1 ‘Twas the Match Before Christmas
Author: Julianne McKeigue
Price: €12.99
‘Twas the Match Before Christmas, €12.99.
'Twas the Match Before Christmas by Julianne McKeigue is a vivid picture book and story set in Croke Park. The book opens on a still Christmas Eve, but the quiet is soon interrupted as a jolly and thick-bearded Santa Claus, accompanied by his elves and reindeer, arrive to enjoy a football-filled night in the Dublin stadium. This festive twist on the classic Christmas tale and famous Clement C. Moore poem is a fantastic pick for young readers with a love of sport.
2 The Salmon of Knowledge
Author: Eithne Massey
Price: €14.99
The Salmon of Knowledge, €14.99.
The Salmon of Knowledge is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that brings to life one of Ireland’s famous legends about the mystical salmon from the River Boyne that possesses all the world’s knowledge. The story follows a young Fionn, who goes to live with the wisest man in Ireland, Finnegas, hoping to finding answers to his many questions. This story celebrates curiosity and is the perfect introduction to Irish myths and folklore for young readers.
3 I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me: Favourite Rhymes from an Irish Childhood
Author: Sarah Webb
Price: €19.99
I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me: Favourite Rhymes from an Irish Childhood, €19.99.
Nothing captures children’s imagination quite like rhyme. I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me is a delightful collection of nursery rhymes, songs, and poems compiled by Sarah Webb, featuring lively illustrations by Paul Delaney. It includes beloved classics like Old Mother Hubbard and Sing a Song of Sixpence, along with cheerful rhymes such as I Made You Look and Hot Dog, adding sparkle and joy to bedtime.
4 A Map for Falasteen: A Palestinian Child’s Search for Home
Author: Maysa Odeh
Price: €9.99
A Map for Falasteen: A Palestinian Child’s Search for Home, €9.99.
At school, Falasteen and her classmates are tasked with finding their families’ home countries on a map, but no matter how hard she looks, Falasteen can’t find Palestine. A concerned Falasteen goes home after school, turning to her family for answers. Filled with beautiful illustrations and a thoughtful narrative that gently introduces young readers to culture and history, this is a story of family, identity and belonging.
5 Jess Gets Her Wings
Author: Lucy Kennedy
Price: €16.99
Jess Gets Her Wings, €16.99.
Lucy Kennedy, the bestselling Irish children’s writer in 2023, is back with a new addition to her Friendship Fairies series, Jess Gets Her Wings. Readers are drawn into the story of young fairy-in-training, Jess, who dreams of earning her wings. First, she must complete three simple tasks. As Jess takes on fresh challenges, she learns lessons about friendship, bravery, and believing in herself.
6 Over the Red-Brick Chimney
Author: Una Leavy
Price: €13.99
Over the Red-Brick Chimney, €13.99.
Over the Red-Brick Chimney was short-listed for Children’s Book of the Year (Junior) 2024 at the Irish Book Awards – and it’s not hard to see why. Over the Red-Brick Chimney tells the story of Little Goose, who breaks her wing and gets separated from her family during her first migration. She is cared for by Finn and his mother in the house with the red-brick chimney. Through birds-eye view illustrations by Shannon Bergin, the readers are drawn into Little Goose’s world, as we follow her journey of healing.
7 Braids Take a Day
Author: Zainab Boladale
Price: €11.99
Braids Take a Day, €11.99.
Braids Take a Day is the eagerly-awaited debut young adult novel from Zainab Boladale. Clearly worth the wait, Boladale was short-listed for Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year at the 2024 Irish Books Awards for this heartwarming story. Readers follow the story of teenage Abidemi, who cannot wait for summer and is ready to say goodbye to school.
When Abi meets an intriguing woman from Nigeria, she starts facing doubts and confusion. Braids Take a Day captures the teenage transition to adulthood with warmth and relatability for young adult readers.
8 What is a Peachick?
Author: Erika McGann
Price: €14.99
What is a Peachick?, €14.99.
What is a Peachick? is a delightful story that explores a young child’s curiosity about the word ‘peachick’. Is peachick grown in a pea pod? Or is it a chickpea?
The narrator speculates, introducing young readers to playful ideas like whether celery, carrot and even socks could have “chicks”.
Filled with rhythm and rhyme, Erika McGann’s lively text encourages creative thinking, while Clive McFarland’s bright and bold illustrations capture young readers’ imagination.
This beautiful picture book is perfect for young readers aged three years and up, and is a great vehicle for expanding vocabulary.
Farron’s Adventure, Author: Adam King, Price: €9.95
Adam King with his new book, Farron’s Adventure.
The king of The Late Late Toy Show, 10-year-old Adam King, (pictured) has launched his first children’s book, Farron’s Adventure.
Adam’s storybook sees the mischievous Viking elf Farron making his way through Waterford during one of Adam’s favourite festivals, Winterval in Ireland’s oldest city.
The book is published by the Winterval Festival, with sales proceeds going to the Junior for Juniors Foundation, whose mission is to bring comfort and solace to young patients in the paediatric wards of University Hospital Waterford.
1 ‘Twas the Match Before Christmas
Author: Julianne McKeigue
Price: €12.99
‘Twas the Match Before Christmas, €12.99.
'Twas the Match Before Christmas by Julianne McKeigue is a vivid picture book and story set in Croke Park. The book opens on a still Christmas Eve, but the quiet is soon interrupted as a jolly and thick-bearded Santa Claus, accompanied by his elves and reindeer, arrive to enjoy a football-filled night in the Dublin stadium. This festive twist on the classic Christmas tale and famous Clement C. Moore poem is a fantastic pick for young readers with a love of sport.
2 The Salmon of Knowledge
Author: Eithne Massey
Price: €14.99
The Salmon of Knowledge, €14.99.
The Salmon of Knowledge is a beautifully illustrated children’s book that brings to life one of Ireland’s famous legends about the mystical salmon from the River Boyne that possesses all the world’s knowledge. The story follows a young Fionn, who goes to live with the wisest man in Ireland, Finnegas, hoping to finding answers to his many questions. This story celebrates curiosity and is the perfect introduction to Irish myths and folklore for young readers.
3 I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me: Favourite Rhymes from an Irish Childhood
Author: Sarah Webb
Price: €19.99
I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me: Favourite Rhymes from an Irish Childhood, €19.99.
Nothing captures children’s imagination quite like rhyme. I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me is a delightful collection of nursery rhymes, songs, and poems compiled by Sarah Webb, featuring lively illustrations by Paul Delaney. It includes beloved classics like Old Mother Hubbard and Sing a Song of Sixpence, along with cheerful rhymes such as I Made You Look and Hot Dog, adding sparkle and joy to bedtime.
4 A Map for Falasteen: A Palestinian Child’s Search for Home
Author: Maysa Odeh
Price: €9.99
A Map for Falasteen: A Palestinian Child’s Search for Home, €9.99.
At school, Falasteen and her classmates are tasked with finding their families’ home countries on a map, but no matter how hard she looks, Falasteen can’t find Palestine. A concerned Falasteen goes home after school, turning to her family for answers. Filled with beautiful illustrations and a thoughtful narrative that gently introduces young readers to culture and history, this is a story of family, identity and belonging.
5 Jess Gets Her Wings
Author: Lucy Kennedy
Price: €16.99
Jess Gets Her Wings, €16.99.
Lucy Kennedy, the bestselling Irish children’s writer in 2023, is back with a new addition to her Friendship Fairies series, Jess Gets Her Wings. Readers are drawn into the story of young fairy-in-training, Jess, who dreams of earning her wings. First, she must complete three simple tasks. As Jess takes on fresh challenges, she learns lessons about friendship, bravery, and believing in herself.
6 Over the Red-Brick Chimney
Author: Una Leavy
Price: €13.99
Over the Red-Brick Chimney, €13.99.
Over the Red-Brick Chimney was short-listed for Children’s Book of the Year (Junior) 2024 at the Irish Book Awards – and it’s not hard to see why. Over the Red-Brick Chimney tells the story of Little Goose, who breaks her wing and gets separated from her family during her first migration. She is cared for by Finn and his mother in the house with the red-brick chimney. Through birds-eye view illustrations by Shannon Bergin, the readers are drawn into Little Goose’s world, as we follow her journey of healing.
7 Braids Take a Day
Author: Zainab Boladale
Price: €11.99
Braids Take a Day, €11.99.
Braids Take a Day is the eagerly-awaited debut young adult novel from Zainab Boladale. Clearly worth the wait, Boladale was short-listed for Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year at the 2024 Irish Books Awards for this heartwarming story. Readers follow the story of teenage Abidemi, who cannot wait for summer and is ready to say goodbye to school.
When Abi meets an intriguing woman from Nigeria, she starts facing doubts and confusion. Braids Take a Day captures the teenage transition to adulthood with warmth and relatability for young adult readers.
8 What is a Peachick?
Author: Erika McGann
Price: €14.99
What is a Peachick?, €14.99.
What is a Peachick? is a delightful story that explores a young child’s curiosity about the word ‘peachick’. Is peachick grown in a pea pod? Or is it a chickpea?
The narrator speculates, introducing young readers to playful ideas like whether celery, carrot and even socks could have “chicks”.
Filled with rhythm and rhyme, Erika McGann’s lively text encourages creative thinking, while Clive McFarland’s bright and bold illustrations capture young readers’ imagination.
This beautiful picture book is perfect for young readers aged three years and up, and is a great vehicle for expanding vocabulary.
Farron’s Adventure, Author: Adam King, Price: €9.95
Adam King with his new book, Farron’s Adventure.
The king of The Late Late Toy Show, 10-year-old Adam King, (pictured) has launched his first children’s book, Farron’s Adventure.
Adam’s storybook sees the mischievous Viking elf Farron making his way through Waterford during one of Adam’s favourite festivals, Winterval in Ireland’s oldest city.
The book is published by the Winterval Festival, with sales proceeds going to the Junior for Juniors Foundation, whose mission is to bring comfort and solace to young patients in the paediatric wards of University Hospital Waterford.
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