Welcome to 2026! We are turning the page with the first RTÉ KIDS Book Club of the year. It's full of great reading recommendations courtesy of Ruth Concannon from Children's Books Ireland. Take it away Ruth...
There is something about the fresh zing of a brand-new year that fills us with an anticipation of the future and all the possibilities it holds. If the start of the new year has you inspired to seek out new horizons and futuristic discoveries look no further than this month's picks for RTÉ KIDS Book Club – we’ve got a selection of books to satisfy those with a curiosity for new discoveries and inventions!
From inventors, to experimenters, the secrets of the stars, to what is hiding beneath the soil, this month’s picks uncover the unique mix of scientific fact and the magic of discovery. Why not experiment with a brand-new read to kick the year off? There’s so much to discover with a good book in your hand!
Don’t forget for even more books to build on your curiosity, or build up your 'To Be Read' pile, you can check out our recommendations on childrensbooksireland.ie.
We Are All Inventors by Kate Pankhurst, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 32PP, ISBN 9781526615466
With help from her babysitter and fellow inventor Ruby, Lizzy learns all about the skills required to become an inventor, how to follow a checklist, and how to consider the audience, safety, and sustainability of anything you might invent.
With important explorations of the inventions of female scientists and representations of disability – Lizzy has cochlear implants and uses sign language, while her mentor Ruby has prosthetic hands – this is wonderful book about perseverance and following your curiosity. (Non-fiction, Age 5–7, 8–10)
The Experimenters: Luke and Ruby’s Scientific Sleepover by Dr Shane Bergin and illustrated by Sayani Mukherjee, Little Island Books, 64PP, ISBN 9781915071088
Ruby and Luke are spending the midterm break at their nanny and grandad’s house which – given that their grandparents are retired scientists – means a week filled with exploring, experiments, and excitement! Fusing narrative and non-fiction, the 'You’re the Scientist’ spotlights feature Dr. Shane, who explains the science within the story and encourages young readers to do their own experimenting.
Perfect for curious minds and budding scientists, The Experimenters delivers its sound science in a beautiful package, with charming (and helpful!) illustrations of Ruby and Luke’s adventures from Sayani Mukherjee. (Non-fiction, 5–7, 8–10, 10–12)
Elements of the Day by Samantha Lewis and illustrated by Hao Hao, Red Shed, 48PP, ISBN 9780008712594
Take a journey through a child’s typical day and discover fascinating facts about the elements all around us as you go. Beginning with a brief introduction to elements and atoms, and continuing on through a child’s day with entertaining and interesting facts about elements, for example, how hydrogen powers the sun when you awake; how iron in your breakfast cereal transports oxygen in your blood; and how carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and sodium are in the soap you wash yourself with.
Fully illustrated throughout, every page is a delight, encouraging your eyes to jump around to different exciting images and even making you turn the book sideways on occasion! (Non-fiction, Age 8–10)
Wish Upon a Star: The Science, Magic and Meaning of Stars by Catherine Ard and illustrated by Wenjia Tang, Flying Eye Books, 64PP, ISBN 9781838742102
Catherine Ard covers both the scientific and cultural history of stars across thousands of years and around the world in just sixty-four pages. Space stations, gas giants, animals, and even rock stars are all treated with unique spreads that give each section their own distinct flavour while maintaining a consistency of style.
Accompanied by Tang’s soulfully explosive illustrations, each page reveals a smorgasbord of stories brought to life in full colour against the softness of galaxies and magical sweeps of mythological reconstructions. All in all, a stunning book to own, to share, to marvel over and to learn from. (Non-fiction, Age 8–10, 10–12)
Dig! Uncover the Secrets of the Past with Archaeology by Ruth Hatfield and illustrated by Sophia Watts, Wide Eyed Editions, 80PP, ISBN 9780711295674
Get ready to explore the amazing world of archaeology in this exciting and colourful book, written by real-life archaeologist Ruth Hatfield. Dig! is bursting with cool facts and fascinating stories about ancient treasures, lost cities, and the clever tools archaeologists use to uncover secrets from long ago. Readers will learn about the Terracotta Army, Roman heating systems, and even prehistoric head lice in a fun and easy-to-understand way.
This book is packed with surprising and silly facts that make history feel real and exciting. The bright, playful illustrations bring the past to life, showing what ancient places looked like and how archaeologists uncover them. Dig! is a great choice for curious kids who love stories, science, and adventure. (Non-fiction, 8–10, 10–12)
The Wizard’s Guide to Magical Experiments by A.J. Wood and illustrated by Jo Rioux, Magic Cat Publishing, 30PP, ISBN 9781917044653
Welcome to the Touchwood Academy of Magical Thinking! This beautifully designed and illustrated book, takes what could have been a straightforward non-fiction book of home experiments and creates a world of magic and scientific spells. While the experiments in this book are firmly based in science and chemistry, the book really captures the magic and imagination that can play as much a part in the experiments.
This is an accessible but fun way to introduce children to scientific concepts, with small booklets, foldouts and activities combining to add to the playful nature of the book. A great book to highlight the magic behind scientific discovery. (Non-fiction, Age 8–10, 10–12)
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. She says: "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."
Ruth also has 5 greats tips on how everyone can be a children's books champion in 2026 - click here to find out how!
And you can look back on the RTÉ KIDS Book Club archive here.
