For this month's RTÉjr Book Club, our friends at Children's Books Ireland give us a slice of their new recommended reading guide - The Best Irish Books of 2025. CBI Publications Officer Ruth Concannon highlights a small selection for us.
Ireland is a nation of storytellers, and this latest guide showcases the wide range of brilliant books from Irish authors and illustrators, Irish diaspora and those who have made their home here. Covering fiction, non-fiction, picturebooks, graphic novels, poetry and more – there really is a book to be found for every reader!
Aimed at an audience aged 0–18 years and including books in English and as Gaeilge, the guide shares 100 short reviews along with 100 'read also' recommendations to guide you in the direction of your next great read. For this month's RTÉjr Book club, we have picked out some of our favourites from the guide, some of which are newly published this September.
For even more recommendations, you can pick up a copy of The Best Irish Books of 2025 for free at participating bookshops and libraries nationwide or download the guide at childrensbooksireland.ie.
Fraidy Dog by Kate Sheehy, The O’Brien Press, 32PP, ISBN 9781788495035
Fraidy dog is frightened of spiders, storms and all the unknown corners of his home, but his encounters with a 'furrocious’ cat help him find the fun in his surroundings again. The illustrations are the central focus here: the reader is drawn into the movement of each carefully arranged illustration, the chaos adding to the dynamism of the story and the playful characters. This is an enjoyable picturebook for younger children who may find comfort in a character who learns to conquer his fears. (Age 2–4)
Suas sa Spéir/ Height for Hire by Tatyana Feeney, My Irish Books, 32PP, ISBN 9789998778856
Cairdeas neamhghách agus réiteach neamhghnách ar fhadhb curtha in iúl ag léaráidí draíochtúla a osclóidh doras na samhlaíochta do gach léitheoir idir óg agus aosta. Sa phictiúrleabhar gleoite seo gan focail feicimid sioráf ag breathnú go fiosrach amach ón zú. Nuair a théann eitleog i bhfostú i gcrann cé eile a bheadh ard go leor le teacht i gcabhair ar an úineir óg? Tá stír agus draíocht ar leith ag baint le saothar Tatyana Feeney, saothar a labhraíonn leis an leanbh laistigh – cuma cén aois atá ag an leanbh lasmuigh! Interesting and accessible, this wordless picturebook is uniquely charming for a variety of languages. (Aois 5–7)
Gruaig Áine by Eoin Colfer, translated by Sadhbh Devlin and illustrated by Richard Watson, Futa Fata, 96PP, ISBN 9781915684257
Cuireann cuid gruaige Áine isteach go mór uirthi. Agus í fiosrach i gcónaí, tugann sí bearradh gruaige di féin, rud a chruthaíonn fadhbanna eile di. De ghnáth bíonn ruaille buaille agus spraoi ag baint le leabhair Eoin Colfer, agus tá Gruaig Áine lán leis chomh maith. Tá greann fite fuaite ann agus bíonn rud éigin craiceáilte ag titim amach i ngach caibidil. Cuireann na léaráidí daite go mór le hinsint bheomhar an scéil. Tá Gaeilge shnasta in úsáid san aistriúchán le nathanna cainte agus friotal aoibhinn tríd is tríd. A fantastic translation of the popular Mary’s Hair, this is a laugh-out-loud read ideal for readers improving their reading confidence as Gaeilge. (Aois 8–10)
Squid Squad by Aoife Dooley, Scholastic, 224PP, ISBN 9780702337109
Ollie and Zing live together with their pet anemone Barney in a caravan in the town of Nowhere at the bottom of the sea. Surrounded by a quirky cast of sea creatures with unique abilities, they all come together to form the Squid Squad. Bold, defined and brightly coloured, there’s so much to enjoy, and even learn, from this bright graphic novel. It’s also wonderful to see the theme of being unique and completely yourself, which features in Dooley’s other work, carry on in this riot of a read. (Age 8–10)
Hear more from Aoife on the We Love Books Podcast here!
Making It Up As You Go Along: A Children’s Guide to Writing Stories by Patricia Forde and illustrated by Mary Murphy, Little Island Books, 272PP, ISBN 9781915071903
With a foreword from President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins, this book shows us from the beginning that it takes children’s creativity seriously. A guide for children who are interested in creative writing, featuring great advice and practical exercises to ignite the imagination. Although the tone is light, fun and age-appropriate, the content makes it a truly valuable resource for any young writer harbouring dreams of publishing a novel someday. (Non-fiction, Age 8–10, 10–12)
Tales of Darkisle: Conn of the Dead by Dave Rudden and illustrated by Ali Al Amine, Gill Books, 160PP, ISBN 9781804582084
Conn has trouble fitting in – he’s always been told that he’s too much. But when a plan to crash the school talent show somehow leads Conn to the basements of University College Dublin, he accidentally discovers an ancient evil is stirring. Conn’s interest in the world around him, his inability to sit still and his frustration when misunderstood will be very relatable to a lot of children. The first in a new series, this book will appeal to readers interested in fantasy, horror or Irish folklore. (Age 10–12)
Read an extract from Dave's brilliant book here!
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 on the island of Ireland, and to champion equitable access for all to excellent books. CBI share their 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. They support and promote authors and illustrators and connect them with their audiences through our work.
Go to www.childrensbooksireland.ie for more about great books.
