We have bumper crop of new Irish books to chase away any back-to-school blues this month. So here's a round-up of some of our favourite new reads from Irish authors and Illustrators this September. Compiled by award-winning and best-selling Irish Author Triona Campbell.
Available this month in bookstores and libraries throughout Ireland.
For Younger Readers look out for…
Bearradh Gruaige d’Eoinín
Author Muireann Ní Chíobháin/ Illustrator Róisín Hahessy
For Ages 0+
From Cork City native Muireann Ní Chíobháin and Irish-born (but Porto-based) illustrator Róisín Hahessy comes another adorable everyday adventure from Ireland’s favourite lamb. Eoinín badly needs a haircut, but haircuts make him nervous. Can you help him?
I see the Moon and the moon sees me
Author Sarah Webb/ Illustrator Paul Delaney
For Ages 3+
From Dalkey native Sarah Webb and Cork based illustrator Paul Delaney this is a charming collection of nursery rhymes, songs, and poems published by the O’Brien Press.
It features childhood favourites like 'Old Mother Hubbard’ and ‘Sing a Song of Sixpence’, classic ditties like ‘When Irish Eyes Are Smiling’ and ‘Skip to My Lou’, and funny rhymes like ‘I Made You Look’ and ‘Hot Dog’ that will cheer up any bedtime, as well as magical verses for children written by Spike Milligan and Gordon Snell and a beautiful lullaby by singer-songwriter Lisa O’Neill.
Tiny McToot
Author/ Illustrator Barry Falls
For Ages 4+
From Belfast based creator Barry Falls comes a joyful story about being seen, heard, and accepted – however small you may be.
Tiny the giant lives in a shoe, and as the smallest giant in the land, he is always overlooked. But, when a HUGE and dastardly troll comes along, could it be Tiny’s diminutive size (along with his HUGE courage) that saves the day?
Beanie the Bansheenie
Author: Eoin Colfer/ Illustrator: Steve Mc Carthy
For Ages 4+
From the award-winning team of Wexford author Eoin Colfer and Dublin based Steve McCarthy, this is a long-form picture book that turns a familiar myth of Irish folklore into a universal story of love, perseverance, and friendship against all odds.
Banshees are well known to most as supernatural Irish harbingers of doom. But not many know that they grow on the prickly gorse bush inside little pods and that the sole job of a baby banshee, or "bansheenie," is to bond with a human and know all there is to know about that person, including when they're destined to breathe their last breath. But when one bansheenie named Beanie decides to change her fate by protecting her person Rose it starts a process that will change everything.
The Big Squeeze
Author Molly Harris/ Illustrator Alison Hawkins
For Ages 4+
A hardworking sponge makes its debut in this delightful and relatable picture book from Irish based Molly Harris.
The little sponge has a BIG job. She washes and mops and scrubs away all the messes in the kitchen. But what happens when the mess gets TOO BIG and she just CAN’T clean anymore? This is a book about friendship, self-care, and how a big squeeze can help in one sponge’s charming battle against total burnout.
The Great Discovery
Author Peter Donnelly
For Ages 4+
Award winning Wicklow based author Peter Donnelly is back in this story of the grand reopening of a museum and the finding of a ginormous bone in a local back garden. Could it be the bones of an elephant, a rhinoceros, or even a hippopotamus? With help from a small dog, Mr Gray the museum’s curator, solves the puzzle (and finds a very special exhibit for his big reopening).
Ava and the Acorn
Author Lu Fraser/ Illustrator Paddy Donnelly
For Ages 4+
Irish-born and Belgium-based illustrator Paddy Donnelly is back with this a tender story about one little girl's relationship with her grandad, and the hope that lies in the changing of the seasons and the circle of life.
Because where you think there's an end, there's always a beginning...
Over the Red-Brick Chimney
Author Una Leavy/ Illustrator Shannon Bergin
For Ages 4+
Little Goose is excited. It’s time to go, before the Big Snow.
Winter is coming, and all the geese are flying to their new home in Ireland. But Little Goose gets blown down, down, down by a sudden gust. Can Finn and his mum help her find her way home? A charming picture book from Mayo native Una Leavy and Offaly illustrator Shannon Bergin.
What is a Peachick
Author Erika McGann/ Illustrator Clive McFarland
For Ages 4+
From Louth native Erika McGann and Omagh based illustrator Clive McFarland reunite again after their previous book ‘standing on one leg is hard’ with this hilarious adventure with weird and zany animals.
Ceol na Mara
Author Tadhg Mac Dhonnagain/ Illustrator Tarsila Kruse, Una Woods
For Ages 5+
From Irish language publisher Futa Fata, this is a collection of maritime themed songs and accompanying recordings (via QR Codes) featuring local school children from the Galway Gaeltacht area of Cois Fharraige along with well known singer Caitlin Na Chualain.
Dog Man Scéal an Dá Phuisín
Author Dav Pilkey
For Ages 7+
The third book in Dav Pilkey’s fabulous Dog Man series translated into Irish by publisher Futa Fata.
Nina Peanut Mega Mystery Solver
Author / Illustrator Sarah Bowie
For Ages 9+
From Waterford illustrator, author, and cartoonist Sarah Bowie comes this second book in the fabulous Nina Peanut series. This is a warm, offbeat wit and gorgeously colourful book with themes of friendships/frenemies, big dreams, and brilliant pets.
Listen to Sarah on We Love Books here!
The Lost Dogs
Author Patricia Forde/ Illustrator James Brown
For Ages 9+
From award winning author (and Galway native) Patricia Forde comes this action packed story of lost dogs thrown together when their worlds fall apart.
In what becomes the biggest adventure of their lives these three heroes break out of prison, go on the run, become shipwrecked and homeless; They also dodge a cruel dog warden and risk their lives to save other dogs from a criminal gang. Discovering a new kind of family in each other along the way.
And that’s it for Younger readers this September! All of the above are newly released this month and available in local libraries and bookshops all around the country.
And we have a round-up of new releases for older readers here! It really is a bumper crop of new Irish books.
For more book recommendations check out Discover Irish Kids Books or give them a follow on Instagram or X.
Discover Irish Kids Books round-up graphic by Bex Sheridan.
Triona Campbell is the Author of ‘A Game of Life Or Death’ and ‘The Traitor in the Game’ and part of the team at #DiscoverIrishKidsBooks – a campaign to highlight and celebrate Irish kids and teen books.
