Enjoyable Gaelic Book Launch for Bidh Teadaidh ann Deiseil

Gaelic Book Launch at An Drochaid in Mabou

We wanted to share some photos with you from the book launch for Bidh Teadaidh ann Deiseil at An Drochaid in Mabou, NS on Saturday, June 21, 2025—a fun Saturday morning with Gaelic read-alouds, Teddy the Cat crafts, snacks, and of course a book signing by the author and translator!

We had a lovely day for the book launch at An Drochaid Museum in Mabou, with more sunshine than it looks in the photo!

An Drochaid Museum in Mabou, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

We started the launch with author Joanne MacDonald (Eòsag Dhòmhnallach) saying a few words in English, and then her sister, translator Joyce MacDonald (Seoige NicDhòmhnaill) reading the book aloud in Gaelic:

Translator Joanne MacDonald reading Bidh Teadaidh ann Deiseil aloud

A children’s book read-aloud goes by quickly, and when the reading was done, a few more families arrived! So Joyce read the book aloud again, and then a few more folks arrived, so publisher Emily McEwan read another Gaelic book aloud for even more fun! Thanks to Margie who provided a quilt on the floor for some of the wee ones.

Crafts and Gaelic Book Signing

After the readings, the kids charged the crafts table, just as we hoped! They dug into the markers, paper, googly eyes, and glue sticks to make origami cat faces and bookmarks of Teddy the Cat / Teadaidh an Cat. Other folks lined up to have a copy of Bidh Teadaidh ann Deiseil signed by author Joanne MacDonald (Eòsag Dhòmhnallach) and translator Joyce MacDonald (Seoige NicDhòmhnaill).

Kids make Teadaidh the Cat crafts while others line up for the book signing at the book launch for Bidh Teadaidh ann Deiseil

Bidh Teadaidh ann Deiseil and other Gaelic children’s books from Bradan Press

Author Joanne MacDonald (Eòsag Dhòmhnallach) and translator Seoige NicDhòmhnall (Joyce MacDonald) sign copies of Bidh Teadaidh ann Deiseil

We LOVED seeing everyone’s creative take on the Teadaidh crafts! Here are just a couple:

Origami crafts for Bidh Teadaidh ann Deiseil!

Teddy the Cat / Teadaidh an Cat bookmarks!

Showing a Teadaidh bookmark craft to the author of Bidh Teadaidh ann Deiseil

We all had a great time celebrating the publication of Teadaidh, with lots of good chats in Gaelic and English. Mòran taing a chàirdean, thank you friends, for coming out to help us celebrate Gaelic children’s books in the heart of Gaelic Nova Scotia! We were delighted and grateful to community members and families from Taigh Sgoile na Drochaide. Special thanks to the volunteers of An Drochaid for hosting and assisting with the event, and to Hilary for getting word out about the launch and more!

Where to Find Teadaidh

Bidh Teadaidh ann Deiseil is the Gaelic edition of Teddy Is Ready, written & illustrated by Joanne MacDonald and translated by Joyce MacDonald. It’s available directly from Bradan Press in our Canadian shop and our separate U.S. dollar shop for readers in the U.S.A., and also from selected Nova Scotia retailers including An Drochaid Museum, Brook Village Grocery, and The Curious Cat in Antigonish! Teadaidh will very shortly be available in a GOC edition from the Gaelic Books Council in Scotland. Teadaidh is also now available from major online book retailers, though we encourage you to “shop small & independent” whenever possible!

Below is a description of this all-Gaelic children’s book in Gaelic and English:

Bidh Teadaidh ann Deiseil  [Teddy is Ready]

A soft, fluffy, grey cat lives on the Campbells’ farm in Centreville, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Teddy is always ready to help with the chores. He’s starting seeds and pulling weeds, he’s picking beans and chasing leaves. This book is a cute little love poem all about that silly kitty, Teddy! Written and illustrated by Joanne MacDonald. Translated by Joyce MacDonald.

Bidh Teadaidh ann Deiseil

Tha cat clòimheach mìn a’ fuireach air baile nan Caimbeulach ann an Centreville, Eilean Cheap Breatainn, Alba Nuadh. Tha e daonnan deiseil a bhith a’ cuideachadh leis an obair. Cuiridh e sìolan agus tarraingidh e luibhean, buainidh e pònairean agus ruaigidh e duilleagan. ’S e luaidh dhan phiseag amaideach ghràdhach a tha anns an leabhar seo! Air a sgrìobhadh agus air a dhealbhadh le Eòsag Dhòmhnallach. Air eadar-theangachadh le Seoige NicDhòmhnaill.