Great books for children to read over Easter

Liz Nugent's 'The Truth About Ruby Cooper' follows sisters Ruby and Erin after a damaging incident at age sixteen reshapes their lives and those of the next generation. The novel explores themes of addiction, deception, family secrets, and the consequences of a fundamental lie told by a central character. Nugent examines what her characters want versus what they need, particularly the tension between escape and truth. The book blends psychological insight with suspenseful plotting characteristic of Nugent's work, focusing on how past events haunt the present. It situates misogyny and grooming by powerful men as part of the social backdrop that informs the characters' choices.

The Worried Book by Howard Perlstein with illustrations by James Monroe is part of a children’s series aimed at helping young readers identify and cope with common emotions. The book focuses specifically on worry, describing how it feels and offering reassuring strategies to children and caregivers. Gentle language and expressive illustrations make the subject approachable for preschool and early primary audiences. The series also includes titles addressing shyness and sadness, providing a toolkit for emotional literacy. It is often used by parents, teachers, and librarians to prompt discussions about feelings and coping mechanisms.

Little Irish Histories by Niamh Donnelly, illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald, is a children’s anthology that retells six notable Irish stories and legends for a young audience. The collection includes tales of Fionn mac Cumhaill, Grace O’Malley, Brian Boru, Queen Maeve, St. Bridget and Cú Chulainn, adapted to be accessible and engaging for children. Beautiful illustrations complement the retellings, making the book suitable for nightly story-reading and classroom use. The book introduces cultural heritage and folklore in a way that encourages curiosity about Ireland’s past. It’s presented as a durable hardcover, making it a popular family or library purchase for holiday reading.

The Only Monster by Matt Coyne with illustrations by Brendan Kearney tells the story of a little monster who feels glum because he doesn’t have a big family. Through warm storytelling and expressive illustrations, the book celebrates different family sizes and reassures only children that they are enough and deeply loved. It explores feelings of loneliness and belonging in a gentle, child-friendly way, suitable for read-aloud sessions and conversations about family diversity. The book’s combination of empathy and humour makes it a comforting choice for children navigating family differences. Librarians often recommend it to parents seeking inclusive, reassuring picture books.

The Snappy Shark, by Michelle Robinson with illustrations by Tim Bogdan, is a children’s picture book that tells a friendly story about coping with frustration and bad moods. Through the character of a shark who has a difficult day, the book normalises unpleasant feelings and offers gentle strategies for calming down and understanding emotions. It uses humour and bright illustrations to make the emotional lessons accessible to young readers and listeners. Ideal for parents and educators, the book supports conversations about feelings and self-regulation during storytime. Its reassuring tone helps children feel seen and learn simple coping techniques.

Sophie Henn's All Kinds of Families is a picture book that introduces children to the variety of family structures in the animal kingdom through engaging illustrations and short factual notes. The book balances playful artwork with accessible information, encouraging curiosity about animals and empathy for different family types. It is aimed at early readers and pre-school children, suitable for reading aloud or independent browsing. Themes include family diversity, natural science facts, and reassurance that families come in many shapes. The approachable tone and bright visuals make it a popular choice for library storytimes and home reading.