Books published by publisher Native Gill Books

The tools every parent needs to help their teenager find the career of their dreamsIn Ireland, one in six students drop out of their chosen college course feeling disillusioned about their career path and uncertain about their future. This can deal a major blow to their self-esteem, not to mention the financial blow to parents who are paying the tuition fees.So whether you are a parent of teenagers starting secondary school or preparing to leave, it makes sense to be informed about practical ways to help your child take steps towards a successful future now.Most career advice in Ireland has a rather narrow focus when helping teens decide which college course to choose. Career Coach is different.By looking at the bigger picture – who they are and what they are good at – experienced and inspirational career guidance counsellor Dearbhla Kelly will empower you to help your teenager link their dreams to the reality of the world of work and reach their full potential.‘This book will be of great help to parents who are supporting their teens to make sense of who they are and what they want to do with their life.’Jennifer McKenzie, Director, National Centre for Guidance in Education(and parent to two college students!)

Discover the eclectic characters & revolutionary events of a year that turned the world upside down. Having grown up in an Irish country house built in 1847, author and historian TURTLE BUNBURY has long been fascinated by that epic year. Determined to understand its zeitgeist, he has assembled 38 remarkable stories that took place across the planet during those twelve tumultuous months. With his penchant for the quirky, Bunbury confronts all manner of human enterprise to reveal a world of nobility and generosity, of bold genius and fearsome savagery, embracing everything from the salty seadogs who explored the Pacific and Arctic oceans to show-stopping entertainers like Lola Montez and General Tom Thumb - the intrepid pioneers who stumbled through the mountains and prairies of the Americas to the ground-breaking inventors of the doughnut, the gumball and the Christmas cracker - the famine-starved Irish and persecuted German emigrants to the Vietnamese emperor's war with the French - the ivory-tinkling genius of Liszt and Mendelssohn to the horse-bound Comanche warriors who dominated Texas - the American opium magnates who ran roughshod over China to the Irish soldiers who fought for Mexico. '1847' is a rollicking globe-trot that reveals a world whose heart pounded every bit as fast and as furious as it does today. By turns poignant, outlandish, curious and provocative, this is history at its most invigorating - as panorama, as epic. The 2016 Oscar-nominated director Lenny Abrahamson writes: "I've always loved Turtle's writing, the wit and heartbeat in his history. '1847' is, for me, the best thing he has done so far. It is vivid, surprising, hugely entertaining; an unforgettable encounter with an extraordinary year." PRAISE FOR "THE GLORIOUS MADNESS" by TURTLE BUNBURY 'An absolutely brilliant book.' Patrick Geoghegan, Associate Professor in History at Trinity College, Dublin.'Turtle Bunbury's open-handed, clear-sighted and finely written book comes fresh and, I might almost say, redeemed out of the moil and storm of controversy that surrounded the topic of the war, in a thousand different guises in the decades since its end. Turtle holds out his hand in the present, seeking the lost hands of the past, in darkness, in darkness, but also suddenly in the clear light of kindness - in the upshot acknowledging their imperilled existence with a brilliant flourish, a veritable banner, of wonderful stories.' Sebastian Barry, author of The Secret Scripture 'Turtle continues the wonderful listening and yarn-spinning he has honed in the Vanishing Ireland series, applying it to veterans of the First World War.The stories he recreates are poignant, whimsical and bleakly funny, bringing back into the light the lives of people who found themselves on the wrong side of history after the struggle for Irish independence. This is my kind of micro-history.' John Grenham, The Irish Times

IN THE NEAR FUTURE, A VIRUS WILL DRIVE HUMANKIND TO THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION. WITH THE ILLNESS SPREADING FASTER THAN ATTEMPTS TO CONTROL IT AND SOCIETY COLLAPSING, THE LAST SURVIVING CITY WILL BECOME A BEACON OF HOPE FOR SURVIVORS.Walled off from the outside world, this city is christened Oasis.Governing on a promise to protect its citizens from infection at all costs, the government of Oasis begins to impose its vision of the perfect society. Every aspect of life is controlled, and the city begins to take on a new, sinister shape. Born into this world is Quincy Emerson, a resident of the Outer Sector Dorms, brutal housing institutions reserved for those judged at risk of infection. Beyond the walls of Oasis, however, something is stirring, and events are about to overtake Quincy. Her fate, it turns out, may not be written in her genes.A thrilling dystopian YA novel from prodigious Irish teenager Eilís Barrett, Oasis is an epic adventure into a bleak future in which freedom may turn out to be just another cage.

The deadly children's debut from Ireland's Got Talent's Jason Byrne! Meet Onion O'Brien. He's an ordinary kid growing up in the suburbs where nothing ever happens. Except when it does, it always happens to him. Luckily, his friends have his back. There's Sive O'Connor, Dallan Okoye, Cliona O'Hare and Onion's big brother Derek (who thinks he's too cool to be in the gang). Together, they're the Five O's. For his birthday, Onion is taken to the circus, where a baby ape manages to find her way into Onion's backpack. Can the Five O's save her from the evil ringmaster and keep her hidden in suburbia long enough to get her safely to Tota Island Park? Inspired by Jason Byrne's own accident-prone suburban childhood, this is set to be one of the most exciting debuts in children's books this year.

Spuds is just an ordinary, everyday leprechaun, living life quietly with his wife, Rose. He's not easily upset. In fact, there's only one thing that Spuds hates, and that's spiders. So he wasn't at all happy when Leggers McWeb arrived at Toadstool Cottage. Spuds and the Spider is a heart-warming tale of friendship for children. Illustrated by Daniele Archimede. Ages 6+

Captured, brutalised and held captive as a serious security risk, Quincy Emerson once again finds herself in the grips of the sinister city of Oasis. In her way stand the walls of the Colosseum, a maximum-security prison. Escape, they say, is impossible. With the city on the brink of anarchy, rumours of a rebel group powerful enough to take down Oasis abound. Could this be Quincy’s one last shot at freedom? Or will her determination to seek revenge on Oasis’ deceptive leader ultimately destroy her?Praise for Oasis, the prequel to Genesis ‘Eilís is dazzlingly bright and articulate.’ Irish Examiner‘Our newest literary star.’ Irish Independent‘This futuristic sci-fi echoes Margaret Atwood and yet was written by a 16-year-old from Galway. Expect great things from this young, brilliant writer.’ Image‘A high-paced page-turner … Eilís is an intellectual powerhouse.’ Irish Mail on Sunday‘An assured dystopian debut. On the promise of this page-turning debut, the sequel will be worth waiting for.’ Sunday Business Post

This long unavailable collection of Charles Perrault's Classic Fairy Tales has been updated for a modern readership and accompanied by the stunning illustrations of Irish artist, Harry Clarke.Although now best known for his stained glass work, Harry Clarke (1889-1931) first found fame as a book illustrator. His illustrations first appeared in print in 1916 and his talent was quickly acknowledged as he became recognised as one of the key illustrators during the golden age of gift-book illustration.The fairy tales were collected by 17th-century French writer Charles Perrault and include such famous tales as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty and Puss in Boots.

A very special surprise has been planned for the Irish President’s birthday and he is sent out to walk the dogs in the Phoenix Park so preparations can get underway.But will the President enjoy his day out in the park so much that he forgets his own birthday party?A witty and stylish celebration of the birthdays, the President and one very funny surprise.Praise for The President’s Surprise‘A lovely story’ -Ryan Tubridy‘Destined to be a modern classic’ -OffsetPraise for The President’s Cat‘Charming, witty and stylish’ -Primary Times‘A love story to Ireland’ -Children’s Books Ireland

Onion O’Brien is in trouble – again! This time he and the rest of the Five O’s are trying to stop the destruction of the Valley, the local waste ground where they hang out. But Mayor Ronald Bump has other ideas – he wants to build new apartments, and he sets local guards The Ferg and Judge on the children.As if things weren’t bad enough, there’s a new teacher who’s acting very suspiciously. The Five O’s can find out his secret if they manage to win the school talent contest. There’s only one problem – they are completely talentless.Then there’s the discovery of the head of Ned Belly, and the local legend that claims he had hidden treasure …Will the Five O’s manage to outwit The Ferg and Judge, and Ronald Bump, and the new teacher, and solve the mystery of the head of Ned Belly, and save their precious Valley?

The Magic Moment is a picture book that helps children explore difficult emotions and face their fears. Written by Niall Breslin (Bressie) and illustrated by Sheena Dempsey, here young readers will meet Freddie. Freddie is excited about his first trip to the swimming pool. But when he gets there, he finds it scary. So scary in fact, that he just wants to go home… Later that evening, Nana teaches him a secret trick. It’s called the Magic Moment Trick and it gives you superpowers when you’re facing something scary. You simply close your eyes and think of your happiest memory and squeeze your finger and thumb together.The charming story, containing an easy mindfulness technique, helps children return to the present moment. The Magic Moment is a must for parents or anyone working with children who wants to help them feel the fear and jump in anyway.