It's the first RTÉjr Book Club of 2025, with thanks to our friends at Children's Books Ireland. Ruth Concannon has a selection of books about taking up something new this year.
After some relaxation over the Christmas break, you'll find that most people are now kickstarting the new year with resolutions, healthy habits and positive changes.
If you are looking to try something new this year, books are a fantastic way to explore new hobbies or pastimes! Books can give you an insight into an area of interest you’re exploring for the first time, helping you discover top tips and tricks inside their pages.
Beekeeping, gardening, crafting, music, dance and chess are just some great suggestions for new hobbies to explore that you will find in the books recommended below.
Of course, we would suggest reading is the best new hobby to start with, so be sure to check out our website www.childrensbooksireland.ie for brilliant book recommendations.
The Wild Outside by Rachel Ip, illustrated by Katie Hickey, Hodder Children’s Books, 48PP, ISBN 9781526365217
Tulip loves spending time in the garden with her grandfather following the nature trail he leaves for her that helps her to learn about the different plants and flowers in the wild outside. The illustrations are vibrant, using painterly brushstrokes and gestural mark-making to make sure that every species of plant is illustrated clearly, in an easily identifiable way and all while remaining part of the background so that Tulip can stand centre stage.
From plants that emerge in cracks in the pavement, to those that exist in the farthest reaches of the globe, this is a beautiful story exploring the natural world right on our doorsteps. While this is a fictional story, the book contains a bitesize starter encyclopaedia for your garden and community making it a perfect book for learning about what surrounds us in the natural world. (Age 5–8)
Lulu Meets the Bees by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw, Alanna Max, 32PP ISBN 9781907825569
Lulu is eager to learn about bees and makes a trip to see Mummy’s friend – Zora the beekeeper. At Zora’s, Lulu watches on inquisitively as the bees work, putting on a special bee suit to peek inside their hives. Readers will learn a lot about bees from the descriptions and their accompanying illustrations, including a close-up of the cells within the hives.
The simple wonders of nature come to life throughout this picturebook, full of beautifully rendered illustrations of the abundance of plant life and activity that can thrive in an urban garden. Readers with small or minimal garden spaces will see that 'wilding’ is possible no matter where you live, and hopefully be inspired to help the bees by planting some seeds of their own. (Age 5–8)
Creative Crafting: A First Book of Upcycling by Daniela Sosa, Walker Books, 32PP, ISBN 9781529518344
This book encourages young readers to re-imagine household recycling and give a new lease of life to objects that might otherwise go in the bin. Bedroom bunting, a dog’s toy, and a pillowcase shopping bag are among the sixteen projects included here. All of the activities use recycling and everyday household items including coloured paper, socks, old pillowcases, old jeans, and cardboard.
Each activity includes a list of materials and clear instructions accompanied by colourful illustrations to show each step of the process. While some of the projects are quick and easy makes, others are more complicated and will require adult support to complete. The overall tone is encouraging, with a focus on creativity and imagination and there are lots of ideas here for rainy days, holidays and crafternoons with a range of crafts that might spark a love of upcycling in young people that lasts into their adulthood. (Non-fiction, age 5–8, 8–10)
Become a Chess Champion: Learn the Basics from a Pro by James Canty III, illustrated by Brian Lambert, Neon Squid, 128PP, ISBN 9781838993627
This book offers a colourful romp through the basics of chess and the personalities involved in making it a popular sport around the world. It is clear the personality of the author has been infused into the pages, with his personal anecdotes, suggestions, and banter, making the marginalia (and chess pieces) come alive for the reader.
For the child looking to identify with chess prodigies, or historical grandmasters around the world, there will be at least one brief biography to interest everyone. While the book is very clearly written for the beginner, there are snippets of pages that might be interesting for the advanced chess learner too. Ultimately, the book emphasises the basics, and often passes along strategies as historical fact rather than as mathematical optimization, balancing between presenting chess as an analytical game and a fun sport. (Non-fiction, age 8–10)
Ballet Besties: Yara’s Chance to Dance by Yasmine Naghdi and Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Paula Franco, Piccadilly Press, 224PP, ISBN 9781800785830
Yara, loves to dance and after years of moving countries for her father’s job, she finally gets the opportunity to join a dance school. At Shimmer & Shine she meets ballet teacher Ms Diamond and lots of children her own age; soon Yara has a group of ballet besties with whom she can dance. But when Dame Clougston-Wilmott, the landlady and former dancer, threatens to close the studio, it’s up to Yara and her new friends to come up with a plan to keep Shimmer & Shine open.
Ballet Besties is a heartwarming story about friendship, working together and never giving up on your dreams. Written by Yasmine Naghdi, a Principal of The Royal Ballet, with Chitra Soundar, this is the first in a series of books that aim to bring the joy of dance to all readers. Featuring characters of all ages, genders and ethnicities enjoying dance, this is an accessible and inclusive story. (Age 8–10)
Raising the Roof! A Dazzling History of Classical Music and its Colourful Characters by Jack Pepper, illustrated by Michele Bruttomesso, Templar Books, 80PP, ISBN 9781787419285
This lusciously illustrated book presents a fun journey into the history of classical music through the lives of twenty composers. The book vividly captures the many entertaining and eccentric characters who contributed to the classical music canon, weaving together the lives and works of some of the most influential composers and performers in history. Jack Pepper presents classical music not as a distant, elitist art form, but as a living, breathing entity shaped by the personalities and passions of its creators.
The narrative is lively and accessible, filled with anecdotes that bring historical figures to life, and Bruttomesso’s illustrations do a spectacular job enlivening the text and accentuating key moments in music history. A link to a playlist is provided for readers to listen along as they read, further enhancing the readers’ experience. This book is a celebration of classical music as a diverse art form with something for everyone. (Non-fiction, 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.
