The greatest gift you can give a child is a love of reading
Keeping children occupied at any time of the day or year can be challenging – you don’t want them to watch too much TV, you’d like them to go outside but it’s raining, you want to spend more time playing with them but you also have to work/prepare dinner/do life admin etc etc.
It’s not easy but if the child in question loves to read, you’ve just cut your worries in half. Not only will they be entertained, they’re exercising their brain, expanding their mind, learning new words and generally letting their imagination run wild which can only lead to more creativity in the future.
There are no down sides!
With that in mind, here are some great new Irish children’s books to think about getting ahead of the Halloween break – or even as a stocking filler for Christmas:
The Great Irish Biodiversity Book by Éanna Ní Lamhna
In this book, wildlife expert Éanna Ní Lamhna takes us on a trip through Irish wildlife habitats – from bogs to beaches and woodland to grassland – with stunning illustrations each step of the way.
Disaster Dad by Donncha O’Callaghan
Filled with desperate ‘Dad jokes’, embarrassing incidents and lots of love, this is a laugh-out-loud story that is sure to tickle the fancy of any young reader, aged 7 and up.
The Friendship Fairies go to Paris by Lucy Kennedy
The best-selling author and TV presenter is basing her next book from the Friendship Fairies series in Paris where everything goes wonderfully until they lose the family pet….
Haunted Ireland – An atlas of ghost tales from every county by Kieran Fanning
Given Ireland’s strong ties to Halloween, it’s only fitting that there is a terrifying tale to go with every county in the country! Join master storyteller Kieran Fanning for 32 spooky stories from well-known hauntings like The Ghost of Loftus Hall and The White Lady of Kinsale, to lesser-known sightings like The Black Pig of Kiltrustan and Father Hegarty’s Phantom Horse.
Fia and the Last Snow Deer by Eilish Fisher
Bring a different type of book into your home this Christmas with a truly timeless verse novel set in snowy pre-historic Ireland. With beautiful themes of hope, kindness and the power of friendship, this story from new writing talent, Eilish Fisher, is brought to life with stunning illustrations from Dermot Flynn.
Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity by Leona Forde
The hilarious cailín from Cork is back with a festive adventure and as she prepares for her Christmas concert, one thing is certain – chaos will ensue!
The Story of Irish Rugby by Gerard Siggins
This wonderfully illustrated book includes everything you could possibly want to know about Irish rugby and is perfect for young fans of the game.
Fixing Mum and Dad by Sinéad Moriarty
Sinéad Moriarty vividly explores family dynamics from a child’s perspective in this heartwarming story about dealing with the inevitability of change and a girl who just wants to keep her parents together.
‘Twas the Match Before Christmas by Julianne McKeigue
It looks like it’s going to be another quiet night in Croke Park but then the clock strikes midnight and there’s a magical surprise. Santa, his elves and reindeer arrive for a night of mischief, mayhem… and football!
Throughout November up until 15 December, the brilliant MS Readathon will take place in schools and homes across Ireland.
It’s a truly special event that helps children improve their literacy skills, develop a lifelong love of reading, all while going on epic adventures of the imagination while raising money to support people affected by MS in Ireland.
