Tots to Teens: Spot the difference and join the dots with activity book featuring Michael D Higgins

Irish Examiner

06-05-2025

This entertaining sticker activity book by Irish illustrator Peter Donnelly is the perfect boredom buster for children. Donnelly is known for his bestselling books chronicling the adventures of the cat, dog, and glasses of President Michael D Higgins.
This latest book also features the President in activities such as spot the difference, mazes, colouring, and join the dots. There is also a pull-out colour poster and two pages of stickers.
The costs €10.99.
Blanket statement
These BlankieBoo blankets from babyboo.ie make a lovely gift for a baby, especially if that baby's parents are die-hard GAA fans.
Made from 100% soft organic cotton, they are designed for sensitive skin. Measuring 70cm by 90cm, they are big enough to be used in a pram, buggy, or Moses basket, or even to place under little ones when playing or having some tummy time.
The blankets come in various colours and can be personalised with the baby's name or other details.
Prices start from €30.
Uniformly good
Many children enjoy playing dress-up. Lucy Smith's certainly did. They wanted to wear medical scrubs, like their radiographer mum, and a uniform, like their Garda dad.
They inspired Smith to set up My Little Uniform, a Meath-based business that sells a range of costumes she has designed to be realistic replicas of the ones that medics, chefs, gardaí, firefighters, pilots, and other professionals wear.
These costumes are made with sustainability in mind, using 100% cotton. They are also hard-wearing, so children can enjoy playing in them for hours and many years.
See the full range at mylittleuniform.com, where prices start from €23.95.
Autism talk
If you are autistic, know and care about someone who is, or work to support autistic people, an event in the Cork International Hotel on Thursday, May 8, may be of interest.
Starting at 7 pm, the focus is on learning about, supporting, and promoting autistic well-being.
It will feature Cork-based Sharon McCarthy was diagnosed with autism as an adult. She is also a parent to neurodivergent children, has written books about autism, hosts the Autism Journeys radio show and podcast, and advocates for the needs of people with autism.
McCarthy will be joined by the educational and child psychologist Dr Micaela Connolly, who has more than 25 years experience working in disability services and providing psychological support to children and adults.
Together, they will discuss what autistic well-being means, the common barriers that can hinder it, and what can be done to navigate those barriers.
Tickets cost €35 and can be purchased from exa.mn/autistic-wellbeing
Children's diet
If the weather gods smile upon us this summer, the recipes in this e-book from Siobhan Berry, of Mummy Cooks, could be a great way of keeping the family refreshed, hydrated, and happily nourished with all sorts of fruit and vegetables.
In 2012, Berry founded Mummy Cooks, the first baby weaning cookery school in Ireland. Since then, she has grown it in to an online business offering advice, recipes, and feeding and weaning products for families.
One of her cookbooks, Ice Pops & Smoothies, aims to provide creative ways of incorporating fruit, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods into children's diets. It includes 25 recipes for ice pops, smoothies, and healthy alternatives to ice cream, all made from natural ingredients, with no added sugars or sweeteners.
It costs €5.99 and can be purchased from mummycooks.com
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