Day 18 – Challenge: “A Book From a Bookshop With a Good Children’s Section” 📚
Oh my goodness, this one was tough! Over the past year alone, I’ve visited 100+ indie bookshops and so many have incredible children’s sections. Special mention has to go to in Louisburgh, Co.Mayo, they've bean bags, twinkly lights, and a space made just for kids. Absolutely gorgeous! ✨
But I didn’t get a book there, so sticking with today’s brief, I’m sharing The Weather Girls by , which I *think I picked up in , a whole shop dedicated to children’s books.
Perfect for young readers, it’s a charming tale set at Black Sod Lighthouse, which featured heavily during WW2. 💛
17/10/2025
FAQ Friday! You can find more Questions and Answers on our website:
For today’s prompt, I’m sharing The Brave Beast by . 🖤
I picked this up for my 7-year-old at the Festival earlier this year, where I had the pleasure of meeting Chris himself, and even got a little dedication made to my lil beast!
This beautifully illustrated is full of heart, humour, and powerful life lessons, it’s perfect for young readers.
16/10/2025
Day 16 – : A Book I’d Share with a Stranger 🤍
I’m going a little off-script today, because while by Bronagh is not your typical children’s book, it is where so many children’s stories begin. ✨
Bronagh has created such a beautiful business, these journals are a gorgeous way to record all those precious milestones, memories, and keepsakes from the very start of the journey into parenthood. 💕
So even though it’s not strictly a kids’ book, I think it more than deserves a mention!
16/10/2025
First sign, first smile, first real connection.
Sarah watched her little one sign “milk” for the very first time—no guessing games, just pure understanding. She told us, “I never imagined my baby could communicate so clearly before talking. It’s made our days calmer and so much more joyful.”
Curious how baby sign can change your day-to-day? Discover the next Clever Little Handies term—where every small sign is a big moment.
Message us to find your local class or join online.
16/10/2025
Have you attended one of my classes? Please leave a google review to share the love 🤟❤️
Clever Little Handies is visiting Longford this Thursday, October 16th! 👋
Join me for a Rhyme & Sign Storytime:
📍 Lanesborough Library – 10.30am
📍 Drumlish Library – 12pm
📍 Longford Library – 2pm
✨ What’s in store:
👶 Perfect for parents with babies and toddlers (0–5 years)
📖 A story full of rhythm and rhyme
🎶 Sing along to favourite nursery rhymes
📄 Handy take-home leaflets with songs and signs
These gentle, interactive sessions are a lovely introduction to baby sign — through stories, songs and smiles! 💛
Can’t wait to meet all the little signers in Lanesborough, Drumlish, and Longford! 💕
15/10/2025
🎉 Festival finale alert! 🎉
Come join me for Rhyme & Sign Storytime at DLR Lexicon on Wednesday, October 22nd at 10.30am — the very last stop for me, with the Children’s Book Festival!
✨ Tiny hands, big fun:
👶 For babies and toddlers (0–5 years)
📖 Rhyming storytime
🎶 Sing-along nursery rhymes
📄 Take-home leaflets with songs and signs
Let’s finish the festival with giggles, songs, and first little signs! 💛
15/10/2025
Day 15 – : “Featuring Your Favourite Animal” 🐴
For today’s prompt, I'm sharing Mollie Maloney & Daisy Magoo by . This delightful rhyming adventure introduces two best friends, Mollie and Daisy, who live on Lakeside Farm.
Inspired by the author's own ponies, this heartwarming tale not only tells an exciting story but also offers special tips to help young readers overcome anxiety.
15/10/2025
Such a lovely little set up in Dunleer library this morning 💖 as part of
Excited to be heading back to Cork tomorrow! 🌟
I’ll be bringing Clever Little Handies to and with a fun introduction to baby sign and Rhyme & Sign Storytimes 🎶👶👐
Perfect for babies, toddlers, and their grown-ups. Come along to learn baby sign through songs, rhymes, and stories. It’s a beautiful way to bond and communicate before speech begins 💛
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I’m a Mum of 3 and completed baby sign classes with my girls when they were babies. When my youngest was about 6 months old I was on the hunt for a baby sign class to do with him. Having failed to find one I decided to facilitate a class myself because getting out and meeting other parents and their babies is as important as learning a new skill.
I brushed up on the ISL I knew and gathered some resourses from Amazon, mostly BSL and ASL books and some flash cards and sat down with some members of the deaf community to get some direction and advice. In January 2019 I started the first course and have had booked out terms since then.
It is ISL (Irish Sign language). This course is geared towards parents with babies from newborn up to 1 year. They can be taught signs well beyond this age, but in a class setting when they’re on the move it’s hard to engage with them.
The course will run for 4 weeks and classes will be 1 hour long.
The ISL alphabet will be repeated at each class and the remainder of the course will be taught through nursery rhymes and song using signs that will be typically used in your day to day interactions with your baby. We will not be fluent in ISL by the end of 4 weeks!... but you will have enough signs that if you use frequently enough, your baby will be able to communicate with you before they can talk. My bubs was doing the sign for milk from 5 months old, I had been signing it to him before we even left the hospital after he was born! It’s honestly really fascinating how much they grasp without us even realising!
