Irish books of the year 2023

A story rooted in the oral tradition of the Irish Traveller community, this lyrical picture book tells the story of two slug brothers and their journey together exploring their identities.

A dad is putting his young daughter to bed, and as he tucks her in, they both start to imagine all of the adventures they could have together the next day. They could be dragons, or walk with giants in the woods, or fly to the moon and then swim with huge whales in the oceans. There are so many adventures that Dad and his little girl can have together – and, when she grows up, and Dad gets older, they can still have adventures together too.

Will little wolf cub find his inner howl in time for the big Howling Ceremony? Little Wolf is a heartfelt tale of courage, perseverance, family, friendship and proving that even the smallest voice can make the sweetest sound. 

The bird in this book has a big secret to tell – they are in fact not a bird at all, rather a dodo in disguise! But dodos are extinct, aren’t they? This dodo is here to prove otherwise…

Can Felix and his new friend the wishkeeper stop a monster from destroying everyone’s happiness? A delightfully charming and perfectly plotted adventure that packs a real emotional punch.

Someone is stealing Lost Time and Mara must stop them and find her missing father, before it’s too late. Full of twists and turns, this gripping page turner, set in the Republic of Ireland, is an exhilarating and imaginative read.

Dealing with contemporary concerns such as climate change, yet steeped in ancient Irish myth, history and folklore, this thrilling fantasy crackles and fizzes like the magic within its pages. 

Ró finds reading hard because the words jump around. She can’t tell anyone because her parents are unhappy and she doesn’t want to make it worse. A heart-felt, accessible book for all kinds of readers. 

A thought-provoking science fiction thriller that looks at Earth and humanity through alien eyes.

This entertaining and informative collection of illustrated short stories shines a light on key people and events from Irish history.

When Raven’s parents mysteriously disappear, she is sent to live in the sinister town of Grave’s Pass, where the dead coexist with the living. As she is drawn deeper into the menacing world of ghost, ghouls and zombies, Raven is in danger of losing everything. This macabre tale, enhanced by atmospheric gothic illustrations, is a chilling read.