Thinking green thoughts

What better way to celebrate Paddy’s Day than by reading great books written or illustrated by Irish children’s book authors? There’s lots to admire all round, for all age groups and in all genres. To help you pick a ‘green’ book this weekend, have a look at iBbY Ireland’s selection of some of the best recently published books in English and Irish for iBbY Europe’s Children’s Books in European Languages. The selection can be searched by language and is widely consulted the world over.
Here are some of the titles we included: Ná gabh ar scoil! (Máire Zepf, ill. Tarsila Kruse, Futa Fata); An gabhar a raibh an-ocras go deo air! (Máire Ní Chualáin, ill. Natasha Rimmington, Futa Fata); Morf  (Órna Ní Choileáin, ill. Olivia Golden, An Gúm); Rabbit and Bear (Julian Gough, ill. Jim Field, Hodder); Nothing Tastes as Good (Claire Hennessy, Hot Key); The Wordsmith (Patricia Forde, Little Island); The Ministry of SUITs (Paul Gamble, Little Island); Oasis (Eilis Barrett, Gill Books); Harold’s Hungry Eyes (Kevin Waldron, Phaidon) and more. Make sure to check these selections over here.
​And if it’s still not enough, the Children’s Books Ireland’s Book of the Year award shortlist was just announced this week.
​Happy Paddy’s Day!