‘How are jeans made?’, ‘Where does drinking water come from?’, ‘How does the internet work?’ are just some of the puzzles that we ponder everyday, and in her latest information book for young readers, Libby Deutsch attempts to answer these and many more burning questions.
Written and illustrated by Owen O’Doherty, a Dublin-based architect, Bright Sparks aims to introduce readers to the ingenious women who have invented incredible machines, have designed amazing structures and are responsible for groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Some of the women, like Marie Curie, you may have heard of, but many other names have previously been overlooked or forgotten.
Wicklow author Rob Maguire uses the fictional voice of zoologist Dr Hibernica Finch to offer this fascinating study of native Irish animals, from the commonly spotted European robin to the lesser seen killer whale. Essential facts are given on each creature, including their Latin name, diet, size and lifespan. The factual information is interspersed with witty sidenotes and musings, creating a refreshing light-heartedness that is not often seen in educational books.
If you want to start a conversation anywhere in Ireland, bring up the weather. If you want to go deeper than that, this is the book to help. The Great Irish Weather Book is a brilliant combination of style and substance, a beautifully illustrated, large format book, jam packed with scientific information which will appeal to adults and children.
What would you do if you lived on the edgecof the galaxy in a space station far from Earth, with just your granny, and then one day whilst exploring said space station you found an enormous disused rocket? Derek’s granny explains that it is a space train, a magical train that once travelled across the universe visiting thousands of other space stations. This can only mean one thing to lonely Derek – with a space train like this he can find friends. Together with a grumbly toolbot and robot chicken, Derek and his granny set to work fixing this monster machine.
A friend of mine always says, ‘The story should start on the title page,’ and opening this book is a treat. The illustrator, going by the nom de plume Nomoco, has included festive and fun endpapers that set the tone for the rest of the book. The illustrations are mostly in monochromatic blue and have only touches of other primary colours, such as the cheerful raincoat at the end. The design also enhances the text and illustrations, being set in inventive ways without being difficult to read.
Ever looked up into the sky and wondered about clouds? Well, wonder no more. This cloudy compilation of poetry, art and a good pinch of humour by Latvian poet Kronbergs, appeals to the skygazer in us all. The twenty-five poems in this book tell a story of clouds; from how they move and travel, to how they shapeshift and of course how they transform weather. Interspersed throughout, Melece’s art reflects the comic nebulous nature of clouds. Impish faces anthropomorphise the cumulus characters in different skies, brought to life by a truly playful array of mixed media and watercolours.
The subject of holes may seem like a strange and dull choice for a children’s book. However, Holes is a beautiful and compelling book, which is a joy to explore.
The author investigates what makes a hole a hole and attempts to show us how holes shape our world. He does so in a way that is accessible and enjoyable, and he explains difficult ideas in a clear, entertaining way.
When Luke’s reckless mate Finn announces that he’s come up with the perfect get-rich-quick scheme, Luke is cautious. Finn wants to start a bank. They’ll lend money to their classmates, take deposits and even invest in clever business ideas like dating apps and performing pigs. The other lads think it’s a great idea, and even Luke is impressed when business starts to boom, but in the back of his mind he still wonders if financial success can really be this easy …
Freelancer illustrator Sophie Foster has created an action-packed fill-in book for drawing and doodle lovers, but with a twist – all creations are determined by the roll of a dice! Over 60 pages of creative ideas involving aliens, super villains, dragons, and misfits, invite you to design your own dog and uncover your future: the dice holds (almost) all the answers to all-important life questions!
