This gorgeous books are written as ghaeilge and are just perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. They are filled with loveable characters and bright colours that your child is bound to love! They are also a terrific way to introduce your child to the Irish language from an early age.
Top ten Irish children's books
This book is perfect for little bookworms aged 6-8 and will make the ideal bedtime story. After escaping from the zoo and coming to live with Patrick and his mum, Marco proves to have many talents. Now Patrick discovers that Marco is also a musical genius – he can play the trombone, banjo and even dance like Michael Jackson! ‘Let’s start a band’, Patrick says, and Marco becomes a STAR. Then disaster strikes. He is spotted without his mask and brought back to the zoo. How will Patrick and Mum get him out again?’
Judi Curtin is supremely popular with children everywhere and this book is one of our favourites! It tells the story of Eva, a spoilt rich girl whose life is turned upside down when her father loses his job and they have to move house. Eva is faced with a new school and new friends but soon finds herself on a wonderful adventure. Girls aged 8- 11 will love this charming book!
Readers aged 9-13 (and older) will devour these books by Irish author Darren Shan. Cirque Du Freak tells the tale of how two best friends lives change forever when they acquire tickets to a strange freak show and bump into a deadly vampire!
Everyone knows Roddy Doyle writs funny, heartfelt books but did you know he also writes laugh out loud books for kids too? This book is wonderfully rude which kids aged 6 and up are sure to appreciate. This funny tale follows Mr Mack who is about to have revenge enacted on him by the Gigglers, who are magical pranksters who play tricks on adults who are mean to children.
'I was Jane Austen's best friend' is a delightful read from Irish author Cora Harrison. When Jenny, a shy girl goes to stay with her cousin Jane Austen, she knows nothing about dresses and balls and romance while Jane is so knowledgeable. So, when Jenny falls in love with the dashing Captain Thomas Williams, Jane is on hand to help her. This is a really wonderful way to teach younger readers about the magic of Jane Austen.
Kids aged 8 and up will just love this hugely popular tale of everybodies favourite anti-hero! 'Artemis Fowl's father is a European crime lord and at the beginning of the book, he disappears with the family's fortune, leaving his mother in a state of shock. Artemis then finds himself on an adventure with his bodyguard Butler where he discovers fairies really do exist and in order to capture one must decode their book. Boys and girls will equally love this rollercoaster ride of a book.
Marita Conlon-Mckenna is one of Ireland's most cherished children's authors and while this book might not be her most well known of books, it is one of the most spell-binding. When a mysterious woman called Bella Blackwell, arrives to the village of Ballyglen, the peace and quiet of the Murphy household is shattered. Everyone is suspicious of her, except for ten year old Mia who quickly falls under her spell. Mia learns of faraway lands, of dragons and giants and ancient magic and before long becomes the old woman's apprentice. This book is suitable for kids aged 9 and up.
These spooky books feature the adventures of a skeleton detective named Skulduggery Pleasant and a teenage girl Stephanie Edgley as they battle evil and save the world from the Sceptor of the Ancients. This is the first in a series of books that are all terrific fun and really well written. These books would suit a reading level of 8 and up.
As we all know, Pauline McGlynn is a very funny lady but did you know, she writes kids books too? Her latest book tells the story of Jennifer Quinn, aka Jenny Q, a teenager from Dublin who loves knitting and secretly dreams of being a star. This book is perfect for girls aged 12+ who love a good giggle and a gossip.
