Children’s books

You Do!, by Kes Gray with illustrations by Nick Sharratt (Red Fox €8.80), is a salutary lesson to mothers who ought to think before having a rant.

Each time Daisy’s mum tells her not to do something, Daisy responds with an emphatic “You do”. And it so happens that she’s right. Mum does wear her wellies in the house, she does talk with her mouth full and she does leave her clothes on the floor. The attached CD, read by Jenny Éclair, is one to listen to together and laugh aloud. Delightful for age 6+ (and mums).

For small boys with a penchant for buried treasure, sailing ships, cutlasses and eye patches, Extreme Pirate!, by Anna Claybourne (A&C Black €10.10), will shiver the timbers. Excellently illustrated throughout and with easy-to-read information-bites, this book tells all one needs to know about the life of a latter-day pirate. A book to fire the imagination for age 8+.

Killer Clone, by Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore (Barrington Stoke €7.55), is a tale of murder and mischief set in a bleak future of clones, crocodile smiles and corruption. The story is narrated by Private Eye Taylor, a character blend of “Damon Runyon and Raymond Chandler meet the 21st century”. A doctor has been killed, but the killer has left his DNA on the gun. Not very helpful as the killer is a clone with 29 identical others. How can Taylor solve this crime? Told with clipped, tongue-in-cheek humour, this is a fun crime romp for age 12+ and for reluctant older readers.

The Poisoned House, by Michael Ford (Bloomsbury €8.80), is set in Greave Hall, a gloomy mid-19th century townhouse. Narrated by Abi Tamper, a young serving maid, the story begins with her attempted escape from the malevolent housekeeper, Mrs Cotton. Abi’s late-night break for freedom is thwarted and she’s dragged back to face the wrath of Mrs Cotton. She feels a ghostly presence that directs her towards a dangerous search to uncover her late mother’s secrets. The story does have its flaws as some important characters, such as Lord Greave, are glossed over, and some creepy events remain unexplained. However it manages to be an engaging read for age 12+.