Review: Tatty

Christine Dwyer Hickey

Tatty

New Island Books, February 2020

Paperback, 208PP, €11.95 

ISBN 9781848407619 

Fiction

Review by Joanna Geoghegan.

Christine Dwyer Hickey’s semi-autobiographical novel, Tatty, was originally published in 2004. This year, it was rereleased with a spellbinding introduction by Dermot Bolger, and has been chosen as the Dublin One City One Book title for 2020. Set in the 1960s-70s, Tatty tells the story of a young Dublin girl whose family has been torn asunder by a devastating addiction to alcohol. The novel begins when Tatty, the titular main character, is three years old, and follows her, along with her five siblings and her embattled parents, until she is thirteen.

Dwyer Hickey’s writing style effortlessly morphs over the course of the novel to reflect Tatty’s ever-increasing maturity and situational awareness, reflecting with undiluted honesty the blissful innocence of her early childhood, heartbreakingly contrasted with an all-too-sharp level of awareness as she grows older. Dwyer Hickey tempers the heart-rending sadness of Tatty’s narration with remembrances of amusement, happiness and love.

Tatty projects a sentimental view of 1960s Dublin through the childhood antics of its protagonist and her siblings, yet the narrative is also ruthlessly honest in its representation of the systemic issues of alcoholism, family violence and secrecy that have dogged Irish society for so long. At its heart, Tatty is a rendition of a childhood marred by the effects of alcoholism, yet defined by resilience, strength, and hope.

You can buy a copy of Tatty here:

Tatty by Christine Dwyer Hickey

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

Review: Hello! A Counting Book of Kindnesses

Hollis Kurman (author)

Barroux (illustrator)

Hello! A Counting Book of Kindnesses

Otter-Barry Books, July 2020

Hardback, 32PP, £8.99

ISBN: 9781913074999

Picturebook, 0-4 years

Review by Joanna Geoghegan.

Hello! A Counting Book of Kindnesses is a beautiful story about a mother and her three children who are forced to flee from a war-torn country. Along the way, they are met with many people on their journey who show them great kindness, such as providing them with food and shelter, and providing the children with a good education and friendship. 

Kurman’s wonderful story speaks to the importance of empathy, understanding and generosity in ensuring the safety and happiness of refugees. By presenting this information in such a way that children are learning about the situation for refugees alongside practical educational skills such as counting, Kurman shows that the development of emotional skills such as empathy and kindness are integral to the education of children.

The message at the heart of Kurman’s writing – that refugees should be treated with kindness, respect and friendship, and that they deserve equal opportunity – is also informed by the warmth and optimism encapsulated within Barroux’s beautiful illustrations. Barroux’s drawings embody the hopes and dreams of millions of migrants in a truly heart-warming manner. 

He uses a palette of earth tones from the beginning to the end of the book, implying a sense of connectedness between the poor country the refugees have come from and the wealthy land where they find safety. The central meaning of the book is clear: we are all part of the same global community, and we have a responsibility to help each other in times of need.

You can buy a copy of Hello! A Counting Book of Kindnesses here:

Hello! A Counting Book of Kindnesses by Hollis Kurman

Thank you to Children’s Books Ireland for providing me with an advance review copy of this book.

This review was originally published on http://www.childrensbooksireland.ie.

Review: My Friend Earth

Patricia McLachlan

Illustrated by Francesca Sanna

My Friend Earth

Chronicle Books, February 2020

Hardback, 44 PP, £12.99

Picturebook, 0-4, 5-7 years

Review by Joanna Geoghegan.

Within the pages of this book, the narrator tells the story of their friend, Earth, from the moment she wakes up from a winter nap, to her next naptime the following winter. Earth encounters many animals, from the miniscule to the mountainous, for whom she acts as a guide and protector, returning lost baby zebras to their mothers and taking care of a vast number of sea creatures.

Patricia MacLachlan’s writing, rhythmic and immersive, vividly evokes the sights and sounds of nature. The text and accompanying illustrations carry a message of environmental awareness while also educating young readers about natural elements and phenomena such as rivers, mountains, rain and snow.

Francesca Sanna’s colour palette evolves from wintry pastels to vibrant greens, summery blues and autumnal shades of orange and red, signalling seasonal changes on every page. Some pages are beautifully cut so as to create a layering effect, while others use cut-outs so that the landscape of each double-page spread allows for an interactive and playful read, reminding the reader that everything in nature shares a connection.

MacLachlan and Sanna portray Earth as a lively young girl, encouraging readers to view our environment as something that is to be nurtured and cherished, reminding us of all of the other life forms who share this planet and their dependency on us to look after it. This is a beautiful picturebook that is sure to entertain while also bearing an important commentary about looking after the world around us.

You can buy a copy of My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Francesca Sanna here:

My Friend Earth by Patricia MacLachlan

Thank you to Children’s Books Ireland for providing me with an advance review copy of this book.

This review was originally published on http://www.childrensbooksireland.ie.

Review: Chasing Ghosts: An Arctic Adventure

Nicola Pierce

Chasing Ghosts: An Arctic Adventure

The O’Brien Press, March 2020

Paperback, 320PP, €8.99

ISBN: 9781788490177

Middle Grade

Review by Joanna Geoghegan.

Chasing Ghosts: An Arctic Adventure is a gripping new tale by Nicola Pierce that follows two series of true events that unfolded thousands of miles apart yet are inextricably linked. At the centre of the novel is the story of Ann Coppins, whose sister Weesy has recently passed away – but Weesy has not moved on, and her spirit remains in the family home. At the same time, a British Royal Navy expedition of two ships under the command of Captain Sir John Franklin and his second-in- command, Captain Francis Crozier, has gone missing in the Arctic Circle. Ann finds herself wondering if Weesy can tell them what has happened to the two ships.

Pierce creates a truly atmospheric depiction of Northern Ireland in the 1840s and
the unforgiving, harsh emptiness of the freezing cold Arctic, deftly balancing the gravity of the sailors’ situation with scenes of childhood innocence and mischief. Through her portrayal of complex
themes such as grief, family, love and friendship, Pierce brings new life to the story of Ann Coppins and the Franklin expedition, creating well-rounded fictional representations of real historical figures.

This account of the fate of HMS Erebus and Terror is both educational and captivating. The author’s notes at the end of the novel are a fascinating insight into the sources that Pierce consulted when writing this novel. At times amusing, endearing and heartbreaking, this book is guaranteed to have the reader hungering for the next page.

You can buy a copy of Chasing Ghosts: An Arctic Adventure here:

Chasing Ghosts: An Arctic Adventure by Nicola Pierce

Thank you to Children’s Books Ireland for providing me with an advance review copy of this book.

This review was originally published in Inis Magazine Issue 60 (July 2020).

Review: Eating Chips with Monkey

Mark Lowery

Eating Chips with Monkey

Piccadilly Press, April 2020

Paperback, 257PP, £6.99

ISBN: 9781848127371

Middle Grade.

Review by Joanna Geoghegan.

When ten-year-old Daniel suffers a terrible accident one night, he loses all memory of his life before the incident and becomes a shadow of his former self, speaking to no one except for his toy Monkey. His family try to help him by using one thing that they know he loves: chips. Eating Chips with Monkey follows Daniel’s family on a drive around England to find the best fish and chip shop in the country. The family experiences many amusing mishaps and adventures along the way, such as Grandma’s encounter with a very hungry giraffe.

Lowery employs a great amount of tact in his representation of Daniel, who has autism, and the journey that Daniel and his family embark on, making good use of humour to tell a story that is both light- hearted and endearing. Within Eating Chips with Monkey, autism spectrum disorders are portrayed in a way that is respectful while also being educational and entertaining. The narrative, told from the perspective of Daniel’s sister Megan, carries the message that those on the spectrum are more than just their disability – Megan notes, more than once, that her brother is a wonderful, multi-faceted boy.

At its heart, this is a narrative about unconditional love and the close-knit bond of family. Eating Chips with Monkey is a touching novel and a must-read for parents and children – with one small disclaimer: this story will have your stomach rumbling!

You can buy a copy of Eating Chips with Monkey here:

Eating Chips With Monkey by Mark Lowery

Thank you to Children’s Books Ireland for providing me with an advance review copy of this book.

This review was originally published in Inis Magazine Issue 60 (July 2020).