Children's book reviews: Books to warm up the imagination as autumn comes to a close

Children’s Books Ireland has some recommended stories which can perfectly fill the gap before the Christmas winter period takes full effect, writes Ruth Concannon

These books are the perfect companion to cosy up with in these darker evenings.

November is a month where we observe two very different types of people emerge: Those who do not wish to think or even speak of Christmas, and those who eagerly tear down their Halloween decorations to deck the halls.

This presents us with a conundrum for this month’s selections in which we hope to appease both mindsets. 

For readers who are preparing their Christmas lists already and those of you who wish to embrace autumnal vibes for a bit longer before thinking about anything remotely festive, may we present this month’s recommendations of recently published books by Irish artists that will delight and excite young readers of any age.

Whether to add to your Christmas shopping list, or your ‘to be read pile’, these books are the perfect companion to cosy up with in these darker evenings and for even more recommendations visit our website childrensbooksireland.ie.

‘But Dancing is for Girls!’ by Gyasi Sheppy and illustrated by Ola Snimshchikova (Sweet Cherry)

Chester longs to join in his local dance class and manages to persuade his mum to sign him up for tap, but will he be brave enough to step onto the dancefloor when his Dad insists that dancing is “just for girls”? 

With a jaunty rhyme and sweeping movement throughout the imagery, this lively story is upbeat and has an important message of inclusivity to share. (4+)

Coiscéim, Coiscéimín by Claire M Dunne and illustrated by Anita Foley (LeabhairCOMHAR)

Ambitious mouse Laoise is determined for her cheese café to secure a five-star Michel-Luichín review from the Cheese Inspector. 

However, a mix-up when rifling through the grocery bags may cause chaos for her customers. 

Hidden details and gorgeous turns of phrase combine to make for a self-aware and truly hilarious Irish language picturebook. It’s an easy five stars for Laoise from me. (4+)

Amelia Cheeseheart Investigates: Chocolate Cheat! by Cat Weldon and illustrated by Nene Lonergan (Guppy Books)

Amelia and Webster are back with another mystery to solve when a litterbug leaves a trail of Choconana wrappers throughout the museum. 

With the chocolatey pathway leading to the Aztec exhibition, the duo come face to face with the ancient god Big Z — or do they? 

he cosiest adventure series for early readers of graphic novels that truly puts the ‘fun’ in fun facts about history. Curious kids will love this series. (6+)

Humans by John Devolle (Pushkin Children’s)

The latest in Devolle’s series Big Science for Little Minds takes a factual and philosophical look at what it means to be human. 

Striking contemporary illustrations explore humanity inside and out, including our many quirky features like opposable thumbs and the ability to laugh. 

With much to spot in the imagery and even more to ponder on in the text, Humans is a thoughtful and entertaining read. (Non-fiction, 8+)

Evil Duck and the Nest of Destiny by Chris Judge (Gill Books)

Eddie and Flo thought they had seen the last of Evil Duck, but he has made his unwelcome return infiltrating an Ed Quackers concert to secure the limitless powers of the Nest of Destiny. 

Can the duo, along with fearless Grandad Frank, save the world once more? Judge draws inspiration from pop culture secret agent heroes and villains to create a mix of zany chaos and larger-than-life characters. A quacking good read. (8+)

Animalopedia by John Burke and illustrated by Kathi Burke (Gill Books)

Ten years following the super success of Irelandopedia, father-daughter duo John and Kathi Burke are back with a compendium categorising more than 300 Irish animals. 

Truly a labour of love in terms of both the sheer breadth of information shared and the level of detail of the imagery, this is a feast for the mind and the eye. 

Incorporating facts, Irish language names, folklore, and popular culture, this book is ideal for fact fiends and nature lovers alike. (Non-fiction, 9+)

Solve It! The Case of the Missing Irish Crown Jewels by Kieran Fanning and illustrated by Alan O’Rourke (Gill Books)

The recently rediscovered Irish Crown Jewels have vanished once more, but this time Detective O’Malley and his sidekick, Twist the Seagull, are dispatched to figure out which of the suspects is the real thief. 

With codes to break, puzzles to solve, and facts aplenty, this is more than a straightforward mystery story as the reader must solve the clues along the way to help the detectives solve the case. Amateur sleuths will devour this engaging book. (9+)

Swanfall by Sophie Kirtley (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)

Pip is eagerly awaiting the swanfall, when the Arctic swans return to the lake at Purton Point — in particular his favourite swans Midnight, Silver, and Moonshadow. 

But when he and his friends discover a strange book revealing a link between the folktale of the Children of Lir and their village, it isn’t long before old secrets start to unravel. 

A companion novel to The Haunting of Fortune Farm, the wonder of the natural world, Irish folklore, and anxieties around friendship are all wrapped up in an adventure infused with Kirtley’s signature spooky atmosphere. (10+)

Katie agus an Pacáiste Rúnda by Éadaoin Ní Dhomhnaill (LeabhairCOMHAR)

When Daideo’s package vanishes mysteriously Katie is determined to get to the bottom of the theft. Little does she knows the secret package is only one small part of a larger mystery to solve. 

A tightly woven plot led by a truly determined protagonist, this short story as Gaeilge has more than one secret to keep readers guessing. 

Perfect for confident Irish language reads, those improving their Gaeilge are guided by a useful gluais for difficult words or unfamiliar phrases. (10+)

My Name is Jodie Jones by Emma Shevah (David Fickling Books)

Jodie Jones is a lover of words and a collector of beautiful sentences. She is also on her last warning at school, frequently in trouble with her mother and attending sessions with a psychologist to try to process the events of her past. 

It is a slow building story that unfurls around the reader, drawing you irresistibly into Jodie Jones’s mindset. Unique and moving, Jodie Jones is a heroine and a story not to be underestimated. (15+)

Keep Your Friends Close by Cynthia Murphy (Penguin)

It’s the year 2000 and Chloe has returned to the exclusive boarding school of Morton Academy with a bitter taste in her mouth after her ex-best friend’s betrayal. 

At least her membership in the school’s secret society Jewel and Bone will keep things interesting for Chloe, that is, until the first body is found. 

Plot twist aficionado Murphy keeps characters looking over their shoulders and readers turning pages in this dark academia whodunnit. (15+)

Mixed Up: An Irish Boy’s Journey to Belonging by Leon Diop (Little Island Books)

From his early life growing up in Tallaght, to founding the organisation Black and Irish, Mixed Up is an honest account of Diop’s experiences growing up mixed race in Ireland. 

Diop writes with an openness and an authenticity that is reflective of his aim to build empathy through the sharing of stories. 

Themes of family, identity, racism. and coming of age are handled with a mix of sincerity and humour making this a hugely important and timely story with much to learn from. (15+)

• 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 their work.
• childrensbooksireland.ie