Children's book reviews: Plenty of portals for young readers to escape into magical worlds

Ruth Concannon rounds up the best books that capture the imagination and embrace the mystical mysteries of both our world and the otherworld

From cozy October reads to spooky tales to read before bed, there is something for everyone in this month’s round-up. Picture: iStock

Ireland is known for embracing the magic of the month of October, a time when the veil between our world and the otherworld is thin.

Through our folklore and Samhain celebrations, Irish readers are more than aware of an otherworld of magic which we can escape into.

Magic is also something that authors and illustrators of books for young readers do best; confidently capturing their imaginations and leading them away to that otherworld, even if only for an hour or two. 

This month’s books embrace the magic of both our world and the otherworld; the magic of nature, science, and activism, alongside the magic of witchcraft, ghouls and monsters. 

But, most importantly, this month’s stories encourage embracing the otherworld of your own imagination — you never know what you might find there!

For more books that will help you escape to a world of your own, simply visit our website www.childrensbooksireland.ie.

Run Home, Little Fox by Tom McCaughren and Erika McGann and illustrated by Shannon Bergin (The O’Brien Press)

Beloved Irish writer McCaughren makes a return to picturebooks, partnered with McGann, in a tale best suited for crisp October evenings as little Foxy bravely sets out to explore the sights and sounds of the Wild Wood. 

Bergin’s autumnal illustrations truly shine here, capturing domestic gardens and wilder woodlands in the warm glow of the rough and tumble of Foxy’s adventure. (4+)

To Activate Space Portal, Lift Here by Antoinette Portis (Scallywag Press)

As the space portal begins to open up Blrg and Zrk carefully peer inside, coming eyeball to eyeball with a fearsome creature. One thing is for sure: Aliens exist and they come from a place called Planeturth. 

Bold brash illustrations in a peek-a-boo style allow readers to experience being an alien for themselves in this clever and engaging interactive picturebook. (4+)

Willa’s Monster Muddle by Fabi Santiago (Rocket Bird Books)

It’s the season of the witch, and Willa is excited to attend Trung’s fancy-dress party, but a mix-up and a case of mistaken identity lead her to a party much more monstrous than she anticipated.

Santiago’s retro-style print illustrations in a five-colour palette are a welcome throwback to spooky seasons of yesteryears, while Willa’s gutsy can-do attitude is bang up to date. Magic. (4+)

Tír na nÓg by Erika McGann and illustrated by Conor Busuttil (The O’Brien Press)

A truly special retelling of the popular folktale of Niamh, Oisín, and Tír na nÓg, Busuttil’s gift of characterisation balances the imagery delicately between the ethereal otherworld and the well-worn faces of humanity that readers can relate to.

While on the surface, this retelling of a tale well-told remains faithful to the original Irish folktale, McGann’s version is also a rumination on what it means to be human and how the fragility of life is what makes it so special. (5+)

The Great Bear by Annie Booker (Two Hoots)

For many years, a great bear lived in the ocean and among the landscapes of the far North, maintaining harmony between the wildlife that call it home, until one day, a human arrives. 

Exquisite sweeping pencil and watercolour illustrations capture the breathtaking majesty of the nature of the Arctic. 

This is a strong début from Booker with an even stronger message on the role that humans play in the destruction of our planet, and the vital role we all play in saving it. (6+)

The Experimenters: Luke and Ruby’s Scientific Sleepover by Shane Bergin and illustrated by Sayani Mukherjee (Little Island Books)

Just in time for the mid-term break, The Experimenter’s follows Luke and Ruby’s scientific discoveries as they spend time with their grandparents, retired scientists themselves, over the school break. 

Mukherjee’s cosy illustrations create a cheerful learning environment, interspersed with Dr Shane’s scientific explanations and experiment suggestions. 

Part story, part activity book, The Experimenters is 100% entertainment for curious minds. (Non-fiction, 7+)

The Stolen Child by WB Yeats and illustrated by Erin Brown (The O’Brien Press)

Irish people everywhere will be familiar with the refrain of Yeats’s The Stolen Child and the mysterious realm of the fae that this poem conjures up. 

This stunning illustrated edition of one of Yeats’s most popular poems makes for an immersive reading experience, as Brown leads the reader into the forbidden world of the fairy.

A truly entrancing read that will be irresistible for poetry lovers and those wishing to escape a world full of weeping. (Poetry, 7+)

Oscar Wilde’s Stories for Children by Oscar Wilde and illustrated by Lauren O’Hara (Little Island Books)

Oscar Wilde once said: “It is through art, and through art only, that we can realise our perfection”.

O’Hara certainly manages to affirm this statement in this newly illustrated collection of the well-loved author’s stories for children. 

A collection to treasure for years to come, old favourites are given a new lease of life with intricate hand-drawn watercolours and cut-out imagery. 

While Wilde’s tales can lean into the morose and moralistic, these elements are lifted with the delicacy and freshness of O’Hara’s illustrations making for an exquisite read. (Age 8+)

The Notted Island by Katherine Child (Flying Eye Books)

Last Island is a place without colour, where the night skies are drawn each evening by the mysterious Notte and replaced every morning with a fresh dawn.

Now, a mysterious salesman has offered the islanders an automated night sky, meaning a break with tradition and a turning away from nature; but not if Tisky can help it …

Stunning in illustration, characterisation and storytelling, the sheer breadth of Child’s creativity in this adventure story is astounding. (Age 9+)

Fear Files: Hide and Seek by Christopher Edge (Walker Books)

What is Halloween without a little scare at bedtime?

For brave readers who love a creepy tale, Edge delves into the ‘Darkive’ of strange and unexplainable stories, beginning with a petrifying game of Hide and Seek gone wrong for Sol. 

With a delicious build of spine-tingling tension and interspersed with various ephemera and evidence, this is an atmospheric and oft ominous short read.

Just as the author’s name suggests, this story will have readers on the edge. (Age 10+)

Making It Up as You Go Along by Patricia Forde and illustrated by Mary Murphy (Little Island Books)

Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde is a writer who takes the imagination of her young readers seriously, nowhere is this more obvious than in her latest book, a guide to writing your own stories. 

Illustrated throughout by Murphy and accompanied by further tips from some of Ireland’s most-popular children’s artists, it lifts the lid on a writer’s biggest secret — they are simply making it all up. 

For all young readers with big imaginations and ambitions of being an author, this book is gateway to their dreams. (Non-fiction, 10+)

Roar by Manjeet Mann (Penguin)

Award-winning author Mann turns her attention to modern-day accusations of witchcraft in India drawing on years of research and inspired by the resistance movements of Sampat Pal and the Pink Sari Gang. 

When an argument with her best friend escalates to Rizu being accused of witchcraft, the situation quickly spirals towards a moment of life and death. 

Grounded in hard-hitting realities with much food for thought on the intersection of race, gender, politics, and activism, the otherworldly elements allow readers to examine where true inner strength comes from. A powerful read. (14+)

• Ruth Concannon is the publications manager 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 on the island of Ireland, and to champion equitable access for all to excellent books. 
• They share their expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence young readers and encourage schools and early childhood settings to build a positive culture of reading and reading aloud. 
• They support and promote authors and illustrators and connect them with their audiences through our work.
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