The story is simple and interesting and informally teaches some facts about bees. The illustrations are colourful and beautiful and very appealing to young children. I read this to my own children age 3 and 4 and they both enjoyed it.

It would also be suitable for infant classes in school and would be suitable for literacy or science, linking in with a nature, bugs or environmental theme. It would also be a good book for the Learn Together curriculum in Educate Together schools.

My children enjoyed this book and gave it a 9 out of 10 rating.

By Louise.

“Mimi the Dancing Bee” by Eoin O’ Brien and illustrated by Estrela Lourenco, published by O’ Brien Press, is now on sale for €10.99 (P/B).

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, O’ Brien Press, free of charge to Seomra Ranga for the purposes of this review.

We soon learn that Aurora holds a devastating secret and when the pressure gets too much, she decides to leave and go to the only place that might be remotely safe. The book takes us through Aurora’s experience with social media, highlighting the risks and dangers of being a social media influencer.

I enjoyed reading this book immensely. My favourite part of the book was when Aurora was taking the train to Cobh, Cork to visit her friend Daisy. I loved the excitement of it all, also their relationship, and the fact that they bonded over books and art. I found that the title “Looking for Aurora” had two different meanings, one being that she ran away, and the other that Aurora was trying to find who she is as a person, behind all the fame.

I felt that the book was meant for people who use the internet and social media regularly and, as I don’t, I found it difficult to fully understand and connect with Aurora and the situations that she was in.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and finished it in three days.  I would recommend it for age 12+. I rate this book an 8/10, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants a short, fictional but educational read.

By Olive (11), 5th Class, St. Brendan’s NS, Loughshinny, Co. Dublin.

“Looking for Aurora” by Zainab Boladale, published by O’ Brien Press, is now on sale for €11.99 (P/B).

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, O’ Brien Press, free of charge to Seomra Ranga for the purposes of this review.

The illustrations are simple, quite child-like in their drawings, and only use the colours blue, green and yellow primarily. The language used is simple and easy to follow and the story focuses on an ordinary day of Sam, doing ordinary everyday things.

Our favourite part of the story was the main theme of the story – being afraid but still trying and putting yourself out there. Tiny Ghost was nervous to leave his house and go with Sam, but he still went, and Sam looked after him. It’s a beautiful story of an unlikely friendship.

We scored the book 8/10.

By Mary Coyne, Co. Meath.

“A Friend For Tiny Ghost” by Tatyana Feeney, published by O’ Brien Press, is now on sale for €10.99 (P/B).

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, O’ Brien Press, free of charge to Seomra Ranga for the purposes of this review.

Simple, relatable and beautifully executed, Skunk and Sniffy, written by Muireann Ní Chíobháin and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly, is a delightful tale of comfort lost and found.

And when Skunk is finally reunited with his friend, something is not right – he has lost his familiar smell! Skunk is heartbroken but Mama saves the day with some comfort of her own.

The story moves at a nice, steady pace and is told using simple yet playful language. It is a joy to read aloud, thanks to Ní Chíobháin’s punchy sentences, easy rhythm and careful use of emboldening, exclamation points and capitalisation. 

The interplay of text and imagery works wonderfully well. With plenty of squiggly stink lines and details that invite pause, Donnelly’s bright, fun and characterful illustrations help us to understand just how much Sniffy (and Mama) means to Skunk. 

This is a story that will resonate with toddlers, preschoolers, infant class pupils, parents and anyone who has ever had something, or someone, that makes the world feel just right. 

By Karen Campbell, mother of 3 and lover of children’s literature, Co. Wexford.

“Skunk and Sniffy” by Muireann Ní Chíobháin, illustrated by Paddy Donnelly, published by O’ Brien Press, is now on sale for €10.99 (P/B).

Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, O’ Brien Press, free of charge to Seomra Ranga for the purposes of this review.