Books for Children

Bear’s Very Snowy Day by Victoria Ball (Caterpillar; €7.10) is a cushioned-cover, tactile book for toddlers.

In jaunty rhyme it tells of Bear and his animal friends as they cavort in the snow. The pull-out tableau at the end will delight.

Also for toddlers The First Snow by M Christina Butler, illustrated by Frank Endersby (Little Tiger; €8.35) tells of Little Deer’s first encounter with snow. ‘Where has everything gone?’ he wonders. An endearing book to share.

The Pirate Captain by Terry Deary, illustrated by Helen Flook (A&C Black; €7.10) is alive with swashing buckles and clanging swords. Prisoners of smarmy Captain Fly, a self-styled ‘terror of the ocean,’ young Arthur and his captured comrades are set to work as slaves aboard the pirate ship. But the captives, led by Arthur and his captain, Jed, hatch a clever plot, but if it fails they’ll all hang. A funny, exciting read for age seven and upwards.

Seconds Out by Dan Tunstall (A&C Black; €7.10) What he lacks in application to school subjects Andy makes up for with his fists. ‘Fighting is the only thing I’ve got to be proud of,’ he says when he and his worn-out Mum are called to see the principal. Tyler is a lost cause. When the PE teacher recommends that Tyler join the local boxing club, he scoffs, but goes along to please his mum. A compelling, read for age 12 and upwards.

The Truth About Celia Frost by Paula Rawsthorne (Usborne; €8.35). By necessity, Celia Frost has led a simple life as even a minor cut could leave her bleeding to death — according to her over-protective mother. When Celia is injured in a knife-attack her mother’s surprising reaction is to move house. But when a stranger befriends her mother to get access to Celia, alarm bells ring. The story has many interesting and intriguing twists and turns. Age 12 and upwards.