Peachicks, Penguins, and Pigs—Ruth Ennis on picture books
As we reach the end of the year, it’s a good time to reflect on some of the many excellent picture books by Irish authors and illustrators published this year. Here you’ll find recommendations of books that will open your eyes to new perspectives, make you laugh out loud, and are guaranteed to be enjoyed by readers of all ages (though most of these books are perfect for 2+ years).
First up we have Dexter Lost His Boo-Woo written by Shane Hegarty and illustrated by Ben Mantle (Hachette). Dexter is distraught when he realises he’s lost his Boo-Woo, a mythical creature that is increasingly terrifying as Dexter describes it to those helping him search for it. Soon he has a band of emergency services looking for this beast in a panic. But when they find the Boo-Woo, all is not as it seems; there’s a great twist at the end of the book.
This is a fun, light-hearted story with plenty of visual gags for the eagle-eyed reader to enjoy
This is a fun, light-hearted story with plenty of visual gags for the eagle-eyed reader to enjoy. A favourite moment in the search for this beast is when a firefighter looks under a dog, and a helicopter pilot looks under a woman’s hat, and surprisingly don’t find the beast hidden beneath!
Keeping the laughs going, What Is Black and White? by John Kane (Templar) is a riot from beginning to end. The book consists of a call and response with the reader, asking a question and encouraging the reader to guess what answer they’ll find on the next page. What is black and white? A penguin. What is black and white and can’t fly? Still a penguin. What is black and white and is cool and fast? A penguin on a skateboard.
This book nails its comedic beats; the additions grow more and more ludicrous, and more and more hilarious
This book nails its comedic beats; the additions grow more and more ludicrous, and more and more hilarious. Perfect for reading aloud and audience participation, this is an absolute must-have for any storytime in libraries or classrooms.
Next on the list is I Love You by Mary Murphy (Happy Yak). Big Panda and Little Panda share all the different ways they love each other; like a bowl of fruit, like a sandy trail, like summer showers.
This is a charming book with a steady rhyming scheme, perfect for bedtime reading
This is a charming book with a steady rhyming scheme, perfect for bedtime reading. The closing line is especially touching: “We’re such a happy pair and I’m a very lucky bear… because I know you love me back.” Currently available as a paperback, I’d love to see this as a board book as well. An ode to the love between a parent and child, this is a sweet and simple book that would be a welcome addition to any home.
The Golden Hare by Paddy Donnelly (The O’Brien Press) is a follow on from The Vanishing Lake, with Meara and Grandad making a reappearance. Grandad tells Meara about the mystifying golden hare, and together they set out on a journey to find it. They travel across the great outdoors through forests, mountains, rivers, and more. Grandad and Meara discover plenty of natural wonders, before Meara finds the golden hare in an unexpected place.
This is a heartwarming story depicting a loving relationship between a grandparent and grandchild
This is a heartwarming story depicting a loving relationship between a grandparent and grandchild, bonding over their love for animals and nature. The illustrations are stunning, particularly the landscape work between the sunset and night sky spreads. Young readers will especially enjoy rereading this as they look back over each page to find a secret golden hare hidden in every page. A fabulous book, highly recommended.
The Fairy Queen written by Chrissy Donoghue Ward and illustrated by Monika Mitkute (Little Island, Skein Press) is an original tale rooted in the oral tradition of the Traveller community. A greedy king and queen arrive in Ireland and demand money from the people in the community. The Travellers trade their work for food, and so have no money for them to take. They hide from the soldiers hunting them, when they meet the Fairy Queen who transforms them into fairies to keep them safe. Every time the soldiers come searching for money, the Traveller fairies use magic to blow them away, eventually driving the king and queen to leave the country.
The classic illustration style is well matched to the story
This book is a transcription of one version of this story told by Chrissy Donoghue Ward orally. The cadence and phrasing of the text honours this style of storytelling and creates a wonderfully unique reading experience. The classic illustration style is well matched to the story. Best suited for slightly older readers due to the longer text, this is a well-produced book that is very much worth exploring.
Next is an Irish language picturebook, Na Trí Mhuicín written by Áine Ní Ghlinn and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly (Futa Fata). This is a retelling of the Three Little Pigs folktale told in verse. The three pigs leave home and build three houses out of straw, grass, and bricks respectively. When a hungry wolf is on the hunt for a meal, he huffs and puffs and tries to blow the houses down.
The text demonstrates an expert command of rhythm and rhyme, leading to effortless engagement
The text demonstrates an expert command of rhythm and rhyme, leading to effortless engagement from the reader, regardless of their level of Gaeilge. The illustrations are energetic and a pleasure to look at, flowing perfectly in sync with the writing. A favourite spread is when the wolf is straining to blow the house of bricks down to no avail. A truly excellent book and a must-read.
Sequel to The Dead Zoo, The Great Discovery by Peter Donnelly (Gill Books) returns to a familiar setting of the National Museum of Natural History and its curator Mr Gray. Preparations are in full swing for the museum’s grand reopening, but Mr Gray feels something is missing. When he gets a call about a mysterious bone found in a lady’s garden, he goes off to investigate. As more bones appear, it’s not long before Mr Gray finds that something special that’s perfect for the grand reopening.
With charming and bright illustrations throughout, this is a sweet book in a recognisably Irish setting
This is a jolly book that goes to show that bones and archaeology are just nature’s giant jigsaw puzzles, once you find all the pieces! With charming and bright illustrations throughout, this is a sweet book in a recognisably Irish setting well worth visiting after you finish reading this book.
Lastly on this list is What is a Peachick written by Erika McGann and illustrated by Clive McFarland (The O’Brien Press). Our protagonist wonders: what is a peachick? Then, her mind wanders as she ponders what other fruits and vegs have chicks too. Before long she is imagining what the chicks of inanimate objects are like; umbrellas, socks, cushions, and more. Will she ever find out what a chickpea is? You’ll have to read to the end to find out.
Hugely entertaining, I absolutely adored this book
This is a delightfully joyful book exploring the meanderings of a mind when faced with a word that doesn’t make immediate sense. The mismatched illustration style of McFarland’s colourful collage is perfectly suited to the disjointed musings of the story. Hugely entertaining, I absolutely adored this book and look forward to seeing more collaborations with this duo in the future.
With the end of the year just around the corner, there is no better time to curl up with a blanket, hot chocolate, and one of these excellent picture books – no matter what age you are.
