THE WINNERS OF THE KPMG CHILDREN’S BOOKS IRELAND AWARDS 2020

BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER: Máire Zepf for Nóinín HONOUR AWARD FOR FICTION WINNER: Sarah Crossan for Toffee HONOUR AWARD FOR ILLUSTRATION WINNER: Ashling Lindsay for The Tide EILÍS DILLON AWARD WINNER: Kim Sharkey for Mór agus Muilc THE JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARD WINNER: Meg Grehan for The Deepest Breath Five women are today recognised in the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2020, announced by book-loving broadcaster Rick O’Shea, in a ceremony shared online for the first time in the Awards’ thirty years history.  The Awards are the most prestigious prizes for children’s books in Ireland and celebrate the very best of Irish writing and illustration for younger people, and this year the prize fund doubled compared to last year, with thanks to new title sponsors KPMG. This year books for all ages, from picturebooks to young adult novels have received awards, with the winners including authors and illustrators of three verse novels, two books written in the Irish language, and two dealing with topics around dementia, with two awards going to artists from Northern Ireland and two to artists based in Donegal. The winner of the new KPMG Reading Hero award was also announced, recognising a young person’s potential… Read More

2019/2020 KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards Judges

We are so grateful to all our 2019/2020 KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards judges. The panel has a tremendous breadth of experience and they did an incredible job, which we deeply appreciate! Also to note Alexzander Dunne our seventeen year old fourth year student judge for his excellent commitment to this task. The judges had a lot to read (99 books in total!) and it is a very rigorous and demanding process. Here’s who they are, we are so proud to have had them and we want to thank them for all the hard work they put in over many months. Valerie Coghlan, vice-President of the Board of Bookbird, Inc., is an independent researcher and lecturer. She was recently presented with an honorary award by iBbY Ireland for services to children’s literature.  Alexzander Dunne aged seventeen is a fourth year student in Trinity Comprehensive School Ballymun. His favourite subject is English. His current favourite author is Stephen King. His favourite series is Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy.  Is léachtóir le Gaeilge í Claire M. Dunne in Institiúid Oideachais Marino. Bhí sí ina heagarthóir Gaeilge ar Rogha Leabhar ó 2015 ar aghaidh. Claire M. Dunne is Gaeilge lecturer in Marino Institute of Education.… Read More

Messages for 6th Class

Inspirational video messages from famous Irish faces released for 6thclass students to mark the end of their school year Children’s writer, Sarah Webb has invited well known people to record short inspirational videos for 6thclass students to mark the end of their school year. Writers, actors, sports people and scientists have all come on board to help the 6thclass of 2020 graduate in style.  Including: Amy Huberman, Paul Howard, Sinéad Burke, Eoin Colfer, Rob Kearney, Gordon D’Arcy, Robin Stevens, Dave Rudden, Marita Conlon-McKenna, John Boyne, Zainab Boladale, Dr Sindy Joyce, Sinead Moriarty, Onjali Q. Raúf, Dr Norah Patten and Derek Landy. There will be four video messages available, including one as Gaeilge for gaelscoileanna and gaeilgoirs delivered by the new Laureate na nÓg, Áine Ní Ghlinn, along with fellow writers Sadhbh Devlin, Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, Patricia Forde and Muíreann Ní Chiobháin. A message will also be delivered in Irish Sign Language (ISL).  We are delighted to  partner with Sarah and to host the videos on our website and via the Children’s Books Ireland’s channel on YouTube which can be accessed from Saturday 23rd May at 10am. 

Create Outdoors with Cairn Homes

We’re back with Create Outdoors with Cairn Homes and Children’s Books Ireland, with even more excellent titles, carefully chosen by Children’s Books Ireland Book Doctor Ruth Concannon. This time we’re focusing on books for the 9 – 12 age group,  brilliant books that will encourage children to get outside and have fun. Read the full reviews below! 9–12 JUANITA BROWNE aistrithe ag FIDELMA NÍ GHALLCHOBHAIR maisithe ag AOIFE QUINN AINMHITHE NA hÉIREANN  COIS LIFE 2018 (BOG) 66LCH €12.00 ISBN 9781907494758 Leabhar faisnéise gleoite é seo a thugann eolas dúinn ar ár n-ainmhithe dúchasacha, idir an Luch Fhéir bheag bhídeach agus an Míol Mór Gorm mór millteach. Insítear dúinn cá bhfuil cónaí orthu, an méid a itheann siad, agus cé chomh mór is atá siad i gcomparáid le duine. Tá léaráidí agus grianghraif ghalánta ar gach leathanach, a spreagfaidh spéis an léitheora. Ag an deireadh, tá gluais chuimsitheach agus leideanna le heolas faoin bhfiadhúlra. Oiriúnach do theach, scoil nó leabharlann ar bith. Thar barr! MICHAEL KELLY & MUIREANN NÍ CHIOBHÁIN illustrated by FATTI BURKE GIY’S KNOW-IT-ALLMANAC: THE ULTIMATE FAMILY GUIDE TO GROWING AND COOKING FOOD THROUGH THE YEAR GIY IRELAND 2019 (HBK) 104PP €25.00 ISBN 9780993042621 A riotous, fully-illustrated guide to… Read More

Children’s Books Ireland International Conference 2020 – Cancelled

We are sorry to announce that we have taken the decision to cancel the Children’s Books Ireland International Conference 2020. With the current restrictions in place, little information about future international travel restrictions and social distancing measures likely to continue for some time, planning the event and running it safely and successfully is not feasible. We understand that the news will be disappointing for our members and supporters who attend the conference every year, as it is for us. We will not be running a digital conference in this instance but we remain committed to providing support for our sector and our community of practice in other ways throughout the year. We look forward to welcoming back our speakers and attendees in 2021, and would like to thank our supporters, including the artists and publishers who make the conference possible, our attendees, the Light House Cinema for hosting the event and the Gutter Bookshop, our conference bookseller, which is open for business online and offering a click and collect or delivery service.  The Children’s Books Ireland International Conference is an event that provides a unique opportunity to reflect on the impact, imagination and importance of books for young people. Inviting… Read More

The Robert Dunbar Memorial Libraries 2019/20

Children’s Books Ireland is pleased to announce the six schools which have been chosen to receive the 2019/20 Robert Dunbar Memorial Libraries, named in memory of our former patron and long-time friend of the organisation. Children’s Books Ireland received three hundred applications from schools all over the island of Ireland for this round and has received over 700 applications in the three years that the scheme has been in existence. This year, we are pleased to be able to extend the scheme to six schools, an increase from the three schools advertised.  There are now fifteen Robert Dunbar Memorial Libraries across the island of Ireland. The winning schools and their Champions of Reading are: Primary Schools Aillebrack National School Galway Alan Nolan Graiguenamanagh National School Kilkenny Alan Early St Conaire’s National School Clare Judi Curtin Sunday’s Well Boys National School Cork Olivia Golden Secondary Schools Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School Waterford Sarah Maria Griffin St Aloysius’s Girls Secondary School Cork Sarah Maria Griffin Each school was originally to receive libraries worth up to €2500 plus an artist as Champion of Reading visiting the school six times. With the current Covid-19 crisis, we have been working with each school to… Read More

Recipients of the 2020 Children’s Books Ireland and Tyrone Guthrie Centre Bursary Awards for Mid-Career Children’s Books Artists Announced

Children’s Books Ireland and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre are pleased to announce Ashling Lindsay, Shona Shirley McDonald, Nicola Pierce, Margaret Anne Suggs and Máire Zepf as recipients of the 2020 Children’s Books Ireland/Tyrone Guthrie Centre bursaries. With each artist taking part in a week-long residency at the centre in Annaghmakerrig, these bursaries are designed specifically for mid-career children’s books authors or illustrators. While several schemes exist to support emerging and debut artists, these bursaries support more experienced, published authors and illustrators who require time and space to focus on their craft to the benefit of their continuing careers, complemented with a focus on creative exchange and collaboration. All five residencies are achievable thanks to partnerships with other bodies. Support for author/illustrator Shona Shirley McDonald is provided by Waterford City and County Council Arts Office; Fingal County Council Arts Office are providing support for illustrator Margaret Anne Suggs’ bursary and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre is supporting illustrator and Belfast resident Ashling Lindsay as a Northern Irish artist. The Laureate na nÓg project is an additional partner, funding KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year Award winner Máire Zepf as an artist working in the Irish language as well as author… Read More

Inis news

Inis magazine, in print and online, is the most important record of the development of Irish children’s literature. It is a rare source of regular review for Irish authors, illustrators and publishers and Irish-language texts and as such it is vital for the promotion of Irish works for young audiences and for the career development of Irish artists. It has documented the growth and status of children’s literature studies as an academic discipline and we are about to publish our sixtieth issue! We are bidding farewell to Juliette Saumande, Reviews Editor, and Siobhán McNamara, Irish Language Editor, who leave us after over a decade of work between them dedicated to this magazine. They have imbued the publication with their warmth, wisdom and expertise and have been a pleasure to work with. Both Juliette and Siobhán will continue to work with Children’s Books Ireland in other guises, and we thank them wholeheartedly for all they have brought to Inis and to the team. We are excited to introduce our new editorial team, expanded to three in response to the increased volume of submissions: Kim Harte (0–9), Becky Long (10–YA) and Muireann Ní Chíobháin (Irish Language Reviews Editor). Kim rejoins the Children’s… Read More

Children’s Books Ireland is hiring!

We are looking for a dynamic individual who would like to be part of our busy team. Click through the link above for detailed job specification and details on how to apply.  Applications must be received by 4pm on Friday 10 July 2020. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.

15,000 children experiencing disadvantage to receive #ImagineNation playbook

Next week we will start delivering an additional 15,000 copies of the beautifully produced #ImagineNation playbook to children who are in real need and experiencing disadvantage, living in direct provision centres or emergency accommodation, children experiencing homelessness, children’s hospitals and children’s charities all over Ireland. The #ImagineNation playbook was created in partnership between An Post and Children’s Books Ireland and with the kind and generous support of The Community Foundation for Ireland, we can now bring the playbook to even more children alongside colouring materials so those children who are most in need can experience the joy of books, reading and creativity. The #ImagineNation playbook brings together Ireland’s best children’s writers and illustrators who have created activities, puzzles, and colouring-in pages that we hope will delight, entertain and spark creativity amongst children. Even more pages of fun activities have been added to the playbook from leading artists and illustrators including Malachy Doyle, Andrew Whitson, Peter Donnelly, Debbie Thomas and Alan Nolan. Download your #ImagineNation playbook here today. You will also find each page available to download individually on the #ImagineNation page our website. Do post your creations using #ImagineNation on social media and tag An Post, Children’s Books Ireland and The Community Foundation for… Read More

Children’s Books Ireland Artists’ Coffee Morning

Children’s Books Ireland recently undertook some survey research and a subsequent Zoom Artists Forum to assess the effect COVID-19 has had on the working lives of Irish children’s authors and illustrators and those working and living in Ireland. One of the recommendations was to initiate some kind of social gathering, albeit online, so we are delighted to launch the Children’s Books Ireland Artists coffee morning! These will be a recurring series of informal yet informative gatherings on Zoom where artists can hang out, learn from an expert about something pertinent to their work and meet others in their creative area. Our first coffee morning will take place on Tuesday 28th July at 10 am and the topic will be Arts Council Awards and Bursaries. We’ll be joined by Sarah Bannan, Head of Literature at the Arts Council, who will talk about the application and selection process for their Literature Bursaries, the next round of which closes on Thursday 30th July. Sarah will also talk about an upcoming Professional Development and Training Award and a Literature Project Award. Please note that authors AND illustrators are eligible to apply for these awards and bursaries. Author Brian Conaghan will also join us, Brian is a past recipient of… Read More

Children’s Books Ireland and Poetry Ireland to release guiding principles for artists and programmers delivering virtual events

Children’s Books Ireland and Poetry Ireland will release guiding principles for artists and programmers when delivering virtual events in the coming months. Both organisations are committed to ensuring that artists are supported to maintain their standard of excellence when working virtually and that full transparency can be achieved when it comes to rates of pay and expectations for online events, whether live or recorded. Issues to be considered will include: Safety and protection of children and young people online. Our colleagues at the National Youth Council of Ireland have some useful guidelines around Digital Youth Work with a good deal of transferable information. Appropriate remuneration of artists for the work to be undertaken: virtual events are just as much, if not more, work for artists as those events delivered in person, and programmers should be conscious that pre-recorded content particularly can take time and skill to do well. Worksheets and other written content to be disseminated to audiences before and after the session also takes work to generate. Our colleagues at Scottish Book Trust have done some excellent work in this area with their Live Literature Remote Event Guidelines. The best-practice principles of The Arts Council’s Paying the Artist policy… Read More

Children’s Books Ireland’s Professional Development Course Bursary

Children’s Books Ireland is committed to actively encouraging diversity across all of our programming. In line with the Arts Council’s Equality, Human Rights & Diversity Policy & Strategy, Children’s Books Ireland’s Professional Development Course Bursary strives to respect, support and ensure the inclusion of all voices and cultures that make up Ireland today. A limited amount of free spaces are now available on our upcoming Media Training for Children’s Artists and the Digital Events for Children’s Artists courses for those experiencing inequities that act as barriers to engagement with & participation in the arts, be this due to gender, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, race, membership of the Traveller community or socio-economic difference. Please email aoife@childrensbooksireland.ie if you wish to avail of this Course Bursary, identifying your reasons why.

Winners of the Re-ImagineNation Competition Announced

An Post and Children’s Books Ireland, are delighted to announce the young winners of the Re-ImagineNation Competition. Working with leading children’s book artists Fatti Burke, Jennifer Farley, Tarsila Krüse and Alan Nolan, this summer the Re-ImagineNation competition encouraged children aged 6–12 from all over Ireland to re-imagine themselves as a character in a favourite book, and enter the competition by creating an artwork of themselves in a scene. Winners will see their artwork on their local post box. The competition was divided into two categories, ages 6–9 and ages 10–12. Elias was the winner of the 10–12 category, who drew himself in a scene from the book The Borrowers Afloat by Mary Norton. The Borrowers Afloat is Elias’ favourite book, ‘because everything we see as small, they see as big.’ Commenting on his illustration, he adds, ‘PS I am the guy on top of the teapot.’ The Moomins and the Great Flood by Tove Jansson is the favourite book of runner-up in this category, Lucian, aged 11. ‘This book is so exciting!’, he says. Harshika was the winner in the 6–9 category, and she drew herself in a scene from Oh, The Places You’ll Go! by Dr Seuss – Harshika’s… Read More

Books Make Things Better

For Culture Night 2020 (Friday, 18 September) the Arts Council and Children’s Books Ireland are encouraging families to open up Irish culture by opening a book together and sharing a story at bedtime. The campaign launches today, 14 September, with the release of the Books Make Things Better reading guide, which highlights the best Irish children’s books of 2020. An accompanying book-gifting programme will support children least likely to have access to a book to read by gifting 1,000 books to children and young people in schools, direct provision centres and family hubs across Ireland. ‘On Culture Night, over one thousand children will have the joy of immersing themselves in a brilliant Irish picturebook and knowing that children all over Ireland are reading that same story,’ said Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland. ‘With the Books Make Things Better reading guide, we hope we can lead children, young people and their families to discover great new books, while also supporting Irish authors, illustrators and publishers.’ ‘Ireland boasts a wealth of artistic talent that, this year more than ever, we must promote and support,’ said Director of the Arts Council Maureen Kennelly. ‘Our goals for Culture Night in 2020 are… Read More

BOLD GIRLS meets 20×20

We are delighted to launch our latest BOLD GIRLS initiative – BOLD GIRLS meets 20×20. BOLD GIRLS addresses the gender imbalance in children’s literature. The BOLD GIRLS schools programme, in partnership with KPMG, introduces books featuring strong girls and women with agency, opinions and power to pupils in participating schools. We have brought this message of equality to hundreds of schoolchildren since 2018. 20×20 is about creating a cultural shift in our perception of girls and women in sport. There is so much to celebrate when it comes to women’s sport in Ireland, but there isn’t enough noise. 20×20 aims to increase media coverage of women in sport, female participation in sport and attendance at women’s games and events, all by 20%. KPMG and Children’s Books Ireland have identified a number of books for children that highlight women in sport. This selection of books including Jacqui Hurley’s Girls Play Too, She Can by The 42 and illustrated by Chris Judge and Cora Staunton (Great Irish Sports Stars) by Eimear Ryan to name a few, tell the real-life stories of women who have proved that gender is not a barrier to success and inspire the next generation of Irish sportswomen. The… Read More

Mind Yourself

The Covid-19 pandemic is a considerable source of worry for children and families, and young people are having to cope with big changes at home and at school. In response, Children’s Books Ireland, in partnership with Jigsaw and ISPCC Childline, is launching Mind Yourself – the Mental Health and Wellbeing Reading Guide today (Monday, October 5th 2020). October 10th is World Mental Health Day – an international event that promotes mental health education and awareness. A recent UNICEF report found that children and young people in Ireland are struggling with their mental health, with Ireland placing 26th in the survey of 38 OECD countries when it comes to the mental wellbeing of children. As readers, we know the comfort books can provide during a difficult time and there is robust evidence to support this: reading for pleasure can have a positive effect on mental wellbeing, can build empathy in children and young people and is positively linked to better outcomes in later life. The Mind Yourself reading guide is a resource that can be used by adults – parents, guardians, caregivers, teachers – to support and educate young people in relation to mental health and wellbeing. The guide contains reviews… Read More

Halloween Reads on Ireland AM

Missed our CEO Elaina Ryan on Ireland AM this morning? Never fear! Here are the spooktacular books she recommends for Halloween: Have You Seen the Dublin Vampire? by Úna Woods (age 0–4) A friendly looking vampire takes a night-time stroll through the fair city’s iconic spots, hopping on the ghost bus, battling the rain and partaking in Bewley’s finest buns. The characters populating the pages are as diverse as they are stylish, with bright patterned outfits that mark them off the dark backgrounds. The night setting is refreshing and absolutely not scary, and young readers will love being involved in the text by the search-and-find element and feeling that bit special (‘Only you see the Dublin Vampire’). Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago (3+) Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. And he loves almost nothing more than playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo is shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye scream or making friends with other monsters. Whenever he tries getting close to them, he realizes they just can’t… Read More

The Robert Dunbar Memorial Libraries – open for applications

Four libraries of at least 300 books each to be donated to schools Children’s Books Ireland is proud to announce the fourth annual Robert Dunbar Memorial Libraries, named in memory of our former patron and long-time friend of the organisation. Robert was a critic, editor and teacher, a pioneer of the study of children’s literature in Ireland and a true champion for children’s books and their creators. Throughout his career as a secondary school teacher, he was instrumental in the establishment and running of school libraries, and later, as a lecturer in and commentator on children’s literature, he strongly supported schools in the inauguration and maintaining of collections of books which would enhance the lives of their students. After his death, his family suggested that instead of sending flowers, if wished, book tokens could be donated to local schools. As a way of honouring Robert’s significant contribution to our organisation and to children’s literature and reading in Ireland, Children’s Books Ireland will make an award of four libraries of books of at least 300 books each. Children’s Books Ireland invites applications from all schools, primary and secondary, in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Apply online now, closing date… Read More

Children’s Books Ireland, the Arts Council and KPMG to gift 6,000 books to children in need this Christmas

This December, Children’s Books Ireland is gifting a bedtime story to children all over Ireland as they face into a difficult Christmas. With the support of the Arts Council and KPMG, 6,000 Irish books will be gifted to children and young people in centres of direct provision, hospitals and homeless services nationwide. There are currently over 2,100 children in centres of direct provision and over 2,500 in homeless accommodation or accessing homeless services. With the help of charity partners – including Barnardos, Focus Ireland, Children In Hospital Ireland, and St Vincent De Paul – books will be gifted to children and families across the country so that they can share a bedtime story this Christmas. A recent survey conducted by Scottish Book Trust highlights the importance of access to books and the value of reading during difficult times. The survey revealed 92% of respondents agreed that reading is important to them in times of stress or anxiety and 98% agreed that reading supports their wellbeing. Respondents also mentioned reading to escape as a child when they were in difficult situations. CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, Elaina Ryan, said: ‘All over Ireland there are children who do not own a book,… Read More

#GiftABook

Books make things better – books bring joy and provide comfort during difficult times – and reading has the power to change lives. At Children’s Books Ireland, we champion every child’s right to experience the joy of reading, regardless of their circumstances. But right now, there are many children across Ireland who don’t have access to books at home and many schools with empty bookshelves. This year, together with our partners, we have donated over 16,000 books to children in direct provision centres, schools, hospitals and homeless services across Ireland. By working to ensure that every child has a chance to develop a love of reading, we can improve the lives of children and young people all over the island of Ireland – and you can help us. In 2021, we want to get even more books into the hands of even more children. Donate €12 today to #GiftABook to a child who needs it and help us bring the joy of reading into more young lives.

Children’s Books Ireland CEO Elaina Ryan acknowledged in The Bookseller 150 list

The board and staff are delighted to see our indefatigable CEO, Elaina Ryan, acknowledged in The Bookseller 150 list. Through a demanding year Elaina has captained the ship with grace, good humour and determination to overcome the obstacles we faced. As a result, 2020 has been our most challenging, inspiring and rewarding year to date.

Children’s Books for Christmas on Ireland AM

This year there is a real drive to shop local and buy Irish, so for Ireland AM our CEO, Elaina Ryan, has chosen a selection of books by Irish artists, some of them Irish-published, which you can pick up at your local bookshop. Reviews of these and more are featured in the Books Make Things Better reading guide, free to download here or to pick up in participating bookshops. The Dead Zoo by Peter Donnelly (age 2+) In this story of an unlikely friendship between dour museum-owner Mr Gray and a mischievous mouse, Dublin’s ‘Dead Zoo’ (the natural history museum) is brilliantly immortalised. A slapstick chase takes readers on a virtual museum tour – featuring the iconic great Irish elk. Clever use of colour throughout juxtaposes the aptly named Mr Gray with vivid exotic animals, highlighting his transformation from strict and serious to a veritable Willy Wonka, clad head to toe in purple. Fun and stylish, The Dead Zoo is Donnelly at his best. Geansaí Otto by Sadhbh Devlin maisithe ag/illustrated by Róisín Hahessy (age 3+) Otto is a fashionable little boy, and when his granny knits him baggy, unfashionable jumpers he is less than impressed. He makes up his… Read More

Toyota Ireland supports Children’s Books Ireland to gift 2,000 books to vulnerable children this Christmas

This December, Children’s Books Ireland is gifting a bedtime story to children all over Ireland as they face into a difficult Christmas. With the support of Toyota Ireland, the Arts Council and KPMG, a total of 8,000 Irish books will be gifted to children and young people in centres of direct provision, hospitals, the Travelling community and homeless services nationwide. There are currently over 2,000 children in direct provision and over 3,000 experiencing homelessness. Just 13% of Travellers go on to complete secondary education in comparison with 92% of the general population. With the help of several charity partners – including the Simon Community, ISPCC, Tipperary Rural Travellers Project, and Temple Street Children’s Hospital – books will be gifted to children and families across the country so that they can share a bedtime story this Christmas. A recent survey conducted by Scottish Book Trust revealed 92% of respondents agreed that reading is important to them in times of stress or anxiety and 98% agreed that reading supports their wellbeing. Respondents also cited reading as a form of escapism when they were in difficult situations as children. CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, Elaina Ryan, said: ‘All over Ireland there are children… Read More

Christmas Reads on Today with Claire Byrne

Cloisim rud éigin! Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin agus Steve Simpson (age 0–3) Leabhar deas simplí atá ann: this is a really simple board book about the noises Dainín hears in his home. Perfect for very young children, this book is a reissue in a larger format, useful for small hands, and forms part of the Dainín series. A bundle of 4 is available from futafata.ie for €30. What We’ll Build: Plans for our Together Future by Oliver Jeffers (age 2+) Oliver Jeffers’ work will already be known to many, and What We’ll Build will delight longstanding and new fans alike. A follow-up to Here We Are, which was written for Oliver’s son and was an overview of the whole world in one book, What We’ll Build is dedicated to the artist’s daughter, and takes the form of a conversation between father and daughter about the adventures they might go on and the hurdles they might have to overcome. Full of warmth and with vividly imagined worlds and characters populating the sparse narrative, this book promotes openness, empathy and imagination. The Snowflake by Benji Davies (age 3+) This is an instant classic of a Christmas story. A nervous little snowflake falls from… Read More