The books come highly recommended by #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks team member Triona Campbell, (Irish YA author of the award winning 'A Game of Life And Death', and, the YA best seller ‘A Traitor In The Game’).
From Picture books about Dinosaurs, Bears and Rabbits, to historical fiction for ages 9+ and some EPIC fantasy and YA thrillers. There is a LOT to get excited about in this month’s list of favourite new releases from Irish Authors.
For younger readers
A Cork Fairy tale
By Amy Louise O’Callaghan (Author)
For ages 4+
The Three Bears can't agree on the perfect presents for a special friend. Can Goldilocks help them find gifts that are JUST RIGHT?
Join them on a fun-filled trip around Cork’s best-loved locations.
A Blooming Great Day
By Úna Woods (Author)
For ages 4+
It seems like just another ordinary day for Rosie and her grandad. But as soon as they step outside, they find themselves on a blooming great adventure around Dublin on the 16 June, 1904!
Bunny’s Most Fabulous Vacation Ever
By Brian Fitzgerald (Author)
For ages 3+
Bunny's plans for a perfect vacation are wrecked by an unwelcome surprise holidaymaker who changes her life in a most colourful way.
Brown Bears
By Nick Crumpton (Author), Colleen Larmour (Illustrator)
For ages 5+
Follow two Alaskan cubs through their first year--and learn what it takes for a cub to become a bear--in this engaging picture book written by a noted zoologist.
The Ballad of Cactus Joe
By Lily Murray (Author), Clive McFarland (Illustrator)
For ages 4+
This delightful, read-aloud picture book follows one prickly saguaro named Cactus Joe who prefers a lonesome life until one day he faces one visitor after another, after another. Cactus Joe just wants to be alone...or does he?
Goodnight Sun
By Eoin Mc’Laughlin (Author), Morag Hood (Illustrator)
For ages 3+
Cheeky sun won't go to bed! He'll find any excuse to stay up. . . painting rainbows, drinking the sea, hiding behind mountains. . . but even the sun must go to bed. . .
Daddy’s Footsteps
By Michelle Robinson (Author), Paddy Donnelly (Illustrator)
For ages 4+
By following in his daddy's footsteps, will Baby Dinosaur find his own feet?
For Older Readers
The Weather Girls
By Sarah Webb (Author)
For ages 9+
1944. Twelve-year-old Grace Devine lives at Blacksod Lighthouse and weather station in County Mayo with her parents and little brother. When a German plane crashes nearby, she and her best friend Sibby risk their lives to save the young pilot.
Meanwhile, the Met Office in England suddenly asks Blacksod to send them weather reports every hour. But why? As the wind and rain howl outside, Grace begins to understand that something important is happening, something to do with the war – and she is right in the eye of the storm. Inspired by true events from World War 2.
Somethings About To Blow Up
By Sam Blake (Author)
For ages 14+
When an explosion rips through the chemistry lab at Dublin’s Raven’s Hill School and six girls are injured, the first thought is that it’s an experiment gone wrong. Then the Gardaí start investigating and declare it a potential bomb attack. But – if so – who was it targeting, and why?
Ella, Becky, Maeve and Mackenzie are rushed to hospital, along with the injured Frankie and Sorcha, who team up with Jess to figure out what actually happened.
But what they discover is something more sinister than even they could have imagined...
Burning Crowns
By Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber (Authors)
For ages 13+
The third book in this best-selling royal YA fantasy romance series from authors (and real-life sisters-in-law) Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber. This is a YA fantasy bursting with high-stakes adventure, romance and humour as an ancient, powerful enemy moves in the shadows against Wren and Rose. Lives now hang in the balance as the stage is set for one final battle in what is an epic conclusion to the Twin Crowns trilogy.
And that's it for May...
All of the above AMAZING books are available in local book shops and Libraries so HAPPY READING (& see you next month for a roundup of more new releases from Irish Authors).
Triona Campbell is part of the team at The Discover Irish Children’s Books Campaign, (founded by award-winning children’s author Sarah Webb), which aims to highlight and celebrate Irish Children’s books.
For more details and reading suggestion see www.DiscoverIrishKidsbooks.ie or check out @irishKidsBooks on Instagram or X.
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