Meara asks her granddad WHY the water disappears, but every time he blames far-fetched culprits: Narwals! Mermaids! Giants! Unsatisfied with these wild tales, Meara sets out to look under every pebble and search every hill—exploring the entire island to uncover the truth for herself. Little does she know the answer is much larger than she realizes, and it might just take stepping back and opening her eyes to the impossible to discover the magic of Lake Loughareema.

From debut author-illustrator Paddy Donnelly comes a captivating tale celebrating a young girl’s determination, a granddad’s wisdom, and the fantastical wonders of the natural world.

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Goodreads | Teaching Guide and Lesson Plan

  • Format: Jacketed Hardcover
  • Pages: 40
  • Size: 8.1 X 10.1
  • Price: $15.99
  • Age Range: 4-8 years
  • Publication Date: 04/20/2021
  • ISBN: 978-1-953458-03-2

Reviews:

“The whimsical tone and lively art recall Benji Davies’ The Storm Whale, and there’s a constant sense of motion here; the fluid swoops of the rolling hills and luminous clouds bring vibrancy. Viewers will get a kick out of Meara’s look of determination as she tries to suss out the cause of the vanishing lake, and they’ll appreciate that the book carries its playful fantasy to the very end.”  – The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The Vanishing Lake is a wonderful read for adults and children alike, as it is a journey of discovery…We are brought on this curious journey to Lake Loughareema – under the water and over the hills – by the distinctive and enchanting voice of the author, encouraging us all to discover the magic and wonder of the story.” – Children’s Books Ireland, Inis Magazine Issue.

What to Expect:

  • Wild and Fun: Readers are caught up in a slew of outlandish situations.
  • Natural Themes: With a sense of wonder throughout, this book encourages young readers to explore the wider world around them and seek their own natural wonders.
  • Gorgeous Art: The illustrations in this book are rich-textured, fun, lively, and entirely engaging.
  • A Clever Combination of Fiction and Non-Fiction: An educational back matter offers opportunities for discussions about geographical phenomena.

Author Bio:

Paddy Donnelly is an Irish author & illustrator living in Belgium. He grew up on the north coast of Ireland, surrounded by mythical stories of giants, magical creatures, and shape-shifting animals – all set in a stunning landscape from another time. All of this prompted his love for nature, animals, the sea, and storytelling.
He creates his illustrations digitally but loves working with a textured, painterly approach. The Vanishing Lake is his debut author illustrated picture book, based on a real lake close to his childhood home in Ireland.
He wishes Pluto was still a planet. Visit Paddy online at http://lefft.com/

Book Trailer:

Author Interview:

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