Irish books of the year 2023

Dare We Be Dragons?

Author: Barry Falls
Publisher: Farshore
Interest age: 4-5

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,…

Bedtime Stories: Incredible Irish Tales from the Past

Author: Rachel Pierce (and 11-year-old Lola-Mae McCormack) Illustrator: Donough O’Malley Erin Brown Eva Byrne Linda Fahrlin Lydia Hughes Róisín and Úna Woods (cover endpapers and border Jennifer Davison)
Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

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

Wider than the Sea

Author: Serena Molloy Illustrator: George Ermos
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+

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.

The Wishkeeper’s Apprentice

Author: Rachel Chivers Khoo Illustrator: Rachel Sanson
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

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.

Dodos Are Not Extinct

Author: Paddy Donnelly
Publisher: O’Brien
Interest age: 6-8
Reading age: 7+

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…

P'un a yw'n gosod pig ar ei hun i edrych fel aderyn neu'n gwisgo mewn siaced ginio i edrych fel un o'r pengwiniaid, mae dodos wedi dod o hyd i ffordd i fynd o gwmpas ac osgo…

The Time Tider

Author: Sinéad O’Hart
Publisher: Little Tiger
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

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.

The Girl Who Fell To Earth

Author: Patricia Forde
Publisher: Little Island
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+

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

Welcome to Dead Town, Raven McKay

Author: Eibhlís Carcione Illustrator: Ewa Beniak-Haremska
Publisher: Everything with Words
Interest age: 12-14
Reading age: 10+

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.