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.
With this enchanting picturebook, Elizabeth Wathuti transforms her childhood connection with nature into a story about belonging, responsibility, and the power of one action. Opening with a seven-year-old girl planting her first tree, the narrative traces how a childhood act of care can grow into a lifelong commitment to protecting forests and communities.
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.
When seventeen-year-old Sam, who has cerebral palsy, is once again excluded from a class trip because the school bus is not wheelchair accessible, he decides to start a fundraiser to raise money for an inclusive bus. While the bus may be the catalyst for this story, what unfolds goes far beyond any fundraiser.
Set in a South Asian-inspired world, The Ivory Key opens in a tangle of family and political tensions. Told from the point-of-view of four royal siblings: Vira, the self-doubting queen who needs to return magic to her failing kingdom; Riya, the sister who defected to a band of vigilantes; Ronak, the brother who wants to run away; and Kaleb, the brother who was framed for their mother’s death.
Saffron is a first-year university student navigating friendship shifts, family tensions, and a fraught relationship with her body. Amara Sage delivers a sharp and emotionally resonant exploration of the complex pressures shaping young women’s identities in the digital age.
Our annual reading guide is here! The Best Irish Books of 2026 is a celebration of Irish authors and illustrators, published this year. It contains reviews of 100 books suitable for readers aged 0–18 years.
Inis is the magazine of Children's Books Ireland. Within these pages you will find features and articles on Irish and international children's books as well as in-depth reviews of new titles for children and teenagers. With its range of expert contributors, this is a key resource for teachers, writers, illustrators, librarians, parents/guardians and everyone interested in children's books.
At sixteen, Ezra believes he’s a lost cause. Troubled parents, an unstable upbringing and spiralling bad decisions paint a grim picture for his future. Frequently moving between foster homes since entering care as a child, his little sister Evie remains the only constant and bright spot in his life. But when something goes horribly wrong during a job to settle a debt, Ezra figures there’s just one place he can run to where social workers, cops and paramilitaries are unlikely to find him. However, crossing the Northern Irish border would mean leaving Evie behind …
Katy Hessel’s adaptation of her bestselling 2022 book The Story of Art Without Men is a joyful introduction to the history of art created by women worldwide over the past 500 years. She provides empowering and exciting accounts of various female artists and art movements, ranging from the Renaissance to Minimalism and up to the present day. Hessel’s passion for her subject will spark curiosity and enthusiasm among readers. This edition also includes new chapters which were not featured in the original book – for example, a section exploring First Nations art in Australia.
