O'Brien for Schools 2009-2010

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TEACHING At The O’Brien Press we realise that reading is a core skill at the heart of the curriculum. We know that each child will present their teacher with an individual interest and ability profile. We realise that teachers need adaptable, versatile and engaging resources that will help them to plan and develop high-level thinking and communication skills in the classroom.

That’s why we at O’Brien have developed, and are constantly updating, a comprehensive range of FREE resources that support you, the teacher, and encourage children to develop these skills to their maximum potential.

O’BRIEN FOR SCHOOLS CONTAINS: • Details of hundreds of FREE TEACHING RESOURCES created by teachers for teachers to support O’Brien books • Details of NEW BOOKS from O’Brien for all reading levels from 4 years to 12 years+ • Four-page comprehensive THEMATIC BREAKDOWN of all O’Brien Press books for ease of use in the classroom • Samples of TEACHING SUPPORT MATERIALS for all reading levels READ ON! NEW BOOKS Lots of great new books for children of all reading levels and abilities!

COVER GALLERY Cover Gallery is an innovative way of introducing your class to creative visual arts, cultural diversity and language development.

Log on to www.obrien.ie/CoverGallery and find out more REAL BOOKS FOR SCHOOLS

Cover illustration from Olanna’s Big Day by Natasha Mac a’Bháird, illustrated by the Cartoon Saloon

Check out this fantastic integrated Reading Programme based on over 80 books – make O’Brien Press books work for you. Log on today and find out more – www.obrien.ie/ReadingProgramme

RESOURCES AVAILABLE FREE FROM WWW.OBRIEN.IE YOUR SCHOOL LIBRARY Get great advice and suggestions on setting up and maintaining a fantastic library in your school – available FREE at www.obrien.ie/SchoolLibrary

THE AUTHOR SPEAKS Check out what our authors have to say about their work, what inspires them, and read about the joys and challenges of writing and research. www.obrien.ie/AuthorSpeaks

ACTIVITY SHEETS THEMES Perhaps you are already using O’Brien books in your classroom, or maybe you’re thinking about it. Whatever the case, we realise that teachers need adaptable and versatile resources when choosing and using books in the classroom.

That’s why we’re giving you an in-depth list of the different THEMES and TOPICS at play in our books, at all of the different class and reading levels, completely FREE! This unique thematic breakdown offers help and advice when selecting a book or novel, and for getting the most out of O’Brien Press books in the classroom.

HUNDREDS of FREE activity sheets, created by teachers for teachers, with the primary school curriculum in mind.

Ideal for classroom use, with puzzle pages, suggested activities, language development and visual arts activities and much more. www.obrien.ie/ActivitySheets

DISCOVERY CHALLENGE

BILLEOGA SAOTHAIR Billeoga saothair bunaithe ar na leabhar SOS; Fíor nó Bréagach, Aimsigh na Difríochta, Deir Ó Grádaigh, Rabhlóga, … www.obrien.ie/SOS/Billeoga

Specialised activity sheets for reluctant readers, specially developed by resource teachers. Available FREE at www.obrien.ie/DiscoveryChallenge

POSTERS, BOOKMARKS & DISPLAY MATERIAL Email marketing@ obrien.ie today and we’ll send you a selection of colourful posters and bookmarks to brighten up your classroom or school library, completely FREE!

TEACHING GUIDES Are you choosing a new novel for your class? Or perhaps you are using O’Brien Press novels already. O’Brien Teaching Guides provide detailed suggestions for getting the most out of your chosen novel, with plot summaries, activities, discussion points and more. Teaching Guides are available for over 65 O’Brien Press books and more are added all the time.

Check out www.obrien.ie/TeachingGuides

Bring History to Life!

HISTORY, MYTH AND LEGEND COLLIDE IN THE SECRET OF KELLS, A FULL-COLOUR ILLUSTRATED STORYBOOK.

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BASED ON THE ANIMATED FEATURE THE SECRET OF KELLS BY TOMM MOORE

Twelve-year-old Brendan’s life in the monastery at Kells is not very exciting until the great illuminator Aidan arrives. Suddenly life is one big adventure. In the forest Brendan is rescued from wolves by Aisling, a mysterious green-eyed girl. In the cave of the Dark One, he risks his life to steal the eye of the serpent god, Crom Cruach.

Meanwhile Aidan is keeping a secret that will become Brendan’s biggest challenge, and the Vikings are getting nearer and nearer ...

This exciting story is brought to life through stunning visuals and includes a section of facts about the real Book of Kells.

ISBN: 978-1-84717-122-1 PRICE: €12.99/£10.99 FORMAT: Hardback/64 pages

DVD Now Available from ww w.obrien.ie

Praise for The Secret of Kells ls ‘lavishly illustrated ‘… a very stylish ad Books Ireland ‘A book to amaze and amuse any age … the blend of strong Celtic design with cartoonlike figures merge seamlessly together in this imaginative presentation of old legends.’

Irish Examiner ‘stunning double-page illustrations’ Primary Times

TEACHING RESOURCES

Help your class to learn more about the history of the Book of Kells - worksheets for primary schools students are available FREE to download from www.obrien.ie

Looking for something for older readers? Check out The Secret of Kells novel on page 16

Nature & Wildlife

Explore the wonders of nature in the city with Éanna Ní Lamhna!

Above buildings, beneath rivers and canals, amidst bushes and trees … inside the M50, nature abounds.

Minks in the Dodder, whales on the coastline, bats in Raheny, newts in Dundrum, badgers in Rathfarnham, otters in Ringsend – these are just some of the fantastic creatures to be seen in our capital city.

Bursting with fascinating facts and fantastic photos, and including fullcolour illustrations and easy-to-read maps, Wild Dublin is ideal for exploring wildlife in the classroom.

Divided into four chapters, Wild Dublin covers fresh water (rivers, canals and ponds), built-up areas (birds, mammals and plants that thrive in the city centre), parks (public parks, private gardens, graveyards) and coastal areas (from Shankill to Sutton).

Praise for Wild Dublin ‘A lavish, splendid, colourful big book with super photos throughout. A fine production, equally accessible to adults and young people from, say, ten.’ Books Ireland ‘Éanna Ní Lamhna has provided a vivid account of the urban flora and fauna and covers a prodigious range of subjects. Words and pictures fuse seamlessly in this lively celebration of nature in Dublin.’

Irish Examiner

• Contains new

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information on the capital’s flora and fauna Entertaining and engaging commentary from popular wildlife expert Éanna Ní Lamhna An excellent classroom resource

TEACHING RESOURCES Fantastic new teaching resource materials to help you and your class get the most out of Wild Dublin are available FREE at www.obrien.ie/WildDublin including We All Live Here ... Interpreting maps of your local area Bird’s Eye View: what features in your area would a bird be interested in?

What is a bird’s favourite colour?

Making bark rubbings Identifying trees, and much more ...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR ÉANNA NÍ LAMHNA is a long-standing member of the panel of experts on RTÉ’s wildlife programme ‘Mooney goes Wild’. Originally from Louth, she now lives in Dublin. Éanna is also the author of several other popular wildlife books.

ISBN: 978-1-84717-142-9 PRICE: €14.99/£12.99 FORMAT: Paperback/192 pages

Bridging Cultures, Bridging Reading Success

AN EXCITING NEW SERIES OF MULTI-CULTURAL AND INTER-CULTURAL BOOKS FOR CHILDREN, IDEAL FOR CLASSROOM USE

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I Won’t Go to China by Enda Wyley Poor Chang-ming! He has been picked for the school team but his family will be in China then, visiting his grandma. It’s not fair. ‘I won’t go to China,’ he decides. But what about Grandma? And isn’t a visit to China the most exciting thing ever? Especially when it’s Chinese New Year?

Chang-ming doesn’t think so ...

But China is full of surprises!

ISBN: 978-1-84717-159-7 PRICE: €7.99/£6.99 FORMAT: 260x190mm Hardback/32 pages ABOUT THE AUTHOR ENDA WYLEY is an author, poet and teacher and has had several books published including Socrates in the Garden and Poems for Breakfast. Her book for young readers, Boo and Bear, is in the O’Brien Panda Cubs series and she has also written The Silver Notebook for readers aged 10+.

The Romanian Builder by Peter Prendergast JJoe had so many questions for the new builder: Which tool was the most important? What if you were afraid of heights? How do you put scaffolding together? He is really disappointed when he finds out that Radu doesn’t speak any English.

Now he will never find out about building – or will he?

ISBN: 978-1-84717-105-4 PRICE: €7.99/£6.99 FORMAT: 260x190mm Hardback/32 pages ABOUT THE AUTHOR PETER PRENDERGAST is the author of one previous novel and works in Dublin as a schoolteacher. The Romanian Builder is his first children’s book.

Olanna’s Big Day by Natasha Mac a’Bháird There’s great excitement when the school band is chosen to march in the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Olanna practises really hard on her tin whistle. At last the big day arrives and they line up with the stilt-walkers, the bagpipers, the dancing leprechauns. Then disaster strikes.

But Olanna – with a little help from her granny back in Nigeria – saves the day!

ISBN: 978-1-84717-171-9 PRICE: €7.99/£6.99 FORMAT: 260x190mm Hardback/32 pages ABOUT THE AUTHOR NATASHA MAC A’BHÁIRD is a contributing book reviewer for several publications. She is the author of The Irish Bride’s Survival Guide. This is her first book for children.

Bridging Cultures, Bridging Reading Success

The Dreaming Tree by Eithne Massey Back home in Brazil, Roberto loved playing the world’s best football! Now he lives in Ireland, and he’d really like to have a game with the boys in the park, but he’s too shy.

When his granny reminds him of the Brazilian story of the dreaming tree, he doesn’t see how a story can help him …

But maybe it can!

ISBN: 978-1-84717-158-0 PRICE: €7.99/£6.99 FORMAT: 260x190mm Hardback/32 pages

ABOUT THE AUTHOR EITHNE MASSEY is the author of the children’s novel The Secret of Kells and is also a short-story writer. She is a graduate of UCD and NUI Maynooth. She has worked with the Arts Council and as a librarian.

TEACHING RESOURCES

Check out www.obrien.ie for FREE teaching materials for Bridges – coming soon Kindly Supported By the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATORS Cartoon Saloon is an award-winning animation and illustration design studio in Kilkenny, founded by Paul Young and Tomm Moore in 1999. The Secret Of Kells, Cartoon Saloon’s flagship feature film directed by Tomm Moore, was released in 2009.

Cartoon Saloon also illustrated the award-winning best-seller The Story of Ireland.

A NOTE FOR TEACHERS Bridges are a new series of books for children from The O’Brien Press celebrating Ireland ‘s ethnic and cultural diversity. We believe in the importance of stories as a way to shed light on our common and contrasting experiences, and these beautiful full-colour hardback books with high quality stories and engaging illustrations can help children with their understanding of other cultures and of the many different experiences of living in Ireland today. With story levels that are accessible to a very wide age range, Bridges are an ideal classroom resource and can be enjoyed by children with a wide range of language proficiency and differing reading abilities.

Bridging Sameness and Difference We know that knowledge and understanding can help to bridge the gap between sameness and apparent differences in the classroom. In the Bridges series, children learn about how people in Ireland from a broad range of cultural backgrounds communicate with each other and find commonalities in their experiences. Bridges present pupils with lively and engaging stories about the many different experiences of living in Ireland today and can help deepen their understanding of their own and other cultures.

Bridging Cultures, Building Reading Success With story levels that are accessible to a very wide age range and a high degree of illustration, the Bridges series meets the reality of mixed language proficiency and different reading abilities in the classroom and meets the teacher’s need to address the learning differences among pupils. A book from the series can be given to a child with very little English, and another book from the same series may be given to a competent reader. Bridges can also be used as the basis for projects or class learning about different cultures. With high quality and entertaining storylines and engaging illustrations from the award-winning Cartoon Saloon, these full-colour hardback books are an invaluable resource for the Resource Teacher, the Learning Support Teacher and the EAL Teacher, and equally to the classroom teacher engaging with the mainstream curriculum.

History, Myths, Legends & More!

THESE TRADITIONAL IRISH LEGENDS ARE RETOLD WITH A TOUCH OF MAGIC & ADVENTURE AND ARE BROUGHT TO LIFE WITH STUNNING FULL-COLOUR ILLUSTRATIONS FROM IRISH ILLUSTRATOR LISA JACKSON.

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A beautiful hardcover colour production with well-told stories, Best-Loved Irish Legends is ideal for readers aged 4+ or for reading aloud Includes: • The Salmon of Knowledge Contains • How Cú Chulainn Got His Name popular Irish • The Children of Lir legends told at school, with a • The King with Donkey’s Ears modern and fresh • Fionn and the Giant approach, ideal for • The White Wolfhound age 4+ ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR • Oisín

ISBN: 978-1-84717-137-5 PRICE: €14.99/£12.99 FORMAT: Hardback/64 pages

EITHNE MASSEY is the author of Legendary Ireland and The Secret of Kells novel and is also a short-story writer. She has had a lifelong interest in mythology.

LISA JACKSON enjoys working predominantly in children’s book illustration, creating her work with a mix of traditional and digital media.

The spectacular and highly acclaimed collection of specially commissioned new poems for children Something Beginning with P is a specially commissioned collection of new poems for children. Featuring work by more than one hundred leading Irish poets, this beautifully illustrated award-winning anthology is a book to treasure.

Includes original Irish language poems.

ISBN: 978-1-84717-092-7 PRICE: €14.99/£12.99 FORMAT: Paperback 160 pages

Includes poems by Seamus Heaney, Thomas Kinsella, Máighréad Medbh, Paula Meehan, Brendan Kennelly and many others.

TEACHING RESOURCES Check out www.obrien.ie for FREE teaching resources for Something Beginning with P

NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK

WINNER OF THE IRISH CHILDREN’S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2008 The Story of Ireland is a fascinating & comprehensive overview of Irish history from the Ice Age to the present day. It’s the ideal book for teaching your class all about the island of Ireland and our eventful and exciting past.

Includes full colour illustrations, photographs, easy-to-read maps and quirky cartoons that bring history to life!

The Story of Ireland begins ‘After the Ice’ and continues for 9,000 years, telling the story of the island and its people. Twenty-seven chapters bursting with information chronicle invasions, wars, Christianity, famine and a divided island. With everything from Celtic head hunters, mysterious stone tombs, the Vikings, the Black Death, life in castles, the Titanic, to the political upheaval of the 20th century and on into the 21st.

‘Deserves a place in every school and home library’ InTouch

ISBN: 978-0-86278-881-0 PRICE: €19.99/£16.99 FORMAT: Hardback/96 pages

TEACHING RESOURCES

We’ve made it even easier for you to use The Story of Ireland in your classroom – check out all the innovative new teaching resource materials now available FREE from www.obrien.ie/TheStoryofIreland over 25 resources available including History Detectives, Saints and Pagans, The Celts and lots more.

Senior Infants/Year 1: Reading Level 4+

At O’Brien we realise the need for bright, colourful, engaging and energetic books for younger readers, to help build up confidence during the early stages of learning to read.

Panda Cubs Where Reading Begins …

An exciting series of full-colour illustrated books for young children – ideal for reading with a child or helping them to begin reading on their own.

Dara is not happy.

Mum and Dad must go away for two whole days.

Dara wants to go too. Poor Dara …

But Uncle Joe has a big surprise!

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ISBN: 978-1-84717-083-5 PRICE: €5.99/£4.50 FORMAT: Paperback/48 pages

are ideal for Senior Infants/Year 1(P1)/Key Stage 1, as well as older children who may have difficulty learning to read.

Check out the other PANDA CUBS in the series: ‘The O’Brien ries Panda Cubs se to has all it takes ing’ encourage read Irish Examiner

Need something a little more advanced for your class?

First Class/Year 2: Reading Level 5+

are specially designed to introduce the beginner reader to the wonderful world of books. With exciting stories and lots of illustration and simple text, Pandas have proven highly popular with young readers, both in Ireland and abroad.

With quirky characters and original stories, Panda books are also perfect for older readers who may have difficulties learning to read.

Over 37 books in the series! ‘… These easy stories with their simple texts and lively illustrations should encourage even the most recalcitrant reader’ Sunday Independent ‘should appeal to children learning to read, including older children who are struggling.’

The School Librarian

This year sees the re-release of a perennial Panda favourite from children’s author Patrice Aggs

ISBN: 978-1-84717-154-2 PRICE: €5.95/£4.50 FORMAT: Paperback/64 pages

On the farm, some very strange noises are keeping the farmer awake. The ducks are having fun singing and banging ‘instruments’ – what a racket!

But their noise is keeping someone else awake too, wily Mr Fox. And that means trouble ...

ABOUT THE AUTHOR PATRICE AGGS has illustrated over thirty-five picture books for children, and she was part of the team which produced the animated film The Snowman. Patrice is currently writing picture books, illustrating and printmaking. Her children’s books, Ducks in Trouble and Strawberry Squirt, are part of the popular O’Brien Panda series.

First Class/Year 2: Reading Level 5+

Like all O’Brien Pandas, are ideal for beginner readers with exciting stories and illustrations throughout. With new tales and old legends retold, are truly magical!

Giants are huge, right? Well, this one is a bit different.

This Irish Giant looks like a big baby!

Will the Scottish Giant eat him for breakfast?

A humorous retelling of a favourite Finn McCool legend.

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ISBN: 978-1-84717-088-0 PRICE: €5.99/£4.50 FORMAT: Paperback/64 pages

ABOUT THE AUTHOR OISIN McGANN lives in Kells, Co. Meath and works as an author, freelance illustrator and artist. He has written many books for children including the popular Mad Grandad series for younger readers, The Poison Factory, The Evil Hair-Do and Wired Teeth, as well as books for older readers including The Harvest Tide Project, Under Fragile Stone, the award-winning The Gods and their Machines, and others.

More magical ‘O’Brien Legends series provide an exciting introduction to Irish legends for the young child. They are guaranteed to capture and sustain the interest of the emergent reader’ InTouch Magazine

TEACHING RESOURCES Activity Sheets At The O’Brien Press, we recognise the importance of teaching support especially at younger reading levels. That’s why we have HUNDREDS of FREE Activity Sheets available, including nearly 40 different specialised Activity Sheets to support the Panda series, so when you choose an O’Brien Panda you know you’re not just getting a book; you’re getting a whole teaching support package. O’Brien Activity Sheets are created

by teachers for teachers, with the primary school curriculum in mind. They are ideal for classroom use, with puzzle pages, language development and visual arts activities and more. www.obrien.ie/ActivitySheets Reading Programme Our Reading Programme includes interdisciplinary teaching ideas for 20 Panda books. Available FREE at www.obrien.ie/ReadingProgramme

Second Class/Year 3: Reading Level 6+

O’Brien Yellow Flag books are ideal for First & Second Class/Year 2 (P2) & Year 3 (P3)/Key Stage 1. These books are perfect for children who can read stories with chapters and slightly longer sentences. They capture the imagination of young readers with humour and illustrations which go beyond simply showing what is in the text, for a more complete reading experience.

With fun and original titles in the O’Brien Flyers and Alfie Green series,these books are also ideal for reluctant readers.

‘Ideal for confident readers who can take on the challenge of a longer story’ Sunday Independent ‘A jolly series that will give readers a real sense of achievement.’

The School Librarian

Check out the hilarious Mad Grandad series from award-winning children’s author Oisín McGann.

The Mad Grandad series is supported by a wide range of teaching resources available to download free from www.obrien.ie

Second Class/Year 3: Reading Level 6+

Magic and adventure with ‘gorgeous books beautifully illustrated, perfect for 6–7 year-olds’ Sunday Independent

in Out now ck paperba

ISBN: 978-1-84717-174-0 PRICE: €6.99/£4.99 FORMAT: Paperback/80 pages

The circus has come to town.

But it’s no ordinary circus, it’s Monty’s Marvellous Monkey Circus and all the performers are monkeys!

All the kids from Budsville are really excited, except for Alfie who suspects all is not what it seems . . .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR JOE O’BRIEN is an awardwinning gardener who lives in Ballyfermot in Dublin. He is the author of eight Alfie Green books as well as Little Croker and Féile Fever for older readers. He has appeared on RTÉ’s The Den and TV3’s Ireland AM and is a regular contributor to local radio shows. He regularly holds readings in bookshops and libraries around the country.

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‘If you believe you can win, I believe you can win!’ yelled the coach.

Danny Wilde and his team mates are finding the Under-14s Division tough going. They’ve lost one of their best goal-scorers to injury and it looks like they’ll have no chance of winning the County Féile! Could Todd, the new Australian kid, be the answer to their prayers? Todd’s an Aussie Rules player – tough and skilful – but can he become a GAA player in time for the Féile?

It’s all to play for in the second great book about GAA player Danny Wilde - turn to page 16 for more details!

TEACHING RESOURCES Activity Sheets We’ve got lots of FREE teaching materials for O’Brien Yellow Flag books including over 45 Activity Sheets, available to download FREE from www.obrien.ie/ActivitySheets

Reading Programme The O’Brien Reading Programme has detailed classroom notes available for over 10 Yellow Flag books – www.obrien.ie/ReadingProgramme

Title Here Third & Fourth Class/Year 4 & 5: Reading Level 8+

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Mischief & Magic with ANNA THE WITCH books are ideal for a reading level of 8 years + as well as reluctant readers or older readers who may experience difficulty reading.

More magical adventures with Anna the Witch:

ISBN: 978-1-84717-130-6 PRICE: €6.99/£4.99 FORMAT: Paperback/96 pages

A WITCH in a Fix! Anna Kelly’s science teacher really gets on her nerves – but is that a good enough reason to turn her into a giant rat? With a big, angry rat on the loose, Anna soon realises she’s made a bad mistake. How will she turn it back into her teacher? And can she do it quickly, before anyone finds out that she’s an apprentice witch? Anna can’t admit what she’s done, so no one can help her with her big, furry problem – or can they? Sometimes even witches need a little help from their friends!

ISBN: 978-1-84717-129-0 PRICE: €6.99/£4.99 FORMAT: Paperback/96 pages

ISBN: 978-1-84717-108-5 PRICE: €6.99/£4.99 FORMAT: Paperback/96pages

What if you were adopted by WITCHES?

A book of mischief and magic …

When Anna Kelly moves into her new home, she’s so happy – a family of her own at last. But Anna soon discovers that her guardians are not quite what they seem …!

Anna the Witch is more interested in sleepovers, school friends and soccer than practising her magic. Then she meets Verbena Vile, a mad, bad and dangerous witch – and wishes she’d worked a bit harder on her spells! Can Anna and Charlie the cat defeat the vile Verbena?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR MARIAN BRODERICK is also the author of The Lost Fairy in the Flyers series and The Witch Apprentice, as well as the acclaimed Wild Irish Women for adults.

TEACHING RESOURCES

Activity Sheets O’Brien Press Red Flag books can be used in conjunction with over 50 Activity Sheets – all available to download FREE from www.obrien.ie You can find lots of FREE teaching resources and classroom notes, as well as a full list of all titles featured in the Reading Programmee for Schools, at www.obrien.ie

Title Here Third & Fourth Class/Year 4 & 5: Reading Level 8+

TEACHING RESOURCES

O O’BRIEN READING PROGRAMME Real R Books for Primary Schools Fo many years, teachers have been using O’Brien books as the basis for class reading material, For and a many others have approached us seeking advice on how best to introduce real books to their pupils. t As A a result, we’ve produced a Reading Programme for Schools which offers detailed ssuggestions on how to use real books in the classroom in a cross-curricular and integrated way. Written by primary teachers, our Programme offers the teacher variety and choice. w It puts YOU in charge and helps you to:

• • • •

Select real books for your classroom Plan oral work for language classes Plan cross-curricular work Develop interesting and worthwhile extension work based on class reading material

The O’Brien Reading Programme for Schools is a complete primary reading programme with detailed classroom notes on over 60 books. The Programme is based on the requirements of the Primary School Curriculum. As well as a focus on English, Mathematics, SESE (including History, Geography and Science), Arts Education (Visual Arts, Music, Drama), Physical Education and SPHE, Oral language is given prime importance and all SPHE suggestions are language-based, as are most of the SESE ideas. Inspectors of the Department of Education encourage this approach in the classroom. The O’Brien Reading Programme features titles for reading levels from 6 to 12 years+ and is available FREE to download from www.obrien.ie/ReadingProgramme Here’s a sample from the O’Brien Reading Programme, which offers suggestions for working with the award-winning Adam’s Starling by Gillian Perdue, ideal for a reading level of 8 years+

You can find lots of FREE teaching resources and classroom notes, as well as a full list of all titles featured in the Reading Programme for Schools, at www.obrien.ie

The O’Brien Press was delighted to join together with Children’s Books Ireland in our first nationwide ‘Design A Cover’ Competition. With thousands of entries from children of all ages across the country, the standard of entries was very high. The winner was Holly Crowley Walsh from Ballinhassig, Co. Cork.

Well done to everyone who took part!

When the farm cat warns Runtling the pig of his approaching fate, he realises that the trip to market is one which he must avoid at all costs and he rushes off to warn his long-lost siblings of the danger.

Together the thirteen pigs escape and make their way across country, learning all sorts of new things about themselves, about humans and about the world outside the farmyard.

It seems that their troubles are over when they find an abandoned farm. Then the new owners take possession of their land and the pigs fear that their escape has been in vain.

ISBN: 978-0-86278-667-0 PRICE: €6.99/£5.99 FORMAT: Paperback/144 pages

But Nick and Polly Faraway have strange, alternative ideas about farming and a lifestyle which may work to the benefit of pigs and humans. Maybe there can be a happy ending after all!

Fifth & Sixth Class/Year 6 & 7: Reading Level 10+

O’Brien Press Blue Flag books offer a wealth of fiction from award-winning authors with everything from adventure, fantasy and historical fiction to stories of love, friendship and family life.

Many O’Brien Press Blue Flag books have won awards and been translated into a wide range of foreign languages, a true testament to their quality and popularity.

History, myth and legend collide in

From best-selling children’s author JUDI CURTIN

When the famous illuminator, Aidan of Iona, arrives with his cat, Pangur Bán, Brendan longs to help him with his work on the Great Book. But Abbot Cellach forbids Brendan to set foot outside the monastery walls. ‘The Northmen are coming,’ he warns. And that is not the only danger …

Can Brendan outwit the serpent god, Crom Cruach? Will the walls of Kells protect Brendan and the monks from the invading Vikings?

And will the Great Book ever be finished?

The Secret of Kells brings to life the fictionalised story of Brendan and ‘‘a well-crafted his part in the completion of one novel … beautif ully illustrated …a of the world’s most famous and rich, exciting treasured books, The Book of Kells. and distinctive narr ative that Based on the animated feature film should greatly appeal to young readers, especi The Secret of Kells ally

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Winning is a good thing. Isn’t it?

Everyone in first year is really excited about the big prize in the English essay competition – four months in France – and Alice has a good chance of winning.

Megan loves writing essays, but she doesn’t want to win – go away for four months alone, no way! She doesn’t want Alice to go either – why would anyone want to go abroad without her best friend? But Alice seems determined to win …

IISBN: 978-1-84717-175-7 PPRICE: €7.99/£6.99 How much should you give up for FORMAT: F Paperback/256 pages your best friend? ‘‘Curtin’s celebration of friendship, humour and loyalty is a vvery enjoyable read and will appeal particularly to girls in the 10 to 12 age group’ InTouch Magazine 1

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ISBN: 978-1-84717-121-4 PRICE: €7.99/£6.99 FORMAT: Paperback/192 pages

those aged 10 +’ Inis Magazine

ABOUT THE AUTHOR EITHNE MASSEY is the author of Legendary Ireland and Best-Loved Irish Legends and is also a short-story writer. She has had a lifelong interest in mythology.

O’Brien Reading Programme Real Books for Primary Schools The O’Brien Reading Programme for Schools offers detailed suggestions on how to use real books in the classroom in a cross-curricular and integrated way. Written by primary teachers, it offers teachers variety and choice and helps to: • Select real books for the classroom • Plan oral work for language classes • Plan cross-curricular work • Develop interesting and worthwhile extension work based on class reading material The Th O’Brien Reading Programme is available FREE to download on www.obrien.ie/schools d Here’s a sample which offers suggestions for H working with 17 Martin Street from Marilyn Taylor, w the t award-winning author of Faraway Home.

Simply download FREE today from www.obrien.ie/resources/Guide-17MartinSt.pdf

ABOUT THE AUTHOR JUDI CURTIN grew up in Cork and now lives in Limerick where she is married with three children. A former teacher, she has written six other books about best friends Alice and Megan – Alice Next Door, Alice Again, Don’t Ask Alice, Alice in the Middle, Bonjour Alice and Alice and Megan Forever. She is also co-author, with Roisin Meaney, of See If I Care.

TEACHING RESOURCES TEACHING GUIDES O’Brien Press Teaching Guides are invaluable classroom assets offering support to ‘guided reading’ in the classroom.

Teaching Guides for O’Brien Blue Flag books offer: • Overviews of the major themes addressed • Section summaries • Suggestions for development activities • Advice for themed integration across the curriculum and more All O’Brien Press Teaching Guides are available FREE to download at www.obrien.ie/TeachingGuides

Fifth & Sixth Class/Year 6 & 7: Reading Level 10+

From the award-winning and best-selling children’s author MARITA CONLON-McKENNA The critically-acclaimed Children of the Famine trilogy from one of Ireland’s best-loved children’s authors, Marita Conlon-McKenna, has been re-released in special new editions with covers designed by award-winning illustrator P.J. Lynch, for a whole new generation of readers to discover.

Ireland in the 1840s is devastated by famine and when tragedy strikes their family, Eily, Michael and Peggy are left to fend for themselves. Starving and in danger of ending up in the dreaded workhouse, they escape. Their one hope is to find the great-aunts they have heard about in their mother’s stories.

With tremendous courage they set out on a journey that will test every reserve of strength, love and loyalty they possess.

Teaching Guides for this novel are available FREE - simply download today from www.obrien.ie/teachingguides

Praise for Under the Hawthorn Tree ‘beautiful and moving ... historically true and fictionally vivid.’

The Sunday Times

ISBN: 978-0-86278-206-1 PRICE: €7.95/£6.99 FORMAT: Paperback/160 pages

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Under the Hawthorn Tree, the first novel from best-selling children’s author MARITA CONLON-McKENNA became an immediate bestseller and an international success when published, it was translated into 12 languages and over 200,000 copies have been sold in Ireland alone. It won the International Reading Association Award, the Reading Association of Ireland Premier Award and the Österreichischer Kinder- und Jugendbuchpreis. Marita’s other books include Wildflower Girl, Fields of Home, The Blue Horse, No Goodbye, Safe Harbour, In Deep Dark Wood and A Girl Called Blue.

New

From popular children’s author JOE O’BRIEN ‘If you believe you can win, I believe you can win!’ yelled the coach.

Danny Wilde and his team mates are finding the Under-14s Division tough going. They’ve lost one of their best goal-scorers to injury and it looks like they’ll have no chance of winning the County Féile!

Could Todd, the new Australian kid, be the answer to their prayers? Todd’s an Aussie Rules player – tough and skilful – but can he become a GAA player in time for the Féile?

ISBN: 978-1-84717-173-3 PRICE: €7.99/£6.99 FORMAT: Paperback/208 pages

Also by Joe O’Brien

ABOUT THE AUTHOR JOE O’BRIEN is an award-winning gardener who lives in Ballyfermot in Dublin. He is the author of eight Alfie Green books as well as Little Croker and Féile Fever for older readers.

Leabhair Gaeilge

GLAC Sraith leabhar do léitheoirí óga atá maisithe go hálainn. Bealach fíorspreagúil í an tsraith seo leis an nGaeilge a shaothrú sa seomra ranga. Áis iontach í freisin do thuismitheoirí ar mhaith leo léamh na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn sa bhaile.

Age 6+: native speakers/Age 8+: others

NUA

ISBN 978-1-84717-128-3 PRICE: €5.95/£4.50 FORMAT: Paperback/64 pages

Is cairde maithe iad Ruairí agus Murchú. Ach lá amháin ní raibh Ruairí ábalta Murchú a fháil in áit ar bith. Chuardaigh Mamaí agus Daidí agus Ruairí gach áit. Ach ansin fuair siad glaoch teileafóin: an bhfuil Murchú faighte?

TE TEACHING RESOURCES Féach ar www.obrien.ie Fé chun Bileoga Saothair ch SAOR a fháil!

SA AN SCRÍBHNEOIR: Is múinteoir í Brianóg Brady Dawson a bhfuil cónaí uirthi i mBaile Átha Cliath. Tá naoi leabhar eile scríofa aici: Granny’s Teeth, Danny’s Smelly Toothbrush, Granny Makes a Mess!, Danny’s Sick Trick, Danny and Baby Do It All, Granny’s Secret, Danny’s Pesky Pet, Pageboy Danny, Danny’s Crazy Christmas agus an aistriúchán Fiacla Mhamó.

Leabhair Gaeilge

NUA

An enjoyable and practical way to learn the first essential words in Irish!

Hide and Speak Irish goes further than most picture word books. It offers an effective and simple way to learn over 130 key Irish words following the tried-and-tested method of ‘look, cover and speak’. Using the two wipe-clean flaps at the back of the book to cover the words or the pictures, users can practice speaking or writing the words as many times as they want. Hide and Speak Irish is organised into 15 popular themes including farm, school, family, colours and food. od.

ISBN: 978-1-84717-147-4 PRICE: €9.99/£7.99 FORMAT: Paperback/32 pages

• • • • •

‘a good introduction to the language for children or adult learners’ Evening Echo ‘practical, simple and more fun for kids than it sounds!’ Books Ireland

The ‘Hide and Speak’ system has been established as an effective language learning tool Wipe-clean flaps can be used over and over again Each section has nine key words and picture prompts Hide and Speak Irish also contains an easy to use pronunciation guide Engaging, humorous full-colour picture spreads illustrate each theme

Sraith nua bheoga, céim amháin os cionn shraith Sos. Scéalta neamhghnácha agus gus iontu!

Following on from the success of our Sos series for younger readers, teachers have been asking us for Irish language books for older readers. That’s why we developed this exciting new series Scéal Eile. The first book in the series is written by renowned Irish language children’s author Áine Ní Ghlinn.

CATEGORY Children Age 8+ (native speakers), 9+ (others) The first book in a vibrant and exciting Irish language series from The O’Brien Press Feighlí?

Tá Niamh agus Aonghus rómhór le feighlí a bheith acu. Nó sin a cheapann siadsan.

Ach té tuairimí eile ag an au pair nua ... agus cleasanna nua aici freisin!

ISBN 978-1-84717-047-7 PRICE €6.95/£4.99 FORMAT Paperback/64 pages

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Scríbhneoir agus léachtóir í AINE NI GHLINN. Tá trí chnuasach filíochta foilsithe aici.

Bíonn sí ag scríobh freisin don dráma teilifíse Ros na Rún ar TG4.

Themes in O’Brien Press Books Why use O’Brien Books in your school? O’Brien books are real books. Written as fiction for young readers, many have won awards and more have been acclaimed by distinguished reviewers.

Why themes? We recognise that teachers have been using our books for many years and this experience has informed our approach to using real books in the classroom. Now, in response to requests from teachers, we have listed below some of the many themes or subject areas dealt with in some of our most popular novels. The topics or themes suggested are just some of the many you will find in our books, and are intended only as a starting point or possible guide when selecting a class novel.

General Books We have included some titles from our general book list where these are accessible and appropriate for use in schools.

Why so few themes for Panda Cubs, Pandas or Flyers? As in-depth exploration of novels generally begins only in the middle and senior classes of primary school, we have not included many Panda Cubs, Panda, Flyer or SOS titles in the lists below. We take these books very seriously: the books in these series are often the first, and therefore arguably the most important, books the very young reader will read independently. Most of the books from these series have strong characters who, with (or despite!) help from family and friends, stretch the limits of their worlds and assert their own independence, often in a humorous and fresh way. We included titles from these series in the lists below only where we felt that a theme was particularly relevant.

ADV EN T UR E BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS

n Sailor Bear n The Secret of Kells PURPLE FLAG (READING AGE 5+)

n Lighthouse Joey n Muckeen and the UFO YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+)

n Alfie Green and the Bee Bottle Gang

n Alfie Green and the Conker King n Alfie Green and the Fly Trapper n Alfie Green & the Magical Gift n Alfie Green & the Snowdrop Queen n Alfie Green & the Supersonic Subway n Mad Grandad and the Kleptoes n Mad Grandad and the Mutant River n Mad Grandad’s Flying Saucer n Mad Grandad’s Robot Garden n Mad Grandad’s Wicked Pictures n Robots Don’t Cry RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n Charlie Harte and His Two-wheeled Tiger n The Fight for Plover Hill n The Five Hundred n The Great Pig Escape n The Witch Apprentice n The Witch in the Woods BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n The Battle for the Castle n Bike Hunt n Call of the Whales n The Castle in the Attic n Chill Factor n Cyril’s Woodland Quest n In Deep Dark Wood

n Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (maybe) n The Island of Ghosts n Lockie and Dadge n The Mystery of the Mountain n Red Hugh n The Secret of Kells n The Shakespeare Stealer n Shakespeare’s Scribe n Swap n The Wish List GREEN FLAG (READING AGE 12+)

n TruthSeeker

A N I MA L LI FE BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

n Granny MacGinty n What Are Friends For? n Whose Ears? n Whose Nose? n Whose Feet? n Wild Dublin PURPLE FLAG (READING AGE 5+)

n Katie’s Caterpillars n My Dog Lively n Where’s Murphy?

ORANGE FLAG (READING AGE 4+)

n Cinders n The Timid Rabbit YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+)

n Alfie Green and a Sink Full of Frogs n Blue, Where Are You? n The Hedgehog’s Prickly Problem n The Tiger Who Was a Roaring Success RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n Cá Bhfuil Murchú? n The Great Pig Escape n Mo Mhadra Beoga n An Rún Mór n Sky Wings

BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Cyril’s Woodland Quest n Call of the Whales n Star Dancer

BOY/GIRL/TEEN RELATIONSHIPS BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Benny and Babe n Bike Hunt n Blue Lavender Girl n Chill Factor n Copper Girl n Dark Secret n Don’t Even Think About It n Epic n Faraway Home n Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (maybe) n Hazel Wood Girl n Johnny Coffin – School-Dazed n Katie’s War n My Nutty Neighbours n No Peace for Amelia n Out of Nowhere n Out of the Flames n Saga n Sisters ... no way! n See If I Care n Star Dancer n The Wish List GREEN FLAG (READING AGE 12+)

n The Chieftain’s Daughter n The Cinnamon Tree n Wings over Delft

BULLYING ORANGE FLAG (READING AGE 4+)

n Cinders n The Timid Rabbit YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+)

n Robots Don’t Cry

RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n Adam’s Starling n Walter Speazlebud BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Alice & Megan Forever n Benny and Babe n The Blue Horse n Bonjour Alice n Dark Secret n It Wasn’t Me n Just Joshua n Lockie and Dadge n The Moon King n Star Dancer n The Young Rebels

CULTURAL DIVER S I TY BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

n The Dreaming Tree n I Won’t Go to China n Olanna’s Big Day n The Romanian Builder RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n Ice Dreams BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Benny and Omar n Bill and Fred? n The Gods and Their Machines n A Horse Called El Dorado n Just Joshua GREEN FLAG (READING AGE 12+)

n The Cinnamon Tree GENERAL BOOKS

n Brown Morning

DIF F ERENCE, PREJ UDICE, INTOLERANCE ORANGE FLAG (READING AGE 4+)

n Emma says Oops!

PURPLE FLAG (READING AGE 5+)

n The Little Black Sheep

Themes in O’Brien Press Books n Snobby Cat n Strawberry Squirt YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+)

n Ed’s Funny Feet n The Leprechaun Who Wished He Wasn’t RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n Animals Don’t Have Ghosts n An t-Uan Beag Dubh BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n 17 Martin Street n Benny and Omar n Bill and Fred? n The Blue Horse n Cherokee n Cyril’s Woodland Quest n Dark Secret n Faraway Home n Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (maybe)

n A Girl Called Blue n The Guns of Easter n In the Claws of the Eagle n The Island of Ghosts n It Wasn’t Me n Just Joshua n Kate n Katie’s War n Lockie and Dadge n Missing Sisters n The Moon King n My Nasty Neighbours n My Nutty Neighbours n The Old Country n Out of the Flames n Safe Harbour n Sisters ... no way! n Star Dancer n Under Fragile Stone n A Winter of Spies GREEN FLAG (READING AGE 12+)

n The Chieftain’s Daughter n The Cinnamon Tree n TruthSeeker n Wings Over Delft n In the Claws of the Eagle

ENV IRON ME NT AL CA R E BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

n Noah’s Ark n The Smallest Whale n The Story of the Creation n Wild Dublin YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+)

n Alfie Green & the Bee Bottle Gang n Alfie Green & the Conker King n Alfie Green & the Fly Trapper n Alfie Green & the Magical Gift n Alfie Green & a Sink Full of Frogs n Alfie Green & the Supersonic Subway

RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n The Eagle Tree n The Fight for Plover Hill n The Great Pig Escape BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Alice Next Door n Call of the Whales n The Celestial Child n Cyril’s Woodland Quest n A Horse Called El Dorado n The Island of Ghosts n The Old Country n Sky Wings n Under Fragile Stone

FA MI LY R ELA TI O N S H I P S BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

n Granny MacGinty (grandmother)

n Mr Bear’s Picnic (father/children)

n Mr Bear to the Rescue (father/children)

n Mouse TV (parents/siblings) n Owl Babies (mother/children) n The World is full of Babies! (parents) PURPLE FLAG (READING AGE 5+)

n The Big Brother (siblings) n Helpful Hannah (grandmother) n Pageboy Danny (uncle, parents, grandparents, sister) YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+)

n Anna’s Secret Granny (grandfather) RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n Adam’s Starling (grandfather) n Albert and the Magician (parents/sibling)

n Dear Me! (grandfather) n Jimmy’s Leprechaun Trap (grandfather) n Juliet’s Story (grandmother) BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Alice Again (parents, younger siblings)

n Alice Next Door (parents/children)

n Amelia (parents) n The Battle for the Castle (parents/child-minder)

n Benny and Babe (grandfather/parents/children)

n Benny & Omar (parents/children) n Bill and Fred? (sisters) n The Blue Horse (parents/children) n Call of the Whales (father/son) n The Castle in the Attic (parents/child-minder) n Cherokee (grandfather)

n Chill Factor (father/son) n Dark Secret (grandfather) n Don’t Ask Alice (parents/children)

n Don’t Even Think About It (parents)

n Dream Invader (extended family/cousin)

n Faraway Home (siblings) n Fields of Home (siblings) n The Fight for Plover Hill (grandfather) n A Girl Called Blue (foster family/adoption) n The Harvest Tide Project (uncle/siblings) n A Horse Called El Dorado (parents/grandparents) n In Deep Dark Wood (siblings) n The Island of Ghosts (siblings) n It Wasn’t Me (twins) n Jimeen (parents) n Just Joshua (father/son) n Kate (parents, siblings) n Katie’s War (father/daughter/family) n Little Croker (father/son) n Lockie and Dadge (foster families) n The Lost Island (father/son) n Missing Sisters (sisters) n The Moon King (foster families) n My Nasty Neighbours (parents) n My Nutty Neighbours (parents, siblings) n No Goodbye (parental separation, father/siblings) n The Old Country (grandmother) n Out of the Flames (fathers) n Safe Harbour (grandfather) n Sisters ... no way! (sisters, new families) n Star Dancer (mother/son) n Survivors A True-Life Titanic Story (siblings) n Under Fragile Stone (teens/parents, uncle) n Under the Hawthorn Tree (siblings) n Wildflower Girl (siblings) n A Winter of Spies (father) n The Young Rebels (father, aunt) GREEN FLAG (READING AGE 12+)

n Wings over Delft (father) GENERAL BOOKS

n All Shining in the Spring (family/bereavement)

F ANTASY, OTHER W ORLDS YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+)

n Alfie Green & the Magical Gift

n Alfie Green & the Snowdrop Queen

n Alfie Green & the Supersonic Subway RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n The Book of Curses n Diabolic Downloads n Éasca Péasca n The Witch Apprentice BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n The Battle for the Castle n The Castle in the Attic n Celtic Magic Tales n Celtic Tales of Enchantment n Dream Invader n Epic n Faery Nights/Oícheanta Sí n The Gods and Their Machines n The Harvest Tide Project n In Deep Dark Wood n The Old Country n Out of Nowhere n Saga n Under Fragile Stone n The Wish List

F RIENDSHIPS BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

n Bertie Rooster n Póga the Dragon n The Smallest Whale n What Are Friends For? YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+)

n Alfie Green and the Bee Bottle Gang

n Alfie Green and the Conker King

n Alfie Green and the Fly Trapper n The Leprechaun Who Wished He Wasn’t

n Robots Don’t Cry RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n Dear Me! n The Witch in the Woods BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Alice Again n Alice and Megan Forever n Alice in the Middle n Alice Next Door n Alice to the Rescue n Amelia n Benny and Babe n Benny and Omar n Bill and Fred? n The Blue Horse n Bonjour Alice n Call of the Whales n Dark Secret n Don’t Even Think About It n Epic n Faraway Home n Féile Fever n Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (maybe)

Themes in O’Brien Press Books n A Girl Called Blue n It Wasn’t Me n Johnny Coffin – School-Dazed n Just Joshua n Katie’s War n Little Croker n Lockie and Dadge n The Moon King n My Nutty Neighbours n No Peace for Amelia n Out of Nowhere n Out of the Flames n Saga n See If I Care n Star Dancer n The Shakespeare Stealer n Shakespeare’s Scribe n Six Haunted Hairdos n Swap n War Children n The Wish List n The Young Rebels GREEN FLAG (READING AGE 12+)

n Survivors (Titanic disaster) n The Táin (Celtic Ireland) n Under the Hawthorn Tree (Irish Famine)

n War Children (Irish War of Independence, 1919-1921)

n A Winter of Spies (Irish Civil War, 1922)

n The Young Rebels (1916) GREEN FLAG (READING AGE 12+)

n In the Claws of the Eagle (WWII) n The Chieftain’s Daughter (Celtic Ireland) n TruthSeeker (Viking Dublin, East Anglia) n Wings Over Delft (the Enlightenment, Holland) GENERAL BOOKS

n No Ordinary Women

H U MO U R PURPLE FLAG (READING AGE 5+)

n The Cinnamon Tree n Wings Over Delft

n Pageboy Danny

H IS TORY

n Granny MacGinty n Mouse TV

BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

n The Secret of Kells n The Story of Ireland BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n 17 Martin Street (WW II in Ireland)

n Amelia (Suffragettes) n Brian Boru (Vikings in Ireland) n Celtic Magic Tales (Celtic Ireland)

n Celtic Tales of Enchantment (Celtic Ireland)

n Celtic Way of Life n The Easter Rising: A Guide to Dublin in 1916

n Faraway Home (WW II, Germany, Northern Ireland, Kindertransport) n The Guns of Easter (1916 Rising, WW I) n The Hunt for Diarmaid and Gráinne (Celtic Ireland) n Kate (1930s Dublin) n Katie’s War (Irish Civil War) n Pirate Queen n No Peace for Amelia (WW I, Easter Rising, 1916) n Red Hugh (English rule in Ireland, 16th century) n Safe Harbour (WW II, London Blitz, Ireland) n The Shakespeare Stealer (Elizabethan England) n Shakespeare’s Scribe (Black Death, Elizabethan England) n Strongbow (Normans in Ireland)

BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

n The Leprechaun’s Challenge n The Leprechaun’s Riddle n My Nasty Neighbours n My Nutty Neighbours n Seven Spiders Spinning n Sisters ... no way! n Six Haunted Hairdos n The Wish List

INF ORMATION BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

n All About Gaelic Football n All About Hurling n Fantastic Far-Flung Facts For Fun n The Story of Ireland BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Granuaile Chieftain, Pirate, Trader

n W.B. Yeats GENERAL BOOKS

n Brendan the Navigator n Celtic Way of Life n Exploring Newgrange n Exploring the Book of Kells n Exploring the Spanish Armada n Exploring the World of

Colmcille WHITE FLAG (ALL AGES) n Saint Patrick: Ireland’s Patron ¨ Beastly Jokes Saint ¨ More Beastly Jokes n O’Brien Pocket History of YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+) Ireland n Alfie Green and the Fly Trapper n O’Brien Pocket History of Irish Saints n Alfie Green and the Magical Gift n O’Brien Pocket History of Irish n Alfie Green and a Sink Full of Traditional Music Frogs n A Pocket History of Gaelic n The Leprechaun Who Wished Culture He Wasn’t n A Pocket History of Irish n The Lough Neagh Monster Literature RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+) n The Vikings in Ireland n Animals Don’t Have Ghosts n Wild Dublin n Boom Chicka Boom n Charlie Harte and His ISSUES Two-wheeled Tiger YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+) n Dear Me! n The Eagle Tree n Alfie Green and a Sink Full of n The Great Pig Escape Frogs (positive elderly role n Jimmy’s Leprechaun Trap model) n Leprechaun on the Loose n Blue, Where Are You? (Moving n Walter Speazlebud house) BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Alice Again n Alice Next Door n Benny and Babe n Benny and Omar n Bill and Fred? n Don’t Even Think About It n Five Alien Elves n Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (maybe)

n Four Stupid Cupids n It Wasn’t Me n Jimeen n Johnny Coffin – School-Dazed

RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n Adam’s Starling (financial pressures)

n Charlie Harte and His Two-wheeled Tiger (unemployment) n Dear Me! (illness of parent, moving to new area, new school) BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Alice Again (parental separation)

n Alice in the Middle (friendships)

n Alice Next Door (parental separation)

n Amelia (financial pressures, women’s rights)

n Bill and Fred? (sibling rivalry, positive elderly role models)

n The Blue Horse (ethnic minority)

n Cherokee (parenting) n Chill Factor (life-threatening illness, genetic engineering)

n Cyril’s Woodland Quest (being orphaned)

n Dark Secret (being an outsider) n Don’t Ask Alice (parental separation)

n Don’t Even Think About It (parental separation, disability)

n Epic (elitism, domination, control of wealth/resources)

n Faraway Home/17 Martin Street (war, refugees)

n A Girl Called Blue (being orphaned)

n The Gods and Their Machines (politics, terrorism, domination) n The Harvest Tide Project (domination, control of resources) n A Horse Called El Dorado (guerrilla activity, domination) n It Wasn’t Me (bullying) n Just Joshua (being an outsider) n Kate (poverty, religion) n Katie’s War (mental illness) n Lockie and Dadge (foster care, being outsiders) n Missing Sisters (being orphaned) n The Moon King (foster care, being different) n My Nasty Neighbours (teen/parent relationships) n My Nutty Neighbours (being different, prejudice and intolerance) n No Goodbye (parental separation) n No Peace for Amelia (pacifism) n The Old Country (war, ethnicity) n Out of the Flames (war, racism) n Safe Harbour (serious illness of parent, war) n Saga (politics, anarchism, exercise of power, domination, social order) n The Silver Notebook (absent parent) n Sisters ... no way! (death of parent, new families)

Themes in O’Brien Press Books n Star Dancer (social disadvantage)

n Under Fragile Stone (domination, resources) n The Young Rebels (death of mother, bullying father, war) GREEN FLAG (READING AGE 12+)

n The Cinnamon Tree (landmines, disability, the Developing World)

n In the Claws of the Eagle (war, prejudice and intolerance)

n Wings Over Delft (class, science, art and religion)

MY TH AN D L E G E ND BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

n Best-loved Irish Legends n The Boyne Valley Book and Tape of Irish Legends

n The O’Brien Book of Irish Fairy Tales & Legends PURPLE FLAG (READING AGE 5+)

n Finn’s Thumb n The Riddle n The Baby Giant YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+)

n The Big Fight n Here, There and Everywhere BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Celtic Magic Tales n Celtic Tales of Enchantment n The Hunt for Diarmaid and Gráinne n Faery Nights/Oícheanta Sí n Jimmy’s Leprechaun Trap n The Táin n The Secret of Kells GENERAL BOOKS

n Celtic Names for Children n Celtic Way of Life n Legendary Ireland

O T HE R PE OPL E & LA NDS BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

n The Dreaming Tree n I Won’t Go to China n Olanna’s Big Day n The Romanian Builder BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Benny and Omar n Call of the Whales n The Cinnamon Tree n A Horse Called El Dorado n Ice Dreams n Just Joshua n The Old Country GREEN FLAG (READING AGE 12+)

n Al Capsella and the Watchdogs n The Heroic Life of Al Capsella n Friend of my Heart

P ER S O N A L C H A LLENGE BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

n Póga the Dragon ORANGE FLAG (READING AGE 4+)

n Boo and Bear n Bertie Rooster n Emma says Boo! n Emma says Oops! n Molly’s Night Out n The Timid Rabbit

n A Winter of Spies GREEN FLAG (READING AGE 12+)

n The Cinnamon Tree n TruthSeeker n Wings Over Delft

POLITICS BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Epic n The Gods and Their Machines n The Harvest Tide Project YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+) n A Horse Called El Dorado n Alfie Green and the Magical Gift n Out of Nowhere n Barry’s New Bed n Saga n Ed’s Bed n Under Fragile Stone n Ed’s Funny Feet GREEN FLAG (READING AGE 12+) n Going Potty n In the Claws of the Eagle RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+) (WWII) n Adam’s Starling n The Chieftain’s Daughter n Dear Me! n Wings Over Delft BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Alice Next Door n Amelia n The Battle for the Castle n Bill and Fred? n The Blue Horse n Blue Lavender Girl n Call of the Whales n The Castle in the Attic n Cherokee n Cyril’s Woodland Quest n Copper Girl n Dark Secret n Don’t Even Think About It n Epic n Faraway Home n Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (maybe)

n A Girl Called Blue n The Guns of Easter n Hazel Wood Girl n A Horse Called El Dorado n Ice Dreams n In Deep Dark Wood n Just Joshua n Kate n Katie’s War n Little Croker n Lockie and Dadge n Missing Sisters n The Moon King n My Nasty Neighbours n My Nutty Neighbours n No Goodbye n No Peace for Amelia n Out of the Flames n Red Hugh n Safe Harbour n Saga n Sisters ... no way! n Star Dancer n Survivors n Under the Hawthorn Tree n War Children

GENERAL BOOKS

GENERAL BOOKS

n Last Man Standing n Munster Hurling Legends n Munster Rugby Giants n O’Brien Pocket History of Gaelic Sport

STORY, STORY TELLI N G YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+)

n Here, There and Everywhere RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n Boom Chicka Boom n Juliet’s Story BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Faery Nights/Oícheanta Sí n The Shakespeare Stealer n Shakespeare’s Scribe n Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (maybe)

n The Old Country

n Brown Morning n Irish Writers Against War

TRADITIONAL TA LES / NURSERY RHYM ES

SCHOOL LIF E

n Best-loved Irish Legends n Little Piggies n Noah’s Ark n The O’Brien Book of Irish Fairy

RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n Adam’s Starling n Albert and the Magician n Dear Me! n Walter Speazlebud BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Alice & Megan Forever n Alice Next Door n Bill and Fred? n The Blue Horse n The Castle in the Attic n Cherokee n Dark Secret n Don’t Even Think About It n Five Alien Elves n Four Stupid Cupids n The Island of Ghosts n It Wasn’t Me n Johnny Coffin – School-Dazed n Lockie and Dadge n My Nutty Neighbours n Seven Spiders Spinning n Six Haunted Hairdos n The Young Rebels

SPORT BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

n All About Gaelic Football n All About Hurling BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n The Battle for the Castle n Benny and Babe n Benny and Omar n Bill and Fred? n Féile Fever n Little Croker n Star Dancer

BLACK FLAG (PICTURE BOOKS)

Tales & Legends

n The Story Of The Creation PURPLE FLAG (READING AGE 5+)

n Finn’s Thumb n The Henny Penny Tree n The Riddle YELLOW FLAG (READING AGE 6+)

n Here, There and Everywhere RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n Boom Chicka Boom BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Faery Nights/Oícheanta Sí n Sisters ... no way!

VISUAL & PERF ORMANCE A R TS PURPLE FLAG (READING AGE 5+)

n Conor’s Concert n Conor’s Canvas RED FLAG (READING AGE 8+)

n Tommy the Theatre Cat BLUE FLAG (READING AGE 10+)

n Cherokee n Hazel Wood Girl n Kate n The Old Country GREEN FLAG (READING AGE 12+)

n In the Claws of the Eagle n Wings Over Delft GENERAL BOOKS

n Celtic Decorative Art n Decorative Dublin n O’Brien Pocket History of Irish Traditional Music

REAL BOOKS FOR SCHOOLS Using O’Brien flags to select books for your classroom As children start school at different ages under the various educational systems listed here, and also begin formal reading at different stages, this suggested guide to suitability for various ages differs for each system.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

NORTHERN IRELAND &

ENGLAND & WALES

SCOTLAND

Picture books

Usable throughout the school (but especially Junior Infants)

Usable throughout the school (but especially Year 1 [P1])

Usable throughout the school (but especially Reception)

ORANGE FLAG

Senior Infants (also First Class)

Year 1 [P1]. Key Stage 1

Reception

First Class (also Senior Infants, Second Class)

Year 2 [P2]. Key Stage 1

Year 1.

Key Stage 1

Second Class (also First Class, Third Class)

Year 3 [P3]. Key Stage 1

Reading level 6+

Year 2.

Key Stage 1

RED FLAG

Third Class, Fourth Class

Year 4, Year 5 [P4, P5].

Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2

Year 3, Year 4.

Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2

Fifth Class, Sixth Class

Reading level 10+

Year 6, Year 7 [P6, P7].

Key Stage 2

Year 5, Year 6.

Key Stage 2

First Year, Second Year Reading level 12+ (second-level schools)

Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 (secondary Year 7, Year 8, Year 9 (secondary schools). Key Stage 3 schools). Key Stage 3

BLACK FLAG

Reading level 4+ PURPLE FLAG

Reading level 5+ YELLOW FLAG

Reading level 8+ BLUE FLAG

GREEN FLAG

This is a general guide to reading levels.

It will help you to choose books to suit your pupils and their abilities.

Where Can I Find O’Brien Press Books?

1.

BOOKSHOPS AND SUPPLY CENTRES: O’Brien Press books are available in all good bookshops and school supply centres. You can ask them to order any O’Brien Press books for you and you can get individual copies or class sets.

2.

THE INTERNET: All O’Brien Press books can be bought directly from our website www.obrien.ie. They are also available from online retailers such as www.amazon.co.uk.

3.

BUYING DIRECTLY: Alternatively, orders can be placed by post, telephone, fax or e-mail: The O’Brien Press, 12 Terenure Road East, Rathgar, Dublin 6, Ireland Tel: +353 1 492 3333; Fax: +353 1 492 2777; E-mail: schools@obrien.ie Discounts: a discount of 10% and free postage is available on all class sets bought directly.

Higher discounts are available for bigger orders.

4.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES: All public libraries should have O’Brien Press books. If they do not have a title you’re looking for, they can order it for you.

5.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES: Most school libraries will have many of our children’s books. (Remember, if you do not have a school library, you can use our guide to setting one up: see www.obrien.ie/SchoolLibrary)