Brilliant Book ideas
There’s plenty of learning being done during school hours… but that’s not to say that some reading can’t be done away from the classroom! In fact, Irish bookstores are teeming with the most exciting, outlandish and fantastical tales ever. And they’re the perfect antidote to the Xbox to boot. We asked Aoife Murray of Children’s Books Ireland and David O’Callaghan, Children’s & Young Adult Book Category Manager at Eason, to recommend some of the best books out there today. Suffice to say that both know a thing or two about how to capture the attention of readers of all ages.
4+
Good night, Everyone, by Chris Haughton (Walker Books)
David says: A stunning, beautiful and gloriously produced book from Chris Haughton. This, without a doubt is my favourite of his to date. Of course, I say that everytime and then he brings out a new book. This time I mean it.
5-8 Years
King Flashypants & The Evil Emperor, by Andy Riley (Hachette Kids)
David says: For ages 7+, King Flashypants is a quirky and laugh out loud tale of Good Kings & not so good ones. With illustrations throughout to accompany the extremely funny & witty text, this is one of my favourite new series for this age group. Long may their rule continue or as the Evil Emperor would say - ‘Foo Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo.’
Anna Liza by Eoin Colfer (Barrington Stoke’s Little Gems)
Aoife says: Anna Liza is a little girl who wants to grow up to be a psychiatrist just like her mum. After school every day she hangs out in the waiting room and talks to the patients, sometimes singing songs to cheer them up. One day she meets Edward who has a sad dad. Eliza sets out to put her skills to use. Eliza is a hilarious character who loves to help others and listen when they need help.
The World’s Worst Children by David Walliams (HarperCollins Children’s Books)
Aoife says: Bestseller David Walliams is back with this book for a slightly younger age group. The book discovers the worst children in the world and details them for the reader’s delight! Any fans of Walliams or Roald Dahl will love this read. Its also a great one for all the family to enjoy together at bedtime.
9 –11 years
Girls Online: On Tour, by Zoe Sugg (Zoella) (Penguin)
David says: A YouTube sensation adored by millions of teens, Zoe Suggs’ fictional account of this vlogging world have become the butter to the bread of a teen generation (it sounded good in my head), hungry to read about this world.
The Best Medicine by Christine Hamill (Little Island Books)
Aoife says: Philip is a 12 year old whose mother is diagnosed with cancer. He has enough on his plate already with school problems, bully problems and girl problems so starts writing to comedian Harry Hill seeking advice. This is Christine’s first book for children, based on her own experience of cancer and the knowledge that life still goes on despite the illness. A very funny, thoughtful book.
The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
Aoife says: Feodora is a young girl who works with her mother ‘wilding’ wolves that have been abandoned as pets by Russian’s elite. One day Feo’s world is turned upside down and she must leave the safety of the beautiful snowy woods to rescue her mother, imprisoned in St Petersburg. An exciting and engaging adventure story, set in pre-Revolution Russia.
12+ years
IRISH TITLE - Caramel Hearts by E.R. Murray (Alma Books)
Aoife says: 14-year-old Liv doesn’t know her dad and her mum is undergoing treatment for alcoholism. One day she discovers a recipe book left behind by her mother which sends her on a journey of discovery. A beautiful coming of age story, containing real recipes.
The Bombs that Brought us Together by Brian Conaghan (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
Aoife says: 14-year-old Charlie lives in Little Town beside Old Country. For as long as Charlie can remember life in Little Town has been run by rules people must live by. One day Charlie meets new neighbour Pavel, newly arrived with his family from Old Country and Charlie learns that some rules must be broken. An allegory for the times we live in, this thoughtful book is a great read for any 12+ reader reflecting on modern warfare and the refugee crisis.
Knights Of The Borrowed Dark, by Dave Rudden (Puffin) David says: A new voice in the Irish writing community, Dave Rudden’s first book in his Knights series is a doozy. Guaranteed to attract readers of all ages, the world building and character forming that Rudden creates are astounding and will have the reader desperately urging him to get a move on and finish the next book in the series. Fantasy, Horror, Comedy - you name it, Knights has it.
* To order online, visit www. easons.com. CBI holds events through the year for children and adults interested in children’s books, including the Book Clinic where children can meet the Book Doctor and leave with a prescription for their next read, all free of charge. Find out more at www.childrensbooksireland.ie.