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.
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.
This book considers a very well explored subject, namely the Great War, but from an entirely novel standpoint. It delves into the story of Fred Müller and his family and their harsh treatment as German immigrants living in England, during the period of 1914–1918, exploring how these events impacted their lives.
‘I loved you from the beginning,’ reads the love letter from the future that shapes Emma’s final year of high school and sets her on a new trajectory in all facets of her life.
Eleven-year-old Finn N.O. Hope is back for another instalment of cringe-inducing tales.
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.
This is the story of one very tired little ghost and her search for a place to take a snooze. Little Ghost tries lots of different spots and meets a host of characters, but no one will let her land and have a rest. They are all frightened and much too wary of the Little Ghost, even though she hasn’t given them any reason to be.
The stakes have never been higher for Seraphine and Ransom as they are in The Dragon and the Dove, the final book in the City of Fantome series. Ransom's magic is eating away at his soul and Sera can hardly stay upright as she creates more and more saints to defend Fantome. Can they defeat the silver-tongued Saint before everyone turns to his side?
This compelling début novel follows Hope as she journeys from Dublin to the renowned Pavlovgrad Ballet School, to learn from some of the best teachers Russia has to offer. While this trip is a dream come true, it also brings many new challenges – language and culture differences, strict teachers, homesickness, and a great deal of uncertainty.
