Books for children

Itchy Itch Itch by Mara Bergman, illustrated by Emily Bolam (Bloomsbury; €7.10).

In the hot plains where coconuts grow and contented animals munch, Buffalo is distressed with an itch he can’t reach. It takes a most unlikely little creature to solve the discomfort — and forge a forever friendship. With bouncy rhyme and bold, flat colour spreads, this is a book that toddlers will want to read over and over.

Florentine and Pig Have a Very Lovely Picnic by Eva Katzler, illustrated by Jess Mikhail (Bloomsbury €13.03 HB). When Florentine and Pig decide on an exciting sunny-day picnic their plans are dashed because they have no apples — the vital picnic ingredient. But clever Pig discovers an apple tree through his telescope, so all is well. Or is it? An easy storyline and quirky illustrations, the book includes simple recipes for children to make — with help. Suitable for age five and upwards.

Large Mammals Stick Insects & Other Social Misfits by Felicity McCall (Little Island; €8.99). As the title might suggest this is a light-hearted character study of teen life, this time, in post-troubles Derry. The characters are a mixture of the normal, the hyper-charged, the self-styled emotional wrecks, and a host of what one might call the detritus of teen life. The plotlines are relatively insignificant when compared to the activities, anxieties and angst generated. The main driving force of the novel is Aimee’s communication with cross-border exchange partner, Caoimhe, from Dublin. She and her friends seem to exist in the cyber world of email and texts. Throw in Caoimhe’s handsome brother Darren, and the stone of promised romance cast into the waters of the cyber world create almost infinite ripples of anticipation. Caoimhe, when she arrives, presents them all with an unexpected challenge. This will be a very popular read for girls, though the school librarian might raise the odd eyebrow. Suitable for age 15 and upwards.