Fairy tales, myths and legends

Maptastic is a book packed to the brim with interesting maps showing all aspects of the Earth. Traditionally, we think of maps as tools to show us the way to get to somewhere, but Maptastic goes way beyond the usual expectations of a map.

Flossie McFluff’s latest festive adventure is a warm and lively tale that celebrates kindness, courage and the magic that can unfold when a determined woodland fairy steps up to help her friends. The story offers young readers a reassuring reminder that even the smallest actions can have a big impact. The plot is straightforward and swiftly paced, allowing space for children to enjoy the cosiness and charm of the world O’Brien has created without being overwhelmed by detail.

This beautiful and richly illustrated treasury invites readers to follow in the footsteps of legendary heroes and heroines from around the globe. With more than thirty tales arranged by continent, the book explores quests, voyages, and adventures that span cultures and centuries. From the familiar stories of Odysseus and Mulan, to lesser-known myths such as the African tale of Kivanga’s journey to the underworld or Japan’s tale of Momotaro, the child born from a peach, the collection blends myth, folklore, and history.

Enchanted Ireland is a captivating journey through all thirty-two counties of Ireland, offering readers a rich tapestry of myth, geography and imagination. Each short story blends traditional folklore with real locations, allowing readers to travel the country through its legends. A map included in the book invites readers to follow their reading journey from county to county.

Portrayals of disability in fantasy fiction used to be rare, often including a trope where magic was able to ‘remove’ said disability. This is far from the case in the Ella Jones series, where the titular character is vision impaired. Rather than something to be magically waved away, Ella’s vision impairment is central to her story; it makes her uniquely qualified to face the challenges thrown her way. Ella, and not her friends, is the one able to save the world precisely because she is used to experiencing it in a different way.

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.

‘Each to his own’ could be the motto of this book. Some go a bundle on delicious café food, whilst others salivate at the thought of bogey broth. Glumfoot, the young protagonist, dreams of something tastier than the latter, and when the aroma of pastry from a new café reaches his cave, his only task is to prevent an ogre from eating the proprietor of said establishment before he can enjoy the food there himself. Easier said than done.

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.

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.