Please drop in or post a hard copy of your entry to Halfway up the Stairs, La Touche Place, Greystones, Co Wicklow, A63V624
Young Comic Book Makers’ Competition Entry Form
Author: admin
Jumping off the Page Family and School Events – Full Programme
EVENTS FOR FAMILIES
With thanks to our funders: The Arts Council, Wicklow County Council and Wicklow Arts Office
And our supporters: The Whale Theatre, Children’s Books Ireland, Greystones Library, Walker Books, Scholastic, Gill Books, Guppy Books and Futa Fata
Friday 2nd October
Meet the Comic Book Makers at Halfway up the Stairs
Free but booking required – Book Here 2pm
Please only book one time slot!
Date: Friday 2nd October
Venue: Halfway up the Stairs
Time: 2.00pm to 3.00pm and 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Age: 7+
With Sarah Bowie, Gary Northfield, Nene Lonergan, Alan Nolan, Leona Forde and Karen Harte
Meet the Jumping off the Page Comic Book Makers, show them your own work and get a book signed. They will also be doing live doodling and window painting during the afternoon. The perfect event for all young comic book fans!
Award Ceremony for the Jumping off the Page Young Comic Makers’ Competition
Date: Friday 2nd October
Venue: Halfway up the Stairs
Time: 3.15pm to 3.45pm
All shortlisted young comic book makers will be invited to attend
(If they would also like to attend the 2pm or 4pm Meet the Comic Book Makers slot, please book them in separately to the relevant age group)
Link for the Young Comic Makers’ competition entry form here
Friday 2nd October – Evening
Jumping Off the Page Comic Book Talk and Artists’ Meet Up with Sarah Bowie and Gary Northfield (Over 18s only please)
With thanks to Children’s Books Ireland for their support
Are you an adult who is interested in creating comic books? Are you a parent, teacher or librarian who would like to find out more about the world of comic books? This is the perfect event for you!
Date: Friday 2nd October
Venue: Greystones Library
Time: 6pm to 7.15pm
Age: Adults
Tickets: €20
Booking: Book Here
Join us for an illustrated, interactive event with two highly experienced comic book makers from Ireland and the UK: Sarah Bowie and Gary Northfield. They will talk about creating comic books for children and teenagers and how they got into, and continue to work in, the industry. They will also share some of their comic book favourites for all ages.
Afterwards, there will be a chance to chat with other comic book makers and exchange experience and ideas. All new and emerging comic book makers are welcome.
Pop up bookshop on site.
Saturday 3rd October – Family Workshop with Greystones Library
Amelia Cheesehart and Friends Comic Book Workshop with Nene Lonergan
Date: Saturday 3rd October
Venue: Greystones Library, Mill Road, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, A63 KN52
Time: 11am to 11.45am
Age: 8+
Tickets: This event is free of charge (with thanks to Greystones Library)
Booking: Please email: greylib@wicklowcoco.ie or telephone 01-2873548 or call into the library in person *
Join Nene Lonergan for a fun, interactive comic book workshop. Discover how Nene creates her animal characters and create some animal characters of your own! Perfect for any child who loves art and comic books.
*Please note each child must be accompanied by an adult (no ticket required for adults).
SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER FAMILY EVENTS AT THE WHALE
Squid Squad and Other Stories with Aoife Dooley (Relaxed Event)
Date: Saturday 3rd October
Venue: The Whale Theatre, Greystones
Time: 10.15am to 11.15am (Signing 11.15am to 12.00pm)
Age: 9+
Tickets: e13 children, e16 adults
Booking: BOOK HERE
An event for children and teens (and parents) who enjoy a calmer, less crowded event. Aoife was a huge hit at the last Jumping Off the Page Comic Book Festival and is back by popular demand!
Aoife will share her brilliant comic books from Frankie’s World to Squid Squad and will also talk about the challenges she faced at school and her autism diagnosis as a young woman. And inspiring event for all ages!
Mighty Mega Pets and Amelia Cheeseheart Chat and Draw Along with Gary Northfield and Nene Lonergan
Hosted by Alan Nolan
Date: Saturday 3rd October
Venue: The Whale Theatre
Time: 1pm to 2pm (Signing 2pm to 2.45pm)
Age: 7+
Tickets: e13 children, e16 adults
Booking: BOOK HERE
Would you like to discover how Gary and Nene create and draw their brilliant comic book characters, from dogs with hundreds of legs (Mighty Mega Pets), to hairy spiders (Amelia Cheeseheart) and where they come up with their zany ideas? Listen to them talk to Alan Nolan and then take part in a brilliant draw along.
We can’t wait for this fun, interactive event!
Please bring a notebook and pencil for the draw along (grown ups too!)
Comic Book Extravaganza
Our Favourite Comic Books and Ready, Steady, Draw!
With Sarah Bowie, Alan Nolan, Karen Harte and Aoife Dooley
Hosted by Leona Forde
Date: Saturday 3rd October
Venue: The Whale Theatre
Time: 4pm to 5pm (Signing 5pm to 6pm)
Age: 9+
Tickets: e13 children, e16 adults
Booking: BOOK HERE
Listen to the panel talk about their favourite comic books and why they love them. Then it gets lively with Ready, Steady, Draw!
Two comic book teams, one goal – to win the Jumping off the Page crown! Who will be the best at drawing sharks? Who can create the silliest monster character?
Watch our teams create magic (and mayhem!) right before your eyes.
The best fun you can have outside of reading comic books!
Saturday 3rd October – Event at Halfway up the Stairs
Meet the Comic Book Makers and GET A BOOK SIGNED – (FREE – no booking required)
Meet our festival comic book makers, ask them about their work and get a book signed. You can also show them your own comic books and there might even be some live doodling to watch!
Date: Saturday 3rd October
Venue: Halfway up the Stairs Bookshop
Age: All ages welcome
Tickets: Free of charge
Booking: No booking required
| Gary Northfield and Alan Nolan | 10.45am – 11.45am |
| Sarah Bowie | 12pm – 1pm |
| Leona Forde and Karen Harte | 1pm – 2pm |
| Aoife Dooley | 1pm – 2pm |
| Nene Lonergan | 3pm – 4pm |
SCHOOL EVENTS – PLEASE CONTACT THE SHOP FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Dog Man Irish/English Dual Language Event for Schools with Máirín Ní Mhárta (Online Event for Schools)
Venue: Live Online
Date: Thursday 1st October
Time: 12pm to 12.40pm
Age Group: 4th class to 6th class
Tickets: e10 per class (1 booking = 1 screen)
Booking: info@halfwayupthestairs.ie
Máirín will do an event in Irish and English around the hugely popular comic book, Dog Man, published in Irish by Futa Fata.
Imeacht Dog Man – imeacht dátheangach Gaeilge/Béarla beo ar líne do scoileanna le Máirín Ní Mhárta (Imeacht Scoile)
Déardaoin 1 Deireadh Fómhair – Imeachtaí ar Líne
12in go 12.40in
Aoisghrúpa: Rang 4 ar aghaidh
Beidh imeacht le Máirín i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla bunaithe ar an tsraith iomráiteach Dog Man, atá ar fáil anois i nGaeilge, foilsithe ag Futa Fata.
Chris Judge and Nene Lonergan: Evil Duck and Amelia Cheeseheart (In Person Event for Schools)
FULLY BOOKED – CONTACT US TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST
Venue: The Whale Theatre, Greystones
Date: Friday 2nd October
Time: 10am to 10.45am (followed by a signing, pop up bookshop on site)
Age Group: 3rd class and 4th class
Tickets: e150 per class (max 30 students)
Booking: info@halfwayupthestairs.ie
Karen Harte and Gary Northfield: Meet the Mighty Mega Pets and Efie Offline (In Person Event for Schools)
FULLY BOOKED – CONTACT US TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST
Venue: The Whale Theatre
Date: Friday 2nd October
Time: 12.00pm to1.00pm (followed by a signing, pop up bookshop on site)
Age Group: 5th class and 6th class
Tickets: e150 per class (max 30 students)
Booking: info@halfwayupthestairs.ie
A lively, fun, interactive event for schools with book chat, readings, lots of art and images to look at, and a draw along.
Please bring a notebook and pencil for each child for the draw along.
Our 2026 Jumping Off the Page Speakers:
Sarah Bowie is a bestselling author and illustrator based in Waterford. Her comic book series for children, Nina Peanut, has been a huge hit both her and in the UK. The latest in the series is Nina Peanut: Major Drama Alert.
She is co-founder of The Comics Lab and of Ireland’s first Graphic Short Story Prize in partnership with The Irish Times.
Aoife Dooley is an award-winning illustrator, writer and comedian. She is well known for her graphic novels for children, Frankie’s World and Finding My Voice. The stories are loosely based on her young self and feeling different from others. Aoife shares her own experiences around autism after getting a diagnosis in her late 20’s. She credits this discovery to helping her to finally understand herself for the first time.
Her new graphic novel series for younger readers, Squid Squad, is hugely popular.
Leona Forde is the bestselling author of the Milly McCarthy series and an English and History teacher from Bandon, County Cork. She wrote Milly McCarthy for her daughter, who wanted to read a Wimpy Kid style story but not one set in the US or UK. Milly McCarthy and the Doggie Daycare Drama will be published in September.
Karen Harte is an illustrator, comic creator and arts educator from Dublin. Her illustrations focus on playful visual storytelling and are informed by finding joy in the everyday. She illustrates the best-selling Milly McCarthy series written by Leona Forde. Effie is Offline is her debut graphic novel.
Chris Judge is an illustrator, artist, and children’s picture book author from Dublin, Ireland. Since 2011 Chris has written and illustrated over 35 children’s books, many of which are in collaboration with authors like Roddy Doyle, David O’Doherty, Jarvis and Eoin Colfer. His first book, The Lonely Beast won the Specsavers Irish Children’s Book of the Year 2011 in the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards. His Evil Duck comic books are hugely popular with young readers.
Nene Lonergan is a Thai/Chinese artist based in Ireland. She started drawing comic books at age 7 and has not yet stopped. Her comic works have been published in the OPArts Anthology, the HOME Anthology and Inis Magazine, for which she has been nominated for the Eco de Literatura prize (2021), the Ignatz awards (2022) and the Le Blanc Literature prize (2022). After art college, she won the Prize in Illustration from the Irish Institute of Designers Graduate Awards for her short comic in 2023.
Máirín Ní Mhárta is a professional translator from An Cheathrú Rua, Co. Galway. She is best known for bringing the Dog Man and Diary of a Wimpy Kid series to young Irish-language readers. She loves bringing books to life in a new language!
Alan Nolan is a comic creator and is the author and illustrator of children’s books such as Fintan’s Fifteen, Conor’s Caveman and the Sam Hannigan series. He is the illustrator of the popular Gordon’s Game books written by Gordon D’Arcy and Paul Howard, as well as Animal Crackers by Sarah Webb. His new book, Lights, Camera, Mayhem in The Grand Central Cinema Club series is out in September.
Gary Northfield is the award-winning London-based author/illustrator of the Julius Zebra series. His comic strip Derek the Sheep appeared in The Beano and Gary has also created comics for The Phoenix, The Dandy, The DFC, National Geographic Kids magazine, Horrible Histories magazine and The Magical World of Roald Dahl.
Summer Stories 2026
We have chosen some super books to recommend for all ages this summer!
Picture Books:
Buy the books and read more about them by clicking the links below :
I, Rock by Eoin McLaughlin and Mark Chambers
What’s That Spooky Sound? by Erika McGann and Gerry Daly
The Island of the Bees by Patricia Forde and Paddy Donnelly
Rafi and Rita by Jarvis and Chris Judge
Monkeypig by How Aaron
Tiny Jenny by Briony May Smith
Letters to a Giant by Patricia Forde and Sarah Warburton
6 + :
Buy the books and read more about them by clicking the links below :
Amelia Cheeseheart Investigates: Ice Age Alarm by Cat Weldon and Nene Lonergan
Isadora Moon and the Pop Stars by Harriet Muncaster
Ivy and Bearlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Dinosaur Fossil by Kristina Litten
The Gumdrops: Quest for Bravery by Elissa Elwick
Jolly Monster Town: The Party Pickle by Rong Rong
Adventuremice: Of Mice and Mummies by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
8+ :
Buy the books and read more about them by clicking the links below :
Pablo and Splash: Viking Voyage by Sheena Dempsey
The Diary of Wiska Wildflower: The Crystal Cave by Harriet Muncaster
Squid Squad: Shrimply the Best by Aoife Dooley
Scare B’n’B by Catherine Doyle
Tiny Hercules by Jon Lock and Nich Angell
The Day My Brother Got Famous by Jen Carney
10+:
Buy the books and read more about them by clicking the links below :
Monster Down Deep by Amy Fellner Dominy
The Bookshop Sisters by Sarah Webb
Minotaur Boy by Shane Hegarty
Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveller by Amelia Tait
Nina Peanut: Major Drama Alert by Sarah Bowie
The Thing About Giants by Christopher Galvin
The Overthinkers’ Club: Happy List by Nat Luurtsema
The Children of Wolf Rock by Natasha Farrant
The Experiment by Rebecca Stead
Teen:
Buy the books and read more about them by clicking the links below :
Like a Brother by Nathanael Lessore
Gone for Good by Sarah Crossan
Looking for Aurora by Zainab Boladale
Where the Tide Lines Lead by Sophie Cameron
From the Top, Sally Flynn by Méabh Collins
Gumshoe by Brenna Thummler
Piper at the Gates of Dusk by Patrick Ness
Young Adult:
Buy the books and read more about them by clicking the links below :
The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss
A Song I Wrote for Charlotte by Caitlin Devlin
Runaway Road by Sue Divin
The Heirs by Faridah Abíké-Íyímídé
Just Another Dead Boy by Kelly McCaughrain
Tom Burne has Left the Chat by Seán Farrelly
The Last Death Poet by Stephen Daly
Her Hidden Fire by Clíodhna O’Sullivan
Jumping Off the Page Children’s Comic Book Festival – 2nd and 3rd October 2026
We are delighted to announce our festival speakers for 2026:
Sarah Bowie, Aoife Dooley, Leona Forde, Karen Harte, Chris Judge, Nene Lonergan, Máirín Ní Mhárta, Alan Nolan and Gary Northfield
Scroll down to book the events (under the festival posters)
Check our 2026 programme and speakers’ biogs on the Full Programme page here
Young Comic Book Makers’ Competition Entry Form here
| JUMPING OFF THE PAGE EVENTS 2026 – BOOKING LINKS BELOW |
MEET THE COMIC BOOK MAKERS
2PM BOOK HERE
MEET THE COMIC BOOK MAKERS
4PM BOOK HERE
ALL ABOUT COMICS
Squid Squad and Other Stories with Aoife Dooley (Relaxed Event)
Date: Saturday 3rd October
Venue: The Whale Theatre, Greystones
Time: 10.15am to 11.15am (Signing 11.15am to 12.00pm)
Age: 9+
Tickets: e13 children, e16 adults
Booking: BOOK HERE
Amelia Cheeseheart and Friends Comic Book Workshop
Date: Saturday 3rd October
Venue: Greystones Library, Mill Road, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, A63 KN52
Time: 11am to 11.45am
Age: 8+
Tickets: This event is free of charge (with thanks to Greystones Library)
Booking: Please email: greylib@wicklowcoco.ie or telephone 01-2873548 or call into the library in person *
Mighty Mega Pets and Amelia Cheeseheart Chat and Draw Along with Gary Northfield and Nene Lonergan
Hosted by Alan Nolan
Date: Saturday 3rd October
Venue: The Whale Theatre
Time: 1pm to 2pm (Signing 2pm to 2.45pm)
Age: 7+
Tickets: e13 children, e16 adults
Booking: BOOK HERE
Comic Book Extravaganza: Our Favourite Comic Books and Ready, Steady, Draw!
With Sarah Bowie, Alan Nolan, Karen Harte and Aoife Dooley
Hosted by Leona Forde
Date: Saturday 3rd October
Venue: The Whale Theatre
Time: 4pm to 5pm (Signing 5pm to 6pm)
Age: 9+
Tickets: e13 children, e16 adults
Booking: BOOK HERE
| JUMPING OFF THE PAGE CHILDREN’S COMIC BOOK FESTIVAL: FAMILY BOOK SIGNINGS AT HALFWAY UP THE STAIRS ON SAT 3 OCT | Free & no booking required |
| Gary Northfield and Alan Nolan | 10.45am -11.45am |
| Sarah Bowie | 12pm – 1pm |
| Leona Forde and Karen Harte | 1pm – 2pm |
| Aoife Dooley | 1pm – 2pm |
| Nene Lonergan | 3pm – 4pm |
Books of the Year 2025
There were so many wonderful books published in 2025, it was very difficult to choose our Books of the Year!
Our team of dedicated and experienced children’s booksellers: Trish, Sarah, Susan and Grace carefully selected their favourite books of the year in each category from all the children’s books they had read over the year. We added all these together and came up with our overall selection. We chose our overall winner from these books, a really special book that we all fell in love with in 2025.
Our Overall Book of the Year 2025:
Badger Books by Paddy Donnelly!!
Our Novel of the Year is My Name is Jodie Jones by Emma Shevah
Halfway up the Stairs Books of the Year – Picture Books
Badger Books by Paddy Donnelly Buy here
Don’t Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson, Illustrated by Dan Santat Buy here
Letters to a Monster by Patricia Forde, illustrated by Sarah Warburton Buy here
Once I was a Tree by Eoin McLaughlin, illustrated by Guilherme Karsten Buy here
Don’t Think of Tigers by Alex Latimer Buy here
Some more Picture Books we loved this year:
Hogbert by Briony May Smith
When You Find the Right Rock by Mary Lyn Ray, illustrated by Felicita Sala
Run Home, Little Fox by Tom McCaughren and Erika McGann, illustrated by Shannon Bergin
Puffling and the Stormy Sea by Erika McGann, illustrated by Gerry Daly
The Lonely Only Dinosaur by Olivia Hope, illustrated by Anna Süßbauer
The Forever Bear by Lu Fraser, illustrated by Pippa Curnick
Flossie McFluff Saves Christmas by Eoin O’Brien, illustrated by Audrey Dowling
A Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh, Illustrated by Aliaa Betawi
Halfway up the Stairs Books of the Year – Gift Books and Information Books
Oscar Wilde’s Stories for Children illustrated by Lauren O’Hara Buy here
Animalopedia by Kathi Burke and John Burke Buy here
The Cloud Kingdom by Máire Zepf, illustrated by Andrew Whitson Buy Here
Your Places Gift Box by Jon Klassen Buy Here
Making It Up As You Go Along by Patricia Forde, illustrated by Mary Murphy Buy Here
Some more Gift Books we loved this year:
Fold-Out and Play Doll’s House by Ingela P Arrhenius (Gift Item)
My First Record Player by My Irish Books (Gift Item)
The Experimenters by Shane Bergin, illustrated by Sayani Mukherjee
Enchanted Ireland: An Atlas of Magical Stories from Every County by Kieran Fanning, illustrated by Julia Iredale
Feminist History for Every Day of the Year by Kate Mosse, illustrated by Sophie Bass (Macmillan)
Halfway up the Stairs Books of the Year – Age 6+
Bear and Bird: The Secret and Other Stories by Jarvis Buy Here
Gordon, the Meanest Goose on Earth Wins it All by Alex Latimer Buy Here
Ellora McGee, Trainee Banshee by Sinéad O’Hart, illustrated by Úna Woods Buy here
Adventuremice: Mousehole to the Centre of the Earth by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre Buy here
Halfway up the Stairs Books of the Year Age 8+
The Grand Central Cinema Club by Alan Nolan Buy here
After by Pádraig Kenny Buy here
The Diary of Wiska Wildflower by Harriet Muncaster Buy here
Milly McCarthy and the Haunted House Hullabooloo! By Leona Forde, illustrated by Karen Harte Buy here
We also loved:
Dino Mode Activated by Jen Wallace, illustrated by Alan O’Rourke
Unfairies by Huw Aaron
Halfway up the Stairs Books of the Year Age 10+
The Museum of Lost Umbrellas by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick Buy here
Small Wonder by Ross Montgomery Buy here
The Doomsday Club by Kevin Moran Buy here
The First Year by Matt Goodfellow Buy here
Conn of the Dead by Dave Rudden Buy here
Swanfall by Sophie Kirtley Buy here
The Lone Husky by Hannah Gold Buy here
Some more books we loved:
To the Waters and the Wild by Eilish Fisher, illustrated by David Rooney
Evie and Maryam’s Family Tree by Janeen Hayat
Halfway up the Stairs Books of the Year – Teen
A Flash of Neon by Sophie Cameron Buy Here
The Wordsmith 10th Anniversary Edition by Patricia Forde Buy Here
Any way you Slice It by Méabh McDonnell Buy Here
The Twelve by Liz Hyder Buy Here
Under the London Sky by Anna Woltz (Author), Michele Hutchison (Translator) Buy Here
Some more books we loved:
Lady’s Knight by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
What Happens Online by Nathanael Lessore
Enter the Endgame by Triona Campbell
Halfway up the Stairs Books of the Year – YA
My Name is Jodie Jones by Emma Shevah Buy Here
Solo by Gráinne O’Brien Buy Here
This Song is About Us by Sara Barnard Buy Here
Songs for Ghosts by Clara Kumagai Buy Here
We also loved:
Skipshock by Caroline O’Donoghue
Halfway up the Stairs – Favourite Comic Book Choices 2025
The Squid Squad by Aoife Dooley Age 6+ Buy Here
Pablo and Splash: Roman Holiday by Sheena Dempsey Age 7+ Buy Here
Evil Duck and the Nest of Destiny by Chris Judge Age 7+ Buy Here
The Donut Squad by Neil Cameron Age 8+ Buy Here
The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud Age 8+ Buy Here
Nina Peanut Epic World Tour Era by Sarah Bowie Age 8+ Buy Here
When the Sky Falls by Phil Earle Age 10+/Teen Buy Here
Irish Language Choices
Puisín na mBróg by Fearghas Mac Lochlainn and Paddy Donnelly Buy Here
Níl Éisc Le Trust by Neil Sharpson and Dan Santat Buy Here
Oíche Mhaith, a Ghrá! by Sadhbh Devlin and Brian Fitzgerald Buy Here
Puffling Seaside Nature Trail
Halfway up the Stairs is delighted to announce the official launch of our Puffling Seaside Nature Trail, running through July and August, kindly supported by the Books at One Community Fund.
Inspired by the Puffling series of books, by Erika McGann & Gerry Daly, published by The O’Brien Press, we have created a self-guided nature trail around the seafront in Greystones. The cost per family is €10, which includes a trail map, a Halfway up the Stairs tote bag with the Where are you, Puffling? Colouring Book, a pack of colouring pencils and other goodies!
Sign up in store, complete the trail and return to the shop where we will give you your tote bag. Shop opening hours are Monday to Saturday 10am – 5:30pm. Allow at least an hour to complete the trail!
Summer Stories 2025
Your summer reading starts here!
SUMMER STORIES – NEW 1ST YEARS
A range of our favourite new books for readers who are going into 1st year. From fantasy novels, to verse novels, funny books and comic books, there’s something great for every reader this summer.
What Happens Online by Nathanael Lessore Buy here
Conn of the Dead by Dave Rudden Buy here
Ghostlines by Katya Baylen Buy here
The Falling Boy by David Almond Buy here
The Doomsday Club by Kevin Moran Buy here
The First Year by Matt Goodfellow Buy here
Lottie Brooks vs the Ultra Mean Girls by Kate Kirby (July) Buy here
The Dawn of Adonis by Phil Earle (July) Buy here
The Wordsmith (10th Anniversary Edition) by Patricia Forde Buy here
The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud (Graphic Novel) Buy here
Stuck by Kayla Miller (Graphic Novel) Buy here
SUMMER STORIES BOOKCLUB FOR STUDENTS STARTING 1ST YEAR IN THE AUTUMN
Date: Wednesday 20th August at 4pm to 5pm
Venue: Halfway up the Stairs Bookshop, Greystones
Cost: €5
Read any of the recommended books above before the Bookclub and come along and talk about them on the day – all available in store and via our website. We have chosen the books to cater for a wide range of interests, from verse novels to science fiction, graphic novels to fantasy and humour. We will also chat about starting Senior School and the students’ hopes for 1st Year.
To find out more, or to book a place please email info@halfwayupthestairs.ie
SUMMER STORIES – PICTURE BOOKS
A range of recommended picture books for all tastes, from funny picture books about fish and pizza, to books about (friendly) monsters under the bed, trees and even a bookshop (see if you can spot Halfway up the Stairs on the pages!). Something great for every child aged 3/4/5+.
Summer Stories – Age 6+
A range of recommended books for all tastes, from funny illustrated books and short mystery novels featuring lots of animals, to short fantasy stories about fairies and friendship, and comic books. Something great for every reader aged 6+.
SUMMER STORIES – AGE 8+
A range of recommended books for all tastes, from funny illustrated books, to gripping fantasy novels, and comic books. Something great for every reader aged 8+.
Summer Stories Age 10+
A range of recommended books for all tastes, from spooky novels featuring Irish myths, to gripping fantasy novels, thrilling adventure tales, and compelling graphic novels. Something great for every reader aged 10+.
Summer Stories Teen (Age 13+)
Summer Stories YA (Age 15+)
Our Books of the Year 2024
There were so many wonderful books published in 2024, it was very difficult to choose our Books of the Year!
Our team of dedicated and experienced children’s booksellers: Trish, Amanda, Kathleen, Meriel and Sarah carefully selected their favourite books of the year in each category. We added all these together and came up with our overall selection. We chose our unanimous overall winner from these books.
Our Overall Book of the Year 2024
We are delighted to announce the winner of our Overall Book of the Year: Fia and the Last Snow Deer by Eilish Fisher, illustrated by Dermot Flynn!
It’s a brilliant book which we were proud to launch in September, written in verse and beautifully illustrated, with themes of friendship, family and adventure, set in snowy prehistoric Ireland. Perfect for young readers of age 9+.
Book your free ticket here
Our Picture Books of the Year
The Golden Hare by Paddy Donnelly (Irish) Age 4+ Order here
We are the Wibbly by Sarah Tagholm, illustrated by Jane McGuinness Age 3+ Order here
Little Lion Girl by Olivia Hope, Illustrated by Fiona Woodcock (Irish) Age 3+ Order here
The Great Discovery by Peter Donnelly (Irish) Age 3+ Order here
Mr Santa by Jarvis Age 3+ Order here
Santa’s First Christmas by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Sydney Smith Age 4+ Order here
Books of the Year for Age 6+
Rabbit and Bear: This Lake is Fake by Julian Gough and Jim Field (Irish) Age 6+ Order here
Lola and Larch: Fix a Fairy Forest by Sinéad O’Hart, illustrated by Rachel Seago (Irish) Age 7+ Order here
Watts and Whiskerton: Buried Bones and Troublesome Treasure by Meg McLaren Age 7+ Order here
Dinosaur Pie by Jen Wallace and illustrated by Alan O’Rourke (Irish) Age 7/8+ Order here
Beanie the Bansheenie by Eoin Colfer and illustrated by Steve McCarthy Age 6+ Order here
Books of the Year for Age 9+
Fia and the Last Snow Deer by Eilish Fisher, illustrated by Dermot Flynn (Irish) Age 9+ Order here
The Secret of Golden Island by Natasha Farrant Age 9+ Order here
Fallout by Lesley Parr Age 10+ Order here
The Last Boy by Eve McDonnell (Irish) Age 10+ Order here
The Riddle of the Disappearing Dickens by Alan Nolan (Irish) Age 9+ Order here
The Weather Girls by Sarah Webb (Irish) Age 9+ Order here
Books of the Year for Teens
King of Nothing by Nathanael Lessore Age 12+ Order here
Amanda, Sarah and Trish met Nathanael at the Children’s Books Ireland Conference this year and also highly recommend Steady for This Age 12+ Order here
Sisters of the Moon by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (Irish) Age 13+ Order here
Me and Aaron Ramsey by Manon Steffan Ros Age 11+ Order here
Braids Take a Day by Zainab Boladale (Irish) Age 13+ Order here
YA Books of the Year (Young Adults – age 15+ )
Little Bang by Kelly McCaughrain (Irish) Age 15+ Order here
When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson Age 15+ Order here
Something’s About to Blow Up by Sam Blake (Irish) Age 15+ Order here
Reference and Gift Books of the Year
The History of Information by Chris Haughton (Irish) Age 9+ and all ages Order here
The Faerie Isle: Tales and Traditions of Ireland’s Forgotten Folklore by Síne Quinn, illustrated by Dermot Flynn (Irish) age 9+ Order here
Letters from the North Pole by Annie Atkins, illustrated by Fia Tobing (Irish) Age 4+ Order here (Currently out of stock)
At Home in a Book by Lauren O’Hara (Irish) Age 6+ Order here
I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me by Sarah Webb and Paul Delaney (Irish) Age 3+ Order here
Comic Book Choices
Pablo and Splash: Frozen in Time by Sheena Dempsey (Irish) Age 7+ Order here
Mego Robo Bros: Nemesis by Neill Cameron Age 8+ Order here
Nina Peanut: Mega Mystery Solver by Sarah Bowie (Irish) Age 9+ Order here
Lord of the Flies Graphic Novel by William Golding, illustrated Aimée de Jongh Age 13+ Order here
Irish Language Choices
Bí Fiáin, a Chroí by Olivia Hope and Daniel Egnéus Age 3+ Order here
Heartstopper (in Irish) by Alice Osman, translated by Eoin McEvoy Age 13+ Order here
An Fia sa Choill by Sadhbh Devlin & Anastasia Melnykova Age 6+ Order here
Other Books We Loved in 2024
Picture Books
The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston (Irish) Order here
Where to Hide a Star by Oliver Jeffers (Irish) Order here
I Love You by Mary Murphy (Irish) Order here
Dexter Lost His Boo Woo by Shane Hegarty, illustrated Ben Mantle (Irish) Order here
Waiting for Froggo by Alice Courtley Order here
There’s a Tiger on the Train by Mariesa Dulak and Rebecca Cobb Order here
Who Ate Steve? by Susannah Lloyd, illustrated by Kate Hindley Order here
Tiny Jenny: Little Fairy, Big Trouble by Briony May Smith Order here
Books for Age 6+
Evil Duck and the Feather of Fortune by Chris Judge (Irish) Order here
Adventure Mice: The Ghostly Galleon by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre Order here
Bunny vs Monkey: The Great Big Glitch or Bunny Bonanza by Jamie Smart Order here
Gordon, The Meanest Goose on Earth by Alex Latimer Order here
Books for Age 9+
Stitch by Padraig Kenny (Irish) Order here
Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity by Leona Forde and Karen Harte (Irish) Order here
Skulduggery Pleasant: The Haunted House on Hollow Hill by Derek Landy (Irish) Order here
Sally and the Lost Photograph by Judi Curtin (Irish) Order here
The Tower Ghost by Natasha Mac a’Bháird (Irish) Order here
A Drop of Golden Sun by Kate Saunders Order here
Loki 4: A Bad God’s Guide to Making Enemies by Louie Stowell Order here
Turtle Moon by Hannah Gold Order here
Murder by Narwhal by Alex T Smith Order here
Movies Showing Nowhere by Yorick Goldewijk Order here
Books for Teens
The Traitor in the Game by Triona Campbell (Irish) Order here
The Things We Leave Behind by Claire Furniss Order here
Books for YA (Age 15+)
The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle (Irish) Order here
The First Move by Jenny Ireland (Irish) Order here
Who Watches This Place by Amy Clarkin (Irish) Order here
Where the Heart Should Be Sarah Crossan Order here
Apocalypse Cow by O.R. Sorrel Order here
Some Like it Cold by Elle McNicoll Order here
On Silver Tides by Sylvia Bishop Order here
Information and Gift Books
The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Irish Lighthouses by David Hare, illustrated by Linda Fahrlin (Irish) Order here
The Great Irish Book of Biodiversity by Éanna Ní Lamhna and Barry Falls (Irish) Order here
The Story of Rugby by Gerard Siggins and illustrated by Graham Corcoran (Irish) Order here
TCG BookFest November 2024
TCG BOOK FEST: TIMETABLE AND SPEAKER DETAILS
Presented by Halfway up the Stairs Bookshop, funded by the Arts Council
Halfway up the Stairs Bookshop in Greystones brings some of Ireland’s most interesting and diverse writers and thinkers to Temple Carrig for the inaugural TCG Book Festival, funded by the Arts Council on Tuesday November 5th, 2024.
Enjoy a day of book chat and inspirational talks and conversations, have a browse in the Halfway up the Stairs pop-up bookshop, meet an author and get your book signed.
For aspiring writers there’s a special after school Writing Workshop with award-winning author, Clara Kumagai, open to all TCG students – please see Schoology for more details.
Please see more details below. If your child would like to buy a book to get it signed, if possible please order it online (details below) in advance, as the pop-up bookshop may sell out on the day!
(If buying online, select Click and Collect as the delivery option and put your Year in the Notes)
You are welcome to bring your own copies of the authors’ books in for signing.
Timetable – Tuesday November 5th, 2024
Transition Year
Period 2: 9.30am to10.20am: ZAINAB BOLADALE and LEON DIOP: The Art of Telling Stories – Writing, Journalism and Podcasting
Break: 10.20am -10.40am: Meet Leon and Zainab at the pop-up bookshop, get your book signed and browse our selection.
Braids Take a Day by Zainab Boladale (Summer 2024)
BUY HERE
Uncovering secrets is like undoing braids, one at a time…
Abidemi can’t wait for summer. She’s ready to spend some time learning new hairstyles and see where things go with her friend Jack.
But when she meets an intriguing woman from Nigeria, secrets start to unravel…
Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes by Lion Diop and Briana Fitzsimons Illustrated by Jessica Louis (2023)
BUY HERE
This landmark publication in Irish history is a celebration of Black Irish identity. Featuring profiles of Black Irish public figures from the worlds of pop culture, politics, sport, business and the arts. Includes Ruth Negga, Gavin Bazunu, Phil Lynott, Paul McGrath, Emma Dabiri, Rhasidat Adeleke and Dami Hope.
1st and 2nd Year
Period 4: 11.40am to 12.40pm: DEREK LANDY: The World of Skulduggery Pleasant
Lunch: 12.40pm to 1.20pm: Meet Derek at the pop-up bookshop, get your book signed and browse our selection.
Skulduggery Pleasant: The Haunted House on Hollow Hill by Derek Landy (Autumn 2024)
BUY HERE
On a dark and stormy night, a pair of journalists arrive at the most haunted house in Britain – the Hollow Hotel…
For the full range of Skulduggery Pleasant books see here
5th and 6th Year
Period 6: 2.20pm to 3.20pm: ADIBA JAIGIRDAR and CLARA KUMAGAI in conversation with ELAINA RYAN: Follow Your Heart
Catfish Rolling by Clara Kumagai (2023)
BUY HERE
Magic-realism blends with Japanese myth and legend in an original story about grief, memory, time and an earthquake that shook a nation.
Winner of the CBI Book of the Year Award 2024.
Rani Choudhury Must Die by Adiba Jaigirdar (Nov 2024)
Buy here: (this book is not on general release until later in November, but we hope to have copies in advance!)
Rivals team up to get revenge on the boy who wronged them both in this new sapphic YA enemies-to-lovers novel
Browse the full range of Adiba’s books here
After event – Meet Clara and Adiba at the pop-up bookshop, get your book signed and browse our selection.
All Interested Students
3.30pm to 4.30pm – Writing Workshop with CLARA KUMAGAI. See Schoology for details about how to sign up
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About Halfway up the Stairs Bookshop
Halfway up the Stairs is an award-winning bookshop for young readers based in Greystones, Co Wicklow. In November 2023, we were named the An Post Bookshop of the Year Winner! We stock books for all ages – from young adults right down to babies – and can also order in any books you’d like to read. We supply the books for the annual TCG prizegiving event.
Please email us here with any queries.
Jumping off the Page
Friday 4th and Saturday 5th October
Jumping Off the Page Children’s Comic Book Festival
Welcome to Jumping off the Page. We are delighted to bring you talented and award-winning comic book authors and illustrators from all over Ireland, plus a very special guest from the UK, Neill Cameron (creator of the Mega Robo Bros series).
At Halfway up the Stairs we LOVE comic books, and we are so excited to bring this new festival to Greystones. We’d like to thank our main funder, the Arts Council and also Creative Ireland Wicklow, plus all the publishers who helped us bring this festival to you, and our partner venue, The Whale Theatre, Greystones, especially Brian O’Regan. And special thanks to our designer and host with the most, Alan Nolan, and Vita Coleman from Bray Library.
We hope you enjoy all the festival events, and we can’t wait to meet you all in Halfway up the Stairs for Jumping off the Page.
– Trish Hennessy, Owner, Halfway up the Stairs, and Co-Producer of Jumping off the Page
– Sarah Webb, Events Manager, Halfway up the Stairs, and Programmer and Co-Producer of Jumping off the Page
SCHOOLS’ EVENT – PLEASE NOTE ALL THE SCHOOLS’ EVENTS ARE NOW BOOKED OUT!
Creating a Comic Book and the World of Nina Peanut with Sarah Bowie – BOOKED OUT!
Date and Time: Friday 4th October 10.00am to 11.00am + signing after the event
Venue: The Whale Theatre, Greystones
Age: 5th and 6th class
Booking: info@halfwayupthestairs.ie
Ticket Cost: €5 per child, or €11 including a copy of Sarah Bowie’s latest book, Nina Peanut: Mega Mystery Solver
2 adults free per class Only 1 class per school may be booked in
Meet the amazing Nina Peanut and her award-winning creator, Sarah Bowie. Expect lots of laughs and a draw along too. Want to find out how to create a comic book? This event is for you!
Please bring a pencil/pen and a notebook for each child.
Pop-up bookshop on site – Sarah Bowie will sign her books after the event
SCHOOLS’ EVENT
Meet Milly McCarthy and Friends with Leona Forde and Karen Harte – BOOKED OUT!
Date and Time: Friday 4th October 12.15pm to 1.15pm + signing after the event
Venue: The Whale Theatre, Greystones
Age: 3rd and 4th class
Booking: info@halfwayupthestairs.ie
Ticket Cost: €5 per child, or €10 including a copy of Leona and Karen’s new book, Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity
2 adults free per class Only 1 class per school may be booked in
If you haven’t met Milly yet, you are in for a treat! Leona and Karen will talk about their brand-new Milly adventure, Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity, where Milly takes part in a festive concert, which brings the house down, literally! If you like a good giggle, this event is for you! Includes a special comic book draw along with Karen.
Please bring a pencil/pen and a notebook for each child.
Pop-up bookshop on site – Leona and Karen will sign their books after their event
IRISH LANGUAGE SCHOOLS’ EVENT WITH BRAY LIBRARY
We are also delighted to support an Irish language comic book event for secondary schools in Bray Library – Ceardlann Coimicí with Sadhbh Devlin.
FAMILY EVENT
Jumping off the Page – Comic Book and Zine Fair for Young Comic Book Fans and Creators, Plus Giant Window Painting and Signing Bonanza
With special guest artists: Neill Cameron, Sarah Bowie, Alan Nolan and Karen Harte (who will be signing their books, along with author, Leona Forde)
Date and Time: Friday 4th October 4pm to 6pm
Venue: Halfway up the Stairs, Greystones
Age: 9 to 14
Booking: Two slots available: 4pm and 5pm.
Book your tickets for 4-5pm here
Book your tickets for 5-6pm here
Please book one ticket for each person attending. All children must be accompanied by a ticket holding adult.
Refreshments will be available from A Brew with a View beside the bookshop
Join us for this very special drop in afternoon of comic book fun! Browse the comics in the bookshop, including those made by young author/illustrators, and get a book signed by Sarah, Neill, Alan, Karen and Leona.
And watch Sarah, Neill, Alan and Karen create an amazing comic book window together!
How to Book a Space to Sell Your Comics or Zines:
If you are a young person aged 9 to 14 who is passionate about comic books and you’d like a space to sell your zines or comic books or hand-made merch, we’d love to have you. Spaces are limited so please book by 20th September (first come, first served): info@halfwayupthestairs.ie
RELAXED FAMILY EVENT – NEARLY BOOKED OUT!
Frankie’s World with Aoife Dooley
Date and Time: Saturday 5th October 10.30am to 11.15pm + signing after the event
Venue: The Whale Theatre, Greystones
Age: 9+
Booking: The Whale Theatre, Greystones here
Ticket Cost: €6 per child, €8 per adult, €25 for family ticket – (group of 4 including 1 adult)
All children must be accompanied by a ticket holding adult
This is a relaxed family event with smaller numbers, designed for autistic children, and children (or parents/guardians) with extra sensory needs who need a quieter event.
Aoife’s comic books, Frankie’s World and the follow up, Finding My Voice are hugely popular at Halfway up the Stairs and it’s easy to see why. They are warm and funny and tell the story of autistic schoolgirl Frankie and her adventures.
Join Aoife for this special event all about Frankie and her world, and Aoife and her world!
Pop-up bookshop on site – Aoife will sign her books after her event
Buy Aoife’s books before the event here
Event Notes
Detailed notes about the event and venue and what children can expect will be sent to all ticket holders a week before the event
FAMILY EVENT
The World of Milly McCarthy and Friends with Leona Forde and Karen Harte
Date and Time: Saturday 5th October 12.30pm to 1.15pm + signing after the event
Venue: The Whale Theatre, Greystones
Age: 8+
Booking: The Whale Theatre, Greystones here
Ticket Cost: €6 per child, €8 per adult, €25 for family ticket – 2 adults, 2 children
All children must be accompanied by a ticket holding adult
Leona and Karen will talk about their brand-new Milly adventure, Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity, where Milly takes part in a festive concert, which brings the house down, literally! If you like a good giggle, this event is for you!
Pop-up bookshop on site – Leona and Karen will sign their books after their event
Buy the Milly McCarthy books before the event here
FAMILY EVENT: LUNCHTIME COMIC BOOK SIGNINGS AT HALFWAY UP THE STAIRS
Meet our comic book creators, ask them questions and get your books signed!
Free of charge, no booking necessary
12.00pm to 1.00pm
Neill Cameron, author/illustrator of Mega Robo Bros AND Sarah Bowie, author/illustrator of the Nina Peanut books
1.30pm to 2.15pm
Aoife Dooley, author/illustrator of Frankie’s World and Finding My Voice
Free of charge, no booking necessary
COMIC BOOK BONANZA! WITH SARAH BOWIE, NEILL CAMERON, AOIFE DOOLEY, KAREN HARTE AND ALAN NOLAN – NEARLY BOOKED OUT!
Date and Time: Saturday 5th October 2.30pm to 4.00pm
(Please leave extra time for the signing after the event at the Halfway up the Stairs pop-up bookshop)
Venue: The Whale Theatre, Greystones
Age: 9+
Booking: The Whale Theatre, Greystones here
Ticket Cost: €10 per child, €12 per adult or €40 for family ticket – (group of 4 including 1 adult)
All children must be accompanied by a ticket holding adult
To close our festival, we have not one but two amazing events for you, back-to-back. A must for any comic book fan!
How to Create a Brilliant Comic Book Characters with Neill Cameron and Sarah Bowie, in conversation with Alan Nolan
We are delighted to have UK comic book sensation, Neill Cameron, creator of the Mega Robo Bros with us for a very special comic book event! He will join Nina Peanut’s creator, Sarah Bowie and host with the most, Alan Nolan for a lively, illustrated chat about comic book characters they love and how they came up with their very own characters.
Our SPECTACULAR Closing Event:
Ready, Steady, Draw – a Crazy Comic Book Event Where Anything Could Happen! with Aoife Dooley, Sarah Bowie, Neill Cameron and Karen Harte Hosted by Alan Nolan
Join our comic book artists as they battle it out to be the best comic drawing team in the world (well, in Wicklow!) with help from the audience (yes, parents too!).
Mega signing with all our speakers – Sarah Bowie, Neill Cameron, Aoife Dooley, Alan Nolan and Karen Harte – after the event at the Halfway up the Stairs pop-up bookshop on site
Buy Sarah Bowie’s books before the event here
Buy Neill Cameron’s books before the event here
Buy Aoife Dooley’s books before the event here
Buy Alan Nolan’s books before the event here
Buy Leona Forde and Karen Harte’s books before the event here
Jumping off the Page Speaker Biographies
Sarah Bowie
Sarah Bowie is an author and illustrator based in Waterford. Her first comic book for children, Nina Peanut is Amazing was published to great acclaim and her second, Nina Peanut: Mega Mystery Solver has just been published.
She is co-founder of The Comics Lab and of Ireland’s first Graphic Short Story Prize in partnership with The Irish Times.
Neill Cameron
Neill Cameron is a cartoonist and writer, creator of the graphic novel series Mega Robo Bros, the Freddy VS School illustrated novels, and frequent contributor to weekly children’s comic, The Phoenix. In 2018 Mega Robo Bros was chosen as one of the best children’s comics of the year by both the New York Public Library and the Schools Library Journal.
Neill holds degrees in Philosophy and Information Technology, although what they have to do with drawing comics about robot brothers and pirate dinosaurs is frankly anyone’s guess.
Aoife Dooley
Aoife Dooley is an award-winning illustrator, writer and comedian. She is best known for her graphic novels for children, Frankie’s World and Finding My Voice. The stories are loosely based on her young self and feeling different from others. Aoife shares her own experiences around autism after getting a diagnosis in her late 20’s. She credits this discovery to helping her to finally understand herself for the first time.
Leona Forde
Leona Forde is a teacher from Bandon, County Cork. As part of the new Junior Cycle Course, teachers were offered workshops in a variety of arts disciplines and Leona used the opportunity to do a creative writing course. The Milly books are the result! Much loved by readers, with four books and more to come in 2025, Milly is here to stay!
Karen Harte
Karen Harte is an illustrator, comic creator and visual designer from Dublin. She has worked with a variety of clients such as Positive Period Ireland, Girls Rock Dublin, Fighting Words, the Dublin Feminist Film Festival and more. Her illustrations focus on playful visual storytelling and are informed by finding joy in the everyday. She is the illustrator of the Milly McCarthy books.
Alan Nolan
Alan Nolan is a comic creator and is the author and illustrator of children’s books such as Fintan’s Fifteen, Conor’s Caveman and the Sam Hannigan series. He is the illustrator of the popular Gordon’s Game books written by Gordon D’Arcy and Paul Howard, as well as Animal Crackers by Sarah Webb. His new book, Molly Malone & Bram Stoker in the Riddle of the Disappearing Dickens, the latest in his Molly & Bram series is out in September.