eason x children's books ireland
This collection of titles has been carefully curated by the book experts at Children’s Books Ireland.
The Eason X Children's Books Ireland mission is to highlight the work of Ireland’s talented children’s authors and illustrators. We aim to provide valuable recommendations to children, parents and care-givers, including books in English and As Gaeilge, for readers aged 0 to 18

 

A selection of songs and rhymes from the iconic Gugalaí Gug! Since the publication of the original edition in 2005, Gugalaí Gug! has sold more than 12,000 copies. This new sound book edition features six songs and rhymes from the original book. Press the buttons to listen!

Rafi and Rita are twins. They are almost exactly the same in every single way. Except … they both think they are the tallest!

Rafi is so tall he has to be careful not to bang his head on the moon. Rita is as tall as a Tallasaurus, which is definitely a real dinosaur. Rafi is SO tall he's written a (really annoying) song about it:

I'm taller than you
I'm taller than you
I'm the King of Tall Town
And it's front-page news!
Oh yes, I'm taller than you!

A side-splittingly funny tale of sibling rivalry that escalates to a charming twist, with hilarious words by the inimitable Jarvis, author of Alan's Big, Scary Teeth, and colourful illustrations throughout from the creator of The Lonely Beast, Chris Judge. The perfect book to defuse tension between competitive siblings with a great big belly laugh!

This little elephant is GOING CAMPING! And no, DAD, he will not need his teddies - he's FIVE. Besides, you don't need teddies out in the wild, OK? Not even when it is dark (so dark) and the sky is endless black and there are scrunchy-crunchy noises all around... This little elephant is going camping. He's never been before and he can't wait for marshmallows on sticks, singing by the campfire and sleeping under the stars! When his grown-up asks, "Now, are you sure you don't want to bring a teddy?" He's SURE. He's way too old for for teddies. So, goodbye and good luck Mr Conkie, Gladys the hedgehog, Sugarpie and Bad Debbie (who really is bad) and it's all sun's out, tent up, fire lit ... oh yeah. But when night comes … it's so quiet, and dark and spooky in the tent and - guess what? - HE WANTS HIS TEDDIES! Luckily, quick-thinking Dad comes up with the perfect solution: Sockflea! Two (slightly smelly) socks become - ta-da! - a loveable rabbit. The perfect sock teddy for cosying up to. Goofy, deliciously funny and very relatable, Laura Dockrill and Eva Byrne have made a true laugh-out-loud picture book about being brave and adventuring in the great outdoors.
ONE UNUSUAL FAMILY, ONE UNFORGETTABLE SUMMER . . . A true story brought to life by superstar bestselling duo, Eoin McLaughlin and Emma Chichester Clark, paired together for the very first time! 'A smile on every page, a joy from beginning to end. A truly adorable book.' Michael Morpurgo 'A very special book. I loved it.' Polly Dunbar, author/illustrator of Penguin The caravan was in a field behind a hedge. And beyond the hedge was the sea. The caravan smelled old and damp. The caravan smelled like you were on holiday . . . Eoin lives with his Nana, and every year they make their way to their caravan for the whole of the summer . . . There Eoin has the freedom to go off with his friends for hours on end, and to roam the beach. One day the waves come up really high - will they get through to the other side? A warm, cosy story full of laughter and adventure about one epic summer spent in a caravan. An homage to alternative families, based on the author's own childhood.

"A stunning debut - crackles with myth and magic. A triumph!" Patricia Forde, Irish Children's Laureate

Jacq Dyer is the daughter of renowned giant hunters and is soon to follow in their footsteps. Everyone knows that giants are violent, senseless creatures ... aren't they?

But when an accident leaves Jacq lost and injured in the wilderness, she comes face-to-face with Corman, a young giant.

As they uncover the truth about each other's worlds, they find that not all tall tales are true - and that it's up to them to set things right.

With the sweeping adventure of Impossible Creatures, the unlikely friendship of The Last Bear and the action and pace of Skandar, this is the must-read middle-grade adventure of the year.

Praise for The Thing About Giants:

"A truly exceptional fantasy adventure. A big, epic world with characters that will capture your heart. I loved it." AF Steadman, author of Skandar

"A thrilling and immersive adventure with a giant heart." Pari Thomson, author of Greenwild

"Warm, funny and filled with heart, this is a wonderful adventure. Chris Galvin is a new middle grade star." Padraig Kenny

"A stunning debut - crackles with myth and magic. A triumph!" Patricia Forde, Irish Children's Laureate

"A gripping read from the first page that transports the reader into a world that is both fantastical and relatable." Eilish Fisher, award-winning author of Fia and the Last Snow Deer

Skandar meets The BFG in this powerful, cinematic middle grade adventure from a stand-out new Irish voice.

Meet Séamus Murphy, an 11-year-old from Callan, Co. Kilkenny; and the only member of his wildly successful family who isn't even a tiny bit famous. His dad's a 14-time all-Ireland spud-eating champion, his mam is a multi-award-winning baker, his younger sister's just gone viral on the Toy Show and his little brother seems to be good at, well, everything!

Séamus is determined to change his fate. With his best friend Dara by his side, he's hatching a plan to go full-on famous; red carpets, flashing lights, the whole lot. Maybe then his family will take him seriously. And maybe Grace (who he definitely doesn't fancy, not even a little bit) will finally know he exists. After all, why just be a Séamus, when you could be a famous Séamus

Ideal for readers who:

  • Have a real soft spot for funny Irish stories packed with family chaos and big ambitions.
  • Recognise everyday school worries, friendship dramas and the universal desire to be seen.
  • Are drawn to a warm, Kilkenny-set narrative filled with local humour and genuine heart.
  • Pick up lively middle-grade comedies where typical insecurities become part of the fun.

'They came from the sea, shrouded in cloaks and mystery' A lonely summer looms ahead for Lana, with only Nan and Grandad for company. Still, it's better than being stuck at home, living in her perfect brother's shadow. But Carrig Cottage has magic and secrets of its own. When Lana finds a strange coat in the attic, and a book about mysterious, magical seal people - selkies - she also uncovers an incredible family secret. Lana is on the edge of a whole new, impossible world. Is this where she truly belongs?

Ideal for readers who:

  • Pick up enchanting children’s fantasy stories deeply rooted in traditional Irish folklore.
  • Love uncovering long-hidden family secrets that suddenly open up a magical world.
  • Want to hear ancient selkie legends come alive through sea magic and coastal mystery.
  • Treasure gentle, highly atmospheric stories focusing on identity, belonging and mystical inheritance.

A hilarious, heartwarming twist on Greek mythology, perfect for anyone who has ever felt a little bit different. Alex is like any other twelve-year-old: he's trying to survive school, navigate awkward body changes, and avoid his parents' embarrassing "talks". But Alex is hiding a secret... Alex is part-minotaur. You read that right - part-boy, part-bull. Instead of just battling with spots the size of Mars (thanks, puberty) and the looming school musical, he also has to worry about horns, hooves, and seriously hairy toes! And Alex soon learns that he isn't the only monster in town. Every creature of myth has a legendary destiny and Alex is about to find out his… With heart, humour, and a lot of mythological chaos, Shane Hegarty's Minotaur Boy is a fantastical twist on the everyday embarrassments of growing up and the struggle to fit in. This myth-inspired middle-grade adventure for children 8-12 will resonate with and inspire anyone who's ever felt different… or anyone who has ever been hunted by a demi-god!

Ideal for readers who:

  • Enjoy witty middle-grade mythological adventures dealing with puberty, difference and school survival.
  • Want to see how being a part-minotaur makes the already awkward process of growing up even more chaotic.
  • Connect clever Greek myths with real-world themes of body changes, family talks and classroom embarrassment.
  • Appreciate warm, hilarious stories that make the experience of feeling a bit different a lot less lonely.

A story of sisterhood, secrets and standing up for what you believe in from the award-winning author of The Little Bee Charmer of Henrietta Street and The Weather Girls

It's 1956. When thirteen-year-old bookworm Rosy Heron and her big sister Martha are sent to Dublin to help their aunt Toto in her busy bookshop for the summer, their quiet lives change overnight.

The two sisters quickly become part of the Baggot Books team as junior booksellers and bicycle delivery girls. But the bookshop is also full of secrets. Where does their aunt disappear to at night, and what exactly is happening in the basement of the shop? Rosy is determined to solve the mystery, but she's not the only one interested in the goings-on in Baggot Books …

Ideal for readers who:

  • Adore historical children’s fiction centered on sisterly bonds, hidden secrets and personal courage.
  • Want to settle into a 1950s Dublin bookshop filled with bicycle deliveries, intrigue and unexpected change.
  • Look for rich Irish settings where family loyalty, hard work and standing up for yourself truly matter.
  • Prefer warm, accessible stories that beautifully balance gentle suspense with rich period detail.

“Working with Eason is such a brilliant way to spotlight the incredibly talented and hard-working Irish and Irish-based writers and illustrators we have on this island. Children and young people deserve to experience the richness and diversity of Irish society and culture expressed in literature. We hope that the Children’s Books Ireland selections in stores and online will act as a mark of quality Irish books, giving families confidence in our Recommended Irish Reads and providing young readers with a diverse range of stories to pick up and enjoy.”
Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland