At Children’s Books Ireland we champion diverse and inclusive books that best reflect the world, with characters of all genders and sexualities and families of all kinds. We believe that everyone deserves to see their story within the pages of an excellent book.
The Read with Pride reading guide 2026 contains 100 LGBTQ+ inclusive stories for young readers aged 0–18 with 100 recommended ‘read also’ titles for further reading.
From cars and buses to boats, submarines and soaring aircrafts, this innovative board book is packed with vehicles of every kind.
We Can Be Mermaids is the story of the very special bond between a Dad and his five-year-old daughter Silver. Dad would do anything for Silver, even facing his biggest fear and learning to swim.
Being a newcomer can be tough, especially at a new school. Here, we explore the difficult emotions that accompany that first day, in a compassionate and supportive way. Without minimising the fear and apprehension a child may feel, pastel shades, simple design and a gentle rhythm in the text provide a comforting exploration of what to expect. Emphasis is placed on the faces and body language of a diverse cast of characters throughout. Each character is expertly illustrated to convey the emotional tone, making the shifts understandable to younger audiences.
One of the most beautifully designed books this reviewer has ever come across, Nature’s Dance combines design, artwork, and scientific research to celebrate ‘movement, cooperation, and the profound intelligence of the natural world.’
From our very first glimpse of Bear, readers are instantly amused as he searches for his glasses, which we can see perched upon his head. On his way to track them down, Bear mistakes objects like trees and shrubs for other animals such as deer, a flamingo and even a crocodile.
This delightfully silly story is sure to bring joy into storytime as everyone in the castle tries to figure out who is causing the spooky sounds in the castle. Willis’ whimsical writing and Fitzgerald’s use of colour instantly brings readers into this magical world of green castles and mischievous green ghosts hiding along the walls seeking someone to scare. Trying to spot the green ghost blending into each green-coloured scene is something that adds a little extra layer of fun into an already delightful story.
In her latest picturebook, Shona Shirley Macdonald serves up a gloriously whimsical celebration of imagination, music, and creative play. Following Grub, a travelling musician whose impromptu jam-making experiment unexpectedly springs to life, the story revels in absurdity while gently reminding young readers that the greatest rewards often come from shared joy rather than winning.
The Pumpkin Seed explores a sweet analogy between a newly blended family alongside the growth cycle of a pumpkin plant – a beautifully profound, yet simple concept.
