As the summer holidays fast approach, here are some fantastic kids books by Irish authors to read this summer.
Encouraging kids to turn off the tv, put down the tablets and pick up a book can be a tricky thing, even trickier is finding the perfect book to read. If your child can read independently, you want to find a book that they’ll enjoy, if you’re reading it to them, you want to find one you’ll enjoy too.
Of course, reading isn’t necessarily a cheap hobby, though most parents want to encourage their children to become a reader. Thankfully, there are a number of literature-lead initiatives around the country encouraging reading and giving young people access to books.
Did you know that Country music star Dolly Parton runs a free book gifting scheme called the ‘Imagination Library‘, where children receive one book a month from birth until their fifth birthday, addressed to them at no cost to the families. An Post partners with the Imagination Library as a financial sponsor and the official deliver provider in Ireland. To check book availability in your location, click here.
The ‘My Little Library Scheme’ also allows children to collect a bag with books and resources from their local library. The First 5 My Little Library initiative aim is to build strong links between young children and their local library. Children leaving the Early Childhood and Care and Education (ECCE) pre-school programme and starting primary school are invited to visit their local library to pick up their book bag and take the opportunity to join the library.
If your child is starting school and has not received an invitation, you can pop down to your local library with some ID. and tell the librarian your child’s date of birth and they will have your book bag and special library card ready.
While exploring the above initiatives, here are some releases from Irish authors to look out for.
Always and Never by Karl Kavanagh
Author Karl Kavanagh, noticed the words ‘always’ and ‘never’ everywhere, and not always in a positive way. This book follows sibling duo Seán and Lauren, most of the time they are thick as thieves and the best of friends but sometimes they say two words to each other they don’t mean. Always and Never teaches children the power and meaning behind their words.
Fox and Son Tailers by Paddy Donnelly
‘Makers of the Finest Traditional Tails for All Animals and Every Occasion’, Rory’s dad Fox is the best ‘tailer’ in the business, animals come from far and wide to have their tails made by him. Rory helps his dad out, measuring customers for their tails but he has grown bored. Rory has some great ideas of his own he wants to explore. This feel-good tale by Paddy Donnelly will have both you and your little ones grinning from ear to ear.
Letters to a Monster by Patricia Forde
Sophie decided to write a letter to the monster under he bed, letting him know that she knows he’s under there. When the monster sends a letter of his own back, the pair begin a brilliant back and forth. This funny picture book is perfect for children aged 3+, written by Irish Children’s Laureate Patricia Forde and illustrated by Sarah Warbuton.
Ag Buzzáil sa Ghairdín by Áine Ní Ghlinn
Follow Bílí’s magical day buzzing around the garden as he collects nectar from all of the beautiful flowers. This rhyming story of a hardworking little bee will warm the hearts of eco warriors big and small. Better yet, the book is also in the Irish language, helping your little ones pick up their Cúpla focal as they go.
The Doomsday Club by Kevin Moran
Kevin Moran’s debut novel is set in an ancient primary school where four classmates are forced to band together to save the world when they witness a shapeshifter emerge from a portal in their school yard. Perfect for pre teens and young adults looking to get stuck into a good read this summer, The Doomsday Club is a tale of adventure and fantasy with the backdrop of Dublin city’s landmarks.
Something’s About to Blow Up by Sam Blake
Also for the older children, this mystery unravels and secrets come to light after six girls are injured in a chemistry explosion at Dublin’s Raven Hill School. From their hospital beds the girls learn who has been hanging around their school, trouble brews and a 24 hour countdown commences. Sam Blake certainly knows how to keep a reader guessing and for the past few years has been writing books for the new generation of readers along with her usual adult thriller novels.
Séamus Almost Famous by Jessica Scott-Whyte
11 year old Séamus is the only member of his mega famous family who isn’t famous at all. Séamus has set his sights on red carpets and flashing lights, they hatch a plan to make Séamus famous!
