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RTÉ News
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
10 books to get kids reading over the summer holidays (and beyond!)
The world of children's books is as wildly varied as any other genre. There are good books, bad books, middling books. There are books you'll happily read again and again, and ones that you discard after a single go. Books that you love and your kids hate, books that make you cry (raise your hand if you're a parent who's sobbed over Love You Forever) and books that make your heart soar from the first page. There are classics and modern classics that every kid should read; books that appear on shelves all over the world; forgotten gems that really ought to have found a wider audience. Disregarding the incredible-yet-obvious titles that are often intended for older readers, here are ten books - both new and old - to get (and keep!) younger kids reading over the summer holidays and beyond. 1. The Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey The graphic novel market is saturated with all sorts of weird and wonderful characters, from Jamie Smart's Bunny vs. Monkey to Aaron Blabey's Bad Guys and Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants and Cat Kid series. Pilkey has proven himself a trailblazer of the genre, largely thanks to his joyful Dog Man books (recently turned into a film), which began life as a spin-off of Captain Underpants. They follow the crime-fighting escapades of a police officer who's half-dog, half-man, and his arch-nemesis Petey the Cat. The 14th installment, Dog Man: Big Jim Believes is released in November. 2. Squid Squad by Aoife Dooley Sadly, there isn't a huge amount of choice (yet!) of Irish titles within the kids' graphic novel world - which makes gems like Aoife Dooley's Squid Squad all the more pertinent. The Irish illustrator and author's latest tome is a striking, colourful exploration of friendship and what makes us unique, following BFFs Ollie (a squid) and Zing (a sea monkey). Aptly described as ' Spongebob Squarepants meets Bunny vs. Monkey ', kids from 5-8 will lap it up. It sounds like an obvious one, but it needs to be pointed out nevertheless. From The Gruffalo to Tiddler, Room on the Broom to Superworm and Zog to Stick Man, there is a story (usually with a big lesson at its heart) for all ages to be found within Julia Donaldson's canon. When paired, as her stories often are, with Axel Scheffler's marvellous illustrations, both the pictures and rhyming narrative are easy for kids to follow, too. Her latest book, Gozzle, was published in March. 4. The Lonely Beast by Chris Judge This book has been a huge hit in our house since the day it landed on our bookshelf - so much so that I can almost recite it word for word without looking at the pages. Just as well that it's so damned beautiful to look at. Chris Judge's vibrant illustrations leap off each page, as we follow the tale of the Lonely Beast, who embarks on a long journey to the city in order to make some friends. A gorgeous book for younger readers that's a real visual treat, too. 5. The Pigeon books by Mo Willems If you have young kids, you may already be familiar with this brilliant series by American author Mo Willems, packed with zany humour and minimalist illustrations. The Pigeon Needs a Bath! is a firm favourite that many smallies can relate to, as our stinky feathered friend is reluctantly cajoled into bathing; other jewels in the series include The Pigeon Wants a Puppy, Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! and The Pigeon HAS to Go to School (which also comes in handy on those tricky Monday mornings.) 6. The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer There are any number of fantasy novels for kids out there - it's become a booming business since J.K. Rowling's boy wizard unleashed his magic upon the world. One of the best (and perhaps most undersung), however, is Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series. The Irish author's story about a precocious 12-year-old criminal mastermind and his nefarious dealings with fairy and elf kin as he attempts to regain his family fortune evolves and develops beautifully across eleven books. Colfer deals with his readers in an intelligent and empathetic manner - these are smart books for curious kids. Or, as they were once described, ' Die Hard with fairies'. 7. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney Even if you've never picked up one of these books, you'll have undoubtedly heard of them - they have sold over 250 million copies worldwide. The first book in Jeff Kinney's hugely successful series was published in 2007 (after first becoming an online sensation) and the most recent landed last year. Its protagonist Greg Heffley, the titular Wimpy Kid, is an anti-hero of sorts: a kid with plenty of flaws, but also some redeeming qualities. And he is certainly an entertaining (if unreliable) narrator. 8. These books by Roald Dahl It's no exaggeration to call Roald Dahl the GOAT of children's literature - this is a hill we're willing to die on. However, obviously not all of the late, great British author's books are suitable for younger readers, and some bits in certain books are even downright scary. The Witches? The Trunchbull in Matilda? The bad giants in The BFG? Let's be honest, even the Oompa Loompas are a little creepy. However, there are plenty of books to soft-launch your kid into the world of Dahl without mentally scarring them forever. George's Marvellous Medicine is a great starting point and a lot of fun; The Twits is super-silly, while Fantastic Mr. Fox is a fabulous tale of cunning and perseverance. Shorter books like Esio Trot and the picture book The Enormous Crocodile are also ideal starting points that don't require huge attention spans. 9. I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen Who says that kids' books can't entertain adults, too? You'll find it hard not to laugh at anything by the brilliant Jon Klassen, whose trilogy of picture books about hats (I Want My Hat Back, This is Not My Hat and We Found a Hat) are both beautifully illustrated and darkly humorous. The ending of I Want My Hat Back, which sees a disgruntled bear on the search for his missing hat, will make both you and your child laugh out loud. 10. Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers The Australian-born, Northern Irish-raised Oliver Jeffers has become one of the biggest names in children's publishing in the last couple of decades - and 2005's Lost and Found was arguably the book that put him on the map. An incredibly engaging story, this story will spark interest in pre-school readers, thanks to both Jeffers' gorgeous illustrations, and the heartwarming, simple story. When a penguin lands on a young boy's doorstep with no apparent owner, he decides to return it to the North Pole himself. They embark on a fantastic adventure, but messages of friendship, belonging and the importance of helping others are subtly interwoven into their exciting journey.
Buzz Feed
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
36 Childhood Books That Every 2000s Kid Grew Up Reading
There was nothing like the comfort a book could give you as a child, whether it came from the words or the pictures. So here, for your nostalgic pleasure, are some of your childhood favorites. Eloise by Kay Thompson Eloise's adventures at the Plaza Hotel made me dream of visiting New York City as a little girl. The movies starring Sofia Vassilieva are just as cute! Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak Maurice Sendak's imagination knows no bounds. The "wild things" he dreamed up sure look strange, but they come across as friendly rather than fearsome. Curious George by Margaret Rey and H.A. Rey Everyone loves a mischievous little monkey. Looking back, the Man in the Yellow Hat was just as precious. Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow What's better than a mischievous little monkey? Five of them. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems Seriously, don't let him! This book had me cracking up at the library. The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister The Rainbow Fish books had the most gorgeous illustrations. Just look at those beautiful blues, greens, and purples. The Arthur Books by Marc Brown It's safe to say that Arthur is everyone's favorite anthropomorphic aardvark. Life wasn't always easy for this bespectacled creature, but with friends like Buster and Francine by his side, he could find his way out of any dilemma. A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon Whether or not you loved lima beans like Camilla as a child, this book's message of self-acceptance hit hard. It's no wonder that teachers often use it to teach kids about the importance of staying true to themselves. Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst Even on a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, this book is sure to bring a smile to any reader's face. There's a little bit of Alexander in all of us. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch It's rare to see a children's book that spans several decades — but Love You Forever has a broad scope, showing how a mother's love for her son endures as time passes. The final twist just might make you tear up. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle and Bill Martin Jr No, David! by David Shannon The Mitten by Jan Brett The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn The Berenstain Bears' Books by Stan & Jan Berenstain Stellaluna by Janell Cannon Miss Nelson is Missing! by Harry Allard Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson Corduroy by Don Freeman Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss Any book by Robert Munsch There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Simms Taback Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman The Snowman by Raymond Briggs Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff And lastly, Biscuit by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
This author 'fixed' 'The Giving Tree' with a new ending. Some say it's long overdue.
What if the Giving Tree said "no" to the boy? Thousands of adults online are resonating with alternate endings to classic children's books that may not have aged well in light of modern-day gentle parenting. In his series 'Topher Fixed It,' Atlanta-based playwright and screenwriter Topher Payne reimagines "The Pout-Pout Fish," "Love You Forever," "The Rainbow Fish" and "The Giving Tree." In the original 'Giving Tree,' the tree gives away her apples, branches and trunk for the boy who keeps returning and asking for more. It's been the subject of some criticism for portraying an unhealthy, one-sided relationship. But in Payne's reimagined 'The Tree Who Set Healthy Boundaries,' the Giving Tree stops at the apples. Instead, the tree shares how she feels about their friendship changing and explains why she doesn't want to give everything away. The boy practices empathy and the tree remains strong and tall for generations to come. The internet is divided: A Facebook user roasted the popular kids book 'Love You Forever' 'Setting healthy boundaries is a very important part of giving. It assures you'll always have something left to give,' the book ends. 'And so the tree was happy. Everyone was.' Many Instagram users applauded the alternate ending, which was shared recently by both Payne and podcaster Adam Grant. Grant's post about the ending on May 4 has racked up 129K likes on Instagram. 'Reading your ending to 'The Giving Tree' healed a little piece of me tonight!' commented one Instagram user. "Thank you for this − I always loathed the message in this book," another wrote. "The original is one of my favorite books," another person replied. "I've read it a hundred times and cry each and every time... I think reading both versions to our kids is key so they can see how the two options play out. Thank (you) for this." Payne says he's also received backlash since he began the series during lockdown in 2020. But he emphasizes the alternate endings are meant to inspire thought, not criticize the originals. He first started the 'Topher Fixed It' series in hopes of prompting nuanced conversations that he remembers having with his aunt when he first read the books as a child. 'What I found in a lot of people's relationship with the book is that maybe that conversation doesn't always happen and so the messaging in 'The Giving Tree' can go off in some pretty wild directions,' Payne said. He wrote the alternate endings to stand alongside the original text to compel conversation, whether that happens when reading to a child or returning to the text as an adult. Other classics: 'Love You Forever' is being called 'unsettling'. These books are just as questionable. 'The stories we're told as children are often one of the few things we all have in common,' Payne said. 'The originals are a classic for a reason. I celebrate them and the (reimagined) stories are meant to stand alongside them, not in place of them.' The 'Topher Fixed It' stories are available for free download from Payne's website. He does not receive monetary compensation for his alternate endings and is not seeking to publish them. Readers have suggested other titles for him to reimagine, but Payne doesn't have any immediate plans to recreate another story. Instead, he encourages others to give it a try. 'If there is a story that you've been told that you would love to consider another option, put that to paper and see what it looks like,' he said. 'It can be really cathartic for you to resolve that story for yourself in that way.' Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Author 'fixed' 'The Giving Tree.' Some say it's long overdue.
USA Today
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
This author 'fixed' 'The Giving Tree' with a new ending. Some say it's long overdue.
This author 'fixed' 'The Giving Tree' with a new ending. Some say it's long overdue. Show Caption Hide Caption How to find a good book Book recommendations make finding the perfect page turner for any mood a breeze. What if the Giving Tree said "no" to the boy? Thousands of adults online are resonating with alternate endings to classic children's books that may not have aged well in light of modern-day gentle parenting. In his series 'Topher Fixed It,' Atlanta-based playwright and screenwriter Topher Payne reimagines "The Pout-Pout Fish," "Love You Forever," "The Rainbow Fish" and "The Giving Tree." In the original 'Giving Tree,' the tree gives away her apples, branches and trunk for the boy who keeps returning and asking for more. It's been the subject of some criticism for portraying an unhealthy, one-sided relationship. But in Payne's reimagined 'The Tree Who Set Healthy Boundaries,' the Giving Tree stops at the apples. Instead, the tree shares how she feels about their friendship changing and explains why she doesn't want to give everything away. The boy practices empathy and the tree remains strong and tall for generations to come. The internet is divided: A Facebook user roasted the popular kids book 'Love You Forever' 'Setting healthy boundaries is a very important part of giving. It assures you'll always have something left to give,' the book ends. 'And so the tree was happy. Everyone was.' Many Instagram users applauded the alternate ending, which was shared recently by both Payne and podcaster Adam Grant. Grant's post about the ending on May 4 has racked up 129K likes on Instagram. 'Reading your ending to 'The Giving Tree' healed a little piece of me tonight!' commented one Instagram user. "Thank you for this − I always loathed the message in this book," another wrote. "The original is one of my favorite books," another person replied. "I've read it a hundred times and cry each and every time... I think reading both versions to our kids is key so they can see how the two options play out. Thank (you) for this." Payne says he's also received backlash since he began the series during lockdown in 2020. But he emphasizes the alternate endings are meant to inspire thought, not criticize the originals. He first started the 'Topher Fixed It' series in hopes of prompting nuanced conversations that he remembers having with his aunt when he first read the books as a child. 'What I found in a lot of people's relationship with the book is that maybe that conversation doesn't always happen and so the messaging in 'The Giving Tree' can go off in some pretty wild directions,' Payne said. He wrote the alternate endings to stand alongside the original text to compel conversation, whether that happens when reading to a child or returning to the text as an adult. Other classics: 'Love You Forever' is being called 'unsettling'. These books are just as questionable. 'The stories we're told as children are often one of the few things we all have in common,' Payne said. 'The originals are a classic for a reason. I celebrate them and the (reimagined) stories are meant to stand alongside them, not in place of them.' The 'Topher Fixed It' stories are available for free download from Payne's website. He does not receive monetary compensation for his alternate endings and is not seeking to publish them. Readers have suggested other titles for him to reimagine, but Payne doesn't have any immediate plans to recreate another story. Instead, he encourages others to give it a try. 'If there is a story that you've been told that you would love to consider another option, put that to paper and see what it looks like,' he said. 'It can be really cathartic for you to resolve that story for yourself in that way.' Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Chrissy Teigen Says White House's Response to Selena Gomez's Immigration Raids Post Is ‘Loser Behavior'
Chrissy Teigen is defending Selena Gomez after her tearful video about the Trump administration's mass deportations led to a response video from the White House. 'I love her,' the Cravings author told TMZ of Gomez on Monday night (Feb. 3). 'Empathy should never be frowned upon or made fun of, and the fact that the White House has enough time to even make a statement or a video about it is f—ing preposterous and disgusting and lame and loser behavior.' More from Billboard Kelly Clarkson Goes '90s With Cover of 'Flagpole Sitta' on 'Kellyoke' Miley Cyrus Thanks Beyoncé After 'II Most Wanted' Grammy Win: 'Love You Forever' Central Cee Likes to Think He Made Nike Tech Fleece Tracksuits Popular Gomez's original video featured the 'Rare' singer in tears, promising to do what she she can to help undocumented Mexican nationals in the midst of the immigration raids. 'I'm so sorry. All my people are getting attacked, the children,' Gomez said through sobs in the since-deleted video that can be seen here. 'I don't understand. I'm so sorry, I wish I could do something but I can't. I don't know what to do. I'll try everything, I promise.' In response, the White House posted a clip to X, in which the clips of Gomez are interspersed with videos of mothers whose children were reportedly killed by undocumented immigrants. In the video, the women are critical of the actress and tell her: 'You don't know who you're crying for.' In addition to the White House, Republican Utah politician Sam Parker also reacted to Gomez's video by suggesting she should be deported because her grandparents originally came to the United States illegally. 'Thanks for the laugh and the threat,' Gomez responded on Instagram. A National Institute of Justice-funded report shared in September found that 'undocumented immigrants are arrested at less than half the rate of native-born U.S. citizens for violent and drug crimes and a quarter the rate of native-born citizens for property crimes.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
