Children's book reviews: Adventures aplenty in this springtime crop of new Irish books

April book reviews from Children’s Books Ireland with Ruth Concannon

Spring feels like the perfect time to read about the wonders of nature, and ‘Wild Eyes’ by Bex Sheridan is just one of several books this month that celebrates the natural world.

This is a time for celebrating all things Irish and this month’s recommendations are packed with new books from well-known and debut Irish authors. 

These picks will bring you on wild adventures from the garden to the farm, across Skellig Michael and through a galaxy or two. 

If you ask me, Irish storytellers are the real treasure at the end of the rainbow.

If you’re keen for further reading inspiration, or to expand your knowledge of leabhair Ghaeilge, beyond the titles published this month, check out our latest reading guide, Treoirleabhar Léitheoireachta 2025. 

Packed with 100 brilliant Irish language books for all ages up to 18 years, there is a scéal for all levels of Gaeilge, from fluent readers to readers with a cúpla focal. 

You can pick up a guide at participating libraries, bookshops, or at childrensbooksireland.ie.

Cití Cearc by Patricia Forde, illustrated by Úna Woods (Futa Fata)

It’s a celebration year at Futa Fata marking 20 years in the publishing industry. 

Revamped with zesty illustrations from Úna Woods, the anniversary edition of their original picturebook Cití Cearc follows Cití the hen as she locates a missing egg from her nest. 

With interactive lift-the-flaps guiding the way, young readers will soon be able to solve the mystery.

Comhairdeas mór to Futa Fata on this special year! (3+)

Puifín Beag agus and Dorchadas by Erika McGann, illustrated by Gerry Daly, translated by Muireann Ní Chiobháin (The O’Brien Press)

As the sun descends on Skellig Michael, Puffling’s young friend begins to feel anxious about settling down in the darkness — “Ní maith liom an dorchadas. Tá sé ródhorcha!” 

Luckily Puffling and the other creatures can share the magic of the nighttime before they all settle down for bed. 

Translated from English to Irish, this is a snuggly scéal for little ones keen to avoid bedtime. (3+)

Letters to a Monster by Patricia Forde, illustrated by Sarah Warburton (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

Fed up with the monster who has been hiding under her bed, Sophie decides to confront the situation head on by writing him a letter and demanding he leaves. 

Writing back, the Monster turns out to not only be an excellent pen-pal, but also an intriguing storyteller. 

The story of an unlikely friendship, Forde’s boundless imagination shines when paired with Warburton’s impish illustrations. Ideal for little monsters. (4+)

The Lost Treasure of Clew Bay by Sarah Kilcoyne (Gill Books)

Saoirse’s trip to Granddad’s house becomes far more exciting with the prospect of discovering the lost treasure of a pirate queen. 

Inspired by the author’s summers spent in Westport, watercolour illustrations capture familiar sights of the beauty of the West of Ireland on a glorious summer’s day, alongside the hidden magic of ancient Irish folklore that lies just beneath the surface waiting to be discovered. (4+)

The One and Only You by Shane Hegarty and Ben Mantle (Hodder Children’s Books)

What makes you really you? Did you know that in all the galaxies, in all the planets, through space and time and a combination of lots of people through the years that you are the one and only version of you? 

The second picturebook from this duo is a heartening message of just what makes every child unique and special. (5+)

Wild Eyes by Bex Sheridan (Natural World Publishing)

The wild eyes of the garden watch as a little girl discovers the magic of nature and her place in protecting the delicate ecosystems of the natural world. 

A flowing narrative that also imparts much wisdom, Sheridan’s illustrations will appeal to all aspects of the senses and highlight how loving nature means caring for it also. (5+)

Draw with Will by Will Sliney (Gallery Kids)

Home School Hub hero and Marvel artist Will Sliney shares his expertise in this draw-along story.

Part activity book and part superhero alien adventure, step-by-step instructions on one page guide readers to get involved in creating the characters and action on the other page. 

With broad appeal to reluctant readers, graphic novel fans, and budding illustrators, Sliney’s reassurance that anyone can draw if they practise, is certain to inspire the next generation of comic book kids. (8+)

Giant by Judith McQuoid (Little Island Books)

Set in Belfast in 1908, Davy is keen to help his family by picking up work at the Lewis family home. 

But when he strikes up a friendship with young Jacks, he is introduced to a world of imagination and creativity that pushes him beyond the confines of his social class. 

A fictionalised tale on the childhood of CS Lewis, the underlying message of the transformative power of stories and creativity will endear this book to avid readers everywhere. (9+)

The Doomsday Club by Kevin Moran (The O’Brien Press)

Finding themselves stuck in lunchtime detention, Jack, Conan, Yash, and Jerry are not expecting to see a strange mythological creature appear through a portal in their schoolyard. 

But then again, there always has been something strange about old Mr Kilroe, who lives across the street … 

Old Ireland and modern Ireland combine in this epic adventure, primary school teacher Moran captures the voice and dynamics of boys on the cusp of secondary school effortlessly in this funny and dramatic high-stakes story. (10+)

After by Pádraig Kenny (Walker Books)

When the greed of an AI tech billionaire leads to the collapse of civilisation as we know it, Jen and Father are forced to eke out a nomadic existence, until they stumble across a community that welcomes them in. 

But not all is as it seems, and if Father’s identity is discovered, it could spell catastrophe. Endlessly topical, After is a short novel that has much to say on AI technology, social divisions, and humanity. 

Kenny’s finest work yet, this is a powerful story with real emotional heart, I cannot recommend it enough. (11+)

Stealing Happy by Brian Conaghan (Bloomsbury YA)

The random outbursts and rituals caused by his Tourette syndrome are now the least of Sonny’s problems. 

With his dad unwell from long covid and his mum struggling to pay the bills, the family is at risk of losing everything to a notorious loan shark. 

That is, unless Sonny can come up with a plan … Sonny’s pluck and determination make for an endearing character that readers will root for, bringing warmth and humour to a story that grapples with some heavy topics. 

Expect swearing galore in this heist like no other. (14+)

Songs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagai (Zephyr)

When Japanese-American teen Adam discovers a hidden diary in his attic, he is endlessly pulled towards discovering more about the writer, a young woman in Nagasaki and the secrets that have kept her ghost restless for the past 100 years. 

Blending two timelines unravelling secrets and unspoken stories, award-winning author Kumagai has woven another unforgettable tale of culture and identity through the generations. 

Inspired by Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, this book is pure captivation from one of Ireland’s rising talents. (15+)

• Ruth Concannon is the publications officer for Children’s Books Ireland, the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child’s right to develop a love of reading; 
• Their mission is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people in Ireland, to share their expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, to champion every child’s right to excellent books and live literature events and support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland;
• See childrensbooksireland.ie for more.