Directed at younger readers, Aoife Dooleys wonderful new boardbook, ABC Ireland!, teaches young children how to say the alphabet in an innovative and entertaining way. Dooley takes children through their ABCs by showing them examples of each letter within an Irish context.

Dooley finds creative ways for teaching children the more difficult letters of the alphabet by relating them to well-known landmarks of Irish history and culture. For example, the letter Q is depicted alongside an illustration of Queen Maeve, while X shows the tradition of kissing the Blarney Stone.

Parents and guardians and their children will be able to appreciate the humour in this charming little book, with jokes such as Yy for Yer Man, beside which is a picture of President Michael D. Higgins. ABC Ireland! provides a fantastic opportunity for adults to teach children all about different aspects of Irish culture, from history (Kk is for Book of Kells, Nn is for Newgrange), to sport (Gg is for GAA) and even music (Ff is for fiddle). Dooleys enchanting illustrations bring each cultural reference to life on the page, with lovely pictures of Oscar Wilde, Vikings and the Aran Islands. In ABC Ireland!, Dooley also teaches children about the Irish landscape, with references to the different parts of Ireland and its geographical features. This is a highly educational picture book that adults will enjoy reading to young children.

Author/Illustrator: Aoife Dooley

Publisher: Little Island Books

Reviewer: Joanna Geoghegan

Publication Date: April 2022

Format: Board Book

Pages: 24

ISBN: 9781912417872