Books for children in Irish have not always been of the greatest standard or variety. One of the few publishers with the money and expertise to produce children's books of a high quality is An Gum, the publishing agency of the Department of Education and Science which was originally founded in the 1920s to publish contemporary works of fiction, both original and translations. However, the growth in independent publishing houses in the last few years - most notably Coisceim and Clo Iar-Chonnachta - has meant that they have been surpassed in that regard. Thankfully, the organisation has looked to its strengths and has recently brought out a selection of children's books which are attractive and good value.
Sa Phairc Phoibli: pictiuir agus focail (£3.20) is one in a collection of picture books for tiny children. 40 clear colour photographs with the name of each object pictured allows even the most nervous of Irish readers to make out what's what. Other titles in the series include: Ceard e fein?; Sa Teach and An Fheirm.
Cochaillin Dearg and Na Tri Mhuicin (£2.20 each, for four-to-seven-year-olds) are familiar tales to everyone. (Go on. You can work out the translation yourself.) These were standard fare in the primary school of my own infancy and I'm glad to report that Cochaillin Dearg still manages to escape the big, bad mac tire and, indeed, that the same wolf still comes off second best to the tri mhuicin. Both books are wonderfully illustrated and the Irish is simple and straightforward.
Aimed at the six-to-nine-year-olds, Maith thu, a bheirin, (£5.95) is Martin Waddell's story of Big Bear and Little Bear and their travels in a somewhat hazardous wood. Needless to say, all's well that ends well and both bears learn a valuable lesson or two. Lovely illustrations by Barbara Firth and well translated by Eilis Ni Anluain.
Mary Arrigan's Siuloid Bhrea (£5.20, 6-9 years) is the story of Daideo and his dog Rex. Rex causes all sorts of trouble on the way to the park and back, but Daideo is unaware of any his beloved mutt's transgressions. Nice big pages and readable, well-presented text. All those praiseworthy traits are also to be found in Rosemary Canavan's Caitriona agus an tEinin oir (£4.95, 8-11 years, translation by Donal O Liathain), a story of a little girl who finds a golden treasure.
Roisin agus an Sionnach (£4.95) by Colman O Raghallaigh is also aimed at the 8-11year-olds. However, there is a lot more reading in this book than in the other two. That said, it shouldn't be a problem for anyone with a fair grasp of the language. The illustrations by Aoife Ni Raghallaigh differ from the other books. More natural, they have a great sense of vitality.
Two books for teenagers are Maitiu O Murchu's Colm na Cille (£5), which tells the story of Saint Colmcille in a straightforward way, and Atlantis: An Chathair a Badh (£6.50) by Christina Balit with a beautiful translation by Gabriel Rosenstock. Balit's illustrations are astoundingly rich and imaginative, while those by Deirdre Ni Bhraonain in Colm na Cille are quieter but appealing.
Pol O Muiri is Irish Language Editor of The Irish Times