This collection of Irish stories is a delightful read that uses a simple yet engaging rhyming scheme to bring the richness of Irish folklore vividly to life. Featuring some of Ireland’s most famous figures, the collection both educates and entertains young readers who are curious about Irish legends.
The fantasy fiction centres on a young woman named Aurora, whose village would be shrouded in darkness without the Starmaker, a long-lived sorcerer whose duty it is to herald the sunlight to her village every morning, returning it to the sun every night.
This wonderful rhyming picturebook tells the story of four friendly dragons looking for adventure and getting into all sorts of funny scrapes along the way. The dragons take part in a race, attend a grand ball at the palace, and meet a witch and a giant along the way.
Goldilocs is a witty and empowering retelling, boldly reimagined for a new generation of young readers. McLeod flips the traditional Goldilocks story on its head, giving voice to a spirited girl determined to tell her own truth and challenge societal expectations. In Fairytale Land, Goldilocs discovers that girls are expected to be only three things – wicked witches, evil queens, or passive princesses awaiting rescue. She refuses to fit any of them.
When Corith Fraine finds herself propelled into a new role as Floodmouth for the prestigious House Shearwater, she struggles to keep her head above water. As she begins to unravel the mysteries of the island and the family that inhabit it, she must learn to control the tides and her strength to uncover the secrets behind her best friend Zennia’s death.
A chill blast opens this book, as we enter a world that has only known winter for twelve years, and where no child has been born in this time. There is a sense of desperation around a ceremony of fire lighting created to restore the usual cycles of nature. The villagers are looking for hope wherever they can find it, but quiet and cautious Quill is probably the last person they would expect to discover it in.
Is deacair do bheatha a shaothrú agus tú ag brath ar phuisín – bhuel, mura bhfuil caint, gliceas agus buataisí breátha aige, cosúil le laoch an scéil seo! Leanann muid Cóilín agus a chara ar aistear aisteach agus iad sa tóir ar shaibhreas agus grá ach ní mór dúinn gan dearmad a dhéanamh go bhfuil Puisín na nBróg féin i gceannas ar na pleananna cliste a chuirtear i bhfeidhm.
Our Wee Place is a warm, loving exploration of a grandfather sharing his love for Northern Ireland with his adorable and inquisitive granddaughter. Highlighting their special inter-generational relationship, Emily’s granda shares his childhood photographs with her and teaches her about friendship and the beauty of their ‘wee place’.
Readers of Fox & Son Tailers will be thrilled to return to the town of Ballybrush, this time paying a visit to Rory and Fox’s next-door neighbours Badger Books. The bookshop is owned by Badger, who has worked fifty-two years eleven months and nine days in the trade, has an extensive book selection and a very grumpy disposition. Badger always has the book to suit each customer’s needs – that is until Rory from next door appears looking for a very specific story about a jellyfish and the moon.
Some Irish myths have been heard a thousand times, borrowed for advertisements, and taken for granted: here, McGann reminds us that there is always something new to discover. In this beautiful retelling of the timeless tale of Oisín and Tír na nÓg – a story many of us think we know so well that its magic is often overlooked – McGann’s simple, lyrical prose effortlessly evokes the ethereal beauty of Tír na nÓg, while the modern, vibrant illustrations from Busuttil breathe fresh life into this ancient legend.
