Children's book reviews: 12 books for February with Children's Book Ireland

Little boy is sitting at home on the couch and reading a book. Learning to read. Home education concept.

February  is the official start of springtime in Ireland, ushering in a fresh new season of growth. 

After a blustery and cold January, nothing could be more enjoyable than blowing off the winter cobwebs, embracing the (hopefully) brighter evenings and nourishing your imagination with new books. 

There is imagination aplenty in this month’s selection, with tales for wildlings, tigers on trains, detective bees and unicorn alpacas to entertain younger readers; while stolen paintings, fantastical world-building and teenage crushes will delight the older cohort.

Bí Fiáin, a Chroí by Olivia Hope, illustrated by Daniel Egnéus, translated into Irish by Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin (Futa Fata)

Tá dea-scéal againn daoibh an mhí seo — tá aistriúchán Gaeilge ar Be Wild Little One ar fáil anois! 

If you are a fan of the English-language title, Bí Fin, a Chroí is the gorgeous translation of this hugely popular picturebook from Hope and Egnéus. 

An anthem for wildlings, this uplifting story is filled with illustrations that encourage little ones to embrace the world with confidence. Bronntanas álainn do leanaí óga! (3+)

There’s a Tiger on the Train by Mariesa Dulak, illustrated by Rebecca Cobb (Faber & Faber)

A little boy and his dad board a train and soon, they are joined by a cast of characters; a tiger in a top hat, a crowd of crocodiles, and a host of other zany passengers. 

Much to the little boy’s frustration, dad is too absorbed in his phone to notice, until the tiger intervenes. 

Lively illustrations and onomatopoeic text make this story a testament to the power of imagination — if only we can look up from our phones. (4+)

Once Upon a Storytime by Gareth Peter, illustrated by Natelle Quek (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

Nia loves nothing more than a bedtime story with Mum, filled with all sorts of fantastical adventures. But what if Nia found herself stuck in a fairytale adventure with no one to help her? Would Mum save her then? 

Atmospheric and enchanting, this is comforting tale reminds readers that you can always rely on your mum to save the day. (4+)

Ramadan and Eid-al-Fitr by Sara Khan, illustrated by Nadiyah Suyatna (Words & Pictures)

Part story, part non-fiction, this joyful picturebook explores all the ways that Raya and her family prepare for Eid-al-Fitr during the month of Ramadan. 

Muslim children who observe Ramadan and Eid will love seeing some of their traditions reflected, while non-Muslim children get an interesting glimpse into another culture and faith, with useful crafts, quizzes, and facts for further exploration. (6+)

Your Sense-ational Human Body by Emma Young, illustrated by John Devolle (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

Have you ever been curious about how your body tells you when you’re itchy, need to go to the toilet, or have your feelings hurt?

Debunking the myth that humans have five senses — this is the story of all 32 of the body’s brilliant senses.

Young’s humourous but informative approach makes this an appealing and digestible read, while Devolle brings his usual flair for illustrating complex processes in an eye-catching way. Sense-ational indeed. (Non-fiction, 7+)

Stemville: The Bee Connection by Ben Newman (Flying Eye Books)

A large jar of honey has crash-landed in Bug Borough and all the insects are getting stuck in the gooey mess. Luckily Mason B Chandler, a solitary bee detective, is on the case. 

Combining fun characters and mystery with facts about bees and their ecological importance, this is narrative non-fiction at its very best.

Deceptively informative, this book is certain to appeal to reluctant readers, visual learners, and fact fiends alike. (Non-fiction, 7+)

A Norma and Belly Book: Apple of My Pie by Mika Song (Pushkin Press)

Norma and Belly, the mischievous squirrel duo, are back for their second adventure helping Little Bee to save her Gramps, who has accidentally been shipped to an apple farm. 

Soft illustrations composed of pencils, watercolours and Japanese sumi ink mark this series apart from other graphic novels for this age group. Readers who love a madcap adventure story will adore the hilarious antics of Norma and Belly. (7+)

Frank the Unicorn Alpaca by Gavin Puckett, illustrated by India Joseph (Faber & Faber)

Frank the Alpaca hates the constant stream of families visiting him at the petting zoo — they always leave him feeling anxious. However, he develops a newfound swagger when he finds an ice-cream cone stuck to his head one morning, believing he’s transformed into a unicorn.

This rhyming early reader is certainly hilarious but not to be underestimated. Frank touches on some big emotional issues such as body confidence, comparison, and social anxiety. A delightful story of being confident in your own skin. (8+)

The Case of the Vanishing Painting by Brian Gallagher (The O’Brien Press)

When a valuable painting from the National Gallery of Ireland disappears onboard a train from Galway to Dublin, Tim and Deirdre’s father, the train’s guard, is pulled in for questioning. 

With their father’s livelihood and their home at risk, the twins and their friend Joe take matters into their own hands to solve the case of the
vanishing painting. 

Twists and turns aplenty keep this historical fiction action-packed, while Gallagher’s masterful recreation of early 20th century Dublin add atmosphere to this nail-biting mystery. (9+)

Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm by Siobhan McDermott (Hodder Children’s Books)

Zhi Ging is determined to be selected as a Silhouette, an apprentice to the immortals. Escaping her hometown Fei Chui, thanks to a narrowly avoided dragon attack and some unusual magic, Zhi Ging takes her place in Hok Wo, Realm of the Immortals, where apprentices compete in challenges to become Cyo B’Ahon. 

But Hok Wo has a secret and Zhi Ging will need to master her powers quickly to defeat it. 

The first in a rip-roaring high-fantasy series from debut Irish-Chinese author McDermott, the highly detailed narrative and extensive worldbuilding is sure to cast a spell on its readers. (9+)

Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dånse, translated by Matt Bagguley (Farshore)

When Tuva returns to school after the summer holidays, things have changed. The girls in her class have split into two groups — those who have boyfriends and wear make-up, and those who still want to play in the woods. 

A relatable tale of growing-up, Tuva’s graphic novel diary is a dream for pre-teen readers experiencing changing friendships, first crushes, and navigating the ‘tween’ space of childhood and adolescence. (13+)

Seven Million Sunflowers by Malcolm Duffy (Zephyr)

When her family home in Kharkiv is destroyed by a Russian missile,Kateryno and her family escape Ukraine for England. 

With her father left behind to fight, Kat, her mama, and brother Marko must learn to assimilate into British life with their hosts, the Hawkins family. 

Gripping from the opening pages, the author has taken care to make this authentic — his own family having taken part in the Homes for Ukraine scheme, hosting a Ukrainian family in 2022. 

Although Kat’s family may be fictional, the difficulties faced by Ukrainian refugees are still a grim reality, and this book stands as an empathetic reminder of how others can help. (14+)

• Ruth Concannon is Children’s Books Ireland publications officer, the national charity and arts organisation that champions children’s right to develop a love of reading. This month, it announced the shortlist for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2024, the awards celebrating the best in books for young readers. The six winners will be announced on May 22, at the International Literature Festival Dublin. 
• Shortlist at childrensbooksireland.ie