The main characters in “The Vanishing Lake” are Meara, her Grandad and Grandad’s pet otter, Cara. The story is set in the countryside beside a lake that mysteriously appears and disappears. In the story Meara uses Grandad’s clues to try and solve the mystery of the vanishing lake.

We all really enjoyed this story and its surprise ending. We all gave it 10/10.

Junior Infants

“I really enjoyed this wonderful book. I loved when the hills turned into woolly mammoths”. Sophie

“I really enjoyed this super book. I loved Grandad’s interesting stories about the vanishing lake”. Tadhg

“I really enjoyed this exciting book. I loved Grandad’s stories about the mermaids and narwhals”. Lauryn

“I really enjoyed this great book. I loved the part when Grandad took Meara to see the woolly mammoths drinking all the water”. Paddy

Senior Infants

Everyone loved how the story was funny and puzzling and how it made them happy!  They all gave it 10/10.

“I love how the lake refilled itself”.Kelvin

“I loved the mystery about the lake. I also loved the illustrations and the fairy-tale creatures in the story”. Caitlin

“I loved the tales around why the lake was vanishing. I also loved how Meara went to solve the mystery using Grandad’s clues”. Charlotte

“I loved the illustrations, especially how the mountains looked like a giant and woolly mammoth”. Kayla

“I loved the adventure”. Helena-May

“I loved reading the clues that Grandad gave to Meara”. Graham

First Class

“I really enjoyed this lovely book and the mystery of the vanishing lake. It made me very curious. I particularly enjoyed when grandad told the fascinating stories. I loved the illustrations where the mountains looked like woolly mammoths. I would recommend this wonderful book to everyone”. Annie

“I really enjoyed this funny book and the mystery of the vanishing lake. I loved the way that Grandad was always telling Meara about the vanishing lake. I particularly enjoyed the funny parts of the illustrations. I loved this book so much. I would recommend this funny book to my friends”. Cathal

“I really enjoyed this interesting book and the mystery of the vanishing lake. I particularly enjoyed grandad’s stories about the water’s appearance and disappearance. I also enjoyed the illustrations, especially where the hills looked like woolly mammoths. I would recommend this fantastic book to other schools”. Chloe

“I really enjoyed this mystery book and the secret of the vanishing lake. I particularly enjoyed the mysterious reasons grandad gave Meara for the lake disappearing. I also enjoyed reading the facts at the back of the book explaining what really happens to the vanishing lake. I would recommend this interesting book to my friends”. Georgia

“I really enjoyed this lovely book and the mystery of the vanishing lake. It was an exciting book. It made me curious about what would happen next. I particularly enjoyed the illustrations. They were beautiful. I would recommend this book to everyone. Kids would love this book”. Mairéad Kate

“I really enjoyed this engaging book and the mystery of the vanishing lake. I particularly enjoyed the lovely illustrations. I also enjoyed the unexpected part of the story with the woolly mammoths soaking up the water. I would recommend this great book to all my friends”. Martin

“I really enjoyed this lovely book and the mystery of the vanishing lake. I particularly enjoyed all of Grandad’s peculiar reason for the mystery of the vanishing lake. I enjoyed the clever illustrations too. I would recommend this amusing book to all my friends”. Tom

Reviews by the pupils of Junior Infants, Senior Infants and First Class, Drom NS, Co. Tipperary

The Vanishing Lake” by Paddy Donnelly, published by O’Brien Press, will be on sale from May 30th 2022 for €9.99 (P/B).

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, O’Brien Press, free of charge to Seomra Ranga for the purposes of this review

[Photo used with permission from Drom NS]