I picture myself lying on a beach, listening to the waves crashing onto the sand, smelling the coconut aroma of suncream as I get stuck into a great book… or else I picture myself sitting in my local park, basking in the sunshine hearing the birds chirp as I get stuck into a great book… or sometimes, I picture myself sheltering from the summer drizzle, curled up in my favourite armchair at home as I get stuck into a great book.
You get the picture.
Wherever you end up spending your summer, having a good book to accompany you will complete the experience.
July’s summer reading roundup covers; tackling chores, seizing the day, launching a business, going for a hike and solving many, many mysteries.
Enjoy them on the beach, in the park, curled up at home, or wherever your summer adventure may take you.
When Croc and Bear’s smoothie ends up all over Bear’s dungarees instead of in the glass, industrious Bear sets to work loading the washing machine and getting all the clothes clean and dry.
A lift-the-flap procedural story for our youngest readers, this series tackles daily chores for curious toddlers who are keen to get involved around the house. (3+)
The rules is the rules when it comes to who’s who and what you can do — a haughty dachshund informs readers that bread can’t do karate, soup can’t play tennis and cats can’t do science.
But perhaps dachshund spoke too soon, after all what is stopping bread from being a karate master?
A silly rhyming story with tons of hilarious visuals, perfect for cheeky kids who love to prove grown-ups wrong. (4+)
A modern spin on Dr Seuss’ classic , the possibilities of a single day are explored in bright graphic images with retro-style fonts.
Brimming with enthusiasm and exuberance, this picturebook is focused on the present and all the joy that can be found by living in the moment.
If you’ve lost your get up and go, this story is sure to help you find it. (4+)
The only thing Priya loves more than helping her mum out in their corner shop, is solving mysteries.
So, when a strange set of tiny paw prints appear on the shop floor, she is determined to investigate.
An instantly loveable character, Priya’s world of the shop is bright and relatable, immersing the reader into her quest to crack the case. (5+)
The dandelion’s peaceful existence is threatened as men arrive with shovels and machinery determined to get rid of them.
Though they are weakened, they have strength and courage enough to take to the skies and find a new home.
Suggs’ gentle watercolour illustrations personify the resilience of the hopeful dandelions, evoking empathy for those in search of peace in a challenging world. (5+)
When Watts goes to stay with Pearl at the Whiskerton Manor, the new friends uncover a dinosaur bone in the foundations of a new swimming pool.
With a missing museum artefact and someone playing switcheroo in the garden — there is more than one mystery for the pair to solve.
A light-hearted illustrated mystery for newly independent readers, this is a promising series opener for amateur sleuths. (8+)
Set in a dystopian Edinburgh, a poisonous cloud known as the Reek has contaminated Earth’s oxygen.
Sparrow struggles to carve out a living, but when everything from the skates she uses to the very air she breathes is owned by giant corporation Zephyr, every moment is a fight to survive.
But Zephyr’s founder, the millionaire Axel Brodie, is doing what he can to help save the world, right?
A dystopia that shines a light on potential inequalities our world could face as much as current ones, this gripping thriller aimed at Dyslexic readers is certain to get you thinking. (9+)
Both practical and aesthetically appealing, expert hiker and TikToker Iron Tazz has created a useful and accessible guide to introduce young hikers to the basics of camping, hiking and backpacking.
Helpful tips on everything from packing your backpack to navigation skills, are outlined in an encouraging and engaging tone, interspersed with Stanev’s stunning illustrations of the variety of landscapes hikers can enjoy exploring.
An empowering read for young adventurers. (Non-fiction, 9+)
Tech savvy kids and budding entrepreneurs are certain to devour this interesting delve into the world of tech.
Written by a successful female entrepreneur, the book spans the history of tech and highlights lesser-known jobs in the industry that readers who enjoy gaming, coding or design might be interested in.
Brightly illustrated with plenty of facts and diagrams, this is an engaging look at the future of tech made easily accessible for future geniuses. (Non-fiction, 9+)
After unexpectedly causing trouble at magician Harry Houdini’s show in their seaside town, Glory and Dennis are left reeling when their hero dies a few short weeks later.
But things take an unexpected turn when they realise Houdini has left them with a task from beyond the grave; to accompany the mysterious trunk number 8 to New York.
Carroll’s signature mix of historical fiction with well-paced mystery creates a gripping summer read set in the vaudeville world of the 1920s. (10+)
Your name is Agent W and after five years of intelligence training you are set to take on your first spy missions in a variety of locations around Europe: are you a smart enough sleuth to solve each case?
A super book for engaging reluctant readers, the variety of puzzles and mysteries will keep all levels of attention span engaged, while the backstory on the top-secret cases encourages narrative engagement.
An ideal companion book for long journeys. (10+)
The village of Glencooper becomes a hotspot for alien enthusiasts once a year, ever since an unidentified flying object appeared in the skies 18 years ago.
Of course, Martin has always thought the spacers were full of nonsense, until some CCTV footage reveals that not only are aliens real — they are actually his parents.
Striking a delicate balance between a funny sci-fi adventure and a heartfelt story of friendship, this is a thoroughly entertaining teen read, even for those with a fear of huge killer insects. (13+)
- Ruth Concannon is publications officer for Children’s Books Ireland, the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child’s right to develop a love of reading.
- Their mission is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people in Ireland, to share their expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, to 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.
