For this month's RTÉjr Book Club Ruth Concannon and Children's Books Ireland Education Outreach Manager Dr Becky Long have put their heads together and created a fantastic list of books to make the return to the classroom a little more joyful for teachers and students alike.
Not everyone gets excited when they hear the words 'back to school' – some teachers even dread the end of the summer holidays! However, a new school term does mean one positive thing; plenty of new stories to explore! Our Class Reads recommended reading list aims to help teachers and students find fun-filled books ideal for a classroom read-along or story time.
The Class Reads list is full of excellent picturebooks, graphic novels, verse novels, and chapter books in Irish and in English for primary school students. Each review is accompanied by an age recommendation to guide teachers to the right book for the ability of their class group. As well as this, you will find a list of the various subject areas of the Primary Curriculum Framework each book naturally speaks to and a curated list of additional resources to help you to make the most of story time.
So, if your aim for the new school year is to bring reading for joy to life in the classroom, download the full list of recommendations at childrensbooksireland.ie now.
The Slug and the Snail by Oein DeBhairduin/ Illustrated by Olya Anima, Little Island Books and Skein Press, 32PP, ISBN 9781915071071
A pair of slug brothers travel the roads until their peace is interrupted by a crow who asks where their home is. Embarrassed, the younger slug makes himself a home he can carry on his back and starts to call himself a snail. The brothers grow apart until they meet with the crow once more and begin to realise how alike they are after all. This gentle lyrical story, also available as Gaeilge, is based on the storytelling tradition of the Irish Traveller community which touches on identity and acceptance. This story is also available as Gaeilge as An Drúchtín agus an Seilide. (Junior Infants, Age 5–7)
Taking the Long Way Home by Jake Hope/ llustrated by Brian Fitzgerald, Scallywag Press, 32PP, ISBN 9781915252845
This lively story inspires children to explore new experiences, tap into their imaginations and view the world from a fresh perspective. Zarah's uncle is in charge of taking the children home from school and chooses to take 'the long way home'. The children are reluctant to stray from their usual path – however, their complaints soon fade as their imagination is sparked, turning the journey into a thrilling adventure. Hope and Fitzgerald beautifully depict the dynamics of an extended family, the joy of play and the power of imagination. (Senior Infants, Age 5–7)
The Secret Elephant by Ellan Rankin, Wren & Rook, 32PP, ISBN 9781526363794
As bombs begin to fall around the zoo, a baby elephant and her keeper sneak to the safety and comfort of the keeper's home. Based on the incredible true story of the bond that blossomed between Belfast zookeeper Denise Weston and Sheila the baby elephant during the Belfast Blitz, this touching tale will incite conversation around friendship, being kind to animals and the history of the true story. Richly illustrated by Rankin, this is a tale full of human kindness to inspire and captivate readers. (First Class, Age 5–7, 8–10)
Supa Nova by Chanté Timothy, Nosy Crow, 160PP, ISBN 9781805130666
When Nova discovers the extent of the world's plastic problem, she decides to invent a plastic-eating monster called Chomp to fix it. However, things don't go to plan and Nova's monster grows out of control, destroying everything around it. With the help of her older sister Cassi, Nova uses her scientific skills to save the day. The first in the series, Supa Nova is a fun, light-hearted graphic novel début with a strong and confident Black female scientist as its protagonist. (Third Class, Age 8–10)
Rune: The Tale of a Thousand Faces by Carlos Sánchez, Flying Eye Books, 144PP, ISBN 9781838741211
Chiri and Dai stumble through a magical portal landing in the realm Puddin' where they are faced with a monster known as the Shadow King, who plots to release wild magic. This graphic novel is a cosy fantasy with well-rounded characters and an appealing pastel colour palette. Chiri is a Deaf character; however, her Deafness is never used simply as a plot point, in fact the use of sign language plays a major part in the magical system of Puddin'. A well-paced charming fantasy adventure. (Fourth Class, Age 8–10, 10–12)
Inis Mara by Tristan Rosenstock, LeabhairCOMHAR, 82PP, ISBN 9781919601397
Cailín neamhspleách éirimiúil í Éabha agus is fúithi atá sé drochghníomhaíochtaí cheannaire nua an oileáin a thabhairt chun solais le teacht i gcabhair ar mhuintir an oileáin. Scéal taitneamhach spreagúil, le gluaiseacht mhaith ann. Tá léaráidí i ngach caibidil, tá na hailt gearr. Tá focail nua aibhsithe agus mínithe sa ghluais. Déantar athrá sna focail a chabhróidh le léitheoirí. Tá doimhneacht sa scéal maidir le ceisteanna móra: athrú aeráide, ceannaireacht, úsáid acmhainní nádúrtha, gníomhú ar son an phobail agus na timpeallachta. Éabha bravely challenges the new leader of an island in this novel about climate change. (Rang a Cúig, Aois 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. 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.
See www.childrensbooksireland.ie for more.
Look back on more great RTÉjr Book Club recommendations here!
