Books are best.
I just know in my house, long after all the other gifts for Christmas or birthdays have been forgotten about, the books they got are still read. And read and read on repeat. Books really are the most amazing gift, and one that you can be sure will be both used and treasured, for weeks and years to come.
And if you have kids on your list this Christmas, well, then you can’t go wrong with a great book. And just to get the scoop on which books everyone will love to find under their tree this year, we caught up with the amazing people at Children’s Books Ireland, who, when it comes to books for children, know all there is to know:
1. JOY
Corinne Averiss
‘Joy is what makes your heart happy and your eyes twinkle’ Fern’s mum tells her. But Nana’s joy seems to have vanished, so Fern sets out to catch some for her with her special catching kit. While the joy in a puppy’s bounce, a baby’s chuckles or the sun’s sparkle on water were impossible to capture, a visit to the park with Fern brings Nan’s joy back. An uplifting tale of intergenerational love. (Age 3–5)
£11.99
2. I DO NOT LIKE BOOKS ANYMORE!
Daisy Hirst
Natalie and Alphonse are back, and this time Natalie is struggling with her reading. Finding that the words in her storybooks look scrambled and wrong on the page, Natalie declares that she does not like books anymore. An excellent book for struggling readers and picturebook lovers alike. (Age 2–4)
£11.99
3. I SAY OOH, YOU SAY AHH
John Kane
The first page of John Kane’s debut picturebook tells readers that there is something very important they have to remember. When the narrator says ‘Ooh’ they must say ‘Ahh.’ This simple read and respond makes for a gloriously interactive reading experience. As the story unfolds, Kane asks more of his readers, developing the jokes into a genuinely funny climax. This picturebook begs to be read again and again. (Age 2–4)
£6.99
4. WE’RE GOING TO THE ZOO
Sarah Bowie
Fun and comical, We’re Going to the Zoo is an Irish-set story about a typical sibling relationship, intertwined with the challenges modern technology presents. Two sisters are off to Dublin Zoo in the Phoenix Park, and while one is busy with selfies, the other is drawing – but whose pictures are best? The illustrations are deceptively simple, but the clever use of colour powerfully communicates the struggle between nature and technology. This is a positive book with a subtle message. (Age 5–8)
€12.99
5. RABBIT & BEAR: ATTACK OF THE SNACK
Julian Gough
When a small owl flies over their heads and crashes into a tree, Rabbit immediately accuses the owl of being a six-foot-tall rabbit hunter, while Bear is more accepting of this unexpected visitor. Together with these unlikely best friends, we learn about admitting mistakes, saying we are sorry and why blueberry poo makes the best wallpaper! Rabbit & Bear books are an absolute hoot! (Age 5–8)
£5.99
6. BUMPFIZZLE THE BEST ON PLANET EARTH
Patricia Forde
It’s not easy being the middle child, especially if you’re an alien disguised as a child sent to understand these silly human beings, but Bumpfizzle is Planet Plonk’s bravest warrior. With hilariously disgusting illustrations from Elina Braslina, Bumpfizzle is the story of a disgruntled alien that readers will adore. (Age 9–11)
€9.00
Non-fiction
7. DR HIBERNICA FINCH’S COMPELLING COMPENDIUM OF IRISH ANIMALS
Rob Maguire
This gorgeous large-format information book profiles Irish animals of the land, sea and air. Readers are guided by narrator Professor Hibernica Finch, a slightly eccentric zoologist who has travelled the length and breadth of Ireland studying its animal inhabitants. Amusing and informative, this compendium is perfect for families, schools and libraries. (Age 7+)
€20.00
8. BRIGHT SPARKS: AMAZING DISCOVERIES, INVENTIONS AND DESIGNS BY WOMEN
Owen O’Doherty
Bright Sparks is a comprehensive list of ideas developed, invented or created by women. From paper bags to pedal bins, from disposable nappies to DNA, our lives have been enhanced and made safer because of the work of these women. Sure to satisfy your budding scientist, inventor or engineer, this book also provides a guide to inventing and innovation. (Age 9–11)
£14.99
9. BLAZING A TRAIL: IRISH WOMEN WHO CHANGED THE WORLD
Sarah Webb
A beautiful accessible book chronicling Ireland’s many trailblazing women. Each woman’s remarkable achievements are celebrated in Webb’s succinct but readable prose. O’Neill’s accompanying portraits are stunning, with her take on designer Eileen Gray a particular standout. (Age 9–11)
€16.99
10. THE GREAT IRISH WEATHER BOOK
Joanna Donnelly
In Ireland, a tiny country with lots of weather, that’s exactly what we like to talk about – the weather. So it would make sense for us to learn more about it. From cold fronts to climate changes, anti-cyclones to isobars, this book has everything you need to understand the weather that affects our everyday lives. Joanna Donnelly’s engaging and informative text is accessible and interesting and beautifully complemented by Fuchsia MacAree’s gorgeous illustrations, which elevate this information book beyond the realms of a geography textbook. (Age 9–11, 12+)
€24.99
(Feature image via The Grace Tales)
