As the last few weeks of summer holidays slip away with the month of August, anxious thoughts and complicated feelings around back to school can often show up.
In this edition of RTÉjr Book Club with thanks to our friends at Children's Books Ireland, Ruth Concannon has some reading recommendations to help everyone see new things in a positive way.
While term-time certainly provides young minds with lots to learn, there are plenty of life lessons that we experience as part of growing up outside of the classroom too.
At Children's Books Ireland HQ we often recommend that tricky first encounters are sometimes best experienced through the safety of a book.
For a young person, reading about something you can relate to, or something you will soon experience, can restore a sense of control, quash any anxiety and help you to feel understood.
For this reason, Children’s Books Ireland has put together a new recommended reading list on the topic of 'growing up’ with a junior list aimed at readers in Primary School and a senior list for Post-Primary readers. The Growing Up reading list highlights some excellent books that tackle common, but tricky first experiences.
The reading list for juniors (0-12 years) tackles everything from potty training, to going to the dentist as well as challenging experiences like bereavement and parental divorce. For whatever you are going through, let books be your guide through life’s many lessons.
Below you will find some of the highlights from our Growing Up reading list for primary school students,. For more recommendations, you can download the full reading list for free from mid-August on our website www.childrensbooksireland.ie.
Ready Steady Potty! by Becky Davies, illustrated by Rosalind Maroney, Little Tiger, 12pp, ISBN 9781801044929
This is a delightful little book to read with toddlers on or just before they embark on their potty-training journey. This book acts as a helpful tool to accompany the process, and to add a bit of fun to the sometimes-daunting milestone. The pages are filled with vibrant, fun colours and lots of fellow toddlers also transitioning from nappies to big pants. For parents and caregivers, there are useful tips on each page as well, which will leave them feeling equally as supported. (Age 0–2)
The A-Z of Minding Me by Tracey Flynn and Niamh Gogan, illustrated by Kerry O’Callaghan, Gill Books, 32pp, ISBN 9780717194292
This alphabet picturebook gently introduces young children to positive mental health. Covering everything from breathing to playing, each page is a positive affirmation of the simple things a child can do to practise self-care, mindfulness and positive thinking. Readers will be empowered to manage their emotions, express themselves, connect with others, look after their body and mind, as well as develop resilience. Charming illustrations perfectly reflect the themes with soft textures, calming colours, comforting scenery and diverse characters. (Non-fiction, Age 5–8)
A Day That’s Ours by Blake Nuto, illustrated by Vyara Boyadiieva, Flying Eye, 32pp, ISBN 9781838740757
‘Shall we steal a day?’ So begins this beautiful, warm ode to childhood and the emotions that come with children growing up. Our unnamed father and child steal a day away from the normal rush, spending time together making a messy breakfast, walking together in the park and catching falling leaves. Their quiet calm is contrasted against the busy, rushing people in cars and on bikes.
Ideal for a child about to start school, the poetic prose and illustrations reflect a true love story of parent and child. (Age 5–8)
The Hare-Shaped Hole by John Dougherty, illustrated by Thomas Docherty, Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 32pp, ISBN 9780711276055
Hertle and Bertle have always been best friends, but one day, Hertle is not there. With his friend suddenly gone, Bertle is left with only a hare-shaped hole, a painful reminder that his friend is no longer with him. For any readers who have experienced a sudden, or unexpected loss, Bertle’s difficulty in accepting the gap in his life that only Hertle can fill will be familiar. Books like this are a rare gem offering a balm of comfort to those who are dealing with grief and bereavement. (Age 5–8, 8–10, 10–12)
Go Ceann Scríbe le Ailbe Nic Giolla Bhrighde, Futa Fata, 70lch, ISBN 9781910945520
Tá an saol deacair do Mhaidhcí nuair a bhuaileann muid leis ag tús an scéil seo. Tá sé ag obair ar róbat a thógáil do chomórtas mór na scoileanna lena dhlúthchara Joe ach níl siad ag réiteach go maith lena chéile agus gach uair a thugann siad faoin obair, bíonn siad ag argóint go fíochmhar. Tá Mam agus Daid ag argóint freisin agus ní thuigeann Maidhcí go díreach céard atá ag tarlú eatarthu. Caitear go tuisceanach comhbhách leis an staid dheacair ina bhfuil Maidhcí agus a thuismitheoirí ar tí scaradh – an brú agus imní atá air agus na pianta a thagann air dá bharr. (Aois 8–10, 10–12)
Bigg School: Best Friends Forever by Lisa Williamson, illustrated by Jess Bradley, Guppy Books, 205pp, ISBN 9781913101558
Lola and Evie are starting secondary school and have grown up together, but to Lola’s horror, they are not in the same class and, to make it even worse, Evie makes a new friend. Williamson perfectly describes those days of starting a new school and the emotions that can be felt with changing friendships. A lovely, funny and (at times) heartbreaking story, this would be a great read for those who are nearing the transition from primary to secondary education. (Age 10–12)
Ruth Concannon is the Publications Officer 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 in Ireland, to share their expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, to champion every child’s right to excellent books and live literature events and support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland.
