Reading Club Book of the Month #14: The Waters and the Wild by Eilish Fisher and illustrated by David Rooney
After the death of her dad, Rowan and her mom move from Arizona in the US to her dad’s homeplace in Ireland. Rowan’s mom won’t tell her why they’ve moved …
Author interview TPP Talks to Eilish Fisher
This month we talk to Eilish Fisher about her fantastic new novel, The Waters and the Wild. TPP: Who or what inspired the character of Rowan? EF: Rowan is a …
Reading Club Book of the Month #13: Giant by Judith McQuoid
Set in Belfast in the early years of the twentieth century, Giant tells the imaginary story of 12-year-old Davy and his friendship with 10-year-old Jacks (the young C.S. Lewis, author …
Author interview TPP Talks to Judith McQuoid
To celebrate the amazing Giant, we caught up with its author, Judith McQuoid. TPP: What inspired you to base a story on the childhood of the author C.S. Lewis (famous …
Reading Club Book of the Month #12: Conn of the Dead by Dave Rudden
11-year-old Conn is always in trouble. His enthusiasm, overactive imagination and boundless energy seem to land him on the wrong side of his mum – and his school principal, Mr …
Author interview TPP Talks to Dave Rudden
To celebrate the release of Conn of the Dead, we caught up with its author, Dave Rudden. TPP: What inspired you to write a story combining everyday life and Irish …
Reading Club Book of the Month #11: Arabella Pepper: The Wild Detective by E.R. Murray (illustrated by Monika Pollak)
When Wild Detective, Arabella Pepper, moves away with her family and her pet crow, Blue, from the island of Little Rock to Greytown (a place perfectly suited to its name), …
Author interview TPP Talks to E.R. Murray
To kickstart this season’s TPP Book Club, we were delighted to meet with Arabella Pepper’s creator, E.R. Murray. TPP: Who or what inspired the character Arabella Pepper? E.R.M: My characters …
Reading Club Book of the Month #10: The Doomsday Club by Kevin Moran
Classmates – and definitely not friends – Conan, Jack, Yash and Jerry are in detention. For fighting. And for the little matter of a fire in the boys’ bathroom … …
Author interview TPP Talks to Kevin Moran
This month we got to chat to debut Irish children’s author, Kevin Moran. TPP: What inspired you to create The Doomsday Club? KM: I love mysteries, adventure and horror, so I wanted …
Reading Club Book of the Month #9: The Case of the Secret Signal by Brian Gallagher
Set in the lead up to Christmas in 1911, The Case of the Secret Signal is the latest book in Brian Gallagher’s new mystery series. Following the adventures of twins …
Author interview TPP Talks to Brian Gallagher
This month we got to talk to long-standing Irish children’s author, Brian Gallagher. TPP: Who or what inspired the characters of Tim, Deirdre and Joe? BG: They’re purely figments of my …
Reading Club Book of the Month #8: Being Autistic by Niamh Garvey
Being Autistic (and what that actually means) is a brilliant celebration of what it means to be autistic, and the unique qualities neurodiversity brings to the world. Aimed at both …
Author interview TPP Talks with Niamh Garvey
This month we got to chat to the brilliant non-fiction writer, Niamh Garvey. TPP: What inspired you to write Being Autistic? NG: A lot of people asked me to recommend a kids’ …
Reading Club Book of the Month #7: The Girl Who Fell to Earth by Patricia Forde
Aria is a proud Terrosian who loves living with her friends and family on Planet Terros. However, Aria’s always felt a little different; she isn’t good at science, despite being …
Author interview TPP talks to Patricia Forde
This month we got to chat to Ireland’s current Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde. TPP: What inspired you to tell the story from the perspective of an alien? PF: Strangely, I never …
Reading Club Book of the Month #6: The Last Boy by Eve McDonnell
Set in 1866 in Birr, Co. Offaly, The Last Boy is the story of 12-year-old Brewster, sold by his brother to a tyrannical master sweep when he was only six …
Author interview TPP Talks to Eve McDonnell
This month we got to chat to the fantastic Irish children’s author, Eve McDonnell. TPP: Why did you want to tell Brewster’s story? EM: I found a teeny paragraph about a …
Reading Club Book of the Month #5: Sally and the Lost Photograph by Judi Curtin
Set in New York in the early 1900s, the second book of the ‘Sally’ series, Sally and the Lost Photograph sees Sally and her sister Bridget more settled in their …
Author interview TPP Talks to Judi Curtin
This month we got to chat to the established Irish children’s author, Judi Curtin. TPP: What was the inspiration behind Sally and Bridget’s story? JC: I was inspired by my grandmother …
Reading Club Book of the Month #4: The Riddle of the Disappearing Dickens by Alan Nolan
Set in 1859, The Riddle of the Disappearing Dickens is the third book in the ‘Molly and Bram’ series by award-winning author Alan Nolan. This latest instalment sees Molly and …
Author interview TPP Talks to Alan Nolan
This month we got to chat to the wonderful Irish children’s author, Alan Nolan. TPP: What was the inspiration behind the Molly and Bram series? AN: My granny, Nanny Gigg, gave me a …
Reading Club Book of the Month #3: The Tree That Sang to Me by Serena Molloy
Kai’s family is in crisis. His big sister Jen no longer lives with them and Kai thinks it is all his fault. Things aren’t great at school either. Kai’s so-called …
Author interview TPP Talks to Serena Molloy
This month we were delighted to chat with another of Ireland’s brilliant children’s authors, Serena Molloy. TPP: What was the inspiration behind ‘The Tree That Sang to Me’? Serena: I loved …
Reading Club Book of the Month #2: The Tower Ghost by Natasha Mac a’Bháird
Clare O’Neill has won a scholarship to the school of her dreams – Sycamore Hill in County Donegal. When she starts, Clare barely has time to draw breath as she …
Author interview TPP Talks to Natasha Mac a’Bháird
This month we were delighted to meet with another of Ireland’s popular children’s authors, Natasha Mac a’Bháird. TPP: Which character do you most identify with in The Tower Ghost? NM: Clare – she’s a …
Reading Club Book of the Month #1: The Weather Girls by Sarah Webb
It is 1944 and the Second World War (or the ‘Emergency’ as it was known in neutral Ireland) is raging across Europe. Grace Devine lives with her family at the …
Author interview TPP Talks to Sarah Webb
To kickstart the TPP Reading Club, we were delighted to meet with one of Ireland’s most popular children’s authors, Sarah Webb. TPP: How long have you been writing? SW: I’ve been writing …