In this month's RTÉjr Book Club, with thanks to our friends at Children's Books Ireland, Ruth Concannon has gathered tales of mysterious unicorns and magical dragons with plenty of noble quests, impossible adventures and even a slime-filled mystery or two.
There are many magical creatures that lurk between the pages of a book. Witches swoop through sentences on broomsticks, giants bash their ways through chapters, fairies glimmer and skip through paragraphs, and you might even catch sight of a mermaid or two!
But the two magical creatures that readers seek most in their favourite stories, remain the same: dragons and unicorns. Eternal in their popularity, these enigmatic creatures continue to fascinate and excite readers of all ages and can be found across countless stories, forming the core of many unforgettable adventures.
For more stories filled with magical creatures like these, you can always check out our website www.childrensbooksireland.ie for brilliant book recommendations.
Teidí agus an Capall Draíochta by Sadhbh Rosenstock, illustrated by Ciara Ní Dhuinn, Picnic Press, 16PP, ISBN 9781399983778
Beidh léitheoirí óga i ngreim ag an bpictiúrleabhar beag álainn seo, atá bunaithe ar an amhrán 'Capall Draíochta’ ón leabhar Teach Teidí. Tá an scéal simplí soléite ach é spraíúil croíúil chomh maith céanna. Tá domhan draíochtúil cruthaithe ag an údar leis an tsraith seo agus is mór an éacht é. Tá na léaráidí agus na dathanna thar a bheith tarraingteach agus meallfaidh siad páistí óga ón gcéad luí súl. Beidh idir óg agus aosta faoi gheasa ag Clann Teidí. (Age 0–2, 2–4)
Check out more from Sadhbh and Teidí here!
The Dragon Slayer by Tatyana Feeney, Kids Can Press, 32PP, ISBN 9781525308895
Princess Freya is not interested in being lovely. She wants to defeat a dragon and be the knight in her story. Meanwhile, the local dragon is tired of knights for dinner and wants a sweet girl. When they meet, the fairy-tale monster quickly learns that girls can be tougher than any knight and just as clever too! This tale deals with gender roles with humour and is accompanied by fun illustrations reminiscent of children’s drawings. A great read for young dragon slayers. (Age 2–4, 5–7)
Unicorns in Uniforms: Dragon Inferno by Tracy Curran, illustrated by Steve Wood, UClan Publishing, 112PP, ISBN 9781916747425
Readers are taken on an adventure within the emergency services, learning about the important role that they play. The adventure is explored through the characters of unicorns who work in the emergency services and must save the day when the dragons accidentally cause a forest fire. This story takes us on the journey to put out the fire in Witchy Wood and help to bring everyone to safety. Alongside the desperate work of the emergency unicorns and their fun named vehicles, the reality of the dangers of fire are intertwined in the magical, fun, colourful story featuring unicorns, dragons and a witch. (Age 5–7, 8–10)
Neon and the Goonicorns by Sibéal Pounder, illustrated by Sarah Warburton, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 208PP, ISBN 9781408894170
The unicorn land of the UNIverse is not a place that humans often get to visit, but Neon found her way in through a magic portal. However, these are not your usual unicorns; it turns out those horned horses we know, and love are simply propaganda designed to keep humans ignorant of the UNIverse.
But there is something strange happening that could spell trouble for the UNIverse unless Neon can put it right … A chaotic mixture equal parts sparkle and slime, with the land of the UNIverse, Pounder and Warburton have created a world of magic and mayhem. (Age 8–10)
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, 384PP, ISBN 9781408897430
Impossible Creatures is a classic fantasy adventure story, complete with a plethora of mythical creatures. The story opens with Christopher being chased by a pack of longma before rescuing a baby griffin from drowning. Thus, he discovers his destiny – to act as guardian of the portal between our world and that inhabited by mythical creatures.
While a little formulaic, the story is gripping and fast-paced, thrusting the reader directly into the action from the first page. An engaging, charming read with good characterisation. (Age 9–11, 10–12)
Three Tasks for a Dragon by Eoin Colfer and illustrated by P.J. Lynch, Walker Books, 112PP, ISBN 9781529523539
This enchanting book is blissfully refreshing whilst still somewhat reminiscent of tales from a time gone by. The story guides you into a world that has a distinctly Arthurian feel, while still holding a nuance of Irishness through sprigs of Celtic culture. Following the death of his father, Prince Lir is tricked by his evil stepbrother into taking on a perilous quest to rescue a maiden from a dragon.
Unlike the fairytales from the past, in this story valour is won using intelligence, wit, and kindness. Beautifully soft and rather tactile illustrations wind around the text helping the reader to become fully immersed in the story. The narrative shows how curiosity and viewing the world from a place of wonder is just as important as bravery, and how empathy and kindness are the most influential tools of all. (Age 10–12)
Ruth Concannon is the Publications Officer for Children’s Books Ireland, the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child’s right to develop a love of reading. Their mission is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people in Ireland, to share their expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, to champion every child’s right to excellent books and live literature events and support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland.
See www.childrensbooksireland.ie for more.
And, you can look back on more great RTÉjr Book Club recommendations here!
