12 books of Christmas that will make ideal gifts for young readers

Ruth Concannon takes a look back through some of the best books published in each month of 2025

The 12 books of Christmas will appeal to a broad range of bookworms and make ideal gifts for the young reader in your life. File photo

2025 may have had its ups and downs, but one thing is for sure, it was a wonderful year in publishing for Irish authors and illustrators. 

In our last round up of the year, we have taken a retrospective look through the pages of some of the best books published in each month of 2025 — the 12 books of Christmas, if you will. As featured in our Best Irish Books reading guide, the below stories will appeal to a broad range of bookworms and make ideal gifts for the young reader in your life.

If you have space left on your shopping list, why not consider giving the gift of reading? We would love for our readers here to get involved in the Children’s Books Ireland’s Gift a Book appeal. 

Our annual appeal ensures that brilliant books reach children around Ireland including those accessing support services, experiencing homelessness, and living in direct provision centres. With your help, we can bring the life-changing benefits of reading and the joy of a new book to a child who needs it most this Christmas. Donate €12 on childrensbooksireland.ie/giftabook.

January

• Eoinín ag an Siopa by Muireann Ní Chiobháin and illustrated by Róisín Hahessy (Futa Fata)

Iarrtar ar an bpáiste óg cabhrú le hEoinín agus an bonn a chur sa tralaí. Caithfear cabhrú leis arís chun na hearraí a chur sa tralaí agus caithfear é a threorú timpeall an tsiopa. The youngest of readers will enjoy helping Eoinín complete his shopping list, all before his ice cream melts, in this cosy and comforting story. (2+)

February

• Let’s Play Rugby! by Gordon D’Arcy and Paul Howard and illustrated by Ashwin Chacko (Little Island Books)

This interactive book encourages readers to get up and move, as the book becomes the rugby ball. The words are interwoven throughout the bright artwork, acting as a support to lend the story pace as the reader turns the pages. All comes together beautifully as the ball (book) spins, is kicked and, at one stage, gets completely lost in a scrum. (4+)

March

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

Jack, Conan, Yash, and Jerry find themselves banding together once they witness a shape-shifting elk/bear/raven emerge from a portal right outside their school yard. Adventure, fantasy, and humour mix playfully in this novel, as do colloquial and inventive use of the English and Irish languages, while landmarks of Dublin City also play a prominent part in the action. (10+)

April

• Arabella Pepper. The Wild Detective by E.R. Murray and illustrated by Monika Pollak (Natural World Publishing)

Arabella, accompanied by her pet crow, Blue, is a successful nature detective. Feeling unhappy following her family’s move to Grey Town, Arabella finds a mission when she notices there are lots of missing-pet posters in the town. Beautifully illustrated in grey-tone images, this is a promising story with a likeable heroine. (10+)

May

• Squid Squad. Nothing to Sea Here by Aoife Dooley (Scholastic)

Ollie and Zing live together with their pet anemone Barney in a caravan in the town of Nowhere at the bottom of the sea. Surrounded by a quirky cast of sea creatures with unique abilities, they all come together to form the Squid Squad. Bold, defined, and brightly coloured, there’s so much to enjoy and learn, from this bright series of short adventures. (Graphic novel, 7+)

June

• Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue (Walker Books)

July

• What Came First? by Kit Frost and illustrated by Aaron Cushley (HarperCollins)

Interactive history is the order of the day in this lively account of what happened and when. Taking the question posed by the title as its starting point, What Came First? invites readers to guess the order in which events fall on the history timeline. Facts, figures, topics, and timelines are rendered in stunning illustrations that blend classic colour schemes with a wealth of interesting characters. (Non-fiction, 8+)

August

• Torchfire by Moira Buffini (Faber)

In a world shaped by discrimination, greed, and a long-standing war, there seems to be little hope of a better one. But for a group of young rebels, a slim chance at a brighter future is worth risking everything. This gripping dystopian novel balances the horror that our protagonists face, from high-tension negotiations to brutal murders, with plenty of tender moments of friendship and love. (16+)

September

• Puisín na mBróg by Fearghas Mac Lochlainn and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly (Futa Fata)

Is deacair do bheatha a shaothrú agus tú ag brath ar phuisín — bhuel, mura bhfuil caint, gliceas agus buataisí breátha aige, cosúil le laoch an scéil seo! An Irish language retelling of the popular tale Puss in Boots, this slick cat with a plan is certain to keep readers entertained. (4+)

October

• The Waters and the Wild by Eilish Fisher and illustrated by David Rooney (Puffin)

After Rowan’s father dies, she and her mother move from Arizona to the cold, strange Irish town where he grew up. No one will tell Rowan when or why a wall was built around the town, just that no one is allowed to cross it into the woods beyond, but what could the wall be hiding? A stunning book that tackles the subjects of death, loss, and fear in a graceful manner. (Verse novel, 12+)

November

• Enchanted Ireland by Kieran Fanning and illustrated by Julia Iredale (Gill Books)

A captivating journey through all 32 counties of Ireland, with each story blending rich folklore with real geography. From well-loved legends such as Cúchulainn to lesser-known gems, every tale is told in the warm voice of a true seanchaí that brings the magic of Ireland to life. With fairies, pookas, leprechauns, and vivid artwork, this book is a feast for the senses and a celebration of Irish myth and magic. (Short Stories, 12+)

December

• Barrie Saves Christmas by Stephen Mangan and illustrated by Anita Mangan (Scholastic)

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. Our 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. 

We share our 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. We support and promote authors and illustrators and connect them with their audiences through our work.

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