A selection of gorgeous books to add to your Christmas shopping list! A Field Guide to Leaflings by Owen Churcher and Niamh Sharkey, Templar Publishing (age 4 – 7) Both educational and entertaining, this combines real facts about trees with tiny fictional caretakers. The intricate illustrations by Irish artist and author Niamh Sharkey include flaps to lift on every page. Frindleswylde by Natalia O'Hara and Lauren O'Hara, Walker Books (age 5 – 9) A modern fairy tale that feels

We're joining in with the #8BrilliantBooks Instagram challenge created by Esther of @mrsbrownsbookbox and Laura of @loveableliterature again. This week the theme is books preparing children for a return to the classroom or their first experience of school. This selection also includes stories that are perfect for helping preschoolers and toddlers adjust to nurseries and creches too... All about a playful primate’s interactions with his classmates, this helps children learn to

We're joining in with the #8BrilliantBooks Instagram challenge created by Esther of @mrsbrownsbookbox and Laura of @loveableliterature again, but giving it an Irish twist! This week's theme is books published in 2021 to date. Even though we're only halfway through the year, there have been so many wonderful new books, it would be impossible to choose only eight! We have reviewed exactly eight titles by Irish authors &/or illustrators, however, and here they all are. Click on

Empathy is learnable – only 10% of our empathic ability is genetic,” according to Miranda McKearney OBE, the founder of EmpathyLab. Mc Kearney adds that,"Scientists say that reading builds empathy,” and EmpathyLab has put together a reading list on their website. Inspired by this and Esther and Laura's latest #8BrilliantBooks #Bookstagram prompt, here are just some of the excellent stories we’ve reviewed which are ideal for fostering empathy... Picture Books A Smile by Raoul

Exciting picture books releasing in July, August & September 2021 Here they are in order of release date and updated with our reviews - click on a cover to read more about each book... Read our review of There is No Dragon in this Story by Lou Carter and Deborah Allwright Read our review of Scribbly by Ged Adamson Read our review of This is NOT an Unicorn! by Barry Timms and Ged Adamson Read our interview with Ged Adamson Read our review of Three Little Vikings and our interv

Children's Book Week 2021 promotes reading as a "superpower." To celebrate Children's Book Week, Esther of Mrs Brown's Book Box has chosen books that help children find their own superpower as this week's #8BrilliantBooks theme. Here's our selection of picture books, chapter books, middle grade and young adult fiction to inspire and encourage readers. Click on the links in the titles to see a longer review for each book. Picture Books Today I'm Strong by Nadiya Hussein and El

From child-friendly anthologies to stories narrated through verse, these gorgeous books are ideal for introducing children to the wonders of poetry... Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright! An Animal Poem for Every Day of the Year, selected by Fiona Waters and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup, Nosy Crow, September 2020 A magnificent collection of 366 animal poems, one for each day of the year, including leap years. Every possible creature appears to have been represented, from elephan

Go exploring with these brilliant books... Welcome to our World: A Celebration of Children Everywhere by Moira Butterfield and Harriet Lynas, Nosy Crow, January 2021 This introduces children to different traditions and languages from around the globe, with almost 100 countries featured. Interesting facts are presented in an entertaining and child-friendly format. Fabulous illustrations make this even more appealing to little readers. Read a longer review and take a peek insid

Fabulous picture books releasing in April, May and June that we're really excited about - now updated with links to reviews of each title Here they are in order of release date. We've since got our hands on each book and they didn't disappoint! Click on a cover to read our review. This post was shared as part of #8brilliantbooks on Instagram, created by Esther of @mrsbrownsbookbox and Laura of @loveableliterature. Take a look at their brilliant #Bookstagram pages for more rea

Spring is in the air with these gorgeous picture books... Finn's Garden Friends by Rachel Lawston and Lia Visirin, Pikku Publishing, April 2021 A fantastic new story about a little boy who misses the countryside after moving to the city. This shows readers that they don't need to go into the wilderness to be close to nature, and encourages children to take an interest in the environment. Read a longer review + an interview with author Rachel Lawston... Dream Big, Little Mole

Here are a few of our favourite funny reads... Picture Books Gnome by Fred Blunt, Andersen Press, February 2020 This cautionary tale like no other introduces readers to a grumpy gnome whose favourite word is "No!" Expect the unexpected and plenty of side-splitting, laugh-out-loud moments. Pantomime-like elements make this appealing to children of all ages. Although Mr Gnome is extremely grumpy, he is guaranteed to put readers in a good mood, and this book is bound to be requ

Eight inspiring picture books with powerful princesses We've been sharing empowering and stereotype-squashing stories all week for International Women's Day. Here's a selection of our favourite picture books featuring powerful princesses... Here Be Dragons by Susannah Lloyd and Paddy Donnelly, Frances Lincoln, February 2021 This brand new story from Susannah Lloyd and Irish illustrator Paddy Donnelly is about a pompous knight whose observation skills leave a lot to be desi