Children’s Books

RHINO’S Great Big Itch! by Natalie Chivers (Little Tiger €7.10). An itch inside the ear is an annoying thing to deal with, but for a rhino with four heavy legs and no fingers to probe the irritant, it is extra frustrating.

He makes his itchy way through the jungle, but none of the animals can help. It just takes one tiny creature to say ‘I can help,’ proving that friendships can be formed between the most unlikely creatures. Age 3+

One Smart Fish by Chris Wormell (Red Fox €7.10) is a colourful, imaginative take on evolution. Long ago the ocean was filled with fish of all kinds (watch out for the centrefold shark)! But there was one small insignificant grey fish who came up with the idea of feet. But it was lonely being the only creature on land, so the smart fish had an even better plan. This will capture the imagination of age 5+

Alfie Takes Action by Karen Wallace (A&C Black €5.92) is the story of a daydreaming meerkat who simply can’t focus on the chores that his brothers and sisters are so good at. When he befriends a scorpion and a dog, his adventure with them leads to just the sort of life he feels cut out for. Delightful story and pictures for the newly independent reader.

Put Out the Light, by Terry Deary (A&C Black €7.10) is set in Sheffield a few months before the Blitz of WW2. In the neighbourhood where Billy Thomas, and his young, feisty sister Sally live, the nightly air raid sirens are accepted with resilience and camaraderie as people make their way to the shelter. When money starts to disappear suspicion falls on Billy and Sally, who make dangerous plans to catch the thief. Meanwhile in Dachau two boys Hansl and Manfred (whose brother is a German pilot), take a young Polish slave-labour girl under their wing when they discover the horrific conditions of prisoners in the labour camps.

The two stories, along with the balance of great dialogue and humour, blend seamlessly together in an exciting, nail-biting read. Age 12+