children’s books ireland every child a reader

Overall Editor & Production: Jenny Murray Contributors/Scríbhneoirí Reviews Editor: Juliette Saumande Shakira Browne Áine Ní Ghlinn Eagarthóir Gaeilge: Siobhán McNamara Órla Carr Natasha Mac a’Bháird Design:www.fintanwall.com Catherine Ann Cullen Freda Mills Printed in Ireland by www.mplprint.ie June Edwards Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan Children’s Booksleabhair Ireland Team/Foireann Leabhair Pháistí Éireann: Antoinette Fennell Ciara O’Siorain CEO: Elaina Ryanpháistí Aingeala Flannery Lindsay Quayle Deputy CEO: Jenny Murray Tony Flynn Síne Quinn Programme & Eventséireann Manager: Aoife Murray Children & Youngag People’s cothú Projects léitheoirí Manager: Daiden O’Regan Breda Frawley Mary Roche Marketing & Development Manager: Julie Jones Joanna Geoghegan Andrew Roycroft Laureate na nÓg Project Manager: Aingeala Flannery Kim Harte Rachel Sneyd Administrator & Office Manager: Ciara Houlihan Olivia Hope Paul Staunton Research & Evaluation Officer: Mairéad Mooney Mary Esther Judy Robin Stewart Awards Administrator: Julianne Siron Celia Keenan Jan Winter Children’s Books Ireland Board/Bord Leabhair Pháistí Éireann: Becky Long Jane Alger, Elena Browne, David Field, Patricia Forde, Eileen Jackson, Eddie Murtagh, Anne O’Gorman, John O’Donnell, Patrick Thorpe and Sarah Williams Children’s Books Ireland/Leabhair Pháistí Éireann receives financial assistance from The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon, 70 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland Children’s Books Ireland/Leabhair Pháistí Éireann First Floor, 17 North Great Georges Street, Dublin 1, D01 R2F1 Telephone: 00 353 1 8727475 [email protected] www.childrensbooksireland.ie Inis is the magazine of Children’s Books Is é Inis irisleabhar Leabhair Pháistí Éireann, Ireland, the national children’s books an eagraíocht náisiúnta leabhar do pháistí. organisation. Within these pages you will Ar na leathanaigh seo feicfidh tú gné-ailt find features and articles on Irish and agus scéalta faoi leabhair Éireannacha agus international children’s books as well as idirnáisiúnta do pháistí, chomh maith le in-depth reviews of new titles for children léirmheasanna cuimsitheacha ar leabhair and teenagers. With its range of expert nua do pháistí agus do dhéagóirí. Mar gheall contributors, this is a key resource for ar shaineolas na scríbhneoirí san iris seo, teachers, writers, illustrators, librarians, is iontach an acmhainn í do mhúinteoirí, parents and everyone interested in scríbhneoirí, maisitheoirí, leabharlannaithe, children’s books. tuismitheoirí agus do gach duine ar spéis leo leabhair do pháistí. Continue the conversation with us at www.childrensbooksireland.ie where you Bí ag comhrá linn ag will find more reviews, articles and up-to- www.childrensbooksireland.ie the minute news. áit a bhfaighidh tú tuilleadh léirmheasanna, ailt agus an nuacht is déanaí. Cover image and illustrations on pages 3, 5 and 28 by Fintan Wall www.fintanwall.com

Articles © respective authors. The views expressed in the articles and reviews are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent Children’s Books Ireland policy.

Ailt © ag na húdair faoi seach. Is le húdair na n-alt agus na léirmheasanna na tuairimí atá léirithe iontu agus ní gá go dtiocfaidís le polasaí Leabhair Pháistí Éireann. inis features contents/clár 4 editorial 17 we are the poets Laureate na nÓg project manager Aingeala Flannery 6 reading pictures looks back over the laureateship of Sarah Crossan Librarian Robin Stewart interviews picturebook creator, and three-time Caldecott Medal winner, David Wiesner 20 children’s books ireland resources 9 p is for poetry Catherine Ann Cullen talks to Seamus Cashman 22 the impact of COVID-19 of and Emma Byrne about the ground-breaking the wider books sector Something Beginning with P Kim Harte explores the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Irish children’s book 13 bainimis dínn an clóca industry dofheictheachta ‘Bíodh leabhair Ghaeilge do pháistí le feiceáil.’ 29 reviews/léirmheasanna a deir Laureate na nÓg, Áine Ní Ghlinn

16 how is the Laureate na nÓg chosen?

3 JULY 2020 editorial/eagarfhocal Extraordinary, unprecedented, gets the recognition it deserves alongside shortlisted artists had opportunities to challenging … Our work is deeply rooted its counterpart in English. interact with audiences, not in schools this in words and yet it is difficult to find the year but digitally, thanks to Ecclesiastical’s This year was a triumph for the Irish right ones to describe the months since the Movement for Good Award and the language at the KPMG Children’s Books last issue of Inis was published. You will Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Over Ireland Awards, as indeed it was for be reading this on a screen – Inis 60 is our €24,000 was paid to our shortlisted and women and for verse novels. The winner first ever digital-only issue, a decision that winning artists through the awards, and of the Book of the Year Award, Máire was made in order to help us plan with because their appearances were online Zepf, represented the hat trick, with her certainty how we could safely deliver it to rather than in schools, artists were paid Irish language verse novel Nóinín. Mór our members when so much uncertainty both to undertake school ‘visits’ via Zoom agus Muilc was our second Irish language prevailed. The print issue will return and and were provided with training and paid award-winner, with Kim Sharkey taking undoubtedly has a much-valued place for to self-record video pieces that we had the Eilís Dillon Award for a first children’s us and for our members, but for this issue edited and produced. These videos have book. Ashling Lindsay was given the in particular, the additional ‘space’ granted reached over 21,000 viewers to date and Honour Award for Illustration for her by going digital, without the worry of are available on our YouTube channel and picturebook The Tide (written by Clare rising print and postage costs, allows us our website. Helen Welsh), and Sarah Crossan’s Toffee, to document and reflect on the impact of a novel in verse, took the Honour Award The Children’s Books Ireland website COVID-19 on our sector. Kim Harte’s for Fiction, recognising a pair of stories has finally become the repository of comprehensive long-form article takes in with real heart on the subject of dementia. excellent quality content we have been the views of artists, booksellers, librarians Finally, the Judges’ Special Award winner striving for, for some time, accelerated and publishers and gives a glance into was Meg Grehan for The Deepest Breath, and necessitated by the needs of families some of the work we have been doing our third verse novel to take a prize. With for reliable, expert information and since March to try to adapt our work to no trophies cast due to closed foundries activities to guide children and young the quickly changing reality of life lived and no awardees anywhere near any staff people in their reading and creativity. We at home. We expect to look back on this member’s five-kilometre radius, we feared released a free PDF of Small Print, which article in years to come as a record of this that the joy of the ceremony would be lost was originally intended to give tools to time and wonder how our community in a digital iteration. But with over three preschool teachers to explore picturebooks did so much for so many in the midst of a hundred live viewers (and now over 2,700 in fresh, simple, child-focused ways that pandemic. views), our YouTube premiere felt closer would reflect the Aistear early childhood As the announcement came from to the real thing than we expected, with curriculum framework. Academic as Government that schools would close in the comments throughout articulating that may sound, the activities are easy mid-March, Children’s Books Ireland the excitement and pride of those who for families to do and the guide includes was about to embark on a programme would have marked the occasion with us reading tips to build parents’ confidence of activity that would see us donate over in person. and make the experience fun for the 5,000 books to over 160 schools and early child. Reviews editor and book doctor As well as celebrating excellent books for learning settings to spark excitement about Juliette Saumande’s imagination and children, the KPMG Children’s Books reading. Three of our most important resourcefulness in writing the activities are Ireland Awards celebrated a young reader events of the year were to take place in seemingly boundless, and we are grateful for the first time this year, with the the following months. The finale event to the Department of Children and Youth inaugural KPMG Reading Hero Award. of Laureate na nÓg Sarah Crossan’s term Affairs for their support. Our winner, Harry Darcy, age eleven, was to be a celebration of young poets was nominated by his best friend, who The Any-Book Book Club is another free from all over Ireland, interspersed with described him as a book guru who reads set of activities written by Juliette, which performances from the facilitators who constantly, ‘on the bus, on school trips, can be done with any books a child has brought #WeAreThePoets to life over the in the car, on the subs bench at matches around the house, getting around the past two years. The inauguration of our waiting to take to the field, in class when issue of access to particular books and new Laureate na nÓg, Áine Ní Ghlinn, he is supposed to be doing something indeed access to a printer, both obstacles was to take place as part of the Galway else (driving the teacher mad) and even we needed to avoid in order to make this 2020 European Capital of Culture events. at his own birthday party’. Harry and a useful resource for all children. We are And our thirtieth year of what we now the other children and young people grateful to the Smurfit Kappa Foundation know as the KPMG Children’s Books who contributed to the awards ceremony for their support. Ireland Awards was to take place in Smock were rightly the focus of our audience’s Alley as part of International Literature The website is rich with recommended attention as our Junior Jurors articulated Festival Dublin, marking the centenary reading lists on themes from sports and their views so brilliantly on the award- of Eilís Dillon’s birth. The month of May fantasy to grief, emotional wellbeing, winning titles. was, in the end, a much-needed celebration overcoming fears … whether your of the achievements of some of our best Supporting artists is one of our core aim is to discuss a weighty issue or a artists: the honour of laureate passing from strategic pillars, and the KPMG Children’s difficult emotion with a young reader one writer to the next as we watched on Books Ireland Awards is one core project or to find the right book for their tastes Instagram and listened to the radio. Áine that allows us to invest in excellent to kickstart some summer reading, we is featured in this issue, discussing her children’s writers and illustrators. The have you covered. Recently added lists invisibility cloak and her aim of lifting it prize fund has doubled since 2019 thanks include commonly asked questions from for others so that Irish language literature to KPMG’s headline sponsorship, and our book clinics, including books about inis features 4 superheroes and where to go after you’ve for students whose final year in primary We are excited to introduce our new exhausted the Walliams back catalogue. school was abruptly cut short. A treasure editorial team, expanded to three in We are also proud to have published a trove of writers, illustrators and a few response to the increased volume of list on politics and activism to add to other well-known faces, these videos are submissions: Kim Harte (0–9), Becky our existing recommendations on the characteristic of people’s generosity during Long (10–YA) and Muireann Ní theme of inclusivity and representation. this time. Check out pages 20 and 21 for Chíobháin (Irish language reviews editor). In partnership with the UN High more on what we’ve been working on. Kim rejoins the Children’s Books Ireland Commission on Refugees, we celebrated team having worked on the magazine Part of our role in the coming months will World Refugee Day 2020 by publishing as maternity cover in 2018, bringing be to advocate for support for artists – to an updated selection of stories about skills and expertise from backgrounds in highlight excellent books through our refugees from around the world, including bookselling and library and information awards, our publications and our reading fiction, non-fiction, autobiography and studies. Becky has a PhD in Irish lists so that those who need high quality photography. World Refugee Day is an children’s literature, and both have been information about books for children and opportunity to salute the strength and our book doctors, reviewers and section young people can find it. Through March courage of refugees; the solidarity of those editors for Recommended Reads for some and April we surveyed artists to ascertain countries, including Ireland, who assist years. Muireann is a screenwriter, author, their challenges and needs through the refugees; and the contribution refugees broadcaster and performer with twelve pandemic, and in June we brought a group make to countries around the world. We years’ experience creating content for of twenty-eight authors and illustrators continue to educate ourselves by reading young Irish and international audiences. together virtually, both to help re-establish widely, making a conscious effort to hear This new team brings so much to Inis, a sense of community and to invite open voices other than our own and sharing not least their energy, enthusiasm and feedback as to what Children’s Books these stories with the children and young significant skills and expertise. As we Ireland supports are working, what could people in our lives. move into a new era and, under the be improved and what more we can do. stewardship of Jenny Murray, Deputy One of the core pillars of our work is Our professional development programme CEO of Children’s Books Ireland and access, and making sure that as well for the rest of the year will be developed overall editor of the magazine, they will no as hearing diverse voices, our projects with this input in mind, and we will make doubt continue to build on the great work are speaking to all children. With An every effort to improve artists’ working of their predecessors. Post, we developed the ImagineNation lives as recovery begins. playbook, a twenty-four-page publication Keep an eye on our social media channels, We will also be shaping our Irish language filled with activities that brought together as always, for up to date news about policy following a period of consultation twenty-eight excellent Irish authors what we’re working on. We have already with our stakeholders – agus i rith an and illustrators who provided pages to announced the cancellation of the 2020 tSamhraidh, beimid ag foghlaim, freisin, encourage and engage children in reading, Children’s Books Ireland International cé go mbeadh cúpla focail ag gach duine ar writing and drawing and being creative Conference, and though it brought us an bhfoireann i Leabhair Pháistí Éireann. during the COVID-19 pandemic. The great sadness to do so, we will make plans Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that every key objective was to encourage children to connect with you in other ways as the child on the island of Ireland has access to be creative while staying at home, but year goes on. to the joy of reading, and we will need for us it was also a means of supporting to understand what new obstacles have Finally, a word of thanks to all our Irish artists who wanted to use their skills been created by this pandemic in order supporters: we are immensely grateful to reach out to help families during the to decide how we can be truly inclusive to those who have donated to Children’s crisis. ImagineNation was delivered by An and how we can have the greatest positive Books Ireland or signed up as a Leading Post to 85,000 households all over Ireland, impact on children’s and young people’s Light to give on a monthly basis, as well as to direct provision centres, reading lives. particularly in recent months. It means so family hubs (for children experiencing much to us – not just financially, but in homelessness) and children’s hospitals. As always, our reviews section takes in a terms of morale for the team: thank you 115,000 copies were distributed free with broad spread of excellent titles, and we for having confidence in us and believing copies of Easter Saturday’s Irish Times and are especially glad to draw attention to that we can make a difference; we are the playbook free to download both from those by Irish authors and illustrators working hard to ensure that we do. our website and An Post’s. With thanks to whose work has been published to little The Community Foundation for Ireland, fanfare when launches were not possible, Stay safe and well, and we hope that our we are currently printing another 15,000 arts coverage declined and supply chains unusual digital sixtieth issue brings you copies that will go directly, with art to shops were interrupted. This issue, we something to smile about as you plan your supplies, to direct provision, family hubs bid farewell to Juliette Saumande, reviews summer reading. and children’s hospitals to cater for the editor, and Siobhán McNamara, Irish huge demand. language editor, who leave us after over a decade of work between them dedicated Our back issues of Inis, our Recommended Elaina Ryan to this magazine. They have imbued the Reads guides, our Junior Juries packs and CEO Children’s Books Ireland publication with their warmth, wisdom various other useful resources are all and expertise and have been a pleasure to freely available to read, download and work with. Both Juliette and Siobhán will use. The COVID-19 hub, for resources continue to work with Children’s Books created by artists specifically during this Ireland in other guises, and we thank time, is also live now, as is the immensely them wholeheartedly for all they have uplifting Messages for 6th Class, a project brought to Inis and to the team. initiated by Sarah Webb as a way to mark the transition to secondary school

5 JULY 2020 reading pictures Librarian Robin Stewart interviews picturebook creator, and three-time Caldecott Medal winner, David Wiesner. by Robin Stewart The trouble with picturebooks, from a still reading, it’s just a different language. include an illustration of a tiger in Alice librarian’s perspective, is that they can What more direct way to communicate and Martin Provenson’s 1952 The Animal sometimes be just too appealing. At every than through pictures? The ability of Book – ‘that image had such emotional point of contact, from purchasing and individuals from disparate backgrounds resonance I could hardly even look at it!’ – cataloguing to shelving and circulating, to discover commonality and to as well as Jack Kirby and Jim Steranko’s some picturebooks just beg to be opened. communicate – art and books are a bridge illustrations for Marvel comics: their In a busy children’s library, this can prove to understanding new cultures – through ‘unbelievably exciting’ exploration and use problematic – when you’ve only half an images and pictures gives people a meeting of panels and insets in page design was hour to put some semblance of order on place to understand one another – that’s central in developing Wiesner’s approach the picturebook shelves after a particularly not silent.’ to page layout and ‘the movement of enthusiastic story time and an alluring panels and pages as the syntax of a As well as enabling cultural cover catches your eye, you can find narrative – for every visual decision I communication across diverse yourself helpless in its power, despite all make, I ask myself, “How can it add to the backgrounds, wordless picturebooks can pressures of time or library scheduling. story?”’ have great positive impact in educating Sometimes a quick flick through will and informing people of disparate abilities, While studying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts suffice, but some books end up being from reluctant readers to those who can’t (Illustration) at the Rhode Island School carried back to the desk, borrowed and read, who are often very good at reading of Design, Wiesner immersed himself taken home to be fully enjoyed. pictures. Illustrator Brian Fitzgerald in the work of early pioneers of wordless One such book for me was Flotsam, by shared his experiences in this regard at the narratives, such as Max Ernst, Frans David Wiesner. So beautifully illustrated, iBbY symposium and outlined the work Masereel, Lynd Ward and Edward Gorey. so imaginative and so captivating, it of London-based charity Books Beyond Wiesner also came across Shirley Hughes’s demanded to be read and reread. Flotsam, Words: ‘wordless books tell a story, but visual storytelling style, which he hugely originally published in 2006, was they also let the reader tell their own admires – ‘I discovered Shirley Hughes Wiesner’s eighth picturebook as writer story – the one they see in pictures. and realised, “Wow!” Here I was thinking and illustrator and, like many of his other This can tell you a lot about a person’s I was Mr Cool, and she was doing books, is wordless. Wordless picturebooks? inner world and their understanding of things ten to fifteen years before me!’ He That’s just one way to describe them – in situations. There is plenty to talk about ended up entering the world of making fact, naming the genre can be a thorny and each story can explore feelings and picturebooks quite by chance: ‘near the issue, with some preferring the term ‘silent relationships as well as giving information.’ end of my senior year at the Rhode Island books’. School of Design, Trina Schart Hyman Introducing David Wiesner and his wife came to school to talk about being a This topic was much discussed at the and sometime collaborator, retired surgeon children’s book illustrator. She was International Board on Books for Young Kim Kahng, when welcoming them to great – casual, funny and straight talking. People (iBbY) Ireland’s annual lecture the library was challenging. How do At the time she was also the art director and subsequent Louder than Words you compress lives and careers like these for Cricket magazine and she stayed an symposium at St Patrick’s College, into a few short lines? As an illustrator, extra day to look at portfolios. I showed Dublin City University, held at the end Wiesner has won the American Library her my work and she offered me a job of February 2020. David Wiesner was Association’s Caldecott Medal (recognising creating a cover for Cricket. The rest, as the guest of honour, so I was thrilled at that year’s most distinguished American they say, was history.’ the prospect of hearing him speak on picturebook for children) three times; the power of wordless books. I couldn’t himself and the late Marcia Brown are the Delving into David’s approach to creating believe my luck when, having expressed an only artists to ever attain this remarkable books is fascinating – the rigorous lengths interest in visiting an Irish school library, achievement. Wiesner says his parents he goes to in researching and designing David Wiesner agreed to visit our newly always introduced him by saying, ‘This is the look, feel and layout of his books is established school library to launch our David; he loves to draw,’ and feels this is amazing. A good example is his 2013 World Book Week celebrations. still the most fitting introduction. title Mr. Wuffles!. The initial idea for Mr. Wuffles! came to him while waiting for his The Victoria Díez Library at the Teresian Born in 1956 and raised in Bridgewater daughter to finish a music lesson. Sitting School in Donnybrook serves the Township, New Jersey, Wiesner was in the lobby of the music school, he began preschool, primary school and secondary brought up ‘completely encouraged in daydreaming about and doodling a tiny school pupils, and when David visited, the arts as one of five children in a family UFO and then wondering what his pet he talked us through his creative process of artistic and musical talent, with ready cat, Cricket, might make of it – ‘Snap! and life in books, particularly his wordless access to hand-me-down art supplies. There’s the idea. I made some quick picturebooks, focusing on Flotsam. My parents saved everything I drew as sketches, went home and drew out some Wiesner prefers the simple descriptor a kid. By the fifth grade, I was saving thumbnail sketches. My approach is that ‘picturebook’, but, as he acknowledges, everything myself. This archival mentality I keep drawing until I discover what I ‘that’s already taken, already has a set has continued to this day – I have all want to say. The narrative unfolds where meaning’. At the iBbY lecture, PJ Lynch the preliminary materials for all of my the drawings take you; I’m well into the described the genre as ‘universal language work.’ In these early images, the genesis process before I identify themes.’ books’, which are ideal for ‘breaking of Wiesner’s future career and style can down borders and developing fascination’. be traced, from doodles and scribbles as Mr. Wuffles! began as an ‘exploration Although ‘silent books’ is an often-used a child through to surrealistic images of scale changes’. To fully develop and descriptor, this can be a slightly reductive as a teenager – ‘I was fascinated with explore these changes, Wiesner created term. Wiesner feels that these books can surrealism and saw surrealism as change.’ a ‘cat cam’ and followed his pet through promote ‘engagement in conversation with its daily routine to get a better idea of Some of the most arresting images he children, and that’s not silent – you’re what a cat’s-eye perspective actually looks remembers impacting him as a child

7 JULY 2020 like. He studied feline anatomy, made models and mock-ups and played with the elements until the story began to form. Although Mr. Wuffles! is wordless, some enigmatic text does form part of P is for the narrative – ‘I realised the necessity for dialogue in the book, how cool it would be to create languages as visual dialogue. I chose geometric shapes and consulted with a linguist from Swarthmore College. We decided to make these “alphabetical” poetry shapes like mathematical equations, to be “read” alongside the language of pictures – the character’s facial expressions, postures and the lighting and composition of the illustration all impact interpretation of the linguistic shapes. ‘Kids love to decode things – I didn’t provide a glossary or anything so as not to be bogged down by meaning. Early on in my career, I thought, these works are such a product of a suburban US upbringing, I didn’t think they’d translate – it didn’t take long to realise that kids are kids all over.’ After his elaborate, detailed creative process, including making mock-up galleys of each book to ensure the visual As for Wiesner’s take on the popularity equal, imposing their own meaning and narrative flows correctly according to the of wordless picturebooks in the interpretation on a story – in Wiesner’s syntax of each spread and panel, Wiesner contemporary book marketplace? ‘From words ‘you deprive kids of a wealth of doesn’t test out his stories on children. He a critical standpoint, they’ve been getting understanding if you take away pictures. prefers to allow each reader to interpret a lot of attention – they’ve been around The first art children see is in the work in their own manner – ‘After the since the 1930s, but interest began to picturebooks – that’s a big responsibility success of Tuesday [published in 1991], I spike in the 1980s. You could hypothesise for an artist.’ realised once the book is out there, I’m no that the shift to libraries as their chief An exceptionally talented illustrator and longer in control – this loss of control is purchasers is responsible for their entering storyteller, Wiesner has a calm, quiet central to the book, it allows the reader to public consciousness – they were always presence, and his address is captivating – be a collaborator.’ there, hiding in plain sight as it were.’ the children in the school library and Crediting libraries with the popularisation That said, he does love getting feedback adults at the iBbY lecture and symposium of the form is interesting – ‘for a long time from children, often posted to his agent, would have happily allowed him to this type of book was not commercially and learning about their interpretations continue all day and listened as long as popular with parents – there was a level of his books – ‘listening to children is, he kept speaking. His visit was truly a of resistance, a fear of not knowing what of course, important’. Having started marvellous way to kick off World Book to do with these books, which offer out illustrating other authors’ books and Week, and he was a remarkable first opportunity for real communication. texts early on in his career, Wiesner hasn’t guest author to visit the Victoria Díez These books can be rich, multi-levelled done any ‘jobbing illustrations’ since the Teresian School Library. The rich depth and sophisticated, despite their apparent publication of Freefall in 1988 – ‘filtering of David Wiesner’s playful images have simplicity.’ others’ ideas inhibits my creativity’. His universal appeal and reward the reader use of colour has evolved over the course This statement drives at the crux of the more and more at each sitting. His of his career. He never works digitally, importance of wordless picturebooks, narratives allow for the removal of barriers always in watercolour – a surprise given another ‘problem’ with picturebooks in communication, understanding and the vividness of his illustrations – moving generally – their true value can often be the enjoyment of reading, facilitating away from greyer tones in his earlier work underappreciated. Teachers and parents accessibility and inclusivity of reading for to a more layered, bright, rich palette. can be dismissive of picturebooks as pleasure for all. ‘Nobody wants my books in e-versions,’ he somehow ‘less-than’ chapter books and Robin Stewart (MLIS) is the founding says, smiling – his response was to develop unillustrated texts, celebrating a child’s librarian of the Victoria Díez Library the Spot app for iPhone and iPad. Spot literacy in a perceived linear progression at the Teresian School, Dublin. He allows the reader/player to use ‘hotspots’, away from predominantly illustrated texts. is passionate about the promotion beginning with one on a ladybird’s back, This view can be harmful, supressing the of reading as an empathy engine for to delve into and explore fun, beautifully development of literacy and visual literacy, readers of all ages. layered and rendered, fabulous worlds – ultimately suppressing children’s capacity the result is awesomely immersive and, like to read for pleasure and experience joy the best of his picturebooks, begs to be through singular immersion in books. played with and explored. Wordless picturebooks, and picturebooks generally, allow the reader be treated as an inis features 8 P is for poetry

A beloved collection of Irish poetry for children, Something Beginning with P, is sweet sixteen. Enter a revised, shorter version, P Is for Poetry. Catherine Ann Cullen, the inaugural Poet in Residence at Poetry Ireland, talks to Seamus Cashman and Emma Byrne, editor and designer of both books. by Catherine Ann Cullen The first anthology of Irish poetry that to write, he urged them to drink in all Poetry Ireland’s Education Officer, Jane spoke directly to me was the Wolfhound that the poems had to offer: ‘worlds that O’Hanlon, recalls her enjoyment of the Book of Irish Poems for Young People. I can be mined, hacked, sifted, shovelled project and says it had a lasting impact on was thirteen when I read it in 1975, and and reshaped endlessly. And through the her. ‘Being involved in the creation of the though I had been scribbling poems from enjoyment this can give, beauty will flow, book with The O’Brien Press and Seamus early childhood, I felt personally addressed diamonds will sparkle, poems will be Cashman was exciting as well as being an by the invitation in its introduction to absorbed.’ education, particularly as I was new to the write as well as read: ‘There is much world of publishing. The professionalism, Valerie Coghlan, reviewing the book enjoyment to be got from trying … And care and consideration, along with the in these pages in 2004, immediately the poem you write will say something genuine love of the task and the respect for recognised its value as food for the that only you can say.’ both the audience and contributors, struck imagination, heart and soul: ‘To start me at the time and has stayed with me.’ Those words were written by Seamus reading is to emerge dizzy from the pages, Cashman, co-editor (with Bridie Quinn) having gorged on the richest of textual Cashman was the obvious choice to edit of the book, and a poet and publisher who banquets … John Ennis’s account of a the collection, knowing the worlds of had founded Wolfhound Press the year dead dog and his own fear of death … or poetry, academia and publishing as he before. Almost thirty years later, in 2004, Rita Ann Higgins’s ‘His I’s Were did, and with a successful anthology for Cashman was again compiling and editing Empty’ … There is much to nourish both children under his belt. He acknowledges a book of Irish poems for young people, young and old here.’ that commissioning and compiling the this time at the invitation of The O’Brien book was a major task. ‘I did relish it. It I talked to Seamus Cashman recently Press. Something Beginning with P: New was a dream project. There are some 105 about Something Beginning with P and Poems from Irish Poets was a lavishly poets in it, but I sent out perhaps 150 asked if it had been an Irish answer to illustrated book that became an iconic or more letters of invitation. There was similar books elsewhere or an entirely new and enduring volume. The collection of delight at the concept and at being invited idea. commissioned poems is having a makeover to submit. Some good material didn’t this year. The 112 poems are whittled ‘The original idea, and it was an original make it into the book and there was talk down to 53, and the lavish hardback, one, was Michael O’Brien’s,’ Cashman of a second one to include those.’ sometimes with slipcover, is now a slimmer says. ‘When he put it to me I was annoyed That second book never came to pass. paperback volume with a new name, P Is with myself for not having thought of it I wondered if Cashman regretted the for Poetry. in my Wolfhound days! I was instantly absence of any particular poets from excited by it. Poetry Ireland responded ‘A kind of madness – the madness of Something Beginning with P. very positively too. I didn’t look at or for being alive to the discoveries of the any models, though no doubt there must ‘The first question I ask myself is why is mad, mad worlds around and within us’ have been something similar elsewhere.’ Eavan Boland not there? I can’t remember, is how Cashman introduced the 2004 for she would most surely have been on my edition. Instead of inviting young readers request list, and my archive is in lockdown inis features 10 and inaccessible at the moment. Ciaran ‘I do remember that the deadlines were to sixty-four pages, retaining where Carson is not in the original P either, but tight,’ says Byrne. ‘I have a particular possible the existing illustrations, but he wrote me a lovely note on the lines memory of Corinna Askin in the office in increasing type size and adjusting colour that he had been struggling with the idea The O’Brien Press illustrating away! I also backgrounds occasionally for better of writing a poem for children and just remember the production manager and readability. ‘I definitely agreed with this couldn’t get his head around it!’ myself going to Italy to check the sections idea. For example, Maighread Medbh’s off the printing press.’ poem “Shane the Shaman” can now Poetry for children in Ireland in 2004, be photocopied and readable without a and perhaps writing for younger readers in Askin is proud that the book ‘won several problem for whole class choral work.’ general then, had yet to gain the respect major awards for us, including one from as a genre that it has today. ‘Poets didn’t Bologna Children’s Book Fair’. This new emphasis on accessibility will be have great outlets at that time in Ireland appreciated by some readers who might Byrne’s hands-on input was also for work for children,’ says Cashman. have found certain pages in the original, important. ‘I used letterform myself as an ‘Something Beginning with P was an idea including those featuring Maighread illustrative form, in poems like “Words and a book waiting to happen. And the Medbh’s poem, beautiful but busy, with Are Such Silly Things” by Brendan illustrations proved a stunning scaffolding the text somewhat overwhelmed by the Kennelly, “Word Game” by Philip Casey, for the texts.’ illustrations. “The Love Song of Harry Hippo” by That ‘stunning scaffolding’ was the work Larry O’Loughlin and “Belly Buttons” by I recalled a controversy some years ago of three relatively young people who Gabriel Fitzmaurice.’ about the poem by Cathal Ó Searcaigh in gave the book its fresh appeal. Emma Something Beginning with P. There were Cashman gave an open brief to the Byrne was The O’Brien Press designer claims that it was too close to a poem poets. ‘I wanted poetry, not just verse who commissioned the illustrations. by a writer he was translating. I asked entertainments. I wanted that depth of ‘There was a large body of work so I felt Cashman if that issue had been resolved, “truth” and “beauty” that I had always two illustrators was the way to go, with and he says it had been, to his own known children would appreciate. And contrasting styles. Some of the poems satisfaction. ‘I had correspondence and nothing wrong with some of it being were more serious than others, and I felt discussions with both poets. The poem difficult either.’ He did not specify a line two styles could better reflect the many is a fabulous poem. It is not in this new limit, which turned out to be a judicious emotions the work evoked.’ volume but I do hope we will reissue the decision, ‘for to my delight several great rest of the poems in a second volume, and Byrne was familiar with the work of the long poems came in, from Brendan I can and would include it again, with an two illustrators she chose. Alan Clarke Kennelly, Michael Smith, Sarah Berkeley, acknowledgment to the other poem.’ had already done some work for her at The Dermot Bolger, Vona Groarke, Tony O’Brien Press on the Ross O’Carroll Kelly Curtis, John F. Deane and many more’. There’s just one new poem in P Is for books, and Corinna Askin had done cover These were both narrative/story poems and Poetry: ‘The Supermarket Maw’ by illustration on The Johnny Coffin Diaries poems that had potential for class groups, Cashman himself. He had excluded his by John W. Sexton. Byrne felt their styles as choral work or drama. own writing from the original book. ‘I’ll were complementary. probably not be around for a next edition, The first edition was a hardback, and there so added this in as a contribution to the ‘Alan’s is quite realistic and Corinna’s is was a hardback with a slipcase for schools consumer world we live in, or lived in till more ethereal – both styles seemed to in partnership with RTÉ. The book went recently …’ reflect the content of the book. I myself into several printings. ‘We wanted to make did some typographic drawings as a way a real splash with this book, to reflect As to what has changed in terms of poetry to illustrate the poems; it was another fun its importance. At a later point we did a for children since the first edition was element.’ paperback version. It’s a book that keeps published, Cashman says ‘there is an on going!’ says Byrne. O’Hanlon says that extension of the “free verse” approach, Both artists felt privileged to work on the the ‘quality of the publication speaks for with structure frequently intensified – even book. ‘It was an honour to be asked to itself, conveying the excitement and the to prose work as poetry and combinations illustrate such a beautiful collection of possibilities of poetry’. of verse and prose, which I like. Maybe too poems. I love the fact that it has become so much is written for just now rather than well read,’ says Askin. She was inspired by The 2020 version, P Is for Poetry, has been incorporating the text into a deeper more the poems being specially written for the a very different project. The decision to fulfilling experience. But much great work collection: ‘it was exciting to represent the revisit and reduce the book was O’Brien’s, is being written and much “intelligent” vastly different and personal sentiments in primarily on financial grounds, as they poetry being read. Teenagers are writing each one’. didn’t think they could justify a reissue of fine mature texts and experimenting. the full edition. They were interested in Alan Clarke says the book ‘came along School kids are so much more aware of making it less daunting, leaving out many when I was trying to establish myself as the wider places they live with and in; that of the longer poems. an illustrator. I jumped at the chance – a must be a promise of a great future for commission like this does not come along ‘It was more an “in-house” task,’ says Irish poetry writing.’ every day. Myself and Corinna were given Cashman. ‘I had to sit with the existing One poignant element of this new edition free rein and allowed to fully indulge our texts and illustrations and select, is that so many of the poets are no longer imaginations. Most of the spreads were rearranging where necessary. It has fifty- with us. Among those who have died fully painted, a lot of work in a relatively two poets.’ since the first edition are Seamus Heaney, short time, but it was worth it. The The decision on which poems to exclude Macdara Woods, John Montague, Richard finished product was beautiful and really was not based on the idea that any of the Murphy, Philip Casey, Matthew Sweeney well received. I am very proud to have work was dated or irrelevant. Cashman and Desmond O’Grady. been involved in such a special project.’ says he was given the freedom to edit

11 JULY 2020 POETRY IRELAND POET IN RESIDENCE Bainimis The Poetry Ireland Poet in Residence is a neighbourhood project designed to engage with the many communities around Poetry Ireland’s home in Dublin’s North Inner City, as well dínn an clóca as with the wider city and county. Catherine Ann Cullen was the inaugural appointee in October 2019. The part-time role involves creative writing and songwriting workshops dofheictheachta with groups such as the SAOL project for women and children affected by drug use, the Pathways Centre for former prisoners, and local schools, libraries, youth and ‘Some of those included are now in their Byrne says there was a nostalgic pleasure adult organisations. Many of the late nineties and mid-eighties and late in revisiting the book. ‘It was lovely to residency activities have moved seventies, and then there are a few still be back working on it – it was one of my online as a result of COVID-19, with in the bloom of very late youth,’ says first big jobs at The O’Brien Press. If I Zoom writing workshops for Bealtaine Cashman. was to revisit the original in its entirety, writers, Pathways and SAOL, as well from a design point of view, I would I was struck by the inclusion in P Is for as readings for groups nationwide. see if it was possible to give more space Poetry of two poems written in ‘TXT Other activities have been initiated in to the illustration. At times it seemed speak’, by Paula Meehan and Aisling reaction to the crisis, such as a series very jammed in. But that would mean O’Loughlin. It’s a format that young of videos, Behind the Lines, where a much longer book.’ For P Is for Poetry, people today have never used, as phone poets read and talk about their work she commissioned a new cover from Alan keyboards have changed and numbers on the Leaving Cert English and Irish Clarke. ‘I felt it needed a fresh look. The and letters rarely exist now on the same courses. Since 13 March 2020 – typographic approach for the cover was ‘page’ of a phone. Cashman says that these simple and fun and it features a character the first day of Poetry Ireland’s ‘remain valid as language formats in a very from the first edition.’ lockdown – Catherine Ann has changing world. I await a poem written in posted an illustrated #PoetryPrompt emojis. After all, what’s new? Apollinaire And, of course, there is a new introduction duo on Twitter each day, one for had the letters of words falling like rain by Cashman. This time, he’s back with adults and one for children, and down the page. “Il Pleut” [It’s raining].’ the gentle nudge for children and young curated the poems written in adults to write themselves. ‘My wish is Cashman admits that editing can hurt. response. In mid-May, she reached that this book will open up for you ways of ‘When I look at both volumes, I am one-hundred poetry prompts. You seeing the world around you and the world pained at so many of those long and short can follow the prompts on Twitter within; ways of thinking and imagining; poems that are not included here, which and who knows, ways of writing too, at @tarryathome, where you will are equal in merit to any that are. Just look even of writing poems.’ It’s an important find them in Irish and in English. In at the names of the poets in the original. inclusion, for children like the child I late June, her Alphabet Blitz for the But the reader will respond to this volume was in 1975 who are already writing, City of Dublin (ABCD Project) was for what is there in front of them, and I and for the children I have worked with launched, inviting rhyming alphabets am happy with those poems.’ and continue to work with who are just about the city from individuals and One source of that happiness must be waiting to be given permission to blossom groups of all ages and in all languages the inclusion of Áine Ní Ghlinn, recently into poetry. from now until the end of the year. announced as Laureate na nÓg. Her Entries may be submitted to Poetry Dr Catherine Ann Cullen is the gentle elegy, ‘Oidhreacht’ [Inheritance], inaugural Poet in Residence at Poetry Ireland in written, illustrated, strikes a chord with this year’s theme for Ireland. She is an award-winning poet, photographic or video form. The Poet what became the first ‘virtual’ Poetry Day children’s writer and songwriter, and in Residence role is funded by the Ireland, ‘There Will Be Time’. It recalls recipient of a Kavanagh Fellowship Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Fund of a parent who always had time for their 2018. Her three children’s books the Sidney E. Frank Foundation with child, making a rocket from a kitchen include All Better! (Little Island Books, additional support from the Social chair or poring over books to research the 2019), and her third poetry collection Innovation Fund, Ireland. eggs hidden in a robin’s nest in the garden. is The Other Now (Dedalus, 2016). ‘Tusa an té a raibh an t-am agat is a roinn For further information email an t-am sin liomsa’ [You the one who had [email protected] the time and who shared it with me]. The only poet who has two poems in the revised edition is Gabriel Fitzmaurice, who has one each in Irish and English. inis features 12 Bainimis dínn an clóca dofheictheachta ‘Bíodh leabhair Ghaeilge do pháistí le feiceáil.’ a deir Laureate na nÓg, Áine Ní Ghlinn le hÁine Ní Ghlinn

JULY 2020 Comhghairdeas le gach duine ar bronnadh Bhí Rang a Cúig agus Rang a Sé ag léamh Gaeilge nó siopaí Gaeltachta, sin mar a gradaim orthu ag Gradaim KPMG Jimín Mháire Thaidhg os ard. Rógaire ab bhíonn ag leabhair Ghaeilge do pháistí. Ní Leabhair Pháistí Éireann na bliana seo. ea Jimín agus, fad is a bhí daltaí ag léamh, bhíonn siad le feiceáil ar na seilfeanna agus Comhghairdeas freisin le gach duine a bhí eachtraí Jimín á léiriú ag m’athair le mura bhfuil siad le feiceáil ní cheannófar bhí ar an ngearrliosta. Is rud iontach é do cailc ar an gclár dubh. Bhí mise i mo shuí iad. Mura gceannaítear iad ní féidir iad a scríbhneoir a bheith ar cheann den deich ansin agus mé faoi dhraíocht. léamh. leabhar is fearr sa tír. Ón lá sin amach, níor stop mé de bheith Nuair a d’fhoilsigh The O’Brien Press Is breá liom féin gearrliostaí. ag féachaint ar leabhair agus – tamall leabhair de mo chuid mar chuid den ina dhiaidh sin – de bheith ag léamh. Am éigin roimh dheireadh 2019 fuair mé tsraith Sos (sraith a bhí díreach cosúil leis Na leabhair Ghaeilge a bhí i leabharlann ríomhphost ó Leabhair Pháistí Éireann an tsraith Panda sa Bhéarla), d’éirigh leo bheag Ghaeilge na scoile, na leabhair a rá go raibh mé ar an ngearrliosta le na leabhair Ghaeilge a chur isteach sna Bhéarla a thagadh chun na scoile sa haghaidh Laureate na nÓg. siopaí taobh leis na Pandas (seachas ar Leabharlann Taistil, aon leabhar a raibh sheilf na Gaeilge). Nuair a fuair mé figiúirí ‘Nach deas sin’, arsa mise liom féin. Bhí mé in ann mo lámh a leagan air áit ar bith. díolacháin ó The O’Brien Press roinnt mé thar a bheith sásta. Creidim go láidir Níorbh fhada gur thosaigh mé ag cumadh blianta ó shin bhí os cionn 12,000 cóip de go bhfuil onóir ar leith ag baint le bheith scéalta agus dánta dom féin. Níor rith sé Daifní Díneasár díolta agus os cionn 9,000 ar ghearrliosta. Ó bheith ar ghearrliostaí liom, áfach, go bhféadfainn a bheith i mo cóip de Moncaí Dána. Cruthaíonn sé sin thar na blianta agus go háirithe ó bheith i scríbhneoir lá éigin. go gceannaítear na leabhair Ghaeilge má mo mholtóir ar chomórtais éagsúla, tuigim bhíonn siad le feiceáil. cé chomh deacair is atá sé an gearrliosta a Ní raibh an focal Laureate sa stór focal bhaint amach. Má fhaigheann tú duais nó agam an uair sin, ach fiú dá mbeadh, ní Bíodh leabhair Ghaeilge do dhaoine óga gradam ina dhiaidh sin, tá reoán smeartha rithfeadh sé liom go bhféadfadh cailín óg le feiceáil mar sin. Bíodh siad i lár an ar an gcíste (ach an mana atá agamsa ná tuaithe fás suas le bheith ina Laureate de aonaigh. Bíodh deis ag páistí na hÉireann sult a bhaint as an gcíste leis nó gan an chineál ar bith. leabhair Ghaeilge a léamh mar phléisiúr reoán céanna.) seachas mar obair bhaile. Mo mhíle buíochas leis an gComhairle I gcás an Laureate, áfach, ní fhéadfainn Ealaíon, The Arts Council of Northern mo dhá chluas a chreidiúint nuair a fuair Ireland, An Roinn Leanaí agus Gnóthaí mé glaoch go luath san earrach lena rá gur Óige, Éigse Éireann agus Leabhair Pháistí Stepping out of the mé a bhí roghnaithe mar an séú Laureate Éireann as an ngradam seo a bhronnadh shadows na nÓg. Pé painéal a bhí tar éis teacht orm. Onóir dhochreidte atá ann, onóir a le chéile sa Chomhairle Ealaíon nó in thugann deis dom tionscnaimh áirithe a Congratulations to all the winners of this oifigí Leabhair Pháistí Éireann, bhí mise chur chun cinn. year’s KPMG Children’s Books Ireland roghnaithe acu. Awards. What an amazing selection Sa dá bhliain amach romham, ba mhaith of books for young people of all ages. An raibh dul amú orm? An raibh dul liom próifíl na litríochta do pháistí a Congratulations, too, to all who made it to amú orthu siúd? Nó an raibh dul amú ar ardú, ba mhaith liom daoine a chur ag the shortlist. It is such a huge achievement Phríomhfheidhmeannach Leabhair Pháistí comhrá faoi leabhair do pháistí, ba mhaith to be in the top ten books of the year. Éireann, Elaina Ryan, agus í ag glaoch liom páistí a spreagadh chun níos mó orm? léitheoireachta a dhéanamh. Baineann na Personally, I am a great believer in haidhmeanna seo agus aidhmeanna eile shortlists. I was over the moon when Níor rith sé liom riamh go ndéanfaí mé nach iad le teangacha uile na tíre ach mar I received a pre-Christmas email from a roghnú. Níorbh é go raibh mé buailte chuid lárnach de mo théarma Laureate, Children’s Books Ireland to say that I had ag siondróm an phasadóra (nó impostor beidh mé ag iarraidh an chothromaíocht a been shortlisted for Laureate na nÓg. syndrome). Sílim go mbuaileann siondróm athbhunú idir scríbhneoireacht na Gaeilge an phasadóra gach scríbhneoir ó am go Well, I thought, isn’t that wonderful? agus scríbhneoireacht an Bhéarla do chéile ach sa chás seo, b’é gur ghlac mé leis pháistí. Beidh mé ag iarraidh go mbeidh There’s great honour in being nominated go roghnófaí duine le próifíl idirnáisiúnta áit lárnach ag scríbhneoirí agus ag leabhair and even greater honour in being seachas duine a scríobhann i nGaeilge Ghaeilge sa chomhrá faoi litríocht do shortlisted. From being on shortlists over amháin. dhaoine óga. Beidh mé ag iarraidh deis the years (sometimes winning, sometimes Agus (go dtí seo ar aon nós) is i nGaeilge a chruthú do pháistí uile na hÉireann not) and from adjudicating various literary amháin a bhímse ag scríobh. leabhair Ghaeilge a léamh mar phléisiúr competitions, I know how difficult it is to seachas díreach mar obair bhaile. make the shortlist. If you get an award, it Mo chéad chuimhne ar leabhar ná Jimín really is the icing on the cake. Mháire Thaidhg leis An Seabhac. Ní raibh Nideog is ea scríbhneoireacht na Gaeilge. mé ach trí bliana d’aois ag an am agus bhí Nideog eile is ea a bheith ag scríobh do In the case of the laureateship, I couldn’t mé i mo shuí ar bhinse bunscoile le mo dhaoine óga. Ach taobh istigh den dá believe my ears when I got a call in early dheirfiúr i Scoil an Bhealaigh, scoil bheag nideog sin tá scríbhneoireacht Ghaeilge do spring to say that I had actually been tuaithe i gCo. Thiobraid Árann. Níor dhaoine óga. selected as the sixth Laureate na nÓg. cheart domsa a bheith ann ar chor ar bith Cé go bhfuil feabhas éigin tagtha ar Was I mistaken? Was I hearing things? ach múinteoir ab ea mo mháthair agus chúrsaí le cúpla bliain anuas creidim go bhí sí ag iarraidh dul ar ais ag múineadh. Had the panel made a mistake? mbíonn scríbhneoirí Gaeilge do pháistí ag Ba mise an duine ab óige sa teaghlach saothrú leo faoi chlóca dofheictheachta. Or maybe Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s agus an t-aon réiteach ar an scéal ná go Tá cur amach againn go léir ar an gclóca Books Ireland, had got it wrong? dtabharfadh m’athair mise leis chun na sin a bhí ag Harry Potter. Bhí sé ann. Bhí scoile ina raibh seisean ag múineadh agus I was thrilled to be shortlisted. It had a fhios againn go raibh sé ann ach ní raibh go suífinn le mo dheirfiúr i seomra an never occurred to me that I might be sé le feiceáil. Taobh amuigh de shiopaí mháistir. selected. inis features 14 Now don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t suffering from impostor syndrome. Or was I? I think every writer suffers from impostor syndrome from time to time. However, in this case, it was simply that I expected whatever panel makes the decision to choose a writer with an international profile and not someone who writes exclusively as Gaeilge. Books (Gaeilge agus Béarla) have always been at the centre of my life. My earliest book memory was Jimín Mháire Thaidhg by An Seabhac. I was only three years old and was sitting beside my big sister in Ballagh National School in County Tipperary. I shouldn’t have been there. My parents were both teachers. My mother had been offered the opportunity to go back to work and the only solution was for my father to take me (the baby of the family) to school with him and keep me in the master’s room until I was old enough to be registered in junior infants. Rang 5 and Rang 6 were reading Jimín Mháire Thaidhg. Jimín was a lovable rogue, always in trouble. As the children read aloud, my father illustrated Jimín’s antics on the blackboard. I was enthralled. From that moment on, I was hooked. Books became the centre of my world. The books in the small Irish language school library, English books from the mobile library. Books at home. If it had words, I read it. By degrees, I started making up my own poems and stories but I never thought that someday somebody would actually read a story I had written. The word laureate wasn’t in my vocabulary, and even if it were, it wouldn’t have occurred to me that a little country girl conversation about children’s literature. I When The O’Brien Press published some from the middle of nowhere might grow up want young people to have the opportunity of my books as part of the Sos series (an to be a laureate of any kind. to read high quality Irish language books Irish language equivalent of the English I am humbled. I am honoured. I am for pleasure and not just as schoolwork. Panda books), they succeeded in getting the Sos books into shops along with – and grateful to the Arts Council, the Arts Writing as Gaeilge is a niche. Writing for displayed with – the Pandas (as opposed to Council of Northern Ireland, the children is a niche. Writing for children as what a bookseller once described to me as Department of Children and Youth Gaeilge is a niche within niches. Affairs, Poetry Ireland and, of course, to the Gaeilge shelf). Although things have improved greatly in Children’s Books Ireland for the honour, I knew from annual royalties cheques that recent years, children’s writers as Gaeilge and I look forward to the opportunities the Sos series was doing well. When I are still working under an invisibility and challenges of the next two years. asked (back in 2012) for sales figures I was cloak. We all know Harry Potter’s cloak. told that Daifní Díneasár had sold more As Laureate na nÓg, I want to get people He was there. We knew he was there but than 12,000 copies and Moncaí Dána over talking more and more about literature for we couldn’t actually see him. Sometimes 9,000. Proof that Irish language books will young people. I want to encourage young we got a glimpse of an arm or a shoulder, be bought if they are seen. people to read and write more in English but, for the most part, he was invisible. and in Irish. Let’s make leabhair Ghaeilge for children That’s how it is for Irish language books. visible. Let’s bring Irish language As a writer who writes exclusively in Irish, Outside of designated siopaí Gaeilge or children’s literature into the mainstream. however, a central theme for my term as siopaí Gaeltachta, Irish language books Let’s give children the opportunity to read Laureate na nÓg will be to redress the for young readers remain invisible. They as Gaeilge for pleasure and not just as balance between English language and are not on the mainstream shelves. If they obair scoile. Irish language literature for young people. can’t be seen on the shelves, they can’t be I want Irish language books and writers bought. If they are not bought, they can’t Áine Ní Ghlinn to be an equal partner in the general be read. 15 JULY 2020 how is Laureate na nÓg chosen?

Eight months before the announcement of the new laureate, The six top-scoring artists are then placed on a shortlist. we are nomination forms are issued to individuals and organisations An independent selection panel convenes to choose the next with an interest and expertise in children’s literature. Nominating laureate from the shortlisted candidates. The committee includes bodies and individuals include librarians, arts officers, publishers, experts in children’s literature, a teacher, a librarian and a young booksellers, arts organisations in the literature and YPCE (young person. In 2020, this meeting took place on 22 January at the Arts people, children and education) sectors, third-level institutions Council. and Children’s Books Ireland members. Each nominating body the poets or individual may nominate two writers and two illustrators. In advance of the meeting, the panel is provided with biographies Eligibility criteria for nomination are as follows: of the shortlisted candidates, along with a selection of their published works, and are invited to conduct their own research to • The artist should have created a recognised body of ensure they are familiar with the shortlisted artists. Elaina Ryan, children’s writing and/or illustration. CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, and Sarah Bannan, Head of Literature at the Arts Council, are present for clarification, if • The artist must be Irish or permanently resident in necessary, around the shortlistees, but do not participate in the Ireland. decision-making or voting process. The panel is chaired by an Arts Council Member; in 2020, this was Professor Kevin Rafter, Chair When the nomination forms are returned, all eligible nominees are of the Arts Council. placed on a longlist. The Laureate na nÓg partner organisations – The Arts Council, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the Following a robust discussion of each candidate and their body of Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Children’s Books work, each shortlisted candidate is scored on the selection criteria, Ireland and Poetry Ireland – then convene to draw up a shortlist. and the artist with the highest score is chosen as the next Laureate Each longlisted artist is scored on the following criteria: na nÓg. The selected artist is informed immediately, but their identity remains highly confidential until the announcement of • The laureate must demonstrate both eagerness and the Laureate na nÓg at the start of their two-year term in May. skill in engaging with children and young people The role is first and foremost an honour – the highest that can be awarded to an author or illustrator for children in Ireland. The • The laureate must demonstrate an enthusiasm laureate chooses their own theme or objective for their term, within for promoting children’s literature to a variety of the scope of the overarching aims of Laureate na nÓg (currently audiences being revised following a process of review conducted by the Arts Council in early 2020). In the months before their inauguration, • The laureate must demonstrate enthusiasm for Children’s Books Ireland works with the incoming laureate to connecting with colleagues within the children’s shape their vision for their term. books community, particularly with other authors and illustrators for more information, go online to • The laureate must demonstrate skill in engaging childrenslaureate.ie with the media, the arts and literature sector and relevant other stakeholders including but not limited to teachers, schools and libraries Follow us on social media!

• The laureate must have created a number of high- childrenslaureateireland quality books, which have demonstrated their appeal to children and young people @LaureatenanOg

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Laureate na nÓg inis features 16 we are the poets Laureate na nÓg project manager Aingeala Flannery looks back over the laureateship of Sarah Crossan. by Aingeala Flannery

inis features 17 Ireland’s fifth Laureate na nÓg was a poems to writing them, others had been Natalya’s original mentor, poet Colm laureateship of firsts. Sarah Crossan was secretly writing poetry since primary Keegan, has been a key partner in Sarah’s the first laureate based outside of Ireland, school, and a small number were quite project. Together they performed in front the first poet appointed to the role and the accomplished poets. With COVID-19, we of six hundred teenagers at the Listowel first laureate to write solely for teenagers. saw an opportunity to reach out to those Writers’ Week YA Festival, collecting She arrived with no illusions about the young poets who, with encouragement hundreds of erasure poetry postcards from challenges of engaging young people and and support, could be the next generation the audience for the We Are The Poets brought with her a determination to reach of internationally acclaimed Irish writers. project archive. At the 2018 Dublin Book reluctant readers; especially teenagers Working with a group of established Festival, Colm and Sarah brought together who feel that literature – and poetry in creative-writing facilitators, the laureate young people from different socio- particular – has nothing to do with them. hosted a series of one-to-one masterclasses economic backgrounds in a discussion online, helping these young poets to hone around the question What Is Poetry? This was the challenge we were prepared their craft. Colm was also involved in two cross- for. What we were not prepared for was community We Are The Poets initiatives: COVID-19. When the virus hit Ireland in the Clondalkin Schools Project and the February 2020, we were at the height of We Are The Poets Portumna Intergenerational Project. Sarah’s laureate project: events involving almost a thousand children and young From the outset, Sarah’s vision for her The latter, which took place during the people were planned for Balor Arts Centre term was clear: a two-year project called 2019 Shorelines Arts Festival, connected in Donegal, the Civic Theatre in Dublin We Are The Poets that would empower local transition year students with older and Riverbank Arts Centre in Kildare. A young people to use poetry as a way of people they did not know from their Poetry Jukebox showcasing original poems making their voices heard. On a mission community. The concept was simple: the written and performed by young people to demystify poetry, she spoke to young older person brought an object that was from across the island was about to be people with honesty: ‘I was like you precious to them and told the teenager installed at EPIC The Irish Emigration and I didn’t think it belonged to me. It the story behind it. The stories became Museum in Dublin. By the time the seemed so lofty and complicated. But workshop prompts for the young people to schools closed on 12 March, it was clear poetry wasn’t the problem, it was this compose poetry around. The poems were that the final events for Sarah’s projects, perception that it was for very learned illustrated by young artists, framed and the culmination of her two-year project, people, and that poets were old and boring put on display in the local library for the would have to be reimagined. and academic. It took me a long time to duration of the Shorelines Arts Festival. discover the truth about poetry, and when Sarah, meanwhile, was self-isolating in I did it opened a whole world for me.’ the UK. She was one of the first artists Poetry and Community to engage with readers on social media This message, that self-expression through when she began hosting live Instagram poetry and the arts can transform lives, In order to demystify poetry and divest events, daily creative workouts delivered and a conviction that nobody should be young people of the notion that poets in twenty-minute bursts that she designed excluded was the cornerstone of We Are are ‘aristocratic’ or ‘academic’ or ‘not to keep young people reading, writing The Poets. In order to extend the reach from around here’, an effort was made to and, above all, thinking positively. The of the project across the island, Sarah connect young people with poets living in popularity of these Insta events suggested assembled a team of poets who would their own communities. In Galway, Terry we could adapt Sarah’s laureate project, facilitate creative-writing workshops, McDonagh and Geraldine Mills worked that our goals were still achievable if we inspiring children and young people to with children from Claddagh National moved online. compose and record their own poems. School to create a live poetry and music Her hope was that the workshops would showcase at Nun’s Island Theatre for The Poetry Jukebox was completed two inspire the participants to tap into their Cúirt 2019. The children’s poems were weeks ahead of schedule and, just as the imaginations, to explore their original featured in a beautiful chapbook and on lockdown was announced, it was installed voices, and that the creative process would bookmarks that were distributed during on Dublin’s North Quays at the entrance yield a fascinating insight into the lives of the festival. to EPIC. In order to reach the largest young Irish people. The poems would be a At Pollardstown Fen in County Kildare, possible audience, the poems were podcast valuable and unique social document that children from the Curragh Family and shared across social media platforms could be archived as a kind of time capsule Resource Centre embarked on a nature by the laureate and our project partners. of youth culture at a time of great social walk with local poet Nell Regan and In Kildare, where Sarah’s final public change in Ireland. appearance as laureate was scheduled illustrator Gráinne Bath Enright. Inspired for Poetry Day Ireland on 30 April, the The We Are The Poets Team by the flora and fauna of this unique environment, they composed a group Riverbank Arts Centre was eager to Sarah’s first public event as laureate was poem, ‘The Song of Pollardstown Fen’, press on with the event and to host it on on Culture Night 2018 where she read which was performed at the Riverbank Instagram Live instead. Local transition from her verse novel Moonrise on the main Arts Centre, where their artwork was also year students had been gifted Sarah’s novel stage at Collins Barracks and introduced put on display. Toffee in a One Book partnership with spoken-word artist Natalya O’Flaherty Kildare Libraries – in the end more than to the crowd. Natalya would go on to Meanwhile, in Castlebar, following an two hundred people tuned in to watch appear at several We Are The Poets events, open call from the Linenhall Arts Centre, their InstaLive Q&A session with Sarah. including the launch of the 2019 Red Line a dozen teenagers who were not previously Over the course of Sarah’s term, the Festival Clondalkin Schools Project, as known to each other came together for laureate came in contact with thousands well as on an episode of RTÉ Radio One’s weekly workshops with local poet Alice of young people. Many had never written Poetry Programme with Olivia O’Leary Kinsella and performed their poems at a poetry before, some preferred reading focusing on the We Are The Poets project. live event in the Linenhall Theatre, where inis features 18 Sarah Crossan and Colm Keegan were Festival in Waterford several months on the Poetry Jukebox at EPIC The Irish very much the support act. By the end of later, where Sarah Crossan facilitated a Emigration Museum. 2019, We Are The Poets workshops were masterclass and almost two dozen young It is important for each laureate project happening all around the country. It was poets participated in a We Are The Poets to establish a legacy. In the case of We clear that meeting a poet in a familiar open mic night in the Parlour Vintage Tea Are The Poets, that legacy is a body of environment made the act of writing Rooms. work created by young people that will be more accessible – the children and young archived. The Laureate na nÓg We Are people were immediately empowered The Poets Collection comprises hundreds to experiment using their own voices, Mother Tongue of poems in audio and print format, as vocabulary and dialect. It was crucial that anyone who took part well as ephemera from the project such as Facilitators on the We Are The Poets in a We Are The Poets workshop was able pin badges, bookmarks, illustrated and project were briefed about the goals of to express themselves in their own original framed poetry, chapbooks, a series of short the workshops but were given the scope and authentic voice. Poems were not films and several hundred postcards on to be innovative in how they encouraged ‘checked’, ‘corrected’ or ‘graded’ in any which young people composed erasure the children to write. Belfast writer Máire way. Some of the participants were from poems. This material will be examined Zepf, always keen to experiment, decided migrant families and English was not their with a view to curating a We Are The to use sound effects as writing prompts. first language: these young poets made Poets time capsule that will be deposited In Donegal, Denise Blake traversed the a valuable contribution to the archive. in University College Dublin’s Poetry county inspiring primary school children Similarly, it was important that the Reading Archive. Important as this archive to have fun with poetry in a laureate voices of young people in Irish-speaking is, the true value of We Are The Poets has partnership with READ DL 2020. communities were represented. In Spiddal, been in nurturing the next generation of children from the local national and creative writers, thinkers, readers and, we secondary schools wrote hundreds of hope, poets. The Next Generation poems that were printed onto posters Click below to view the highlights of her and exhibited throughout the village, As the project progressed, we came across term. on railings and lampposts, during the a number of teenagers who were already summer holidays. writing poetry, in some cases performing it, and who were hungry for mentoring A partnership with Galway 2020 and and more opportunities to hone their Galway Roscommon Education and craft through performance. The Rhyme Training Board saw the project being Rag Ensemble in Kilkenny participated extended to schools and youth services in a masterclass with spoken-word poet throughout the county. In the depths of John Cummins in a We Are The Poets winter, local poets Jackie MacDonncha partnership with the local arts office that and Máire Holmes journeyed to Inis culminated in a public performance in the Meáin and Inis Óirr to work with gate tower of Kilkenny Castle during the teenagers in the island schools. These Kilkenny Arts Festival 2019. Waterford workshops yielded poems of extraordinary Aingeala Flannery is the project Youth Arts were invited to join their beauty that capture the unique qualities of manager for Laureate na nÓg. She has Rhyme Rag counterparts, a gesture they island life. A number of compositions from been working with Children’s Books Ireland since January 2017. reciprocated during the Lit Young Writers these workshops would go on to feature

19 JULY 2020 FREE ONLINE RESOURCES

children’s children’s Hi everyone! books ireland My name is Juliette Saumande. I’m a writer, facilitator books ireland and translator, but most importantly, I’m your school’s reading list reading list first-ever Champion of Reading! What does it mean? It means I’m going to help you all have fun with books of all kinds. For now, I’ll be Guaranteed Irish sharing some activities from my house to yours, but Rainbow Reads when school reopens and we’re all settled in again, I’ll come in and meet some of you in real life. We’ll chat, AGE RANGE 0–YA AGE RANGE 0–YA we’ll make stories and pictures and we will (probably) make some noise. Until then, stay home, stay safe and I’ll see you on the other side! Juliette

About this project About Children’s Books Ireland The Smurfit Kappa Foundation and At Children’s Books Ireland, we believe that The Any-Book Children’s Books Ireland are working every child should have access to the joy of together to support your school and will reading, regardless of their circumstances. provide great new books for your school Our mission is to make books central to Book Club library as well as a Champion of Reading to every child’s life on the island of Ireland. Boredom busters that work with encourage reading throughout the school. We work with families, teachers, libraries, any book you have lying around Juliette Saumande is the Champion of publishers and communities all across the Reading for Drimnagh Castle Primary island to get books into children’s hands School in Dublin. and to inform adults who can make a big impact on their reading. We advocate for the changes Ireland needs to grow a new About the Smurfit Kappa Foundation generation of readers, and we support artists The aim of the Smurfit Kappa Foundation so that they can make excellent work for is to fund projects in the communities in children and young people. Sign up to our which they operate, particularly those which newsletter to stay in touch! are sustainable and focus on helping children childrensbooksireland.ie through health and nutrition, basic care and early education. #EveryChildAReader smurfitkappafoundation.com @KidsBooksIrel @kidsbooksirel @childrensbooksireland A BIG thank you to Adéle O’Connor, Aidan O’Connor, Fiadh Ryan and Sadhbh Ryan for their boundless creativity! Children’s Books Ireland children’s don’t forget to share your creations using books #AnyBookClub ireland children’s children’s children’s #EveryChildaReader every child a reader #EveryChildaReader books books books ireland ireland ireland every child a reader every child a reader every child a reader

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those old things are not clean. Wear some nice shoes please,’ she says in her soft Irish voice that’s both gentle and firm.

The only nice shoes I have are heavy and blister my heels. I’m about to tell Nana this, when her eyes meet a spot on my hoodie.

‘Now come on, Apple, what are you playing at? You don’t have a clean top on either?’ she asks. I scratch at the spot where I dripped egg yolk this morning. I’d forgotten about it, and you’d think by Nana’s tone and big bulging eyes that the blotch was poisonous. ‘It’s my favourite top,’ I say. And I want to wear it I want to wear it with my smelly trainers.

‘Get yourself up those stairs immediately and change, young lady,’ Nana says. She pinches her mouth into a prune. When she does this, there’s no arguing. When she does this, I always wish my mum were still here.

In my room, I squeeze into a dress and a pair of too-tight lace-up shoes. The last time I wore this outfit was six months ago to Nana’s friend’s funeral. Since then, Nana hasn’t stopped talking about death. She says things like, Oh you’ll miss me when I’m six feet under like poor Marjorie or I don’t want everyone wearing black to my funeral, Apple. A bit of pink here and there won’t harm. It’s not good for a thirteen-year-old to be around someone who thinks she’s going to drop dead any second. I told

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leabhair pháistí éireann Video Resources Junior Juries Resourcesag cothú léitheoirí Blackout Poetry Our video hub contains author and An archive of resources on all An initiative of Sarah Crossan’s illustrator readings and workshops, shortlisted titles for the KPMG laureateship, these downloadable advice from our Book Doctors and Children’s Books Ireland Awards resources allow you to compose sessions from our conferences. for the past twelve years. blackout poetry by crossing out words from the text to create an original poem of your own. inis features 20

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InTouch RTÉjr Book Club COVID-19 Hub

Join in with our book club in Join in with our RTÉjr book club A hub of helpful texts, posters and INTO’s InTouch magazine where we where we recommend monthly colouring-in sheets for children recommend great classroom reads titles for 0–12-year-olds by theme. and young people opening up the throughout the year. conversation around the pandemic.

21 JULY 2020 The Impact of COVID-19 on the Wider Children’s Book Sector

To say that the outbreak of COVID-19 has had a profound impact on life in Ireland would be an understatement. From the government’s announcement of a full lockdown on 27 March, formerly busy streets were eerily quiet, shops and restaurants stood vacant and words we had never had cause to use before – social distancing, cocooning, PPE – became part of the everyday lexicon.

Phrases like ‘flatten the curve’, ‘respiratory hygiene’ and ‘contact tracing’ entered the vernacular as we all struggled to adjust to life under lockdown. At time of writing, Ireland is in phase 1 of the government’s roadmap to reopening Irish society and there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. It seems an opportune time to take stock of how the pandemic has affected the wider children’s book sector in Ireland – what impact has it had on children’s authors and illustrators? On publishers? On bookshops and libraries? And on live events and book festivals? How has this vibrant ecosystem adapted to the ‘new normal’ and what does the future look like for the various facets of the industry in a post-pandemic world? by Kim Harte

inis features 22 has been fantastic,’ says Sarah. ‘The MoLI that postponing publication will give her videos in particular have had thousands of novel a better chance at success. ‘While viewers from all over the world.’ debuting during a global pandemic was not in my plan (it wasn’t even in the top Author Juliette Saumande does a lot of 100 things I neurotically worried about), work in schools – as part of the Creative a friend pointed out that, after this, I’ll Schools initiative and as a Champion of be much more prepared to handle the Reading – and in libraries, much of which unexpected curveballs of publishing.’ has either been postponed or modified for online delivery. She has been facilitating For authors and illustrators, there are creative-writing classes and baby book legitimate concerns that a post-pandemic clubs via Zoom and she devised a recession will result in arts funding being downloadable Creativity Bingo (illustrated cut, and the true impact on the book by Margaret Anne Suggs) for the schools trade remains to be seen. Despite the Authors and Illustrators she works with. ‘The idea was to produce a fear and uncertainty, ‘it’s an excellent It’s no secret that few children’s authors or stress-free, guilt-free creativity toolkit that time to celebrate all that is good about illustrators make a crust from publishing parents and teachers can use,’ she explains. the children’s book world – the sense of alone. For the majority, live events ‘It simply shows the building blocks of community and hope, and the power provide a sizable chunk of their bread creativity and how they are already built of stories and illustrations to engage and butter – in some cases accounting for in everyday actions.’ All of this innovative children’s hearts and imaginations,’ says around one-third of their annual income. online activity would seem to suggest Sarah. The lockdown has resulted in With the pandemic came the closure of that it’s an extraordinarily fruitful time new, albeit online, work opportunities schools, libraries and bookshops and the for Irish authors and illustrators, but the for some authors and illustrators, and cancellation of book festivals, meaning the pandemic has of course impacted their for others the crisis has highlighted the loss of live events, which in turn represents creative practice. ‘At first, I couldn’t importance of their work in bringing light a serious risk to artists’ livelihoods. write at all,’ says Sarah, ‘not a word. I in times of darkness. Elaina Ryan, CEO Fortunately, many event organisers have gave myself permission not to write for of Children’s Books Ireland, says ‘authors either postponed or transformed their a few weeks. But slowly that has started and illustrators have been astonishingly events from physical to virtual rather to change and I’m back to writing three brilliant in how quickly they responded to than cancelling them outright. This has days a week now, which is my normal families’ need for something different – allowed authors and illustrators to retain routine.’ Illustrator Tarsila Krüse has readings online, activities, colouring revenue and enabled families to connect experienced ‘waves of crazy productivity sheets, creative prompts. Whether pre- with culture while staying home. As social and paralysing demotivation. My mental recorded or broadcast live via social media distancing looks to be with us for the health has certainly been put to the test. channels, they stepped up.’ foreseeable, virtual events will likely be the I have moments of very heightened stress order of the day for some time. in which creating – drafting ideas, solving visual problems, drawing, colouring, even Several Irish and Irish based authors and creating for fun – turns into an enormous illustrators – including Sarah Crossan, and unattainable task. Though some days Chris Haughton, Oliver Jeffers, Tarsila are better, especially those when I avoid Krüse, Alan Nolan, Juliette Saumande and the news, and time proves to be more Sarah Webb – have been busy providing productive.’ Juliette has ‘had a chance to online content for young people during indulge in a different kind of writing by the lockdown. While there is no substitute putting on paper (and online) some ideas for the experience of an in-person for creative activities. I’ve had a chance to author reading or illustration workshop, put some of them into practice with my technology allows artists to engage with own kids, but mainly because I wanted to and inspire children and families across do them myself. Burying my head in the Ireland remotely. The creation and delivery sands of creativity has been very effective Publishers of video or live content comes with its own on several levels!’ set of challenges – it’s time consuming and The impact on Irish publishers has It has been an especially trying time for requires technical skills and equipment, been severe and multiform, disrupting authors and illustrators whose books were and a decent Wi-Fi connection (something publishing schedules, workflows, the due to be published during the lockdown. one can’t take for granted in twenty-first- buying and selling of international Helen Corcoran’s debut young adult novel century Ireland). Prior to the lockdown, rights, marketing and, of course, sales. Queen of Coin and Whispers was originally author Sarah Webb facilitated creative- The pandemic has resulted in the due to be published by The O’Brien Press writing clubs for children three times a postponement of numerous publications, in April. ‘From early March, I was a bit week. She now runs ten of these a week with spring titles being pushed to later in worried about the launch and what the online, including two that are made the year and many autumn titles being situation would be like with bookshops,’ available free of charge to children of pushed into 2021. The announcement of she says, ‘but I had no idea that life – and frontline care workers. In partnership the lockdown resulted in the closure of the publication ecosystem and supply with the Museum of Literature Ireland bookshops and distributors, effectively chain – would be affected like this.’ The (MoLI) Sarah also created ten Creative severing the supply chain for several publication date has been moved into June Bursts videos. These are story starters, weeks. New titles that had gone to print (published 1 June), and although Helen poetry prompts and writing games and she before the announcement were left sitting is understandably disappointed that there continues to post daily Creative Bursts on in warehouses, waiting to see the light her social media channels. ‘The feedback will be no launch event, she is optimistic

23 JULY 2020 of day, and where titles were released, channel.’ The O’Brien Press and Belfast- earlier than usual. This concession ‘has sales were limited to online channels and based publisher An tSnáthaid Mhór have been a huge help’, says Matthew, ‘it means reduced to a trickle. This is especially also been focusing on digital development. we can pay salaries, authors and cover disastrous for the cash flow of small ‘We have created a range of new online other general overheads’. Publishers have publishing houses – money has been spent e-books, as well as providing the library also been able to avail of wage subsidies on printing and costs cannot be service with electronic copies of a number from the government. Futa Fata will recouped without the ability to sell stock. of titles which they are using for online discuss with Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge, ‘Sales have collapsed, quite frankly,’ storytime,’ says Kunak. ‘Our publicity their primary funder, how they could says Little Island Books publisher and marketing team have been busier restructure funding to help Futa Fata pull Matthew Parkinson-Bennett, ‘this month than ever online, and lots of artists have through. Tadhg says that if they agree, [April] is looking like being about a 90 been busy on social media and providing ‘this will involve cancelling some books per cent drop in sales.’ The picture is video content which we are sharing.’ An on our list’. Publishers are mindful too of similarly bleak for The O’Brien Press. tSnáthaid Mhór are developing their the difficulty their authors and illustrators ‘The reduction on our income has been Molly series as e-books in English, Irish are facing. Matthew explains that Little massive, with home and export revenue and Welsh. ‘These are being companioned Island Books, as a company in receipt of dramatically hit,’ says Rights Director with a charity book called Molly and Arts Council funding, have a particular Kunak McGann. ‘Our books sell through the Shutdown which touches on the responsibility towards artists. ‘For that a diverse range of channels – bookshops, current crisis and will be free to read reason, we’ve put budget aside this year to airport and travel retail, library supply, and download for colouring activities,’ pay authors for any digital promotional schools, non-bookshop outlets (e.g. visitor says Andrew Whitson of An tSnáthaid work they do – videos of themselves centres and gift shops) – and all have been Mhór. Futa Fata have also altered their reading from their work etc.,’ he says. impacted.’ In addition, the loss of ability operations. ‘To help absorb the shock of ‘We’ll also be compensating authors for for authors and illustrators to promote the sales collapse, I’m looking at options any writing they do for websites that don’t their work through live events further to keep more of the work, translations offer fees.’ impacts sales. ‘Between twenty and thirty and the like, in-house (i.e. do more of it Assuming the lockdown restrictions are of our authors and illustrators have lost myself),’ Tadhg says. ‘This will have a eased, and we return to some semblance a combined estimate of sixty events, knock-on effect time-wise on developing of normality later this year, the pandemic arranged by or through The O’Brien new work, which is what we love best, but will no doubt have a lingering impact on Press, over the lockdown period to 5 May. we’re now in survival mode – making sure the book trade. ‘A concern is that because And, of course, this number increases the Futa Fata doesn’t go under is the priority.’ most publishers are currently delaying longer the restrictions are in place. This The Bologna Children’s Book Fair (BCBF) publication, there’s going to be an even means no bump in book sales at the events is a key date in the children’s publishing bigger glut of books this autumn than themselves or in bookshops and schools calendar. Here, over 1,400 exhibitors usual, so it will be harder than ever to get after the events, loss of ongoing promotion from the industry gather to buy and the attention of the media, bookshops and in bookshops and of event coverage, sell rights internationally. With the fair customers,’ says Matthew. Tadhg points awareness of key new titles and publicity,’ being cancelled this year, BCBF set up out that shelf space for Irish language says Kunak. For Irish language publisher an international rights hub online where publications in bookshops is depressingly Futa Fata, online sales have increased publishers can do business via video link. limited at the best of times and will but they typically make up about 5 per While a large part of rights work can be likely be even more so post-pandemic. cent of overall sales, so it’s a drop in the done remotely, there is more to the fair ‘We will have to resort more to guerrilla ocean. ‘It’s hard to know where we’ll be by than simply brokering deals. Kunak points bookselling tactics – our Ródseó school next January,’ says publisher Tadhg Mac out that ‘attendance at the fair is very event, for example. But as I myself am Dhonnagáin. There has been a similar useful for market research, keeping us heavily involved in that I won’t have time growth in online sales for The O’Brien up to date on general trends in children’s to do in-house translation to help keep Press ‘with lots of grandparents, in publishing, and browsing other publishers’ the company going. It’s a juggling act.’ particular, showing their love through the stands, illustrator exhibitions and even Futa Fata came through its last near- gift of books’, says Kunak. ‘This doesn’t casual conversations with international death experience in 2010–13 and learned replace anything like the sales we would colleagues can all spark inspiration for a lot from it. ‘Some decisions we took expect from regular shops, but it is great new books.’ While the online hub allows since – such as creating partnerships with that we are able to get books into the business to continue, one couldn’t say strong publishing brands like Wimpy hands of people who want them.’ it’s ‘as usual’. There are reports of fewer Kid, David Walliams, Julia Donaldson While the impact on sales is dramatic, acquisitions within the trade this year and Oliver Jeffers – have put the company publishers have had opportunities to and this is reflected at home. ‘We won’t on a more solid financial footing. But refocus their efforts and find new channels be acquiring much new material as we’re Irish language publishing is always at a for their output. ‘I’ve been putting a lot already backed up with books we had financial disadvantage, trade-wise – we of time into rights,’ says Matthew. ‘It’s a committed to,’ Tadhg says. The effects are never get to sell 20,000 copies of any one really important part of what we [Little likely to be felt for some time as Matthew title in a short space of time, ever.’ In some Island Books] do but can get neglected adds that ‘the international nature of ways, small publishing houses are by their when a small team has to focus on this crisis means I expect to sell fewer very nature more agile and responsive. publishing the next book. And we’ve translation rights over the coming year’. Andrew Whitson says of An tSnathaid developed some digital projects: we’ve Mhór, ‘we are confident in our ability to So what supports have Irish children’s got our e-books for sale on our website constructively take stock of the current publishers been able to avail of to help now, and my colleague Elizabeth has situation and work strategically to absorb them weather the storm? For Little Island been recording great videos of herself its disruptive influence and continue with Books, the Arts Council allowed them reading our picturebooks for our YouTube our current plans’. to draw down their funding for the year inis features 24 have fed into it from home, and staff have and Katherine Rundell’s The Explorer.’ been hosting weekend Twitter takeovers The reopening of bookshops on 8 June including a number of children’s-book- should hopefully add a bit of variety back focused ones which have attracted a lot of into the reading lives of young people but customers looking for recommendations.’ business will, of course, be fundamentally different from what it was pre-pandemic. It’s one thing for well-established chains ‘It’s paramount that customers feel with multiple branches across the country comfortable when they return to our to be hit with store closures but quite shops, so we’re working hard to rearrange another for small independent booksellers. the space and guide customers through it,’ Halfway up the Stairs, an independent says Maria. ‘There’s a high level of trust children’s bookshop in Greystones, from our customers in what we do so it’s County Wicklow, opened its doors in important that we maintain that and we’re October 2019, just five months before the also hoping that it will help encourage Booksellers lockdown. For owner Trish Hennessy, them back into our stores quickly. The this was a huge blow to her fledgling In May The Bookseller reported that, from biggest challenge will be how to engage business. ‘My immediate concern was the closure of bookshops on 24 March customers when we can’t spend time with whether the business would survive,’ she to the week ending 2 May, physical book them as easily as we would have says. ‘However, it soon became apparent sales in Ireland had dropped 27 per cent previously – but I have every faith that people really wanted and needed in volume and declined in value from that we will find the best ways to keep books, games and activities during this €11.4 million earned during the same recommending books!’ Easons typically time.’ In establishing her business, Trish’s period in 2019 to €8.1 million, according host numerous live events in store – priorities had been creating a welcoming to Nielsen BookScan data. Interestingly, launches, signings, author readings – and environment, building relationships and perhaps unsurprisingly, Children’s organise Ireland’s largest young adult within her community and developing was the least affected category. While convention, DeptCon. ‘We have no idea rapport with her customers. She was busy Children’s sales had fallen by about 25 how things will look in the autumn running weekly storytime sessions and per cent in value to €2.07 million, the of 2020, but the assumption is that bookclubs in the bookshop and had yet need for homeschooling texts was a boon everything will fundamentally change to build a functioning website when the to the sector, with Reference and Home as to how these kinds of things happen,’ lockdown was announced. Not having Learning’s value increasing by 56 per says David. ‘Everything will be led by an e-commerce aspect to the business cent. Despite Children’s Fiction dropping government guidance on large gatherings, might have been a concern, but Trish by 28 per cent (to just under €904,000) social distancing, use of masks etc. We quickly realised that ‘I could still offer against 2019, it was still the second-most- will just have to see. The current way of a personal service behind closed doors valuable category across the entire market. working is to keep planning such things by email and phone and could offer a Ireland’s bookshops reopened in phase 2 until a firmer guide is given to us of how to delivery service locally. It is a slower way of the roadmap to easing restrictions, on proceed.’ 8 June, but how has the period of closure of working but it’s lovely to be able to impacted booksellers? How have they interact with customers, even if it isn’t According to Bookselling Ireland, the coped with the shutdown and what are face to face.’ It has been a baptism of fire representative body for Irish booksellers, their plans for reopening? for a new bookshop but being dedicated ‘Prior to the pandemic the bookselling to just one category within the market sector in Ireland had been bucking recent Bookshops with the ability to sell online hasn’t necessarily been a disadvantage. retail trends, with a small growth in the could continue trading as e-commerce ‘Having to completely close the shop for number of bookshops for the third year businesses during the lockdown. With 2.5 weeks had a really big impact,’ says running. Booksellers were looking to distribution having ground to a halt, Trish. ‘However, I am really lucky that the the future with optimism as businesses however, booksellers could only sell value of what we sell is really appreciated continued to flourish. However, since from existing stock. No new titles could at a time like this – and our products are the lockdown was announced the scale be acquired nor could existing stock in high demand. So, although I have had of the crisis facing the bookselling sector, be replenished. David O’Callaghan, to find a new way of working, our sales (at and retail more generally, is looking Children’s Buyer for Easons, says that the moment) are not far off normal times. increasingly grave.’ They are calling on ‘while our e-Comm sales for Children’s In saying that, given that it is a new shop, the government to provide a rent support books can vary between 600 per cent it’s hard to say what normal is!’ scheme to ensure the viability of bookshops and 900 per cent up on last year on any going forward. They propose that the For book buyers, the closure of bookshops given week, this still doesn’t come near scheme would operate on ‘a sliding basis means the loss of two critical things: the overall drop in kids’ sales across the so those who have seen the biggest drop choice and variety. A look at the Children’s business’. Dubray Books have also pivoted in turnover would receive the most help and Young Adult Fiction bestsellers in to online sales and their booksellers have in covering this fixed cost’, says Heidi The Irish Times for the week ending 16 been using the company’s social media Murphy, Chair of Bookselling Ireland. May reveals the homogeneity of a world channels to keep the conversation and She also highlighted the importance of the without bookshops. Of the top ten, five are book recommendations going. Maria provision of schoolbooks as a vital source of David Walliams titles and three are from Dickinson, Managing Director of income from many bookshops. Bookselling the Harry Potter series. Bookshops are Dubray, says, ‘The Dubray team have Ireland are, therefore, cautioning the essential for a diverse and robust market been nothing short of fantastic from the government that any scheme for supply and so it’s good news that, in addition to start of the crisis and have adapted to the that pushes sales online without the the blockbusters, Maria reports ‘good sales many changes that have been presented to inclusion of local bookshops would be for favourite Dubray recommendations them. The increase in web sales has been detrimental to the viability of many like Julian Gough’s Rabbit and Bear series handled by a small team on site but many bookshops across the country.

25 JULY 2020 It has no doubt been a challenging time to innovate in order to keep people SprINK – which involved students for Ireland’s booksellers. It does seem, entertained and educated online, including drawing based on a prompt every day for though, at least anecdotally, that during through online STEAM Workshops, the month – and the 2km Photography the lockdown book buyers have been Virtual Coding Workshops, online Challenge. ‘To be honest, it’s been hard making a concerted effort to support their photography courses, virtual bookclubs to strike a balance between providing local bookseller over online behemoths. and writing competitions. The national students with activities and reading Hopefully, this trend will continue as Spring into Storytime reading programme sources without overwhelming them with restrictions are eased and bookshops is also underway in co-operation with emails,’ says JCSP librarian Joe Kelly. have a chance to get back on their feet. Irish publishers and authors, with lots of ‘Engagement has been mixed at best. I For Trish, ‘it has been so lovely to see online story times and author readings think we must remember that schools are the support and fondness people have for for children of all ages throughout April there as a space separate to home because Halfway up the Stairs, given that we were and May.’ At a local level, librarians that is where young people learn best. only open for five months. This support have been working tirelessly to continue Perhaps they are not perfect, but I think gives me real hope that we will survive this to provide library services and to what we are seeing is how essential they crisis.’ serve their community as part of the are in the lives of young people, especially national response to COVID-19. Senior in DEIS schools. If everyone had carried Executive Librarian for Dún Laoghaire on as before and engaged with their Rathdown Marian Keyes says, ‘through schoolwork from nine to four every day, the Community Call initiative, we are then we could have started talking about a delivering library materials to those very different model of schooling. So many who are cocooning. Cocooners contact assumptions are made too about access to our Community Call helpline, the staff a quiet place to study, Wi-Fi and devices. member will have a chat about what they They are not a given for so many people.’ like to read, listen to or watch and the For families in lockdown, the transportive selection of books and other items is then and immersive power of stories is more delivered out to the recipient along with important than ever. In a strange and a specially made care parcel. Response unsettling world, we read for comfort, to this initiative has been significant and to feel less alone and to escape. So what many of the responders were not library Libraries books have young readers been turning to members previously.’ The helpline received during this disquieting time? According On 12 March, the government announced over 2,200 calls during the month of April to library borrowing data for the months the closure of cultural institutions – alone. of March and April compiled by Bolinda including schools and libraries – in the While the annual DLR Mountains to Sea and provided by the LGMA, children effort to stem the spread of COVID-19. book festival was cancelled this year, most are listening to e-audiobooks by Irish For many children and families, this of the scheduled events will run either later authors Marita Conlon-McKenna and meant loss of access to books and to in the year or as virtual events. Library John Boyne, who feature in the top the vital services that libraries provide. staff are producing a range of thoughtfully twenty alongside J.K. Rowling, Philip Librarians, both in public libraries and in curated relaxing and engaging online Pullman and Liz Pichon. Harry Potter schools, however, were quick to respond, content. As part of the Spring into again features prominently in the top and online and remote services were Storytime campaign there’s a daily twenty most borrowed e-books, alongside adopted to provide virtual library access storytime – including a story as Gaeilge on authors David Walliams, Angie Thomas while physical doors were shut. Members Thursdays – via Facebook and the response and Rick Riordan and Irish authors Louise of the public who hadn’t been library from the public has been strong. Marian O’Neill, Derek Landy and Judi Curtin. members before were encouraged to join Keyes says, ‘the average hits on Facebook While borrowing of e-books has increased and the Local Government Management per storytime vary from 350–700 views dramatically through the public libraries, Agency (LGMA) set up an interim with one exceeding 1,200 views so far!’ digital library borrowing is actually arrangement to allow new users to access Other online activities include a doodle down on last year for the JCSP library online resources. They report that over of the day, shelf stories, craft content in Trinity Comprehensive in Ballymun. 30,000 new members (both adults and and promotion of local history resources ‘Is this because reading in any form is children) joined the library in March 2020 such as local walks and then-and-now linked to school and the longer that link compared to just over 17,000 in March views, many with appeal for children. is broken the less students are likely to 2019. According to the Department of E-classroom sets have also been developed read?’ wonders Joe. He is an e-book sceptic Rural and Community Development to facilitate teachers to work together with and says, ‘unless you have a device like a there was a ‘considerable rise in usage their classes on reading for pleasure. Kindle that is designed only for reading of specific library services in the week then there are just too many distractions commencing 29th March compared to the School librarians have also been working when reading on a phone. How many week commencing 1st March, including tirelessly to support students and teachers messages in all the various platforms that a 313% increase in new users of e-Books while schools are closed – from providing they use would the average teenager get and e-Audiobooks service’. In response to students who don’t have devices at home in an hour? How can you concentrate on the increased demand, the government with laptops or tablets to sharing online reading with all that background noise? I allocated €200,000 to purchase over 5,000 learning resources with teachers. The acknowledge the importance of e-books; new e-books and e-audiobooks. Junior Certificate School Programme however, I think the device and the setting (JCSP) libraries, of which there are In April, Minister for Rural and must be right for them.’ thirty in DEIS schools across Ireland, are Community Development Michael continuing to engage with their students As the country enters into a phased easing Ring said, ‘Library staff are continuing through creative activities such as of restrictions, libraries are preparing inis features 26 for what comes next. ‘Since 13 March, drama, art, craft, cake decoration, theatre, library staff have been working within a storytelling, outside adventure and dynamic ever-changing environment as illustration workshops’, says Elizabeth we deal with the response to the COVID Dunne, Director and Chair of Art situation. Through various fora, initiatives Committee of Listowel Writers’ Week. She have been developed to support the is optimistic that the festival will run in community response under the banner of 2021 and in the meantime the organisers #CommunityCall and #InThisTogether. hope to maintain an online presence From the Community Call Helpline to through online workshops and podcasts. the Book Drop Service, the move now is The festival will also pay an honorarium towards more bi-lateral engagement with to the artists who were booked to appear the public,’ says Marian. To that end, a at this year’s festival. Listowel Writer’s range of participatory initiatives have Week generates huge revenue for the been devised, including Local Voices – town and its cancellation will result in a short story competition for adults, Book Festivals, Awards and an estimated loss of around €1.5 million. teens and children with both Irish and Events The loss of tourism will hit the town English language categories – and an and its tradespeople hard. ‘The majority As we’ve seen, live events are a significant online Cruinniú na nÓg event for young of them are independent, family owned source of income for artists and a vehicle writers with Sarah Webb, Gráinne Clear, and run businesses,’ explains Elizabeth. for promotion and publicity for publishers. Dave Rudden, Alan Nolan and Sadhbh ‘Tourism will be slow to build back up as But what impact has the pandemic had Devlin held on 13 June. Like bookshops, people will be anxious about travelling on those in the business of organising live public libraries are set to reopen to limited and attending events, particularly with events? Many book festivals have been numbers in phase 2 of the government’s children.’ Through the setbacks, Elizabeth postponed or cancelled outright, while roadmap to reopening Irish society, which sees a silver lining – ‘the breathing space others have migrated online. One festival begins on 8 June. we have been afforded will enable us all that made the leap into the virtual world to look at what we do and how we do it Schools will not reopen until September, was Towers & Tales, based in Lismore, and maybe make some changes’. Similarly, and for JCSP librarians like Joe, there County Waterford. For the organisers, the pandemic-prompted digital shift has is concern about the long-term impact there was much to be considered in the made the organisers of Towers & Tales of the shutdown on students’ learning. digital shift. ‘Our primary focus was revaluate their offering and consider how ‘DEIS schools go the extra mile to ensure to choose a format that was accessible they might integrate more digital content that students are engaged, that school is to everyone, that artists could easily into the festival going forward. ‘We have interesting, that materials are available create in their own homes and that had limited capacity due to the nature of the at every level and even ensure in some limited possibility of going wrong,’ says site, and we have expanded that via our cases that students get two hot meals Eimear Cheasty, creative producer of schools’ programme, but we will now be every day,’ he says. ‘I’m worried that this Towers & Tales. ‘We decided not to have looking at how we can use the website disruption will have undone hard work “live” events. Instead we asked artists to expand that further,’ says Eimear. She that has taken place to ensure that students to prerecord their presentations for us – is quick to add that any digital content are in the best possible position to learn. limiting it to ten minutes – and then had a would complement rather than replace What about motivation to succeed? How “Join Us Online” tab on our website where the festival – ‘No virtual or digital has this impacted on the well-being and the audience could dip in and out when experience can replace coming through the mental health of young people? Will they they wanted.’ Some of the programmed castle gates on a gorgeous May morning, be as motivated? As always, students in artists provided downloadable activities for exploring a dungeon with UV paint or disadvantaged areas will suffer more from families to try at home and Eimear says, creating Monster Doodles with Niamh these setbacks.’ Libraries – both public and ‘the opportunity to draw, write or create Sharkey in the courtyard.’ school based – have done incredible work something yourself is really central to what to stay connected to their communities and our audience experiences and wants in Like book festivals, book awards are an have been a boon for students, families and Lismore itself, so it was important that we important means of highlighting and the elderly during the lockdown. ‘As much had that element available virtually too’. promoting the work of children’s authors as we can try to provide a remote service, The response to the online festival was and illustrators. The KPMG Children’s libraries are physical spaces,’ says Joe. ‘They hugely positive and the organisers were Books Ireland Awards are the most are centres of learning, they are a refuge overwhelmed by the support they received, prestigious awards for children’s books from everything else that is going on in particularly through social media. ‘Over in Ireland and are a celebration of Irish your life, they are a place of stories. Of the festival weekend we had unique visitors writing and illustration for younger course, you can read anywhere. However, that equated to about one-third of what people, and 2020 was a big year – thirty whenever you dedicate a space to reading we welcomed through the gates in 2019 years of the awards in existence, the then what you are doing is acknowledging and more importantly increased traffic to centenary of Eilís Dillon’s birth and the the importance of the written word. You our website by 1,780 per cent (!) on the first year with KPMG as the headline are honouring it. You are sending out previous month,’ says Eimear. sponsor. ‘It’s also our first year of three a message to society that reading is so as an Ecclesiastical Movement for Good The National Children’s Literary Festival essential that it needs its own building. awardee and, combined with support from takes place as part of Listowel Writers’ A virtual classroom or digital “library” the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, we Week and this year’s programme included cannot fulfil this function. For the sake had a significant programme of school ‘events for readers and reluctant readers, of writing, for the sake of stories, we need visits and book donations in place,’ says writers and reluctant writers and those libraries to open as soon as it is safe to do Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books children who continue to simply enjoy so.’ Ireland. While the pandemic put paid to responding to the written word through

27 JULY 2020 plans as originally envisioned, the events of children in lockdown and to help It is difficult to say what the landscape and the awards ceremony went ahead in families stay connected while staying of the children’s book sector will look a digital format. The shortlistees couldn’t apart. Children’s Books Ireland partnered like when the dust settles on COVID-19. physically visit schools so Children’s Books with An Post to publish the ImagineNation Indeed, it’s hard to say what the lasting Ireland worked with EPiK Media Ireland playbook, which was delivered to over impact of the pandemic will be on to train the artists to create their own 200,000 homes in Ireland via An Post Irish life more broadly. For all the videos at home, and they also partook in and The Irish Times. The playbook uncertainty and turmoil, the robustness Zoom visits with Junior Juries around the features activities created by over thirty of the children’s literature community country. With the closure of schools and Irish authors and illustrators and it is in Ireland is an undeniable constant: the issues around book supply, the decision available to download from the Children’s creativity and generosity of our authors was taken to forego the Junior Juries Books Ireland website. ‘As a publication, and illustrators, the responsiveness and Award this year and the cash prize was ImagineNation is strong: the activities ingenuity of our publishers, the resilience instead used to pay the shortlisted artists are varied, imaginative, creative, funny and dedication of our booksellers and a fee to judge KPMG’s weekly Reading and comforting,’ says Elaina, and the librarians and the unwavering support Hero competition. A virtual awards publication allowed Children’s Books and dynamism of our events and arts ceremony was broadcast on YouTube Ireland to reach a new audience of organisations. If we can take anything on 19 May, emceed by broadcaster Rick parents, guardians and caregivers who from this strange experience perhaps it O’Shea, and hundreds of people tuned may not have previously been aware of the is that, as Kunak McGann says, ‘this in to see the announcement of this year’s organisation or its work. A partnership period has been a timely reminder of just winners. Shortly after the awards came was also formed between Children’s how important the arts in general, and the appointment of Áine Ní Ghlinn as Books Ireland and Family Friendly HQ to children’s literature in particular, are to us Ireland’s sixth Laureate na nÓg. ‘In one develop an online reading hub as part of as a society’. way, it’s good timing to have the KPMG the national Share a Story campaign. ‘This Children’s Books Ireland Awards and campaign means a lot to me personally,’ the announcement of our new Laureate says Elaina. ‘My parents and parents-in- Kim Harte is a Children’s Books na nÓg fall within a week of each other,’ law are in Waterford and Limerick, but we Ireland book doctor and section editor says Elaina. ‘Both are reasons to celebrate usually see quite a lot of them, and I know of the annual Recommended Reads excellence and bring to light some of the how much my daughters love seeing their guide. Formerly a school librarian most wonderful books and their creators faces for a bedtime story on the laptop. It and currently a bookseller, Kim also at a time when we really need things to has given us some structure and normality facilitates children’s reading groups for celebrate.’ and lots of joy when otherwise the calls DLR LexIcon. would be asking for news that no one has a It’s also worth celebrating the partnerships lot of these days!’ that were forged to stoke the imaginations inis features 28 reviews/léirmheasanna

This issue was put together right in the these extraordinary weeks. Many of us For now, in this, our last issue as reviews middle of very strange times, in spite of have found it hard to read – and not just editors, we (Siobhán and Juliette) would them. Books were received, selected and because physical books may not have been like to give all our readers, reviewers and reviewed digitally, thanks to the awesome accessible. How was your confinement, Children’s Books Ireland friends our dedication and flexibility of everyone in reading-wise? Did you find yourselves heartfelt thanks for years of collaboration, the long chain that brings you the best reverting to old classics? Changing medium discussion and shared passion. Ár of current publications. More than ever, and (re)exploring ebooks, audiobooks or mbuíochas ó chroí libh. Keep reading, we are very grateful to all of you, without book-related podcasts? Did you jump from you all, keep sharing and keep making the whom Inis couldn’t happen. novels to comics, picturebooks to poetry, world a better place, one book at a time! non-fiction to romance? Or did it perhaps The titles featured in this issue constitute not affect your reading at all? What books a sort of bookish time capsule of this make up your bookish time capsule? We’d Juliette and Siobhán unprecedented summer. Reviewed either love to know! during lockdown or just before, they played a part in keeping us all going during

Delphine Perret Máire Zepf Translated by Antony Shugaar Maisithe ag Paddy Donnelly A BEAR NAMED BJORN MÍP

GECKO PRESS, APRIL 2020, HARDBACK, 53PP FUTA FATA, MÁRTA 2020, CLÚDACH CRUA £11.99, ISBN 9781776572694 24LCH, €10.95, ISBN 9781910945582

In A Bear Named Bjorn, author and illustrator Delphine Ba dheacair an rud é scéal Mhíp a léamh is gan titim i ngrá leis Perret brings us along on the daily adventures of Bjorn and an róbat beag bídeach seo agus a cuid féiníní. Is é an misean atá his friends in the forest, from the eventful to the mundane. tugtha do Mhíp ná taisteal go Mars agus ós rud é go bhfuil scéal Each chapter offers us a different insight into the life of Bjorn, Mhíp bunaithe ar fhíorscéal ‘Opportunity’, róbat NASA, tá sé níos while mirroring our own lives and priorities. When Bjorn suimiúla fós. Rachaidh na léitheoirí, idir óg agus aosta, ar thuras wins a prize from a catalogue, does he keep it just because atá greannmhar in amanna, brónach uaireanta, ach ag críoch an it’s what other people want? When he gets his eyes checked, leabhair, beidh sonas orthu gur ghlac siad páirt i scéal neamhghnách how does he handle the unexpected results? The stories show Mhíp. us how Bjorn makes decisions with the support of his friends Is dearscnaitheach iad léaráidí an leabhair agus tá leibhéal na while following his own gut instincts. It’s a big message for mionsonraí thar barr. Tá an méid sin le feiceáil ar gach uile such few pages, and its nuanced approach works well. leathanach go ndeachaigh mé thar n-ais orthu arís is arís eile, ag The dynamic line drawings radiate a friendly, charming aimsiú píosaí nua gach uair. energy that makes us connect instantly with the characters. Tá an Ghaeilge sa leabhar seo go hálainn agus is mór an spórt an The writing, translated from French, is ideal for animated scéal a léamh os ard. Scéal lán le dóchas, cairdeas agus grá atá ann, storytelling. The dialogue from multiple characters such go háirithe sa lá atá inniu ann. Cad eile a bheadh uainn? 0–4, 5–7 as Badger, Chickadee and Rabbit makes it fun to read aloud. The writing has a gentle tone, tinged with a childlike Freda Mills curiosity, while maintaining a softly satirical approach. These intelligent, thoughtful and funny vignettes are a great way to talk about big themes like friendship and the balance between company, solitude and contentment. Would I even go as far as to say this is a thoughtful critique on capitalism, through the vehicle of an adorable bear? Possibly, but that might just be the isolation talking … 5–7, 8–10 Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan

Denotes an Irish author/illustrator/publisher údar/maisitheoir/foilsitheoir as Éirinn

29 JULY 2020 Julia Fogliano Anne Hunter James Proimos Illustrated by Christian Robinson WHERE’S BABY? Illustrated by Zoey Abbott JUST IN CASE YOU WALKER BOOKS, MARCH 2020 OVER THE MOON WANT TO FLY HARDBACK, 32PP, £12.99 CHRONICLE BOOKS, MARCH 2020 WALKER BOOKS, MARCH 2020 ISBN 9781406393781 HARDBACK, 32PP, £12.99 HARDBACK, 40PP, £12.99 ISBN 9781452177151 ISBN 9781406391671

What do you need when you are on the Where’s Baby? is a delicate and sweet little Two happy, contented wolves sit by the cusp of beginning something new? In story, with all the makings of a classic river; one wolf is thinking very big ideas, Fogliano’s lyric tale, young readers are picturebook. Anne Hunter, a master of her whilst the other is thinking about dinner. reminded that, even though their craft, is the illustrator, author and lettering They spot a tiny human baby floating by grown-up might not be there, they can still designer. She created the lovely hand- and rescue her. The first wolf continues to spread their wings and fly. Reassurance lettering for the text that sits so well with have more big ideas about caring for the can be found in the simplest things – her refined illustrations. Her precise and baby, raising her as their own and teaching from a tiny feather to a happy song, from detailed pictures are gently complemented her about the world, but the second wolf gentle routines to soft blankets – and by a very limited colour scheme that goes a is still thinking about dinner. However, little ones are still able to explore and long way to highlighting the plot. as the baby grows clever and strong, the have fun. Christian Robinson’s paper-cut second wolf decides that raising her was a This timeless story is based on the much- better idea than eating her, after all. art beautifully captures diverse children loved and often-played game of pretend in joy-filled play as well as colourful hide-and-seek between a parent and a Proimos’s story shows that families can animals, including a bison in one silly small child. Papa begins a ‘search’ for come in any form, and the happiest joke. The book shows that there is always a Baby Fox by asking Mama, ‘Have you seen families are ones where we are given connection between parents and children, Baby, Mama Fox?’ Mama declares that the chance to grow. Abbott’s halcyon even though they might be far apart. ‘Baby must be somewhere’ and then waves watercolour illustrations provide a humorous interpretation of life with wolves The rhyming scheme is a little loose in goodbye to Baby Fox as he trails after Papa as parents. One day the girl discovers places, but the sentiment is heartfelt. Every on the hunt to find him. Papa (and Baby people and wants to leave her family, so spread is a bright suggestion of how open who follows along) explores their woodsy she can grow and learn more. Sadly, the the world is to children. If they want to surroundings and, among their friends, wolves have to let her go – so she takes her fly there is a wide sky and gentle breeze, they find Owl up a tree, Fish under water place with other children in school, away if they feel peckish there are red cherries and Bear over a hill. Throughout the story, from them. In school, she learns and grows to snack on, and should they need to little brown Baby Fox is very near his papa, more, just like her school friends, but at the feel safe and cosy there are happy songs, and when Baby is finally ‘found’, he only end of the day, she returns to her delighted familiar blankets and kisses. The story even wants to ‘Do that again!’ lupine family. reassures that when a child feels sad there Children will recognise this adorable game are tissues and umbrellas to hand for rainy from their own lives and look forward to A perfect tale that sings about how days. The message is gentle and sweet – scouting out Baby Fox in each spread. Even important a caring environment is to build for young children, taking a big step is when Where’s Baby? has been read and happy children, but, more importantly, so much easier when you have something reread, they will most likely respond with that this home is always there, no matter small and simple that reminds you of ‘Do that again!’ 0–4 where we go. 0–4 home. Perfect for little readers beginning Olivia Hope playschool. 0–4 Margaret Anne Suggs Olivia Hope

inis reviews 30 Catharina Valckx Momoko Abe Lucy Brownridge LISETTE’S GREEN SOCK AVOCADO ASKS: Embroidered by Chloe Giordano GECKO PRESS, MAY 2020 WHAT AM I? READ TO YOUR TODDLER HARDBACK, 36PP, £11.99 ORCHARD BOOKS, APRIL 2020 EVERY DAY ISBN 9781776572830 HARDBACK, 32PP, £12.99 FRANCES LINCOLN CHILDREN’S BOOKS ISBN 9781408358221 MARCH 2020, HARDBACK, 61PP, £12.99 ISBN 9780711247420 One bright spring day, Lisette goes for a Avocado’s world is rocked to the core (or Brownridge’s picturebook artfully retells walk and finds a lone green sock. Thrilled stone) when a girl at the supermarket asks twenty folk tales from nineteen different with her find, she pops it on and continues Mum whether an avocado is a fruit … or countries all over the world. She skilfully on her way – only to run into Tomcat and a vegetable. When Mum can’t provide the limits each story to two to four pages, Timcat, two brothers intent on spoiling answer, poor Avocado sets off on a journey creating a collection of fables that are kept her day. Now Lisette must find the other of self-discovery to find out who they are brief for the intended audience of toddlers sock, but with the help of her friend Bert, and where they belong. but are bursting with life. Each folk tale she ultimately discovers something else Little ones will quickly grasp the narrative contains moral lessons on topics such entirely. pattern, which sees Avocado attempt – but as refusing to indulge selfish impulses, Valckx has written about the creative fail – to fit in with other foods around the the merits of kindness to others and the power of art and narrative, how it store. The dialogue between Avocado and importance of gratitude for what one has. encourages children to explore who they other characters is full of playful language Particularly beautiful are Brownridge’s are and have fun at the same time. Her and silly alliteration (‘terrific on toast and retellings of ‘The Rainbow Serpent’ from illustrations have a clear function in her tremendous in tacos’) and the exclamations Indigenous Australia, ‘The Clever Little books – to make the story come to life – in brightly coloured speech bubbles Turtle’ from Mexico and ‘The Feast’ from and this is exactly what she achieves here. definitely lend themselves to being shouted Mali. This picturebook handles complex Lisette is a beautiful character, drawing out by groups of excited children! questions of morality and the importance the reader into her world and her quest to of kindness to all cultures in a deceptively The premise of the story is one we’ve simple manner. find the missing sock, and her friendship probably encountered before, but Abe with Bert is lovingly articulated. Valckx shines an exceptionally stylish light on it Giordano’s embroidered illustrations are has spoken about the necessity of humour here. Her supermarket shelves are bursting detailed and vibrantly coloured. Almost and its creative value in writing books for with strong colour and crisp lines, stacks every folk tale features an embroidered children; for her, a successful picturebook of tinned vegetables lined up Warhol style. focal point that brings to life the characters appeals to both children and adults, Her characterisation of the inanimate of the story. Particularly beautiful pieces communicating gentle morals through is also nothing short of adorable. From are included in ‘Brer Rabbit and the Well’, pleasingly absurd scenarios. glamorous pineapples sporting sunglasses ‘Why the Bananas Belong to the Monkey’ Even in this seemingly simple story, Valckx to a slightly pretentious array of cheeses – and ‘The Scruffy Duckling’. imbues Lisette’s discovery of the green the visual details offer so much for children The title of this book indicates its intended sock with greater meaning: why should we and grown-ups to spot and have fun with. reader: that of a parent reading to their conform to traditional ideas of how things Oh, and don’t worry about all the rejection: toddler. However, I would also consider are meant to be when we can find joy in a worldly-wise Tomato arrives in the nick this book a handy resource for children ways we never imagined? Why, in other of time to deliver a clear message about who are learning to read for themselves. words, should socks come in pairs? And being true to yourself, rather than looking The stories come to life off the page and even more importantly, why should socks to labels to help define who you really would be a delightful, charming read for only be worn on our feet? are. Hopefully little ones will take this on many children, regardless of its simple A gorgeous and delicate picturebook with board as they giggle their way through this reading level. 0–4, 5–7 a gentle and universal message about sweet story. 0–4, 5–7 Ciara O’Siorain friendship, sharing and finding joy in the Lindsay Quayle randomness of life. 0–4 Becky Long

31 JULY 2020 Victoria Cassanell Brooke Smith Max Low THE GRIZZLY ITCH Illustrated by Madeline Kloepper CERI & DERI: THE VERY MACMILLAN CHILDREN’S BOOKS THE KEEPER OF SMELLY TELLY SHOW MARCH 2020, HARDBACK, 32PP, £11.99 WILD WORDS GRAFFEG, APRIL 2020 ISBN 9781529013566 CHRONICLE BOOKS, MARCH 2020 PAPERBACK, 36PP, £7.99 HARDBACK, 62PP, £13.99 ISBN 9781913134389 ISBN 9781452170732

Something wakes Bear up from his Ceri the cat and Deri the dog are best long winter’s nap. It’s an itch: an awful, When Mimi realises that her favourite words, the words that keep her connected friends who do everything together. Today annoying, unbearable itch. And Bear Ceri and Deri are happy. It’s not raining knows the perfect tree to help him scratch to the natural world, are disappearing from the English language, she decides that her so they call on their friend Dai the Duck it. But when Bear finally gets his turn, and invite him to throw frisbee outside. there’s another problem: Beaver has cut granddaughter, Brook, must save these words by becoming their Keeper. However, Dai decides it is more fun to stay down his perfect bear-scratching tree for in and watch his favourite TV show. But Kloepper’s gorgeous and vivid illustrations making his dam. Bear is so, so sad. Don’t Ceri and Deri won’t take no for an answer. worry, Bear! Beaver knows lots of other are essential to Smith’s linguistic project, trees, and no matter what it takes, no beautifully capturing the relationship The Very Smelly Telly Show is a bright, matter how many problems they encounter, between words and the world they help us vibrant, cartoon-like delight. Ceri and he’ll find a way to scratch that grizzly itch! understand, even to the point where each Deri are cute as buttons and full of joy at And maybe Bear will find something even nature word is highlighted in a colour the fun-filled opportunities being outside more important. that matches its physical counterpart. can bring. Their plan to entice Dai away Her strong, dynamic colours are set off from his TV involves a cardboard box and The vibrant, natural world of springtime strikingly against clean white backgrounds. a heap of creativity, and demonstrates how opens up in this heartwarming journey spending time with friends is so much There is a simple truth at the heart of this that makes a perfect read-aloud for home more rewarding than spending it with a story: if we don’t speak words, if we don’t or school story time. The lovely watercolour screen. renderings and a simple text packed full write words, if we don’t read words, they of feeling lend a glimpse into nature with disappear. We lose them. And when we The Ceri and Deri series are Welsh gentle humour and enough detail and lose words, we lose the ability to make illustrator Max Low’s first solo authored character expression for even the youngest ideas with them. This is the danger that and illustrated works. His gorgeous to ponder and take joy in. While the Smith and Kloepper seek to warn against illustrations are bursting with juicy colours uncomplicated lesson in problem-solving by offering the relationship between Mimi and quirky character detail and enhance flows easily through the book, it is the and Brook and the natural exploration the story enormously. A particularly clever message of friendship and cooperation that they undertake with love and curiosity as a detail is that each picture is framed by shines – the thought that maybe the thing pushback against the limitations of modern Ceri and Deri’s homemade cardboard TV we think we need isn’t what we need at all, childhood. screen. and when we work together, something Thoughtful, evocative and deeply One of the aims of the series is to always wonderful and surprising happens that resonant, this picturebook and the include an educational element. Previous can change our point of view. And that’s message it conveys mark a significant and books have featured concepts such as time, what this simple, gorgeous picturebook magical contribution to the project of counting and sharing, and here the focus is is all about: perspective, friendship and re-engagement undertaken by authors, on friends and play versus screen time. The cooperation all packed into a story that illustrators and artists around the world balance between the message and the story glistens with happiness. 0–4, 5–7 who know how important the images and is beautifully struck and the story never Mary Esther Judy words associated with the natural world are feels like it is preaching or teaching. It is for the children we must equip to explore simply delightful, good fun. 0–4, 5–7 it. 0–4, 5–7 Brenda Frawley Becky Long

inis reviews 32 Isabel Otter Quentin Blake Antoinette Portis Illustrated by Clara Anganuzzi THE WEED HEY, WATER! DEAR EARTH TATE, MARCH 2020 SCALLYWAG PRESS, APRIL 2020 CATERPILLAR BOOKS, MARCH 2020 HARDBACK, 32 PP, £12.99 HARDBACK, 48PP, £12.99 HARDBACK, 32PP, £11.99 ISBN 9781849766883 ISBN 9781912650262 ISBN 9781848579415

This is a breath-taking book, abounding ‘The world was becoming hard and dry, ‘Hey, water! I know you!’ beams a in beauty, capturing the wonder of the and more difficult to live in; and then one sprightly young girl in the opening pages world through the eyes of a child. A simple day, without any warning, a deep crack of Portis’s latest picturebook. So begins narrative unfurls as a little girl (Tessa), opened in the earth and the Meadowsweet an informative and lyrical exploration of inspired by her adventurer grandfather, family were at the bottom of it.’ So begins one of the world’s most valuable resources, pens a heartfelt letter to the Earth, The Weed, Quentin Blake’s much-needed observed through the playful eyes of our extolling its beauty and engaging with the tale of hope in a very strange and difficult protagonist, Zoe. opportunities it affords for joy and care. time. From the domestic spray of a garden Isabel Otter’s writing is perfectly pitched, Down at the bottom of this deep chasm, sprinkler to the salty, surging waves of the catching the unaffected tone of childish the Meadowsweet family rely on Octavia, ocean, water’s omnipresence is celebrated wonder while gently instilling facts about their assertive talking mynah bird, to find a in all its glory. The book’s narrative can be the habitats and wildlife of the world. This way out. She flies to the surface and returns read on many levels – each page features a is stunningly complemented by artwork with a seed, which grows rapidly into a simple printed noun describing what little from Clara Anganuzzi, which flows and weed that the family climbs to safety. ones see (tap, puddle, snowflake) alongside freezes, flutters and flies, swims and sings When they emerge from the crack in the Zoe’s personal response to each (‘You blast with the gorgeous variety that our planet earth, they find a world changed for the and huff. You whistle and puff,’ she tells embodies. The pairing of word and image better. ‘Fog’). makes the book immersive and compelling, The Weed is an instant classic. Kids will The captivating illustrations have a allowing the reader to really feel the delight in Quentin Blake’s simple yet narrative journey of their own: the trickle sentiments that Tessa gives voice to. whimsical illustrations. For parents, his of a garden hose gently morphs into a Adults will find this text to be a great way distinct style will deliver a welcome dose wider stream, then river – rushing and of inviting their children to engage with of nostalgia. The book’s story is a powerful gurgling until it reaches the vast ocean. the natural world, sparking the interest in fable that’s perfectly silly at times. Blake’s And more poignantly, a glassy dewdrop them that Tessa’s grandfather does in her. writing never talks down to children, and subtly becomes a tear on the cheek and For educators, especially those in urban the book’s message of hope, cooperation finishes up as a splattering of blue-hued environments, Dear Earth will provide and respect for nature is handled with raindrops. Each careful brushstroke guides both illustration and impetus for classes subtlety and grace. the reader from page to page, a seamless to consider the bounty and majesty of flow of colour and form. Young children Whether you’re looking for a book to spark creation that is not always on our doorstep. will love the hypnotic wonder of Portis’s a conversation with kids about climate An enchanting, informative and inspiring snowflakes – and slightly older readers change, or just looking for a timeless kind book, bursting with colour in word and will hopefully appreciate the beauty of of story, you can’t go wrong with The Weed. art, opening up the world to little eyes and recurring patterns that emerge throughout. 4–8 minds in a fresh way. 0–4, 5–7 This delightful non-fiction book is one to Hannah Bulger Andrew Roycroft be brought out repeatedly as your child reaches new stages of learning – with its wealth of facts and information to share in the final pages, there’s boundless knowledge for children to absorb with each read.​ Non-fiction, 0–4, 5–7, 8–10 Lindsay Quayle

33 JULY 2020 Hena Khan Inbal Leitner Catherine Ard Illustrated by Saffa Khan THE LONGEST Illustrated by Carla McRae LIKE THE MOON STRONGEST THREAD LET’S PLAY OUTDOORS: LOVES THE SKY SCALLYWAG PRESS, APRIL 2020 EXPLORING NATURE FOR CHRONICLE BOOKS, MARCH 2020 HARDBACK, 32PP, £12.99 CHILDREN HARDBACK, 32PP, £12.99 ISBN 9781912650187 LITTLE GESTALTEN, MAY 2020 ISBN 9781452180199 HARDBACK, 56PP, £12.95

ISBN 9783899558432 A child grows from newborn baby to Days after first reading this book, I found Whether you’re off to the park, having a school-goer. At each stage, we hear the myself thinking about it. I was hooked wander through the fields and forests or mother’s wishes for this child. She hopes from the very beginning via the textured simply exploring your own back garden, that ‘Inshallah’ her child will be gentle cover (of the hardback edition) and the there’s loads to do and see. And this and kind; will be happy and make friends endpapers, while the beautiful, delicate book is just the ticket to get children easily; will read and learn and reflect on artwork throughout held my attention. outside and to discover the many things the knowledge gained; and, of course, The text is simple, yet laden with emotion. the outdoor world has to offer. Here, will be physically healthy. These wishes Inbal Leitner based the story on her own you’ll find suggestions and activities, take the form of prayers, based on lines experience of moving from Israel to the UK essential information and ‘take care’ tips from the Quran. But Khan tells us, in her and, from longer ago, on her grandmother’s that promote closer observation, deeper author’s note, that these prayers or wishes separation from her parents as she fled Nazi understanding and clever interaction with will transcend any particular faith system Germany. nature all through the year. because they are grounded in universal A little girl is packing up her belongings Each page is full of colourful child-friendly values of justice, charity, fairness and love. to move from a warm country to a new illustrations highlighting the easy-to- We see a child in a loving family, growing home in a colder northern country. We follow text and instructions to make and developing with every page opening, join her as she adds her suitcase to the outdoor exploration stress free and fun for while each prayer unfolds. The text is pile of luggage. Before she leaves, she everybody. You can make bark rubbings, soothing, rhythmical and lyrical. The visits her grandmother who is staying pinecone birdfeeders, forest rattles and illustrations are vibrant and bold with behind. Grandmother has a textile studio your own outdoor den. Have you ever bright blues, oranges, reds and greens, and recognises that her granddaughter spotted magical animals in the clouds or contrasted with darker blues and indigo. is worried about leaving her and anxious seen pictures in the stars? Do you know The overall impression is of a rich, full and about adapting to her new, distant home. how to read a map or how to make a happy life. The little girl plays in the studio for one ‘window camera’? There is even an exciting Like in her previous book, Crescent Moons last time. She longs for a huge magnet that page on what creepy crawlies get up to and and Minarets, Khan manages to convey could keep her gran close by. She makes one on how to help the bees and why. a lot more about the Islamic way of life a fabric aeroplane for Gran to fly on. And then, Gran provides a reassuring solution. With so much packed inside it, this bright, than we see on the surface. The book will bold book highlights independent learning make a welcome addition to classroom Leitner uses simple yet powerful text and and creative play in the great outdoors libraries crying out for books to reflect equally minimal illustrations. The greens, throughout. An exceptional resource to the realities of diverse lives and cultures; ochres, greys and pale blues are contrasted encourage environmental awareness in books that provide, as Rudine Sims Bishop with a wonderful bright yellow. Lovely even the youngest (and oldest!) among said, ‘mirrors’ for children in which to see use of line and white space makes reading us, it’s a fantastic addition to any ‘forest themselves and ‘windows’ to help them this story a calming experience. The book school’ shelf. But it won’t stay there long. look into others’ lives. 3–5 will delight and console children who face Get ready to go outside! Non-fiction, 5–7 Mary Roche transition and change. And childhood is full of such transitions. 3–5, 5–7 Mary Esther Judy Mary Roche

inis reviews 34 Ellen Blance and Ann Cook James Carter Anna Höglund Illustrated by Quentin Blake Illustrated by Willian Santiago THE STONE GIANT MEET MONSTER – THE ONCE UPON AN ATOM: FIRST BIG MONSTER BOOK GECKO PRESS, MAY 2020 QUESTIONS OF SCIENCE HARDBACK, 43PP, £11.99 NEW YORK REVIEW CHILDREN’S COLLECTION CATERPILLAR BOOKS, APRIL 2020 ISBN 9781776572731 MAY 2020, HARDBACK, 149PP, £15.99 HARDBACK, 24PP, £11.99 ISBN 9781681374284 ISBN 9781848579835

‘A monster comes to the city to live’ – and Once upon an Atom: Questions of Science When her father fails to return home after so begins the story of gentle Monster’s briskly walks the reader through the fields going to do battle with a dangerous giant new life. Meet Monster is a reissue of the of chemistry, physics and biology and, who has been turning people into stone, 1973 series and is beautifully brought finally, what it is to be a scientist. Carter’s a young child sets off on an adventure together in an omnibus edition of six short rhyming text in this lively picturebook to defeat the Stone Giant and rescue her stories especially written by educators for demonstrates a clear passion for all things father. beginning readers. science. It gives a nice introduction to each field of natural science including examples This masterful retelling of a classic Swedish Monster is not at all scary and his gentle from each. However, it stops at the ‘what’ fairy tale by Elsa Beskow would make lolloping through streets and subways is and doesn’t explore the ‘how’ or ‘why’. And a gorgeous addition to any bookshelf. full of good-natured wonder. Instantly while addressing these questions would With compelling language and amazing likable, he is kind and considerate when he certainly make the text more complex, illustrations, Anna Höglund has proven cleans, just in case his friends pop over and it might help the reader to become more that a well-told story really is timeless. want to cook for him! The bright, familiar invested in a particular field before moving The tale is a simple one; however, the illustrative style of Quentin Blake captures on to the next one quite so swiftly. The magic of the story lies in the illustrations. the fun and innocence that comes with level of language is suitable for an older Each page is a work of art, from the simple, exploring a new place, whilst also showing picturebook reader, so an increase in word poignant sight of the child in her red coat how best to make a new beginning. count could be justified. As it is, however, sitting alone in her home, to the same Short words that are easy to sound out and the text gives a simple introduction to the small child huddled alone in a dark and pronounce are repeated through each story, natural sciences and oozes with positivity frightening land, to the sight of the Stone but the pages are not full of intimidating and enthusiasm. Giant that strikes just the right note of text. As educators, Blance and Cook strike Santiago’s illustrations are stunning. fear. While some of the illustrations can the perfect balance between accessible His use of colour and texture perfectly be scary, it is the image of the brave child reading and enjoyable storytelling, which is capture the wonder and beauty of the travelling into the unknown that lingers just right for young readers taking the first natural world. And while the flow of the after the story has ended. Her red coat steps into independent reading. 5–7 illustrations from one page to the next framed against the dark landscape shines Olivia Hope doesn’t tell a story, each double-page spread like a beacon of hope, seeming to say that, would, independently, make a wonderful no matter how dire the situation, courage, addition in poster form to the wall of a intelligence and love will always see us primary school classroom or science lab. through. 5–7 This book would make a very good starting Tony Flynn point to explore each of the scientific fields in more detail. Non-fiction, 5–7 Antoinette Fennell

35 JULY 2020 Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara Frida Nilsson Kate Hodges Illustrated by Ashling Lindsay Illustrated by Stina Wirsén ON A STARRY NIGHT: FUN ALAN TURING (LITTLE HATTIE THINGS TO MAKE AND DO PEOPLE, BIG DREAMS) GECKO PRESS, MARCH 2020 FROM DUSK UNTIL DAWN PAPERBACK, 148PP, £7.99 FRANCES LINCOLN CHILDREN’S BOOKS FRANCES LINCOLN CHILDREN’S BOOKS ISBN 9781776572717 MAY 2020, FLEXIBOUND, 144PP, £12.99 APRIL 2020, HARDBACK, 32PP, £9.99 ISBN 9780711246225 ISBN 9780711246775

Did you know that the man behind the Hattie is a street-smart country girl who In a time when families may find computer you use every day also saved lives just outside of nowhere, next to no themselves unable to travel far for millions of lives and helped to shorten one and is so, so bored. Hattie can’t wait to adventures or high jinks, this book has World War II by at least two years? start school, make friends and start having over fifty activities that you can make and That’s what Winston Churchill said adventures. This is the story of that first do from home in the twilight hours – anyway. Open this book and discover – bit year at school, from registration day to including arts and crafts using everyday by bit – the biography of the founding summer holidays, and all the little exploits objects, such as tin-can lanterns and glow- father of modern computer science. and adventures that happen along the way. in-the-dark bubbles, making campfires on Inspiring and educational, this book is a which you can cook food and stargazing. Frida Nilsson is the award-winning author great resource for use in the classroom, as it of the international bestseller The Ice Sea Brightly illustrated with bold text and vivid touches on many aspects of the curriculum: Pirates and was recently chosen as one of photographs, this book should appeal to all threads of STEM, history and LGBTQ+ the best emerging writers in Europe under members of a family. Pictures of crafty kids education are all seamlessly woven into the thirty-nine. Hattie is her latest book to be by campfires will ignite the imaginations of narrative. translated into English and released by the youngest readers, while the instructions The author does well to distil Turing’s Gecko Press in this lovely eye-catching are laid out so that older children can multifarious life into such a short and edition. understand and carry out activities, and breathable word count. The illustrations the guidelines will inform parents how Hattie proves to be a memorable heroine are similarly subdued in terms of their to have lots of fun in these games and with an impulsive streak and a nose for colour palette; most spreads are largely explorations with maximum safety. trouble and is somewhat reminiscent of monochrome with just a few pops of colour that other Scandinavian mischief maker The book is divided into sections covering presenting themselves at sporadic intervals. Pippi Longstocking. The school story is a activities you can do outside and inside A strong sense of place is established – familiar one in children’s literature, but after dark, and ways to be creative, interact upon opening the book we are immediately Hattie’s tale is told in a fresh, funny and with nature and even play games. How can greeted by the London underground, and oh-so-relatable way. Her worries and fears you be scared of the dark when you can then later Bletchley Park (the top-secret will be familiar to all readers, big and have a night-time safari, watch a film in home of the World War II codebreakers) small, and her empathetic reactions to the your own outdoor cinema or eat chocolate shines out at us from a double-page spread. situations in which she finds herself make bananas by moonlight? This book confirms This really serves to ground the story in this a realistic and engrossing read. there is a world of night-time creativity and real life and hammers home the fact that inspiration right outside your back door, these events really did take place. Nilsson is a master at making you see the whatever the season. So grab your torches world through her characters’ eyes, and Little People, Big Dreams is a fantastic and get outside! Non-fiction, 6–10, 11–13 Hattie is a character to be celebrated in this series to introduce children to engaging charming, funny and relatable book. With Olivia Hope non-fiction.It emphasises how you can quirky and amusing illustrations by Stina grow up and mould yourself a life that Wirsén, Hattie is a pure delight from start is just as exciting as those to be had in to finish and will be eagerly gobbled up by faraway lands with swords and dragons, young readers everywhere. 5–7, 8–10 and in doing so it reinforces one clear message: dream big, little ones! Non- Brenda Frawley fiction, 5–7 Shakira Browne

inis reviews 36 John Farrelly Derek Keilty Lincoln Peirce DEADLY IRISH HISTORY – Illustrated by Mark Elvins MAX & THE MIDKNIGHTS THE VIKINGS FLYNTLOCK BONES: MACMILLAN, FEBRUARY 2020 THE O’BRIEN PRESS, MARCH 2020 THE SCEPTRE OF THE PAPERBACK, 279 PP, £6.99 PAPERBACK, 144PP, €8.99 PHARAOHS ISBN 9781529029260 ISBN 9781788491037 SCALLYWAG PRESS, JUNE 2020 PAPERBACK, 176PP, £7.99 ISBN 978912650408 Both written and illustrated by John First in an exciting new trilogy, Flyntlock Calling all parents with Dogman fatigue. Farrelly, The Vikings is the fantastic first Bones: The Sceptre of the Pharaohs is a Fear not, for Lincoln Peirce’s Max & the book in a new series, Deadly Irish History, swashbuckling adventure set on the Seven Midknights is here to save the day. This with great potential. Ireland has such rich Seas. Combining two popular themes, zany story of a 10-year-old aspiring knight history and books like these are a great way orphans and pirates, it tells the tale of a is a fantastical romp through the Middle of introducing children to it. young orphan seeking work as a cabin boy Ages. after leaving the Baskervile Orphanage run The book, Farrelly’s first, has been very Meet Max, a plucky 10-year-old traveling by the infamous Mrs Wiggins. No stranger well researched. It is jam-packed with with their kind but blundering Uncle to hard work, young Flyntlock lands fascinating facts and stories about who the Budrick, a wandering troubadour from himself a job on the Black Hound ship Vikings were, their way of life and their the land of Byjovia. Max does not want of Captain Watkins. Before he has even myths and legends. The author’s sense of to be a troubadour. Instead, Max dreams found his sea-legs, the youngster discovers humour is used in abundance throughout of becoming a knight. But when Uncle he’s on a pirate ship, and here begins his the book, with jokes that appeal to both Budrick is captured by the evil King great adventure, searching for the lost ship younger and older readers. Gastley, Max’s courage and cunning will of King Tut and the treasured Sceptre of be put to the test. Expect magic, plot twists The illustrations are clever and funny, the Pharaohs. and a talking goose. and feel like they drew some inspiration A fast-paced adventure with lots of from the Asterix comics. Comic strips and This is the perfect book for young readers fun, Flyntlock Bones explores themes of fake newspapers add to the entertainment who love adventure stories and lots and lots growing up, friendship and the danger of factor. The book also involves much more of silliness. Peirce’s style is a clever hybrid stereotyping. Flyntlock finds that not all than just information – there are quizzes, of a Dav Pilkey-style graphic novel and a pirates are up to mischief on the high seas, puzzles and true-or-false questionnaires. more traditional chapter book, so Max & even if they do wear a patch on their eye One of the highlights is a crafting section the Midknights is a great choice for kids and carry a parrot. Red, the little girl with where you can learn how to dress like a transitioning from graphic novels into flaming hair who is the ship’s deckhand, is Viking and make brooches, helmets and more text-heavy choices. And parents will a strong female character and, along with shields. be pleased that underneath its goofy jokes Flynt, stands up to the ship’s bully, proving and exciting action lies a powerful message Although it might be a cliché, The Vikings that might is not always right. Illustrator of kindness, courage, and inclusivity. 8–12 is the kind of book that makes history fun, Mark Elvins has done a superb job with the and teachers would be wise to invest in a most detailed of traditional-style pen and Hannah Bulger copy. Non-fiction, 8–10 ink drawings. With extensive illustrations Paul Staunton on every page, there is an excellent balance between text and image. The level of detail draws the reader’s eye on each page, looking for clues to the mystery. A great adventure. 8–10 June Edwards

37 JULY 2020 Judith Eagle Natasha Farrant Ronan Moore Illustrated by Kim Geyer VOYAGE OF THE Illustrated by Alexandra Colombo THE PEAR AFFAIR SPARROWHAWK YOUNG FIONN: SMALL KID, FABER & FABER, MARCH 2020 FABER & FABER, SEPTEMBER 2020 BIG LEGEND PAPERBACK, 288PP, £7.99 PAPERBACK, 368PP, £7.99 GILL BOOKS, MARCH 2020 ISBN 9780571346851 ISBN 9780571348763 PAPERBACK, 224PP, €8.99 ISBN 9780717185863

Ordinarily, Nell Magnificent is happy to It’s 1919, a few months after the end of Fionn Mac Cumhaill is one of Ireland’s avoid her parents at all costs. But when World War I. Ben’s brother is believed to most famous characters and a key figure they announce they are on their way to be missing in action in France, and unless in our national mythology. Here, in a Paris, Nell surprises them by begging to he returns, Ben will be sent back to the modern retelling of an ancient tale, author go along. She’s not planning on hanging orphanage. Boarding school awaits Lotti Ronan Moore brings us the story of young around, though. Paris houses something due to the orders of her cruel aunt and Fionn and the adventures that led to him very close to Nell’s heart … her old au uncle. When the two meet, they hatch a becoming the leader of the Fianna and a pair, Perrine (Pear). Pear used to write plan to cross the Channel to France on true Irish hero. to Nell every week, promising to rescue Ben’s barge, the Sparrowhawk, in search of Based on a twelfth-century manuscript, her from her life of misery, but the letters family and a place to call home. Young Fionn charts Fionn’s life from before have stopped. Nell is determined to find A truly fantastic tale of adventure, with his birth to his teenage years, when he Pear and uncover the mystery behind her storms and police chases, friendship and took command of the Fianna warriors. disappearance. With the help of some hope, this story is full of twists and turns, Featuring well-known stories such as the interesting new friends who spend their and Farrant’s beautifully descriptive Salmon of Knowledge and the Dragon time in the miles of tunnels underneath writing and the fast-paced rhythm of of Tara, the story is well researched and the city, she sets off on her mission. But the book make it difficult to put down. true to the Irish myths and legends. The the shadowy world beneath the glittering Farrant has created wonderful characters author has cleverly updated these oft-told streets holds an even darker secret, as Nell whose stories intertwine and overlap in a tales with an action twist and has created soon discovers – one that endangers all of touching and gripping read, and it’s these in Fionn a thoroughly modern character Paris. bold and brave characters that bring this with fitting street-smarts and a spiky A well-plotted mystery, this book fully story to life. Lotti and Ben’s courage and resourcefulness that get him out of many engages the reader from page one. It grabs determination leave the reader rooting for seemingly impossible situations. hold instantly, taking you on a raucous ride them to succeed and remind us that there The supporting characters are just as that twists and turns with a fluidity that is always hope in the darkest of times. vivid, with venal villains, loyal friends is head-spinning. Nell and all the tunnel- During this time in history, the world and brave warriors also given a modern dwelling children are fabulous, intriguing had begun to readjust and right itself, and fresh interpretation. A particular joy characters, each clever, thoughtful and and people were trying to reclaim their is the spotlight given to the talented and well-drawn, making for highly relatable lives and find their new normality. Ben fearless young women that Fionn meets on good guys. And the baddies are utterly and Lotti’s adventure is sure to inspire a his adventures, such as Cana, who teaches despicable! Parisian food takes centre stage curiosity in young readers about World him how to hurl, and Cnes, who helps him in the drama, when the full depth of an War I and what happened during and defeat Torc the wild boar. ingenious, diabolical scheme is revealed. after. This story allows readers to imagine As the mystery deepens and the plot what it was like to live during this chaotic, The atmospheric illustrations by Alexandra thickens, all the senses (and the heart) are uncertain time, while also inspiring them Colombo perfectly complement the story’s set on edge with possibility and tension. to appreciate loved ones and be kind to one fairy-tale quality while subtly emphasising Outstanding pacing and just the right another. An epic read from start to finish, its contemporary edge. Young Fionn is an amount of danger; thoroughly riveting and the perfect book for a reader who loves appealing book for young readers who will entertaining. 8–10, 10–12 adventure and action. 8–10, 10–12 enjoy learning about ancient Ireland while Mary Esther Judy soaking up the action and adventure on Órla Carr every page. 8–10, 10–12 Brenda Frawley

inis reviews 38 Bernard S. Wilson Various Authors Mikki Lish & Kelly Ngai Illustrated by Julia Castaño THE ANTHOLOGY OF IRISH THE HOUSE ON MISS MARY: THE IRISH FOLK TALES HOARDER HILL WOMAN WHO SAVED THE THE HISTORY PRESS, MARCH 2020 CHICKEN HOUSE, MARCH 2020 LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF HARDBACK, 288PP, £14.99 PAPERBACK, 377PP, £6.99 CHILDREN DURING WORLD ISBN 9780750993210 ISBN 9781912626212 WAR II GILL BOOKS, FEBRUARY 2020

PAPERBACK, 117PP, €8.99 When young siblings Hedy and Spencer Ireland is a storied island, and that fact ISBN 9780717186556 are sent to spend two weeks at their comes to life in this collection of tales and grandfather’s house on Hoarder Hill, they fables, rich in locality and colour. Gathered brace themselves for long days of boredom. Miss Mary is the first children’s book from an already popular series of folk However, when strange messages start about Mary Elmes, a brilliant young Cork tales, the stories are organised around the appearing around the house, they find woman who rescued children in trouble thirty-two counties, each injected with themselves drawn into a sinister mystery during the Spanish Civil War and again in details and dimensions unique to those surrounding the disappearance of their occupied France during World War II. areas. Narratives range across St Patrick’s grandmother. Often putting her own life in danger, ministry in Ireland, headless horsemen, Mary was fearless and resourceful, using visits to the Phoenix Park to see the pope, To review a new book from Chicken House her organisational and language skills to a shoemaker in Carrick-on-Suir and the is always a joy. Whether the subject is sci-fi, run hospitals and children’s homes, always heroism of the Maggie of Maggie’s Leap as in Melissa Savage’s wonderful The Truth making sure there was food, medicine and in the Mourne mountains. The stories About Martians, or fantasy, with Jamie time to play for the children in her care. At are conversational in style and carry the Smith’s brilliant Frostfire, this publishing the height of World War II, Mary arranged tone of the tale-teller rather than the house works with storytellers who always the escape of hundreds of Jewish children, professional author – a fact that feels fitting bring a fresh and original viewpoint to an immense act for bravery for which she is and refreshing. often well-travelled literary genres. With justly celebrated today. The House on Hoarder Hill, authors Mikki This book’s appeal will stretch far beyond Lish and Kelly Ngai have crafted a worthy Author Bernard S. Wilson is a retired the shores of Ireland, offering an insight addition to Chicken House’s impressive university lecturer who learned about into how orally transmitted tales can output. Mary Elmes while researching and wanted be spellbinding and illuminating of to bring her story to children who may human nature. Irish readers will revel The House on Hoarder Hillis a compelling, be unaware of this remarkable woman. in discovering tales from their own well-told mystery that will keep readers In fact, until recent years, Mary’s story neighbourhood, history from the areas in guessing right until the very end. The cast was mostly unknown, as her modesty which they have grown up, and learning of characters is wonderfully entertaining, and assertion that she had only done more about other parts of the land. The from the two central siblings to a talking what anybody would do led to her never density and scope of the tales mean that stag’s head named Stan and a talking bear speaking of her work. some illustrations might have been a rug named Doug, each of whom is sure The story is told in a simple and direct way, welcome addition, providing some needed to become a firm favourite with readers. without embellishment or sentimentality, breaks in the prose. Joyfully spooky, but never too frightening, The House on Hoarder Hill will delight any which one feels Mary would appreciate. Children will find these tales reader with a love of magic and mystery. The facts are so fascinating and exciting heartwarming and spine-tingling by turns, 9–11 that there is no need for anything more and the variety, scope and narrative range than to simply tell the tale, which Wilson represented will make it a text that will be Tony Flynn does so well. The illustrations by Spanish returned to again and again. 8–10, 10–12, artist Julia Castaño add another layer, 12–14 beautifully depicting expressive faces and changing times. Miss Mary is a wonderful Andrew Roycroft introduction to a true Irish heroine and should help ensure that her name is never forgotten again. Non-fiction, 8–10, 10–12 Brenda Frawley

39 JULY 2020 Afonso Cruz Mark Lowery Nicola Pierce Translated by Margaret Jull Costa EATING CHIPS CHASING GHOSTS: AN THE BOOKS THAT WITH MONKEY ARCTIC ADVENTURE DEVOURED MY FATHER PICCADILLY PRESS, APRIL 2020 THE O’BRIEN PRESS, MARCH 2020 YOUNG DEDALUS PRESS, APRIL 2020 PAPERBACK, 257PP, £6.99 PAPERBACK, 320PP, €8.99 PAPERBACK, 123PP, £7.99 ISBN 9781848127371 ISBN 9781788490177 ISBN 9781912868049

When Elias turns twelve, he receives an When ten-year-old Daniel suffers a terrible Chasing Ghosts: An Arctic Adventure is a unusual gift from his grandmother. She accident one night, he loses all memory of gripping new tale by Nicola Pierce that explains that the story he has been told his life before the incident and becomes a follows two series of true events that about his father dying is untrue, and she shadow of his former self, speaking to no unfolded thousands of miles apart yet are hands him the key to his father’s attic full one except for his toy Monkey. His family inextricably linked. At the centre of the of books. Elias realises that his father has try to help him by using one thing that novel is the story of Ann Coppins, whose fallen into a parallel world and begins they know he loves: chips. Eating Chips sister Weesy has recently passed away – but to read the many books in the attic as a with Monkey follows Daniel’s family on Weesy has not moved on, and her spirit means of finding his father amongst a a drive around England to find the best remains in the family home. At the same universe of other literary worlds. From the fish and chip shop in the country. The time, a British Royal Navy expedition of Island of Doctor Moreau to The Strange Case family experiences many amusing mishaps two ships under the command of Captain of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Elias feels he is and adventures along the way, such as Sir John Franklin and his second-in- closer to finding his father the more time Grandma’s encounter with a very hungry command, Captain Francis Crozier, has he spends in the books. Crossing Siberia giraffe. gone missing in the Arctic Circle. Ann to find Raskolnikov, the main protagonist Lowery employs a great amount of tact finds herself wondering if Weesy can tell in Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, in his representation of Daniel, who has them what has happened to the two ships. he has many deep conversations about the autism, and the journey that Daniel and nature of who we are and who we become Pierce creates a truly atmospheric depiction his family embark on, making good use of when we read a book. of Northern Ireland in the 1840s and humour to tell a story that is both light- the unforgiving, harsh emptiness of the Translated by Margaret Jull Costa, Afonso hearted and endearing. Within Eating freezing cold Arctic, deftly balancing the Cruz’s story, peppered with literary Chips with Monkey, autism spectrum gravity of the sailors’ situation with scenes characters, both shows us how we can disorders are portrayed in a way that is of childhood innocence and mischief. be absorbed by the words we read, thus respectful while also being educational and Through her portrayal of complex helping us understand our world better, entertaining. The narrative, told from the themes such as grief, family, love and and reminds us that dealing with the harsh perspective of Daniel’s sister Megan, carries friendship, Pierce brings new life to the reality of life requires the escapism offered the message that those on the spectrum story of Ann Coppins and the Franklin by books. 9–11, 12–14 are more than just their disability – Megan expedition, creating well-rounded fictional notes, more than once, that her brother is a Olivia Hope representations of real historical figures. wonderful, multi-faceted boy. This account of the fate of HMS Erebus At its heart, this is a narrative about and Terror is both educational and unconditional love and the close-knit bond captivating. The author’s notes at the end of of family. Eating Chips with Monkey is a the novel are a fascinating insight into the touching novel and a must-read for parents sources that Pierce consulted when writing and children – with one small disclaimer: this novel. At times amusing, endearing this story will have your stomach rumbling! and heartbreaking, this book is guaranteed 10–12 to have the reader hungering for the next Joanna Geoghegan page. 10–12 Joanna Geoghegan

inis reviews 40 Sheena Wilkinson Kwame Alexander Rebecca Stead HOPE AGAINST HOPE Illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile THE LIST OF THINGS THAT LITTLE ISLAND BOOKS, MARCH 2020 THE CROSSOVER WILL NOT CHANGE PAPERBACK, 222PP, €9.99 ANDERSEN PRESS, MARCH 2020 ANDERSEN PRESS, MARCH 2020 ISBN 9781912417421 PAPERBACK, 218PP, £8.99 HARDBACK, 128PP, £12.99 ISBN 9781783449590 ISBN 9781783449378

This book is a timely reminder of how ‘In this game of life, your family is your ‘In the beginning, it was hard for me to history speaks to the present worrying court, and the basketball is your heart.’ sleep at Dad’s new apartment. I had only time. It takes us back to 1921 when a hard There are two things seventh grader lived in one place before. Now it was: border separated Ireland into two parts, Josh Bell loves most in this world, and Different room. Different bed. Different for the first time in its history, and a flu that’s playing basketball and his family. sounds. No Mom.’ pandemic had decimated families and Everything is going well for him until his After the outstanding When You Reach communities already damaged by wars twin brother starts to spend less time with Me and the insightful Goodbye Stranger global and domestic. Just now, with the him and more time with a cute new girl. At comes another beautifully written novel COVID-19 crisis, we are experiencing the same time, Josh is beginning to suspect by award-winning author Rebecca Stead. the most frightening implications of that that his father, a former basketball star and The List of Things That Will Not Change is border. ‘da man’ of the family, might not be as a celebration of family life in all its shapes Idealistic girls and young women of invincible as he seems. and sizes, and highlights how nurturant different faiths live a life devoted to The Crossover by Kwame Alexander, a new care comes in many forms. Honest, education, justice, equality and humanity graphic novel based on Alexander’s award- humane and tender, the novel is delivered in a Belfast hostel called Helen’s Hope. winning novel, sweeps you up and sends in an immediate and accessible style Polly, the central figure and narrator, is the you flying down the court to the beat of through eleven-year-old protagonist Bea’s teenage daughter of a struggling Catholic orange leather and the squeak of white credible voice. border shopkeeper. Her beloved mother sneakers. The bouncing rhythm of spoken Often using an epistolary style in the has recently died from the dreadful flu word and contemplative prose fluctuates form of Bea’s letters to her future stepsister virus. She suffers violence at the hands of with Josh’s state of mind, intertwined with Sonia, the story is intimate and observant. her once loving but now deranged brother illustrations by Dawud Anyabwile that This narrative style allows Bea to reveal suffering from PTSD. This prompts swoop and soar. Through a stark palette of more about herself than she might feel her to flee her home and seek refuge black, white, grey and orange, Anyabwile’s comfortable doing in person. As well as in Helen’s Hope. Though Polly suffers illustrations communicate every strained everyday niggles, Bea shares stories of her much, she remains a joyful, enthusiastic muscle and emotional nuance with a bold conversations with her therapist, Miriam, young woman determined to make things elegance. who encourages her to think ‘two steps better for herself and those she meets. The Crossover is a lyrical and visual journey ahead’ after the grief of her parents’ Her generosity to a damaged, bigoted, through masculinity, teenagehood, sibling separation caused her to have occasional bullying fellow inmate, Ivy, reveals her rivalry, class and race, and childhood outbursts, sometimes violent. Stead is profound human sympathy. Though her passion. By the end, the book asks of all of gifted in creating characters with foibles quixotic actions sometimes have undesired us, what happens when our heroes fall off and flaws, which gives more verisimilitude consequences, her heart is always in their pedestals? to her stories. It is clear that Bea’s parents the right place. Like Don Quixote, her are trying their best, though they don’t ideas also come from reading books, in At first glance, this book may seem to be always get it right and make mistakes like particular by her favourite writer of school just about basketball, but with its energetic everyone else. And Bea comes to realise stories, Angela Brazil. Her coming to terms writing, simple but expressive illustrations that, sometimes, interfering in the hope with her lesbian instincts is subtly and and well-rounded characters, it is an of fixing a situation is not always the best naturally depicted. enthralling read to be enjoyed by the less approach. athletic amongst us and sports fans alike. There is nothing evasive in the way 11+, 12–14, Young Adult A sensitive story focusing on the power of sectarian conflict, misogyny and violence unconditional love. 12–14 are handled; all forms of stereotyping are Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan neatly subverted by Wilkinson’s beautiful Síne Quinn writing. 10–12, 12–14, Young Adult Celia Keenan

41 JULY 2020 Kerry Drewery Samira Ahmed Edited by Patrice Caldwell Illustrated by Natsko Seki MAD, BAD & A PHOENIX FIRST THE LAST PAPER CRANE DANGEROUS TO KNOW MUST BURN HOT KEY BOOKS, APRIL 2020 ATOM, AUGUST 2020 HOT KEY BOOKS, MARCH 2020 PAPERBACK, 276PP, £7.99 PAPERBACK, 336PP, £7.99 PAPERBACK, 368PP, £7.99 ISBN 9781471408472 ISBN 9780349003559 ISBN 9781471409301

This may be one of the most affecting At seventeen Khayyam is already an Sixteen stories of Black girl magic, hope books that I have ever read. And one academic has-been, after a daring art and resistance have been gathered together of the most beautiful. The tragedy that history essay that she thought would by Patrice Caldwell into this unique was the dropping of the atomic bomb make her a prodigy led to humiliation collection. The tales are from bestselling on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is rarely instead. She expects to spend the summer and award-winning authors who explore spoken of today. It is barely remembered in her father’s Paris apartment, licking the Black female experience through by those old enough to do so and totally her wounds and pining over her maybe- fantasy, science-fiction and magic. unknown to many young people. The Last boyfriend’s Instagram feed. An encounter Paper Crane by Kerry Drewery is about with a dashing young descendant of Engaging stories centre around strong remembering. Remembering people, Alexandre Dumas offers her a chance to women and gender-nonconforming places and promises. Illustrated with great prove that her theory about the famous individuals, existing in worlds from the sensitivity by Natsko Seki, it is remarkable writer having been in possession of a lost past, present and the future. Folk tales are for its restraint, its sparse eloquence and its Delacroix painting is right after all. retold and alternative realities are explored. compassion. The characters are witches, schoolgirls, There are many tantalising ingredients at sisters, rebels – highlighting the fact that Mizuki is worried about her grandfather, a play here, including summer romance, a heroines come in all shapes and sizes. survivor of Hiroshima, and to understand historical treasure hunt linking Dumas Bravery links all the characters, though his anxiety she listens to the story of that and Delacroix to a mysterious raven-haired they are dealing with a variety of issues, day in 1945 when his world exploded beauty, and themes of recovering voices such as betrayal, trauma, relationships and without warning. The young Ichiro, his and stories that are lost to time. Ahmed first love. Like any collection, some stories best friend and little sister are catapulted intercuts Khayyam’s narrative with that will appeal more than others, though all into a landscape resembling nothing they of Leila, a nineteenth-century concubine are of a high standard. can comprehend. A promise is made; it is caught up in a forbidden romance. Leila’s almost lost and then redeemed. Moving snippets are full of passion, excitement Patrice Caldwell has done a marvellous between two timescapes, in Haiku, free and even magic, and Khayyam’s own love job of editing this collection, including verse and elegant prose, Kerry Drewery triangle occasionally suffers in comparison. different writing styles across the genres. describes the shock and the loss but never Some of the stories almost feel too short, It’s an interesting choice to invent a dwells on the horror. The baffled young like they are just the beginning or are descendant of a real person in a novel with man is brave and honourable and forgiving. extracted from a longer adventure. A a lot to say about historical appropriation, He bears no anger and no resentment. But Phoenix First Must Burn is a fantastic but modern-day Alexandre is suitably the silent question ‘why?’ rings out from his resource. A contributors’ section ends the charming. Paris is beautifully described, story as he witnesses unspeakable suffering. book, which guides the reader towards and once the duo start sleuthing through what to read next. Young Adult Both the author and the illustrator describe dusty archives and famous buildings, their personal sense of responsibility and there’s a lot of fun to be had. Khayyam Paul Staunton the need to bear witness. They take great is well versed in feminism and post- care to show only what is essential, and colonialism, but as her story converges their clarity of purpose hits home far better with Leila’s, she must decide whether her than a lurid retelling would do. This is not ambitions or her morals matter more. only a very good book; it is an important Young Adult one. We are all stories, the author says. And Rachel Sneyd stories must be read and told and heard in order to live. 12–14, Young Adult Jan Winter

inis reviews 42 Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick Ciara Smyth Megan Cox Gurdon ON MIDNIGHT BEACH THE FALLING IN THE ENCHANTED HOUR: FABER & FABER, APRIL 2020 LOVE MONTAGE THE MIRACULOUS POWER PAPERBACK, 320PP, £7.99 ANDERSEN PRESS, JUNE 2020 OF READING ALOUD IN THE ISBN 9780571355594 PAPERBACK, 400PP, £7.99 AGE OF DISTRACTION ISBN 9781783449668 PIATKUS, APRIL 2020 PAPERBACK, 304PP, £9.99 ISBN 9780349422961

Donegal, 1976. A dolphin appears in Ross After having her heart broken by her first As the Wall Street Journal’s children’s book Bay, reigniting a long-standing rivalry with serious girlfriend, Saoirse has taken a vow reviewer since 2005, the author is well the wealthier town across the water. As not to get seriously involved with anyone. equipped to write about the importance sixteen-year-old Emer embarks on a heated Enter Ruby, the prettiest girl she has ever of reading aloud to children. Drawing on relationship with village hero, Dog, former met, who’s spending the summer with her the latest brain science and behavioural Ross golden boy Gus sees an opportunity cousin Oliver – the boy Saoirse loves to research, Gurdon makes a convincing for revenge. Is Gus in control, or is he hate. Ruby challenges Saoirse to have a argument that being read to is a necessity. being manipulated by powerful, popular summer romance based on all the best bits Stories and examples from real families, Maeve …? from romantic comedies, with none of the including the author’s own, support the On Midnight Beach is The Táin meets serious stuff. It’s the summer after finishing science and give credence to the benefits of The War of the Buttons, and every bit as school, and Saoirse plans to head off to reading aloud. joyful and as devastating as that sounds. Oxford in the autumn. She has nothing to The Enchanted Hour explores how reading Fitzpatrick is a confident, commanding lose by having a bit of fun with Ruby – or aloud can give a cognitive boost to young writer who expertly blends the novel’s does she? children and is especially important era-evoking coming-of-age elements The storyline about Saoirse’s mother, who for premature babies. Another chapter with a deft retelling of Ireland’s ancient has early onset dementia, and her father’s investigates how it positively affects literary tragedy. Her choice to centre side new relationship that Saoirse struggles child development in areas such as trust, characters from the myth, giving voice to accept adds extra poignancy to her empathy, emotions and attention span. to minor players who are reimagined as tale. And the fact that Saoirse knows Interactive reading is also discussed, as sympathetic protagonists, is fascinating. the condition is hereditary helps explain is how it can work wonders for children’s Not telling the story from, for example, her reluctance to commit too much to vocabulary. The main message, however, is Dog’s and Maeve’s points of view is a big anything or anyone. But Ruby has secrets that reading aloud, as a shared experience, risk, and it absolutely pays off. of her own and an ability to empathise that brings families together. Steady, practical Emer’s budding romance Saoirse has underestimated. The Enchanted Hour is a well-researched with the enigmatic Dog initially functions Saoirse is an absolute delight of a heroine – and engaging book, and feels particularly as a straightforward summer love a smart, sassy girl whose wisecracking relevant in this age of screens. It includes story, with the import and inescapable and offhand manner hides a fragile core. some practical tips on how to start reading momentum the author gives to unfolding Teenage struggles – some ordinary, some aloud in your family. There is also a long events adding an extra layer of tension. extraordinary – are depicted so well, with list of recommendations, although some Gus initially acts as more of an avatar of a refreshing honesty about the pressure of of the books mentioned would be more his literary counterpart, his motivations having to make major life decisions at such popular in America. and dialogue slightly less grounded than a young age. Emer’s. Once their stories start to converge, For anyone looking for a convincing however, the necessity of both perspectives In this emotional rollercoaster of a book argument for the importance of reading and the urgency of both arcs become clear. you’ll find yourself laughing out loud aloud, they should be pointed towards this A future classic. Young Adult one minute and welling up the next. A book. Although a review in Inis might feel charming read. Young Adult like preaching to the converted, hopefully Rachel Sneyd Natasha Mac a’Bháird this book will find a wider audience and inspire more people to read aloud. Adult Paul Staunton

43 JULY 2020 reviewers/léirmheastóirí

Shakira Browne is an author-illustrator Ciara O’Siorain is a final-year student who devours books on a daily basis. of English Literature and Classical (What? they’re tasty!) Civilisations at Trinity College. Órla Carr is an English and History Lindsay Quayle supports the Early graduate from UCD, former CBI Years programme at Scottish Book intern and forever lover of books. Trust. She eats, sleeps and breathes children’s books. June Edwards teaches English and literacy in Mountjoy Prison Education Síne Quinn is managing editor at Unit. She has an MA in Children’s Cubicle 7 and the author of Holy Literature. Shocking Saints illustrated by Margaret Anne Suggs, due late 2020. By day, Antoinette Fennell researches everything (from Accessible design to Mary Roche is an education Zoology). By night, when not reading consultant, bookworm and author of to her children, she’s writing and Developing Children’s Critical Thinking illustrating. through Picturebooks. She can usually be found where the books are. Tony Flynn is a visitor experience team leader at MoLI. Andrew Roycroft is a published poet, a constant reader and an avid reviewer Brenda Frawley alphabetised her of books of all types and age ranges. books as a child. No one was surprised when she grew up to be a librarian. Rachel Sneyd is a writer, reviewer and screenwriter who works in politics and Joanna Geoghegan recently completed education. her master’s in Children’s Literature. She is an aspiring author of young Paul Staunton is a primary school adult fiction. teacher with a love of illustration and reading. Olivia Hope is a children’s writer working in the Arts Council’s Creative Jan Winter currently lives in London Schools programme. Her début where she works as a teacher of picturebook Be Wild, Little One will be English and in literacy support. published by Bloomsbury in 2021. Mary Esther Judy always has a children’s book with her. She is a kidlit expert, reviewer, blogger (Fallen Star Stories), an editor and a bookseller. Celia Keenan, former director of the graduate programme in Children’s Literature in SPD and former president of the ISSCL, researches children’s literature and culture. Becky Long has a PhD in Children’s Literature from Trinity College Dublin and works as a programme coordinator for TCD’s Access Programme. Natasha Mac a’Bháird is an author and editor. Her latest books are Laura’s Spooky Show in the Star Club series and Reindeer Down. Is príomhoide bunscoile í Freda Mills. Oibríonn sí in Iarthar Chorcaí. Is breá léi a bheith ag léamh agus a bheith ag scríobh. Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan is an arts manager, writer and spoken word performer, living in Dublin. inis features 44 Children’s Books Ireland is the We coordinate an annual celebration What do our members get? national children’s books organisation of reading throughout the month of • Three issues of Inis magazine every of Ireland. 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