10 brilliant children's books by Irish authors
Celebrate the talent of Irish artists! Recommended Irish Reads is a 2024 guide to the 100 best books for young readers: a treasure trove of writing and illustration from Irish authors, illustrators and publishers, designed to help children from 0 to 18 years choose their next great book. Their editor joins us to highlight their top recommendations from the guide, giving a glimpse into the breadth of talent and brilliant books available for children in Ireland.
About the Recommended Irish Reads 2024 reading guide
Children's Books Ireland, a national charity and arts organisation, have released Recommended Irish Reads 2024 to celebrate the talent of Irish born and Irish based artists. The reading guide contains 100 short book reviews and a further 100 'read also' recommendations spanning fiction, non-fiction, poetry, graphic novels and more! From début authors to Laureates na nÓg this guide is a collection of excellent Irish books for readers aged 0-18 years. Download the guide below, and visit your local bookshop to buy the recommended titles.
Download the guideTeidí Agus An Capall Draíochta le Sadhbh Rosenstock maisithe ag Ciara Ní Dhuinn (0-4)
Beidh léitheoirí óga i ngreim ag an bpictiúrleabhar beag álainn seo, atá bunaithe ar an amhrán ‘Capall Draíochta’ ón leabhar Teach Teidí. Tá an scéal simplí soléite ach é spraíúil croíúil chomh maith céanna. Tá domhan draíochtúil cruthaithe ag an údar leis an tsraith seo agus is mór an éacht é. Tá na léaráidí agus na dathanna thar a bheith tarraingteach agus meallfaidh siad páistí óga ón gcéad luí súl. Beidh idir óg agus aosta faoi gheasa ag Clann Teidí.
The Other Side of the Valley by Ashling Lindsay (5+)
Pip lives on his side of the valley, safe in his contentment and not wanting to venture very far from the comfort of home. One day, an unidentifiable leaf drifts into his life and sets him on an adventure outside of his valley. This well-developed and thoughtful fable, with its whimsical, delicate illustrations, will certainly resonate with more reluctant or anxious little ones with its meaningful message of self-belief, bravery and finding fulfilment outside of our comfort zones: all it takes is that first brave step.
A Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh illustrated by Aliaa Betawi (5+)
Falasteen struggles to find Palestine, her home country, on the classroom map and is told by her teacher that it must not exist. After school, she seeks answers from family members who encourage Falasteen to see that her home country is interwoven into so many parts of her life. She carries Palestine with her – it lives inside her. Palestine is warmly illustrated and celebrated throughout, each picture peppered with Palestinian tradition and culture. There is much to be learned from reading this touching and timely tribute.
Nina Peanut Is Amazing by Sarah Bowie (8+)
This graphic novel diary introduces us to Nina Peanut, a confident, plucky young girl who likes to make videos for her channel on Boogletoob. Having only two subscribers is not ideal, but when Nina is paired with her arch-nemesis for the school talent show, suddenly her likes and subscribers are sent soaring – but at what cost? Perfect for both reluctant and enthusiastic readers, with funny, bold and colourful illustrations, this is a thoroughly entertaining and highly relatable read, as most children will understand Nina’s desire for fame, likes and subscribers.
The Faerie Isle: Tales And Traditions Of Ireland’s Forgotten Folklore by Síne Quinn illustrated by Dermot Flynn (8+)
Entrancing and immersive from the moment the cover is cracked, the reader is irresistibly lured into this stunning book. The imagery whispers of a sinister edge to the faerie folk, with Flynn’s use of a ‘spikiness’ in the illustrations of the featured fae matching Quinn's authentic descriptions of fickle magical creatures who might be friend or foe. Reader interest is sustained and amplified through the interspersing of rich, strikingly coloured images with folk stories throughout the book. Drawing on authentic and familiar oral folklore, this gorgeous book is enchanting.
Pirates of Darksea by Catherine Doyle (9+)
This book is pure adventure from page one. Equal parts explosive danger and stealthy thievery, this captivating story of high-seas magic is the perfect escape. Carrying the hope for Darksea and, in turn, his brother’s survival in a Galway hospital, our hero, Max, plunges into danger at a pace that will keep readers enthralled. More than a book about stardust, magic and pirates, this story takes on themes of bravery, childhood illness and the lengths we go to save those we love.
The History of Information by Chris Haughton (12+)
Sharing, storing and building on information is what made possible the extraordinary achievements of humanity in a relatively short amount of time. Tracking our species’ history through the lens of information accumulation, this book examines the history of information from the origins of language all the way to AI. Clever use of colour schemes, layout and arborescence ensures smooth visual communication, with photos of historical artefacts fully integrated into Haughton's trademark style of markmaking. An ambitious book that is as dense and complex as it is captivating and accessible.
Éanna Corr le Antain Mac Lochlainn (12+)
Scéal a bhaineann le cultas creidimh, leochaileacht an duine agus cumhacht an chairdis. Nuair a thosaíonn buachaill nua sa scoil, tagann athrú ar shaol Éanna. Mar sin a thosaíonn dlúthchairdeas eatarthu agus cuireann teaghlach Shíomón fáilte mhór roimh Éanna, ach tá impleachtaí aige sin ar an mbeirt acu. Bogann an scéal ar aghaidh ar luas an-mhaith ón tús agus casann go sásúil anseo is ansiúd. D’áireoinn é ar cheann de na leabhair is fearr do dhéagóirí atá tagtha ar an margadh le neart blianta anuas.
Heartstopper le Alice Oseman aistrithe ag Eoin Mcevoy (12+)
An chéad cheann sa tsraith atá aistrithe go Gaeilge, leanann an t-úrscéal grafach seo scéal grá Charlie agus Nick. Nuair a chuirtear an bheirt ina suí in aice lena Chéile ar scoil, éiríonn siad mór lena chéile, ach beidh orthu iad féin a shaoradh ó shrianta sóisialta más mian leo an cairdeas eatarthu a fhorbairt le bheith ina leannáin. Tá cuid de na gnáth-thróip grá so-aitheanta ann ach cuirtear i gcrích go han mhaith iad. Thuigfeá cén fáth a déanadh sraith teilifíse as.
Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain (15+)
Teenagers Mel and Sid find their lives turned upside down when they learn they are expecting a baby. While facing parental pressures, decisions about life and college, and the judgements of others, they must also navigate the hard-hitting realities of an unplanned pregnancy. Drawing on the events surrounding the 2018 Irish referendum on the eighth amendment, McCaughrain shines a harsh light on the lack of sexual education for teenagers in school systems, opening the space for all to enter and discuss.
About Children's Books Ireland
Children’s Books Ireland’s is the national charity and arts organisation with a vision: every child a reader. They believe that all children should have access to excellent books and be able to experience the richness and diversity of excellent storytelling from Ireland. They share their expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence young people, champion every child’s right to excellent books and live literature events and support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland.
