Méabh tell us about your publication journey   I started writing Into the Witchwood in 2020 during one of the lockdowns. It was inspired by my daily walks through Kylebrack woods and being back in my childhood home. I started to stare deeply at the trees that I passed and thought about what if the shapes I was seeing in them were magical creatures hidden inside? I’ve always wanted to write for children, but until I got that flash of inspiration I never felt like I was writing a story that was truly mine. The Witchwood felt like a story that really belonged to me. I spent about a year ..read more

 Every year I try to predict the shortlist for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Books of the Year shortlist. The 2024 Awards are given to books published in 2023 by Irish writers or illustrators, or those living and working in Ireland. These are based on my reading over the year and are my own personal view. I have read all the titles below and greatly enjoyed them all. It was an outstanding year for middle grade (age 9+), teen and YA. Here are my predictions: 1/ Catfish Rolling by Clara Kumagai Also my prediction for the first novel award – Eilís Dillon Award 2/ Standing on One Leg is H ..read more

On Thursday 9th November the latest in the #Properbook series of professional development events for children’s writers and illustrators took place. These events are run by Children’s Books Ireland and this one was in association with Dublin Book Festival and dlr Libraries. It took place in the lovely dlr Lexicon in Dún Laoghaire. It was programmed by myself, Sarah Webb. Here is are some notes from the evening. Thank you to all the speakers for taking part and to the audience who came along on the night. On the first panel Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick and Mary Murphy spoke about their experiences ..read more

 Over the next few months I’ll be posting interviews with some debut Irish writers or illustrators for children and teens. Here is the second in the series - featuring Jenny Ireland. If you are a debut Irish children’s writer or illustrator get in touch - I’d love to feature you! Jenny, tell us about your publication journey  I started writing in 2014, after the birth of my second child, Rory. I think I went a bit mad from all the sleepless nights and decided that writing children’s stories was a good idea. Then I got completely hooked. I continued to write over the next few years, w ..read more

Every year I try to update this post - one of the most popular posts on my blog. I hope it's helpful. If you are a published writer or illustrator and would like to recommend your agent, please contact me. I'd be delighted to add your agent to the list.  All the agents on this list are recommended by people in the know - their clients, children’s writers and illustrators. Thank you to all the writers and illustrators who have responded to my call out for recommendations over the years. There was a terrific response this year and it is much appreciated. Irish Publishers (You do not ne ..read more

Every year I try to predict the Irish children’s books on the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Books of the Year shortlist. The 2023 Awards are given to books published in 2022 by Irish writers or illustrators, or those living and working in Ireland. It was an outstanding year for picturebooks in particular. Here are my predictions: 1/ Frankie’s World by Aoife Dooley - overall award and Children’s Choice Well a girl can dream! It would be amazing to see this outstanding graphic novel win the overall award. 2/ Be Wild Little One by Olivia Hope and Daniel Egnéus (Eilis Dillon Award for first book ..read more

Top 50 Children’s Books of the Year 2022 These reviews first appeared in The Irish Independent on Sat 10th December   By giving the gift of a book, you are giving a child the chance to fall into a magical world, a world of bravery and adventure, of fox tailers, heroic penguins, and mythical Irish goddesses. From the hundreds of children’s books I’ve read this year I’ve selected my favourites, with lots of Irish titles included. Happy Reading!   Picturebooks   Picturebook of the Year Be Wild, Little One by Olivia Hope and Daniel Egnéus (Bloomsbury) Wake Up Early, don’t be shy ..read more

These reviews were first published in The Irish Independent It’s been an amazing spring for children’s books, with some stand out titles from Irish writers, like Jane Mitchell’s powerful teen novel, Run for Your Life, set in a Direct Provision Centre, and Frankie’s World, a terrific graphic novel by Aoife Dooley about her own childhood and growing up different. With the Easter holidays coming up, there’s something special for every child and teen to lose themselves in. Happy reading! Picturebooks and Books for Younger Children Top Choice Chirp! by Mary Murphy (Walker Books) ‘Chirps says the Sp ..read more

KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2022 (books published in 2021)  2021 was a whopper of a year for Irish books, with over 140 titles published, a record high. Here are my (rather hasty as I’ve just realised the shortlist is announced tomorrow 9th March) predictions for this year’s shortlist.  Picturebooks: Maybe by Chris Haughton Weirdo by Zadie Smith and Nick Laird, Illustrated by Magenta Fox There’s a Ghost in This House by Oliver Jeffers Frindleswyle by Natalia O’Hara and Lauren O’Hara  Younger Readers (A really strong age group this year!) Rabbit and Bear: A Bad King is a ..read more

The Best Children's Book Agents 2022 - As Recommended by Their Writers and Illustrators Getting Published Every year I try to update this post - one of the most popular posts on my blog. I hope it's helpful. If you are a published writer or illustrator and would like to recommend your agent, please contact me. I'd be delighted to add your agent to the list.  All the agents on this list are recommended by people in the know - their writers and illustrators. Thank you to all the writers and illustrators who have responded to my call out for recommendations over the years.  WHY DO YOU N ..read more