Children's Books Ireland Collection at DCU Library Exhibition 2023

The Shadows of Rookhaven was written by Pádraig Kenny, illustrated by Edward Bettison, and published by Macmillan Children’s Books in London, 2021. This book is a sequel to The Monsters of Rookhaven. Both titles have won the Honour Award for Fiction, in 2021, and 2022, respectively at the KPMG Children's Books Ireland awards. The books follow Mirabelle, a half human, half monster and her family in their village of Rookhaven. This sequel explores themes of family, belonging, loss, and difference. 

Gut Feelings is written by C.G. Moore, illustrated by Becky Chilcott, and published by uclanpublishing, Preston in 2021. This verse novel won the Book of the Year Award at the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards in 2022. The story centres on Chris and a diagnosis he received aged 11 that would change the rest of his life. This coming of age novel shines a light on chronic illness, who we are and how we live.

Frindleswylde is written by Natalia O'Hara, illustrated by Lauren O’Hara, and published by Walker Books, London in 2021. This book is the O'Hara sisters third children's book and won the Honour Award for Illustration at the KPMG Children's Books of the Year Awards in 2022. Frindleswylde is a mysterious boy who sneaks into Cora and Granny's house in the woods, and steals the light from their lantern. Without it, Granny will not be able to find her way home in the dark. 

The Book of Secrets by Alex Dunne, with cover illustration by Shona Shirley Macdonald was published by O’Brien Press, Dublin in 2022. It won the Eilís Dillon Award in 2023.  The Trooping Fairies arrive in Clonbridge for their revels, awakening other creatures with mischief and chaos in mind. Cat Donnelly and her friends are planning the ultimate trick-or-treating strategy, but with the Fairies in town, this Halloween she needs all her courage and cunning to save her family.

The Boy Who Lost His Spark by Maggie O’Farrell, and illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini was published Walker Books, London in 2022. It is winner of the 2023 Honour Award for Fiction. The book follows, Jem, whose family has moved to the countryside and he does not like it one bit. It’s an old cottage on the side of a hill, where strange things keep happening. Jem’s sister Verity is certain it is the work of a “nouka”, an ancient creature from local folklore that lives deep down inside the hill. Jem, however, is adamant that there is no such thing. But this small mythical creature, so attuned to the hearts and minds of others, does exist. And, what’s more, it is determined, through mischief and mayhem, to help Jem reignite the spark within himself once more.

Asking for It by Louise O’Neill published by Quercus Publishing, London in 2015. It won the 2016 Honour Award for Fiction. Asking For It is a novel about the life-shattering impact of sexual assault, rape and how victims are treated. Emma O'Donovan is different. She is the special one - beautiful, popular, powerful. And she works hard to keep it that way. Until that night . . . Now, she's an embarrassment. Now, she's just a slut. Now, she is nothing. And those pictures - those pictures that everyone has seen - mean she can never forget.

bog child by Siobhan Dowd was published by David Fickling Books, Oxford in 2008 - one year after the author's death. It was winner of the Book of the Year Award in 2009. It is an historical novel set in 1980s Ireland. Digging for peat in the mountain with his Uncle Tally, Fergus finds the body of a child: a child who appears to have been murdered. As Fergus tries to make sense of the mad world around him – his brother on hunger-strike in prison, his growing feelings for Cora, his parents arguing over the Troubles, and him in it up to the neck – a little voice comes to him in his dreams. Slowly, the mystery of the bog child unfurls. The novel explores the sacrifices made in the name of peace, and the unflinching strength of the human spirit.

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt with pictures by Oliver Jeffers was published by HarperCollins, London in 2013. It was winner of Children’s Choice Award in 2014. Drawing a picture is lots of work. Now these crayons have had enough. When Duncan opens his crayon box, all he finds is notes which say ‘we quit’. Orange and Yellow are bitter rivals. Blue is sick of water. Beige feels unloved. Will they ever draw pictures together again?

Shh! We Have a Plan is written and illustrated by Chris Haughton, and was published by Walker Books, London in 2014. It was winner of Honour Award for Illustration in 2015. The friends are out for a walk. Suddenly, they spot it – a beautiful bird perched high in a tree! They simply must have it and – ssh! – they have a plan.

Bliain na nAmhrán le Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, maisithe ag Christina O’Donovan, Brian Fitzgerald, Tarsila Krüse agus Jennifer Farley, Futa Fata, An Spidéal in 2016. Amhráin agus Rannta faoi cheithre shéasúr na bliana le dlúthdhiosca. Buaiteoir – Gradam Speisialta na Moltóirí, 2017.

Bliain na nAmhrán by Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, illustrated by Christina O'Donovan, Brian Fitzgerald, Tarsila Krùse and Jennifer Farley and published by Futa Fata, in 2016. Bliain na nAmhrán is a collection of Irish-language songs of the seasons, winner of the Judges' Special Award 2017. 

Daideo le hÁine Ní Ghlinn,  foilsithe ag Cois Life, Baile Átha Cliath, i 2014. Buaiteoir na Gradamdhuaise d’Fhicsean ag Gradaim Leabhair na Bliana i 2015. Buachaill ar a theitheadh óna thuismitheoirí. Seanduine ar a theitheadh óna pháistí. Castar ar a chéile iad ar an traein go Baile Átha Cliath. Éisteann siad le scéalta a cheile. Tuigeann siad a chéile. Cén toradh a bheidh ar an gcairdeas nua seo?

Daideo by Áine Ní Ghlinn was published by Cois Life, Dublin in 2014. It was the 2015 winner of the Honour Award for Fiction. A boy on the run from his parents. An old man on the run from his children. They meet on the train to Dublin and listen to each other’s stories. They understand each other. What will be the result of this new friendship?

An Tóraíocht le Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, maisithe ag The Cartoon Saloon, agus foilsithe ag Cló Mhaigh Eo i 2002. Buaiteoir gradam i 2002. Tá an grá agus and t-éad fite fuaite lena chéile sa scéal tragóideach seo ina chuireann Gráinne an laoch óg, Diarmaid, faoi gheasa í a bhreith leis ón bhfear a bhfuil sí geallta leis. 

An Tóraíocht by Colmán Ó Raghallaigh, illustrated by The Cartoon Saloon, agus published by Cló Mhaigh Eo in 2002. Merit award winner 2003. A haunting tale of love and jealousy where Gráinne and Diarmaid are relentlessly pursued by Fionn whose desire for revenge must inevitably lead to tragic consequences. A graphic novel illustrated by the Cartoon Saloon.