CHILDREN’S

I LOVE BOOKS by Mariajo Ilustrajo (Frances Lincoln €18.85, 40pp)

THIS awardwinning author and illustrator is on top form in this inspiring and entertaining story about a gadgetobsessed little girl who is horrified when her teacher tells her to read a book over the school holidays.

Dragged to the library, she reluctantly chooses a title, slumps in a chair but is soon lured into the pages, where she meets a fox-like creature who leads her on a magical quest to collect ingredients for a spell.

She meets witches, battles pirates and escapes dragons, until finally the potion converts her into an avid ‘story adventurer’. The transformation from monochrome illustrations to an explosion of colour reflects Ilustrajo’s imaginative journey, and it’s a witty treat from start to finish. Age 3+

THE CLOCKWORK CONSPIRACY by Sam Sedgman (Bloomsbury €11.20, 368pp)

ISAAC TURNER’S father Diggory is the horologist who looks after the mechanism of Big Ben. One night, as he’s turning the clock back an hour with Isaac, he goes missing, leaving behind in the belfry his gold pocket watch — smashed — and a cryptic message.

At the same time, Parliament is debating a New Time Bill, that aims to turn the country digital, with ten instead of 12-hour days.

Isaac joins forces with resourceful Hattie to crack the code that will reveal where Diggory is and, in doing so, they uncover an evil plan to control time itself.

Action-packed with twisty turns and a gripping plot, the two endearing central characters are perfectly balanced and ripe for more adventures. 9+

ON SILVER TIDES by Sylvia Bishop (Andersen €12.60, 306pp)

A TIMELY environmental message underpins this beautifully written adventure, swirling with monsters and folklore based on Britain’s rivers.

Teenager Kilda and her family are silvermen who live on boats and can breathe underwater, but Isla, Kilda’s beloved little sister, is born without that skill. Locals fear that outsiders bring bad luck, so when the rivers become ‘sick’, they demand Isla’s death.

After a devastating betrayal, the sisters escape, leading a thrilling chase through waterways to Scotland. Can Kilda trust a mysterious young man as she makes a life-changing sacrifice to save her sister?

Broodingly atmospheric, this is a richly imagined world where love for family is tested at every single turn. 12+