Review: Animal Crackers

Sarah Webb and Alan Nolan

Animal Crackers

The O’Brien Press, August 2020

Paperback, 176PP, €11.99

ISBN: 9781788490658

Picturebook, Nonfiction, Middle Grade

Review by Joanna Geoghegan.

Did you know that dolphins only shut down half their brain when they sleep? Or that polar bears’ fur isn’t white – it’s actually translucent to allow light to hit their skin, which helps keep them warm in the freezing Arctic Circle! Animal Crackers is a wonderful little handbook about animals from all over the world, straight from the brilliantly creative minds of Sarah Webb and Alan Nolan. 

The wit and easy flow of Sarah Webb’s writing combines with Alan Nolan’s charming illustrations to produce a book that is informative, easy to read and highly entertaining for readers of all ages. Animal Crackers is bursting with information about every animal you’ve ever heard of, and a few that you haven’t. The light humour throughout the book, and the intriguing facts about every animal ensure that the reader will be gripped right through to the end. Young readers will also love the interactive element of the book, which includes activities, games and drawing tutorials.

The wide variety of illustrations presented throughout the book ensure that each page is rich and unique. Nolan presents realistic, wonderfully detailed illustrations of each and every animal, interspersed with close-ups and diagrams of certain features to give a greater idea of the overall appearance and workings of each of the creatures in the book’s pages. Nolan also presents a keen understanding of children’s humour through his endearing cartoon-style illustrations of Hoppy and his various friends.

This highly insightful book carries a vital message about the effect that global warming is having on animals’ habitats and their food sources, both of which have been negatively affected worldwide due to rising global temperatures. The book provides an in-depth explanation of the consequences of climate changed caused by humans, and what steps need to be taken to prevent more damage being done.

The vast amount of research undertaken by Sarah Webb and Alan Nolan in the production of this book shines through on each and every page, and adults and children alike stand to gain from the knowledge within, whether simply by learning about the fascinating animals or following the authors’ advice on how to help combat climate change and protect animals’ natural habitats.

You can buy a copy of Animal Crackers here:

Animal Crackers by Sarah Webb and Alan Nolan

Thank you to the O’Brien Press for providing me with an advance review copy of this book.

This review was originally published on www.dublinbookfestival.com.

Review: Home Stretch

Graham Norton

Home Stretch

Hodder & Stoughton, October 2020

Paperback, 362PP, €13.99

ISBN: 978 1 473 66517 0

Adult fiction, LGBTQIA+ fiction

Review by Joanna Geoghegan.

It is 1987, and the town of Mullinmore, County Cork, is in high glee as they prepare for a wedding. The afternoon before the big day, however, the bride, groom and a bridesmaid are killed in a car crash. One of the survivors, Connor, must live with the guilt of having been the driver. Driven out by shame, Connor seeks refuge in Liverpool and London before finally settling in New York. But the past can only stay buried for so long, and soon Connor must face his secrets head-on.

Norton’s narration is atmospheric and transportive, yet the book also reminds the reader of the connectedness of the global Irish population as well as the closeness of small, rural Irish towns; Norton illustrates the ubiquity of the global Irish community in his account of Connor’s travels, and the subsequent inevitability of unearthing some previously undiscovered link to home. As much as we may try to run from our past, it catches up to us eventually.

In Home Stretch, Graham Norton takes the opportunity to explore the destructive effects of homophobia, particularly as it affects the rural, close-knit communities of late 20th Century Ireland, which was dominated by a strict allegiance to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Norton considers the discrimination experienced by LGBTQ+ community members worldwide and the disastrous effects that such alienation has on gay people. Norton illustrates with poignancy the internalisation of homophobia, and the fear and lack of self-esteem that LGBTQ+ individuals experience as a result.

In this book, Graham Norton lauds the perseverance and bravery of those in the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland for their dedication to making this country a more friendly and tolerant place. A celebration of the breakdown of stigma and the progress towards equality and acceptance that has been made by LGBTQ+ people, Home Stretch is a story of victory.

You can buy a copy of Home Stretch here:

Home Stretch by Graham Norton

This review was originally published on http://www.dublinbookfestival.com.

Review: The Dead Zoo

Peter Donnelly

The Dead Zoo

Gill Books, September 2020

Hardback, 32PP, €14.99

ISBN: 9780717189724

Picturebook, age 0-4

Review by Joanna Geoghegan.

Mr Gray is a very serious man who works in a museum called the Dead Zoo, which is full of animals who are very quiet, and very still. Imagine Mr Gray’s surprise when one day, he finds a mouse in his museum, who most certainly is not very still or very quiet! Mr Gray must catch the little mouse before she can wreak havoc.

The Dead Zoo, written and illustrated by Peter Donnelly, is a charming tale about how friendships can form in the unlikeliest of circumstances. The interaction between Mr Gray and the little mouse acts as a reminder of the old adage that books should not be judged by their cover – though many people are afraid of mice, the mouse in this story is kind and friendly.

The mouse acts as a representation of younger readers in this story, as it attempts to break down the boundary between adults and children and encourages them to take the time to understand each other’s wants and needs – the mouse needs a safe home, and Mr Gray needs love, friendship and kindness.

The minimalist nature of the illustrations in The Dead Zoo work brilliantly to keep up the flow of the story, the white backgrounds on many of the pages drawing the reader’s eye to the most important elements on the page. Donnelly makes effective use of the colour palette throughout the book to contrast the gravitas of Mr Gray’s character with the vibrant animals and children on each page.

Peter Donnelly charms the reader with this educational tale of love, kindness and empathy. The Dead Zoo is a must-read for young and old alike.

You can buy a copy of The Dead Zoo by Peter Donnelly here:

The Dead Zoo by Peter Donnelly

Thank you to Gill Books for providing me with an advance review copy of this book.

This review was originally published on http://www.dublinbookfestival.com.

Review: Beyond the Tape: The Life and Many Deaths of A State Pathologist

Dr Marie Cassidy

Beyond the Tape: The Life and Many Deaths of A State Pathologist

Hachette Books Ireland, October 2020

Paperback, 302PP, €16.99

ISBN: 978 1 5293 5297 3

Adult Nonfiction

Review by Joanna Geoghegan.

Beyond the Tape: The Life and Many Deaths of a State Pathologist is the gripping new memoir by the former State Pathologist of Ireland, Dr Marie Cassidy. The book takes its readers through an account of Dr Cassidy’s early life and the beginning of her medical career before delving into the nittier, grittier aspects of her job as a forensic pathologist, from taking part in crime scene investigations and conducting autopsies to testifying in open court.

Dr Cassidy’s memoir carries with it a sense of profound sadness for each of the lost lives which she encounters. The book is heartening in its account of the gruelling job of a forensic pathologist – as Dr Cassidy discusses the motivation behind her choice to work in pathology, the reader understands that such a position was chosen out of a desire to do what is right, and a hope to bring peace to grieving families.

Beyond The Tape is educational and honest, yet always respectful in its account of the investigations with which the former pathologist was involved. The field of pathology is defined not by the gruesome elements of the pathologist’s job, but by the sympathy, professionalism and kindness with which they conduct their work.

At times witty, empathetic and gut-wrenching, Beyond the Tape: The Life and Many Deaths of a State Pathologist offers a clear look at the responsibilities of a forensic pathologist, but also encourages the reader to see that death should not be something to fear. Unflinching in its representation of death investigation, Dr Cassidy’s memoir is a compassionate and truly compelling account.

You can buy a copy of Beyond the Tape: The Life and Many Deaths of A State Pathologist here:

Beyond the Tape: The Life and Many Deaths of A State Pathologist

This review was originally published on http://www.dublinbookfestival.com.

Review: Have You Seen the Dublin Vampire?

Úna Woods

Have You Seen the Dublin Vampire?

The O’Brien Press, September 2020

Hardback, 32PP, €12.99

ISBN: 9781788491198

Picturebook, 0-4, 5-7 years

Review by Joanna Geoghegan.

The Dublin Vampire loves to go for night-time walks around Dublin. Some of his favourite spots include O’Connell Street, Trinity College, Stephen’s Green and the Natural History Museum. Along the way, the Dublin Vampire and his little bat encounter all sorts of people in Dublin’s most famous haunts, including some dear old friends.

Úna Woods’ magical new picturebook takes its inspiration from the home of Bram Stoker in Clontarf, Dublin. This wonderfully illustrated picturebook is entertaining and educational, featuring many of Dublin’s most well-known landmarks and contextualising the legend of Dracula in an Irish setting in such a way that Bram Stoker’s legacy may be enjoyed by children without the fear factor.

Have You Seen the Dublin Vampire? contains some wonderful nods to the literary history of Dublin. Bram Stoker and his world-famous novel Dracula appear on more than one occasion, along with the centuries-old tomes of the Long Room in Trinity College, in which Woods has included an enchanting illustration of the Dublin Vampire reading from the Book of Kells.

Have You Seen the Dublin Vampire? is one of the highlights of Irish children’s publishing this year as it spirits the reader away on a thrilling romp all over Dublin’s inner city, with endearing characters and an eye-catching colour palette. This picturebook is a must-read for children who love spooky bedtime stories.

You can buy a copy of Have You Seen the Dublin Vampire? here:

Have You Seen the Dublin Vampire?

Thank you to the O’Brien Press for providing me with an advance review copy of this book.

This review was originally published on http://www.dublinbookfestival.com.