5 of the Best Adventure Books for Children this Summer

Regardless of whether you’re at home or staycationing this summer, if you’ve got little ones, you’ll be reading a bedtime story every night! Or perhaps your children aren’t so little anymore, but still love to get lost in a book before turning out the lights. Either way, there are some fantastic Irish titles available for those younger readers looking for adventure this summer. 

The perfect accompaniment to a holiday around Ireland’s beauty spots, a great beach read for the little ones, or the ideal way to unwind after a busy summer’s day, here are five of the best books for children this summer.
 

Reading With Little Ones 

  
Young children love fun and colour, so these first two titles definitely won’t disappoint. Finn’s First Song: A Whaley Big Adventure is a gorgeous book for readers up to the age of seven. Written and illustrated by Gerry Daly, it follows baby whale Finn, who must learn to make his own magical whale sound in order to find his parents. Beautifully imagined, it will give your little ones a new appreciation of the magic of the sea. 

Are you planning an Irish road trip this summer? If your destination is the west coast, Barney Goose: A Wild Atlantic Way Adventure is your perfect companion! Introduce kids to the rugged magic Ireland has on offer by joining Barney on his travels. He flies all the way from West Cork to Donegal in this colourful adventure written and illustrated by Carol Ann Treacy. The ideal travel companion for any trip along the Wild Atlantic Way!
 

Older Children (8-12) 

 
It’s never too early to start introducing children to Ireland’s rich tradition of storytelling and some of the best books for children. Primary school teacher Kieran Fanning is well aware of this! He shares some of our nation’s most iconic tales in Irish Fairy Tales, Myths, and Legends. Beautifully illustrated by David Wardle and featuring stories you’ll remember from your own childhood, like The Children of Lir, The Salmon of Knowledge and The Lady of Gollerus, this collection is a great way to fire up older children’s imaginations.    
 

Young Teens 

 
Finally, two fantastic reads for older children and young teens, who probably want nothing more than to do their own thing this summer! Fans of Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant series will love Grimoire (11–15), a lavishly illustrated run-down of all the books so far. The Falling in Love Montage (13+) by Ciara Smyth meanwhile is a coming-of-age story which has already won critical acclaim for its powerful portrayal of young love. Cynical Saoirse doesn’t want a relationship, especially now. But that all changes when she meets optimistic Ruby, who is a fan of romcoms and a believer in the power of true love. A captivating read and in our view, amongst the best books of 2021
 
Who are your children’s favourite authors, and what books will you be reading with them this summer? Let us know online, using #ReadersWanted. Looking for more inspiration? Check out these 10 children’s books by Irish authors.