Irish children’s authors and illustrators
Ireland has produced storytellers for centuries. Here are the writers and illustrators who keep Irish children, and children everywhere, reading.
There is a saying that every Irish family has a storyteller, and the country’s children’s books show it. Irish writers and illustrators have created picture books that are shared across the world, comic novels that have children giggling in classrooms, and historical tales that bring Irish history to life.
Below is a starting list. It includes authors from the island of Ireland, which means both the Republic and Northern Ireland, with their best-known titles and what to try first.
Authors and illustrators to try
Oliver Jeffers
Picture books; Belfast
Jeffers writes and illustrates quiet, funny and tender picture books. Try Lost and Found, the story of a boy and a penguin, How to Catch a Star, and Here We Are, a gentle welcome to the planet. He also illustrated The Day the Crayons Quit, written by Drew Daywalt.
Chris Haughton
Picture books; Ireland
Haughton’s bold, colourful books are perfect for sharing with the youngest readers. A Bit Lost (also published as the board book Little Owl Lost) and Shh! We Have a Plan are great places to start.
Eoin Colfer
Fantasy and comedy; Wexford
Best known for the Artemis Fowl series, in which a teenage criminal mastermind takes on the fairy world. For younger readers, try The Legend of Spud Murphy. Colfer was also Laureate na nÓg, Ireland’s children’s laureate.
Derek Landy
Fantasy; Lusk, Dublin
His Skulduggery Pleasant series follows a wise-cracking skeleton detective and his young partner. Fast, funny and a hit with reluctant readers.
Roddy Doyle
Comic novels; Dublin
Better known for adult fiction, Doyle has also written funny books for children, including The Giggler Treatment and Rover Saves Christmas, full of Dublin humour.
Marita Conlon-McKenna
Historical fiction; Dublin
Under the Hawthorn Tree tells of three children surviving the Great Famine. It is widely read in Irish schools and is a moving introduction to history through a child’s eyes.
Sam McBratney
Picture books; Northern Ireland
The author of Guess How Much I Love You, one of the most popular bedtime books in the world. McBratney writes with great simplicity and warmth.
Martin Waddell
Picture books; Northern Ireland
Waddell wrote Owl Babies and Can’t You Sleep, Little Bear?, two perfect books about little ones needing reassurance. Both are ideal for bedtime.
P. J. Lynch
Illustration; Ireland
A masterly illustrator whose detailed, painterly pictures bring stories to life, as in The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, written by Susan Wojciechowski. Lynch has also served as Laureate na nÓg.
Judi Curtin
Chapter books; Ireland
Her friendship-and-family stories, such as the Alice and Megan series, are popular with girls and boys moving into longer books.
Patricia Forde
Dystopian fiction; Ireland
The author of The Wordsmith, a thoughtful novel set in a world where words are controlled. A strong pick for older readers.
Oscar Wilde
Fairy tales; Dublin
Wilde’s tales, including The Happy Prince and The Selfish Giant, were published in the nineteenth century and are now in the public domain. They are beautiful, melancholy and worth sharing with older children.
Laureate na nÓg
Every few years, Ireland appoints a children’s laureate, called Laureate na nÓg, to promote reading and storytelling among young people. The role was created in 2010, and it has been held by authors and illustrators who travel the country, visit schools and champion children’s books. You can find out more on the Laureate na nÓg website.
Helping Irish children find Irish stories
Children’s Books Ireland is the national organisation for children’s books, and its website lists new releases, award winners and events. Visit Children’s Books Ireland to see what’s new. Local libraries also take part in the annual Children’s Book Festival, usually in the autumn, with author visits and workshops.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the most famous Irish children’s author?
That depends on the age group. Eoin Colfer and Derek Landy are among the most widely read Irish novelists for older children, while Oliver Jeffers and Chris Haughton are among the most celebrated Irish picture book creators.
What are the best Irish picture books?
Good places to start are Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers, A Bit Lost by Chris Haughton, Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney and Owl Babies by Martin Waddell.
Are there Irish children’s books about Irish history?
Yes. Under the Hawthorn Tree by Marita Conlon-McKenna is the best-known novel about the Famine for young readers, and many other authors have written about the 1916 Rising, the War of Independence and other periods.
Where can I find Irish children’s books near me?
Your local library will stock many of them, and Irish independent bookshops are often happy to recommend titles by Irish authors and publishers.