Fallen Star Stories

Hello out there! Seasons Greetings! I hope you are all well and safe and minding yourselves and those you love. It's been a tough year...but I don't need to tell you that. I do want to thank you all for continuing to follow me and check out my posts and pages. You may have been wondering where I've been, as I haven't been here in quite some time. Well...let me tell you.... For a variety of reasons, Fallen Star Stories has moved. Not disappeared; just gone elsewhere. And it looks like that will be my permanent home. I would love to see you all there. If you're looking for more of my reviews, posts, pages, thoughts and meanderings on all things book-ish (childrens' books, of course) please do come along. And I want to give a shout for my annual Advent Calendar of Books page on the new site. where I'm happily celebrating my favourite Christmas and winter books that you will want to read and share. You can now find FallenStar Stories on..... https://fallensta...

The island of Hy-Brasil has long haunted Irish legend. As the stories go, this magical island appears off the west coast of Ireland just once every seven years...and for one night only. Over time, many have ventured out to find the island. Some explorers of old have even charted its' location on maps and in their explorers journal. But are these just the dreams of old sailors? Is Hy-Brasil merely the subject of old poems and songs? We may soon find out. For the next scheduled appearance of Hy-Brasil is this year; 2020! And to celebrate, here is one little girls' story... TO THE ISLAND author: Patricia Forde illustrator: Nicola Bernardelli Little Island Books (10 September 2020) ISBN: 9781912417513 Fia longs to go to the magical island of Hy-Brasil, where the air is thick with secrets and mystical beings. Her dreams are filled with this longing as she gazes out the window of her Galway home. Then one night, a mist appears, swirling around her and whispering "Com...

Over 15 years ago, best-selling author and illustrator Jackie Morris was commissioned by  the charity Help Musicians UK to create designs for Christmas Cards. Each of the 16 images, filled with complex detail and exquisite rendering were produced at the rate of one per year. As you can imagine, these were the type of Christmas cards that you held onto, gazed at over and over again and cherished. Based on those images, Jackie created this book, which has now been republished in a compact gift edition... THE QUIET MUSIC OF GENTLY FALLING SNOW author/illustrator: Jackie Morris  Graffeg Ltd. (20 August 2020) ISBN: 9781912654987 A lyrical collection of interconnected folk-tale type stories that have been "worked backwards" (in Jackies' own words) woven in and around the commissioned illustrations, this book is simply extraordinary. The stories unfold intuitively, creating a landscape and journey fired by the ever-present music that establishes a path of sound and fe...

Dolores loves bees! She had been learning and researching bees and became inspired to write a picture book to share her knowledge and information with children to aid their understanding and appreciation of these marvelous little creatures that do so much for life on planet Earth. So 12 years ago, her picture book journey began with a wonderful book called "If I Were A Bee." Since that time, she has published 12 more childrens' books (one with some storytelling help by her grandchildren), all with her beautiful, instantly recognisable painterly illustrations. And now, we are back to the bees with her latest...Dee the Bee. Dee the Bee author/illustrator: Dolores Keaveney Starfish Bay Childrens Books (1 September 2020) ISBN: 9781760360962 Do you know what you would do if you were a bee? One bee; Dee the Bee is very busy! It's her job to pollinate all the fruits and vegetables she can  possibly find, flying from plant to plant, garden to garden, tree to tree. Pollination...

Here we are in August, trying to squeeze in that last moment of summer holiday before we (fingers and toes crossed) get the kids back to school. But it is difficult. Traveling away from our immediate surroundings is, and in these pandemic times, should be restricted. We need to stay safe and well! And maybe you aren't in the position to go anywhere! But we are all restless, particularly when thinking about what to do to give our children some joy, to have adventures. Picturebooks can help! There's a big, wide world out there, filled with laughter, excitement and wonder...and who knows? Some of these may inspire you to have some adventures of your own....even if you have nowhere to go. The Walloos' Big Adventure by Anuska Allepuz (Walker Books ISBN: 9781406362411) takes us away from their small, rocky island on an tropical-exotic island adventure all of Little Walloos' own devising. The entire clan gets pulled in, just as excited about sailing away as Old Walloo and Litt...

It's official! Today is the publication day of Molly and the Lighthouse by Malachy Doyle, exquisitely illustrated by Andrew Whitson; published by Graffeg Ltd! I have been waiting to wish a very Happy Book-Birthday to this, the third book in the wonderful Molly stories (fourth, if you count the special download colouring/activity book, Molly and the Shutdown...which I do. Wonderful story!) And it was well worth the wait! In case you haven't been reading them, here's a little catch-up: Molly lives on a very small island with her Mum, fisherman Dad and a wonderful collection of island residents, including her best friend, Dylan. Their life may seem quiet enough, but so far they have faced ferocious storms, helped a stranded whale, been caught in the covid_19 shutdown on their isolated little island home; all while displaying great fortitude and a fantastic sense of empathy and community. And now...there's trouble at the lighthouse. MOLLY AND THE LIGHTHOUSE author: ...

In an interruption to my regular posts of journeys in books for this strange summer holiday season, I have to take a moment to celebrate probably the most iconic book illustrator/author working in the world of childrens literature today: A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHIRLEY HUGHES!!! Born on 16th July, 1927, Shirley Hughes has written more than 50 books and illustrated over 200 books, which have sold more than 11.5 million copies worldwide. (You would be hard-pressed to say that you have never seen her work.)  In 1997 (for Dogger ) and again in 2003 (for Ellas' Big Chance , her own interpretation of Cinderella), Shirley Hughes won the Kate Greenaway Medals for Childrens Book Illustration. In 2015, she won the inaugural lifetime achievement award from Booktrust. Her illustrations are timeless and heartwarming, capturing glimpses and moments of life in a style that is instantly recognisable; uniquely her own. While best known for her illustrations; she began in the 1950s-1960s ...

Previously: With summer holiday plans changing dramatically, travel limited and 'stay-cations' looking like the norm this year, lockdowns and home/online-schooling are leaving us all in need of a break; especially the young people in our lives. Social distancing and isolation are causing a new and different type of stress, but I have to say, the kids have been real heroes. They need to be uplifted now more than before; they need to know there are still adventures to be had, friends are still out there and life is still vibrant and exciting.   Books offer many opportunities for young people (well, all of us really) to "get away from it all" and experience life in the realms of the imagination. Whether you're crossing the border into an unknown, magical land, delving into the depths of an historical world or looking at your own surroundings under unusual circumstances, books make any holiday or stay-cation memorable. Here are a few of my very best recommendation...

With summer holiday plans changing dramatically, travel limited and 'stay-cations' looking like the norm this year, lockdowns and home/online-schooling are leaving us all in need of a break; especially the young people in our lives. Social distancing and isolation are causing a new and different type of stress, but I have to say, the kids have been real heroes. They need to be uplifted now more than before; they need to know there are still adventures to be had, friends are still out there and life is still vibrant and exciting. While most of us will be enjoying the familiar surrounds of our local area (we still have to stay safe!), books offer a brilliant opportunity to "get away from it all." Here are a few of my very best recommendations for teens and YAs to escape into this summer: Helen Corcorans' debut novel The Queen of Coin and Whispers offers a fantasy journey into a medieval kingdom of political intrigue, duty and honour. When idealistic young Quee...

Over the lockdown period here in Ireland, there has been a lot going on at Childrens Books Ireland, the national organisation for childrens' literature in Ireland. Much of this, of course, has been happening online and coming to us in our homes...the awards, a new Laureate na n'Og, the changing of the guard in the reviews editorial staff...it's been a busy time. Within all the shifts and changes, CBI has managed to produce its new edition of Inis Magazine. (No easy feat, I assure you.) Now, here's the mega-exciting news about this edition. It is the 60th issue of this fabulous resource for kidslit bibliophiles and.... it's only available online! This issue is one you simply have to read. Throughout the 46 pages of articles, editorials and of course, the book reviews, you will see all the activity that has taken place behind the scenes in our time at home here in Ireland. Included is a very interesting article by Kim Harte on "The Impact of Covid_19 on th...

Here comes summer...and it may be a very strange one. Over the last three months, we've seen many changes. Many of us have been isolated and doing our best to keep our spirits high and bring ourselves to the point where we can once again leave our homes and our immediate surroundings and meet up again. It can be discouraging Here in Ireland, we've entered a new stage in coming out of lockdown... we're nearly there. But the children are still home from school, or homeschooling. Tremendous efforts by everyone are ongoing and nothing helps quite like a good story to answer questions, entertain and keep up hope. And with summer looming, I think we need a good shot of encouragement and understanding to keep it from becoming dreary. Here are a few more online stories and storytimes to keep you going...some of my favourites, in fact. MOLLY AND THE SHUTDOWN author: Malachy Doyle illustrator: Andrew Whitson Graffeg Publishing (June 2020) The island has been shut down! No...

HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!!!!! Welcome to my post for the WONDERSCAPE Blog Tour , celebrating the arrival of the brilliant new book by Jennifer Bell. The spine-tingling concept of Wonderscape really caught my imagination, with its' blend of time travel and gaming as the backdrop of an intriguing mystery and some unlikely historical heroes along for the ride. Get ready to jump in.... WONDERSCAPE author: Jennifer Bell cover illustration: Paddy Donnelly Walker Books (4 June 2020) ISBN: 9781406391725 A mysterious explosion at 27 Peacepoint Estate draws the immediate attention of 13-year-olds Arthur, Cecily and Ren. On their way to school, they hear a dog whimpering inside the cottage and run in to rescue the poor pup. They are sucked through a portal and find themselves locked in a cabin of a ship called The Principia , captained by none other than Sir Isaac Newton...and strangest of all, in the year 2473. Arthur, Cecily and Ren are lost in the Wonderscape, an in-reality g...

"Filled to the brim with drama and danger. It is true, heartwarming and heart-stopping and magical...so very magical." Fallen Star Stories The Wild Magic Trilogy began with Begone The Raggedy Witches ; a story that crackled with atmosphere and enchantment from the very first line and captured this bloggers' heart and imagination. I wanted...really wanted to live in Mups' world and stand by her side throughout the twists and turns of the magical adventure. And through its' pages, I did exactly that as she journeyed through a land that was her legacy and was being destroyed by her grandmother, the Old Queen. Then after the triumph of driving the Old Queen away, came The Little Grey Girl. In that book, with the Old Queen gone, but certainly not dead, the land is living under a Snow Queen-esque curse and discover the echoes of the cruel past through its' ghosts. Hurt and angry, they are determined to lash out in a punishing rage on Mups' family, ensur...

These times of self-isolation and social distancing have been difficult. But can you imagine trying to understand it all if you're a small child? It can be an overwhelming task to try to keep our children safe and happy while also explaining the reasons behind not being able to go to play-parks and visit with friends (especially in the gorgeous weather!), being unable to visit family, grandmas and grandads who play such an important part in a young childs' life. And of course, you don't want to laden them down with fear, anger or anxiety. In Galway, our own local publisher, Tribes Press has just released a picturebook that will help allay concerns and bring a bit of reassurance and understanding into your childs' world in these strange times. COVID MONSTERS' VISIT author: Marguerite Tonery illustrator: Fabrice Matray Tribes Press (27 May 2020) Uh-oh! The Covid Monster is here for a visit that no one wants! With his squishy hands and toes, he’s dripping nasty...

Siobhan Curham has a strong history of writing books for young people that speak to the heart of blossoming creativity, authentic voices and living, finding your tribe and standing strong in a society that wants...sameness. And throughout her books, she does this in a quiet, determined way, revealing the little shadows that seek to dim the light inside and fail. She consistently brings together the most unlikely of people and through her story, cements unbreakable bonds between them. Enter now, Clementine and Rudy... CLEMENTINE AND RUDY author: Siobhan Curham Walker Books (4 June 2020) ISBN: 9781406390230 Two 'ordinary' girls from different worlds, living only a few streets apart... Rudy is a young Street Artist, seeking out late at night even though nerves get the better of her, to reveal her images to an unsuspecting Brighton. Clementine is a poet, responding to the images she finds on Instagram with heartfelt, genuine words that seem to flow out of her of their own ...