Ruby and Luke are spending the midterm break at their nanny and grandad’s house which – given that their grandparents are retired scientists – means a week filled with exploring, experiments, and excitement.
Award-winning father and daughter team, John and Kathi Burke, make a welcome return with this stunning oversized non-fiction book. Showcasing the fascinating and varied wildlife of Ireland, this book is a celebration of the diverse habitats across our island, from bogs to beaches, forests to farmland, and from the most rural hedgerows to busy towns.
The second instalment of The Adventures of Rap Kid follows Rap Kid, SFX, and Jasper, as they try to solidify their status as rap GOATs (Greatest Of All Time) following on from their success of the first book. This book has a chaotic, fun and unmistakably unique plot where readers will learn about different historical figures through interactive rap battles. Through the power of virtual reality, the kids rap against historical legends such as Cleopatra and Queen Victoria, making for an interesting read.
A soothing, playful romp, this book comprises of poems collected from the contents of a young witch’s pockets: jotted-down spells, reminders, notes, wishes, hopes and dreams. It is a loving exploration of the complexity of adolescence, alternating between tender, as when she muses on remaining close to her sisters while growing up, and toothy, as when she imagines how she might advertise a family-run hex business.
Milly McCarthy is back, and chaos is following closely behind! After previous disastrous attempts to find a hobby, Milly is enjoying her role on the local GAA team. When her coach retires, her dad steps in to make sure Milly doesn’t lose this outlet for all that energy we can feel pouring off the page. However, it soon becomes apparent that there is also a dire need for new team uniforms and equipment. The whole community comes together to find a solution, and with Halloween just around the corner, a haunted house fundraiser seems a perfect fit, with Milly helping to lead the charge.
The Not-So Great Escape is an excellent example of how there is always more behind titles. First assumptions had this reviewer imagining a funny adventure, a buddy comedy full of shenanigans, perfect for younger readers. This itself would have been highly enjoyable, but instead The Not-So Great Escape is a much more complex story.
This unusual wee tale is visually stunning, with graphic novel-esque art, and a brevity that means that the images are what stick in the reader’s mind. From its arresting cover – complete with lightning bolts, crow, and Mat himself, trapped in a large hourglass floating in a stormy sea, to the sight of the ‘Deil’ (Scots for ‘devil’) spinning the decks at a house party, this book has much to offer. The text is a poem, short but skilfully wrought, which retells the Burns’ poem Tam o’ Shanter in a modern context, complete with bikes, mobile phones, and treacherous train lines.
This beautiful book provides stirring lessons on animals and nature that are enhanced by its stunning design and captivating illustrations. Within its colourful pages, readers explore how: penguins are devoted, bees find their unique place in the world, dolphins play and elephants care for others and much more. The author connects 40 animals to a recognisable quality that makes it seem understandable and accessible for children.
The popular Football Heroes series has expanded to include legends of the game, and this book focuses on Irish hero Paul McGrath.
Stories have great power. They are a wonderful way of entertaining, educating and, most importantly, connecting. In this enchanting collection of ten fairy and folk tales retold for children, award-winning author Lari Don celebrates the rich, ancient storytelling traditions of Ireland and its Celtic neighbours in Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany.
