The holidays are here, and Publications Officer for Children’s Books Ireland, Ruth Concannon is bringing some sunny suggestions to all the young readers with this month’s RTÉjr Book Club…
How do you plan to spend your summer? And I don’t just mean on a beach abroad or on a staycation here at home – what adventures will you go on this summer?
Perhaps you will spend it getting to know a new pet? Maybe you will be avoiding the big bad wolf? Or just hoping you survived your school’s sports day? Maybe you’d like to go on an adventure with a superhero cactus? Or perhaps even time travel back to 1940s Ireland?
With a good book in your hand, there’s no end to the summer adventures that you can have without even leaving the comfort of your favourite armchair! The summertime is the best time for reading, with lots of great books to choose from for every level of interest.
Below you will find some of our favourite recent releases that we highly recommend for your summer reading lists. For more recommendations, head over to www.childrensbooksireland.ie.
The Hoys by Kes Gray, illustrated by Mark Chambers, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 32pp ISBN 9780711287990
All of the pirates that Pirate Jake meets keep on saying ‘ahoy there!’ but poor Pirate Jake cannot find a ‘hoy’ anywhere! He looks all over but there isn’t a ‘hoy’ to be found anyplace at all, and he worries that he will never become a real pirate without them. That is, until he wanders upon something wondrous in a secret cave and has his wildest dreams come true.
This is a fun, phrenetic jaunt through piratical phonetics that all rests on one clear and hilarious misunderstanding: what is a ‘hoy’? With a sparse text, the pirate’s world is created entirely through Mark Chambers bright and colourful illustrations along with Kes Gray’s trademark humour and wordplay that turns the reader’s expectations on their head. This is a story that will be re-read time and time again. (Age 2–4)
Come Out, Come Out, Chameleon! by Jonty Howley, Happy Yak, 32pp ISBN 9780711289703
A colour-changing chameleon might seem like an ideal pet, but what happens when they blend in with their surroundings so well that you can’t find them? As Chameleon skilfully transforms itself, its new owner and his dog try to coax Chameleon out of hiding. As well as being highly interactive and vibrantly drawn, the book also allows for the viewer to see the chameleon’s camouflage in action and helping them to visually understand how chameleons change colour. This is a story you can’t help but smile at – a fun, light read for any young reader who enjoys a spot-the-difference or search-and-find book. Ideal for early readers and animal lovers who want a new and interactive take on the picturebook medium. (Age 2–4)
Na Trí Mhuicín le hÁine Ní Ghlinn, maisithe ag Paddy Donnelly, Futa Fata, 32lch, ISBN 9781915684110
‘Sean scéal agus meirg air’ a chloisim tú ag rá nuair a léann tú teideal an leabhair seo. Agus, ar dhóigheanna áirithe tá an ceart agat mar is annamh nach mbíonn eachtraí dána an mhic tíre ar eolas ag léitheoirí. Ach, sa chás seo ní bheadh an ceart agat. Fiú má tá an bunscéal ar eolas agat, tá saothar ealaíne úr cruthaithe ag an údar agus an maisitheoir atá chomh bríomhar agus ildaite leis an chéad tuar ceatha i ndiaidh geimhridh fhada. Is beag an spás atá curtha amú ag Paddy Donnelly ar leathanaigh líonta le dath. Is spraíúil iad na muca agus is scanrúil é an mac tíre atá léirithe aige.
Beidh léitheoirí óga ag béicíl ar na muicíní mar cé go n-insíonn na focail agus na léaráidí sa chúlra go bhfuil na bainbh i gcontúirt ag tús an scéil taispeántar iad aineolach ar an dainséar seo ar leac an dorais. Ach tá seans láidir ann an chéad uair a léann tú an leabhar seo nach mbeidh an t-am agat díriú isteach i gceart ar na léaráidí mealltacha mar beidh tú scuabtha ar aghaidh ar shruth na filíochta ina bhfuil na heachtraí inste. Tá an rím agus an rithim atá cruthaithe ag an iar-Laureate tógálach agus beidh fonn ort an scéal a léamh arís agus arís eile. Clasaic úr do leabhragáin teaghlaigh. (Aois 5–8)
Milly McCarthy and the Sports Day Shambles by Leona Forde, illustrated by Karen Harte, Gill Books, 160pp ISBN 9780717196159
Milly McCarthy loves her teacher, the always kind Múinteoir Emer, who shows endless patience with her unruly class. But when Milly’s class receives the terrible news that Múinteoir Emer must take some time off for a bunion removal, how will the class cope for five weeks with a substitute teacher? More importantly, how will the substitute teacher cope with Milly’s class?
As they prepare for their first sports day under the watchful eye of PE obsessed Mr. Wright, Milly tries her best and ploughs on even when faced with a myriad of mishaps – she just can’t help being a magnet for mayhem! The third in the series, that can be read as a standalone story, the Milly series are a must-read for all primary school kids. Readers will be hooked from the beginning, as this heartfelt story is brimming with fun and energy. (Age 8–10)
You can read a full chapter here!
Cactus Kid: The Battle for Star Rock Mountain by Emmanuel Guerroro, Flying Eye Books, 164pp ISBN 9781913123215
Cactus Kid is honing his skills in magic, to become the greatest wizard of all time! Missing one essential ingredient to supercharge his powers, he speeds off on a motorbike quest through the desert in search of a piece of star rock, and to prove himself to his family once and for all. Readers will be swiftly drawn in on Cactus Kid’s journey of adventure and self-discovery in this super fun and action-packed graphic novel brimming with dynamic illustration and engaging text. The first book in a new series, the illustration is delivered in a strong, attractive palette, full of vibrant, motorbike-riding characters that Cactus Kid meets along the way. With warring gangs, humorous magical mishaps, this rip-roaring adventure explores the concepts of feeling the need to prove oneself and striving to become a hero. (Age 9–11)
The Weather Girls by Sarah Webb, The O’Brien Press, 192pp, ISBN 9781788494397
Grace Devine, lives in the Blacksod Lighthouse and weather station, but the Devine family’s peaceful life changes when they are tasked with sending hourly weather updates to the Met Office in England. Whilst trying to juggle this newfound responsibility, the pressure mounts as the war continues. As the stakes get higher each chapter, Grace must face the everyday normal drama that comes with being a twelve-year-old girl in Ireland during the Emergency.
Taking readers back to 1940s Mayo, this novel is inspired by true events, which make it an even more fascinating read. Short, but packing a punch, what sets Webb’s novel apart is the strong family and friend connections, along with its strong representation of women during the Emergency in Ireland. (Age 10–12)
Ruth Concannon is the 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.
See www.childrensbooksireland.ie for more.
