"A children’s book that celebrates the diversity and wonder of Ireland’s fauna –
from the tiny Eurasian pygmy shrew to the enormous killer whale.
Giving loving and detailed information about the robins, puffins and owls of the air, the toads, seals
and basking sharks of Ireland’s waters, and the hedgehogs, otters and deer with whom we share the land,
this is a treasure of a book with details of twenty eight of Ireland’s most compelling and iconic animals.
The book was the idea of Irish-Polish illustrator Aga Grandowicz, who originally wanted to be a vet,
and to this day spends some of her happiest times drawing animals. She joined forces with Bray native Rob Maguire,
who supplied the witty, entertaining and informative prose – despite being allergic to animals.
They also worked closely with Nicola Marples, Professor in Zoology at Trinity College Dublin,
who shared her knowledge of the animals of Ireland and checked every fact – furry, fishy or flighty – in the book."
Little Island
Dr Hibernica Finch’s Compelling Compendium of Irish Animals was published by Little Island in late 2018
and it became an immediate success – this children's wildlife book has been receiving amazing feedback and many great reviews.
It won me the Honour Award for Illustration at CBI’s Book of the Year Award 2019 and was shortlisted
for the Irish Books Awards 2018 in the Best Irish-Published category, and for the Literacy Ireland Children’s Book Award 2019.
The book is available from most of the Irish bookstores and directly from the publisher.
The educational tour post-launch allowed me to bring the artwork to life with children throughout Ireland – I have been running a number of this Irish wildlife book-related scavenger hunts and drawing workshops for children at various book and family festivals in Ireland,
in libraries and at biodiversity-related events. To stay up to date and to book a ticket for your child/children, follow me
on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/aga.grandowicz/events
Please note that, due to COVID-19, all live events for 2020 have been cancelled.
If you'd like to purchase art prints and greeting cards featuring the animals from the book, please visit the store page.
