Everyone is getting ready for Christmas and looking forward to the holidays. Here, Ruth Concannon from Children's Books Ireland (CBI) is spreading festive cheer for all to hear with some great reading recommendations. Yule love this special RTÉ KIDS Book Club - and press play above to listen to CBI CEO Elaina Ryan on The Oliver Callan Show.
There is always one thing that we can guarantee on our Christmas Wishlist at Children's Books Ireland HQ – books, of course! But as much as we love books for ourselves, we are also keen to share a love of reading with others too.
Our annual 'Gift a Book’ appeal aims to provide brilliant books to children across Ireland in time for Christmas, so that every child has a story to enjoy during the festive season.
Partnering with community groups and charities, this Christmas, over 2,500 books will be delivered to children in need, including those accessing support services, experiencing homelessness and living in Direct Provision centres. We would love your support to help bring the joy of reading to young people across the island of Ireland.
You can donate to the Gift a Book appeal today by visiting www.childrensbooksireland.ie/giftabook.
As for our regular RTÉ KIDS Book Clubbers, we have some super reads filled with festive fun to keep you entertained over Christmas. Until next year, we wish you a merry Christmas and as always, happy reading!
Slide and Peek Santa by Hector Dexet, Post Wave Children’s Books, 14PP, ISBN 9781836271123
Santa is heading out on his busy journey to deliver presents for Christmas; there’s some socks for Spider, a sled for Penguin and lots of bananas for Monkey! Bold pantone illustrations show various creatures in festive outfits as they eagerly await their gift from Santa. Little readers can get involved by sliding and pulling each tab to reveal the surprise inside each gift. Double-sided for even more engagement, this tactile and engaging story is perfect for little ones during the festive season. (Age 0–2)
Tiger, It’s Snowing! by Daishu Ma, Post Wave Children’s Books, 32PP, ISBN 9781836270065
Join Mei and Tiger as they set off on a snow-filled adventure! Tiger has never seen snow before – follow along as he learns that it tastes cold like ice cream and feels tickly on his whiskers! But when Mei gets chilly and starts to sneeze, Tiger wraps her up in his warm paws and they head home to a steaming hot bowl of soup. Hues of blue and grey form the backdrop to the narrative, making a vibrant orange tiger and red-coated Mei pop out from the page. Through snowball fights and snow angels, this touching tale centres on friendship and the importance of taking in the world through the senses. (Age 2–4)
The Sleigh Queens Save Christmas by Seán Casey, Sweet Cherry, 32PP, ISBN 9781802637434
When Santa’s sleigh crashes through their ceiling at Christmas, three glamorous drag queens, Candy Kane, Connie Fir, Snow Ball and Candy’s young nephew Ollie help Santa to rediscover his sparkle by giving him a fabulous festive glow-up to help him find his joy and save Christmas. Cleverly spotting the potential to combine the glitter and glamour of drag queen life with the tinsel and glitz of the festive season, Casey finds a way to take a familiar tale of Santa in trouble and give it a modern, unexpected spin. (Age 5–7)
Joy to the Whole World by Lucy Brownridge and illustrated by Sang Miao, Wide Eyed Editions, 24PP, ISBN 9780711297913
Did you know that in France children leave out their shoes for Père Noël to fill with presents? That Christmas day is celebrated on the 7th of January in Ethiopia? Have you ever tasted delicious Christmas foods like rabanada from Brazil, piparkakut from Finland, or turrón from Spain? This story makes readers feel like Santa, as we whizz around the world from one festive celebration to another, learning about the different ways that Christmas brings joy to the whole world. The illustrations are the definition of cosy and comforting, with tiny details to spot in each festive scene and a lift-the-flap element adding further engagement. (Non-fiction, Age 8–10)
Hilda and Twig Wake the Ice Man by Luke Pearson, Flying Eye Books, 56PP, ISBN 9781838742928
Hilda’s wish to play in the snow with her new friend Burku comes true when Twig the Deerfox makes an unexpected discovery in an icy cavern … Tooting the Ice Man’s horn causes an avalanche of snow to propel itself towards Trollberg – can Twig figure out how to save Hilda and lull the Ice Man back into a slumber? Fans of the Hilda series will adore this wintery escapade that also touches on managing expectations and jealousy in friendships. Pearson’s glacial illustrations blend the cosy and the chilly answering the age-old question; can one ever have too much snow? After reading this, I think yes! (Graphic novel, Age 8–10)
Anisha Accidental Detective: Christmas Chaos by Serena Patel and illustrated by Emma McCann, Usborne, 256PP, ISBN 9781805312420
Anisha is slightly unwilling to embrace the chaos of the festive season, unlike her Christmas-obsessed family! But when Dad is selected to organise the Christmas Fayre at the community centre, even Anisha can’t resist getting on board with his perhaps over-the-top plans. With the pressure mounting to create a celebration the community can be proud of, a missing sleigh full of decorations and a precious post box is the last thing the Mistry family need – luckily Anisha and Milo are on the case! Blending chaos and community, this festive edition of Anisha Accidental Detective succeeds in reminding readers what is truly important at Christmas: togetherness. (Age 9–11)
Ruth Concannon is the Publications Manager 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 their work.
Go to www.childrensbooksireland.ie for more.
And you can look back on the RTÉ KIDS Book Club archive here.
