Dec 24, 2024
Dec 10,2024
We hope that there is a book-shaped surprise in your stocking on Christmas Eve and for those last-minute list writers, here are some super reads to add to your wish list.
As we reach the end of the year, it’s a good time to take stock of the brilliant books that have been published in 2024. If you’d like to explore some other great recommendations from the past twelve months, be sure to check out www.childrensbooksireland.ie for further reading inspiration.
This month, our friends at the We Love Books Podcast have a festive special to get listeners in the mood for the this special time of year. Leona Forde and Karen Harte, the author and illustrator behind the popular Milly McCarthy series will be dropping into the studio to give listeners a behind the scenes peek at Ireland's favourite calamity queen. There’s more from our Reading Heroes and the Book Bot with plenty of news, reviews and competitions for listeners.
'Twas the Match Before Christmas by Julianne McKeigue, illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald, The O’Brien Press, 32PP, ISBN 9781788494656
Many dreams of children (and adults!) across Ireland have featured either the arrival of Santa on Christmas Eve, or the scoring of winning goals in Croke Park. Well, now we have a picturebook that celebrates both! As darkness falls on Dublin, security guard Jenny gets the surprise of her life when what does she spot coming across on the sacred turf of Croke Park but a jolly, bearded man sitting in a sleigh filled with presents!
There follows a match, the likes of which have never been seen involving elves, reindeer and some tackles that wouldn’t be out of place on All Ireland Final day. Jenny has to have her wits and whistle about her to keep these All Stars under control. Told in the form of a rhyme that draws inspiration from the famous Clement C. Moore poem, this book is sure to be a hit with young sports fans who no doubt will be looking for hoof-prints in the goalmouth the next time they visit Páirc an Chrócaigh. (Age 2–4, 5–8)
Letters from the North Pole by Annie Atkins, illustrated by Fia Tobing, Magic Cat Publishing, 48PP, ISBN 9781915569912
This charming book truly captures the enchanting feeling of the Christmas season. Five children from different parts of the world – England, Germany, France, the USA, and Japan – write letters to Santa Claus, each requesting an inventive Christmas gift and asking him a unique question. In a magical turn of events, Santa writes back! The book includes replicas of these letters with retro design of the official letterheads, type, stamps, lettering, and more giving the reader the sense of receiving authentic correspondence from Santa. A festive and joyful seasonal book. (Age 5–8)
Rowan Tree Stables by Nina Carberry, illustrated by Nuno Alexandre Vieira, Gill Books, 150PP, ISBN 9780717198733
Grace and Aaron are back with more daring pony antics and adventures in the third instalment of the Rowan Tree Stables series. A snowstorm has granted Grace and Aaron a much-appreciated week off school and what else would they do but spend time with their beloved ponies Daisy and Nipper.
However, when the wintery wonderland becomes more of a hindrance than a help for the people of Greenfort, the snow pony express is there to lend a helping hand. With the appearance of some new and old friendly faces, this book shows the value of what hard work, community spirit and a mischievous Jack Russell with a liking for a cosy hiding place can do. This is a perfect book to curl up with on a cold winter evening, cradling a steaming mug of hot chocolate as you dive into its pages and get whisked away. (Age 8–10)
Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity by Leona Forde, illustrated by Karen Harte, Gill Books, 176PP, ISBN 9781804581018
The latest festive instalment in the popular Milly McCarthy series follows Milly in the build-up to the Christmas season. Milly’s school is staging a festive concert, and she is very excited to take part. The stage is set early in the novel as Milly’s fun, gently self-deprecating narration hint at the derailing of the school Christmas concert.
The story still manages to build to an unexpected, unique and truly entertaining conclusion as the festive fiasco unfolds. The atmosphere of an Irish school preparing for Christmas is wonderfully captured here and Milly’s witty, honest insights into school and family life create a joyous page-turner, bringing the reader on a memorable journey. A funny and relatable tale from Forde and Harte. (Age 8–10)
You can read a full chapter here!
Sprouts by Sibéal Pounder, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 256PP, ISBN 9781526639462
Set in a future where Christmas is the only lifestyle option – Santa’s gone full despot in his Christmas Capital, Humbug, and if you fail to show the required enthusiasm for 24/7 seasonal fun, the full force of scary Krampuses will be on you like the proverbial ton of festive bricks! The only oasis of Christmas-free living are the Mince Pie Isles where, rebel witches live and 'illegally’ celebrate Christmas just once a year.
When Gryla, a sweet, bumbling young witch becomes the surprise new guardian of the witches’ Spell Book, she has barely taken up guardianship of it when Santa’s daughter kidnaps her and whisks her off to Humbug, but not for reasons you might suspect...Take my word for it, Sprouts is THE ultimate way to wallow in all things Christmas! A joyful festive themed caper with a funny, clever and a slightly left-of-centre take on the most glorious season of them all. (Age 8–10, 10–12)
Fia and the Last Snow Deer by Eilish Fisher, illustrated by Dermot Flynn, Puffin, 272PP, ISBN 9780241651964
A stunning début and this year’s winner of the Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year (Senior) at the An Post Irish Book Awards, this is an unmissable winter read for darker evenings. This beautiful verse novel follows Fia and her beloved snow deer, Solas, as they set out on an impossible quest across pre-historic Ireland, to negotiate with the powerful Deer Mother for the return of the sun after years of endless winter.
This is truly a jewel of a book, with the illustrations the movement from darkness to light, as well as evoking the prehistoric setting. The language is accessible, yet lyrical in parts, making this an excellent introduction to the verse novel form. A must-read. (Age 10–12)
Ruth Concannon is the Publications Officer for Children's Books Ireland, the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child's right to develop a love of reading.
Their mission is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people in Ireland, to share their expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, to champion every child’s right to excellent books and live literature events and support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland.
Go to www.childrensbooksireland.ie for more about great books.
