Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Erika McGann

@erikamcgann.bsky.social

290 followers 370 following 83 posts

Children's author with lots of books out for kids of all ages 🌟

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Erika McGann @erikamcgann.bsky.social · 2d

🎉 PUB DAY 🎉
I was so lucky to get to work with the wonderful Tom McCaughren on this book, which is gorgeously illustrated by Shannon Bergin.
Have read it at a few events already and it's going down a storm! 🌟📚🌟

The O’Brien Press @theobrienpress.bsky.social · 2d

Happy publication day to the heartwarming ‘Run Home Little Fox’ written by Tom McCaughren, @erikamcgann.bsky.social and illustrated by Shannon Bergin.

Available in all bookshops!

Book cover and illustration by Shannon Bergin

2 2

Erika McGann @erikamcgann.bsky.social · 2d

The O’Brien Press @theobrienpress.bsky.social · 2d

Happy publication day to the heartwarming ‘Run Home Little Fox’ written by Tom McCaughren, @erikamcgann.bsky.social and illustrated by Shannon Bergin.

Available in all bookshops!

2 2

Reposted by Erika McGann

MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 4d

Making It Up As You Go Along by @pforde123.bsky.social ; a wondrous guide to encourage childrens' writing & creativity; imaginative, exciting, funny, joyous! This is no ordinary creative writing guide…not by a long shot. @littleislandbooks.bsky.social
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/10/11/m...

3 5

Reposted by Erika McGann

Sarah Webb @sarahwebbwriter.bsky.social · 5d

We can't wait for our special book event at The Whale Theatre in Greystones on Saturday 18th October at 2pm. Hosted by @halfwayupbooks.bsky.social
Marita Conlon-McKenna, Tom McCaughren and Don Conroy - in coversation with Patricia Forde.
Tickets here: whaletheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

2 2

Reposted by Erika McGann

Sinéad O'Hart @sineadohart.bsky.social · 5d

Delighted and honoured to announce that Ellora McGee, Trainee Banshee: The New School is one of several BRILLIANT books chosen by @childrensbooksireland.ie and Eason as their quarterly Recommended Irish Reads. Check them out in your local branch of Eason! And keep an eye out for signed copies...

Front cover of Ellora McGee, Trainee Banshee: The New School, written by Sinéad O'Hart and illustrated by Úna Woods. There's a graphic on the left which looks like a sticker announcing it as 'Recommended by Children's Books Ireland'.

Covers of all the books in the Eason/CBI quarterly book promotion. From left to right, top row: The Waters and the Wild by Eilish Fisher; The Museum of Lost Umbrellas by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick; The Moon Seeker by Dee Barragry; The Grand Central Comedy Club by Alan Nolan. Second row from top, left to right: Strange Nature, by Mary Watson; Dino Mode Activated, by Jen Wallace and illustrated by Alan O'Rourke; Any Way You Slice It by Méabh O'Donnell; Ellora McGee, Trainee Banshee: The New School, by Sinéad O'Hart, illustrated by Úna Woods. Third row, left to right: Puisín na mBróg by Fergus MacLochlainn, illustrated by Paddy Donnelly; The Cloud Kingdom by Máire Zepf, illustrated by Andrew Whitson; Milo and the Mountain, by Jamie Carroll; Nature at Night by Dara McAnulty. Fourth row, left to right: Oíche Mhaith, a Ghrá! by Sadhbh Devlin, illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald; Lantern Smoke by Dagogo Hart and Anita Schmidt, and This That What by Katy Ashworth and Colleen Larmour.

5 8

Reposted by Erika McGann

Halfway up the Stairs @halfwayupbooks.bsky.social · 6d

Come to meet Chris Judge this Saturday at 4pm!

1 2

Reposted by Erika McGann

Sarah Webb @sarahwebbwriter.bsky.social · 6d

There are some amazing Irish books for children and teens out in Oct and Nov - check them out - from picture books to teen novels. There's something for every child this season.

#DiscoverIrishKidsBooks
@irishkidsbooks.bsky.social

See the posts below for all the authors and illustrators.

1 6 10

Erika McGann @erikamcgann.bsky.social · 6d

Oh that window is beautiful!!

1 2

Reposted by Erika McGann

Sarah Webb @sarahwebbwriter.bsky.social · 6d

Look who’s behind our new Run Home, Little Fox window @halfwayupbooks.bsky.social - by @shannonbergin.bsky.social
It’s Trish!
The author of this beautiful book, Tom McCaughren (with Erika McGann) will be talking & signing @ The Whale Theatre Sat 18th Oct 2pm with Marita Conlon-McKenna & Don Conroy!

1 7 16

Reposted by Erika McGann

Oisín McGann @oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 7d

If you're in Ireland, you're looking for a copy of The First Fire of Halloween and you don't want to order one from the Evil Empire, it's available from Antonia's Books, an indie bookshop, at antoniasbookstore.com/product/the-...

A púca comes to #Halloween Hill!

#SpeirGorm #PucaFestival #Samhain

Alt-Text: An image of the cover of the book set against a background similar to that used on the cover, a dark sky over a field. Under the words 'Here, why has he no trousers on? Why would someone take his trousers?'

The front cover itself features a púca, the mythical Irish shape-changer, as a muscular human figure with a goat's head. He's standing in a field in darkness, with a fire blazing in front of him. Inset in the dark sky above and behind him are a pair of yellow goat's eyes. The title is in orange against the sky, and my name is in black against the fire.

2 6 14

Reposted by Erika McGann

Sinéad O'Hart @sineadohart.bsky.social · 7d

Excellent #BookPost from @theobrienpress.bsky.social today! Wonderful to revisit the world of Tom McCaughren with @erikamcgann.bsky.social and @shannonbergin.bsky.social, and it's a heartwarming tale of Flossie McFluff with Eoin O'Brien and Audrey Dowling. Out next week! #IrishKidsBooks

Cover of Run Home Little Fox by Tom McCaughren and Erika McGann, illustrated by Shannon Bergin. An illustrated baby fox runs through lush woodland.

Front cover of Flossie McFluff Saves Christmas, by Eoin O'Brien and Audrey Dowling. Fairy character appears inside a green wreath on a jolly red background.

1 2 6

Reposted by Erika McGann

Gerry Daly @gerrydalyart.bsky.social · 10d

We always enjoy thinking up endpapers for the Puffling books.

For Puffling and the Stormy Sea (just out from @theobrienpress.bsky.social ) we focused on the basking shark who plays a starring role.

The front endpapers are a wallpaper. Is that a rabbit with a beak? Yes 😊

@erikamcgann.bsky.social

3 4

Erika McGann @erikamcgann.bsky.social · 15d

That's deadly, Oisín!

1 1

Reposted by Erika McGann

Oisín McGann @oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 15d

The First Fire of Halloween is currently ranked on Amazon.ie.:
No.1 for YA Horror
No.1 for YA Fairy Tales and Folklore
No.1 for YA Myths and Legends
Thanks to everyone who's already bought a copy, and for all the reposts, it all helps!

www.amazon.ie/First-Fire-H...

#Halloween #Samhain #SpeirGorm

A screenshot of an Amazon.ie page showing The First Fire of Halloween at No.1 for YA Fairy Tales and Folklore, priced at €11.45. The front cover features a púca, the mythical Irish shape-changer, as a muscular human figure with a goat's head. He's standing in a field in darkness, with a fire blazing in front of him. Inset in the dark sky above and behind him are a pair of yellow goat's eyes. The title is in orange against the sky, and my name is in black against the fire.

A screenshot of an Amazon.ie page showing The First Fire of Halloween at No.1 for YA Horror, priced at €11.45. The front cover features a púca, the mythical Irish shape-changer, as a muscular human figure with a goat's head. He's standing in a field in darkness, with a fire blazing in front of him. Inset in the dark sky above and behind him are a pair of yellow goat's eyes. The title is in orange against the sky, and my name is in black against the fire.

A screenshot of an Amazon.ie page showing The First Fire of Halloween at No.1 for YA Myths and Legends, priced at €11.45. The front cover features a púca, the mythical Irish shape-changer, as a muscular human figure with a goat's head. He's standing in a field in darkness, with a fire blazing in front of him. Inset in the dark sky above and behind him are a pair of yellow goat's eyes. The title is in orange against the sky, and my name is in black against the fire.

Screenshot of the book's ranks: #265 in Books overall.
#1 in Horror for Young Adults
#1 in Myths and Legends for Young Adults
#1 in Fairy Tales and Folklore for Young Adults

4 15 24

Reposted by Erika McGann

Oisín McGann @oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 16d

Near the town of Athboy in Meath, lies the site called #Tlachtga, where the first fires of Samhain were lit to mark the onset of winter. And it has attracted an ancient evil.

#Halloween #Samhain #SpeirGorm

Order for Ireland: www.amazon.ie/First-Fire-H...

For the US: www.amazon.com/First-Fire-H...

Alt-Text: An image of the cover of the book set against a background similar to that used on the cover, a dark sky over a field, under the words 'Who would want to steal a bunch of bone fragments?'

The front cover itself features a púca, the mythical Irish shape-changer, as a muscular human figure with a goat's head. He's standing in a field in darkness, with a fire blazing in front of him. Inset in the dark sky above and behind him are a pair of yellow goat's eyes. The title is in orange against the sky, and my name is in black against the fire.

1 7 14

Erika McGann @erikamcgann.bsky.social · 16d

Thanks Clive!!

Erika McGann @erikamcgann.bsky.social · 16d

Gorgeous review from Read and Reviewed for Tír na nÓg 😊🌟

The O’Brien Press @theobrienpress.bsky.social · 16d

“This is a fabulous addition to O'Brien's list of folklore inspired titles, and I can't wait to see what else this partnership comes up with.”

readandreviews.blogspot.com/2025/09/obri...

@erikamcgann.bsky.social

Erika McGann @erikamcgann.bsky.social · 16d

Lovely review for Pub Day! 🎉🎉

The O’Brien Press @theobrienpress.bsky.social · 16d

“Erika and Gerry's Puffling is one of the best picture book series out there, and this new entry meets the bar they've set.”

readandreviews.blogspot.com/2025/09/obri...

@erikamcgann.bsky.social
@gerrydalyart.bsky.social

O'Brien Picture Books

O'Brien are still at it! Here's another two upcoming titles that I'm very excited to see on the shelves. These are going to do really well f...

readandreviews.blogspot.com

Erika McGann @erikamcgann.bsky.social · 16d

Thanks Oisín!!

Erika McGann @erikamcgann.bsky.social · 16d

🎉 ANOTHER PUB DAY!🎉

A new retelling of Tír na nÓg from me and Conor Busuttil, following Niamh as she learns about the beauty of being vulnerable and human.

Conor’s artwork is absolutely stunning 🌟
And thank you Huw Davies for the gorgeous animation below!

The O’Brien Press @theobrienpress.bsky.social · 16d

Happy publication day to ‘Tír na nÓg - A Favourite Irish Legend’ written by @erikamcgann.bsky.social and illustrated by Conor Busuttil.

A tale of love and heartbreak, it's beautifully retold and lavishly illustrated for young readers.

Video by Huw Davies – thank you for the animation!

1 4 4

Reposted by Erika McGann

MaryEsther Judy @fallenstarmary.bsky.social · 16d

Any Way You Slice It by Méabh McDonnell : A YA romcom with a baking twist and a huge helping of heart; full of family, drama, compassion, utter joy & wonderful recipes; engrossing, entertaining; genuine & brilliant escape. @theobrienpress.bsky.social
fallenstarstories.wordpress.com/2025/09/28/a...

1 1

Reposted by Erika McGann

Gerry Daly @gerrydalyart.bsky.social · 16d

Happy book birthday Puffling! 🥳🌟

Out today from @theobrienpress.bsky.social Puffling and the Stormy Sea is an amazing new adventure for Puffling by @erikamcgann.bsky.social and was a total joy to illustrate.

Huge thanks to all the OBP team 😊

#picturebook #illustration #discoveririshkidsbooks

1 2 14

Reposted by Erika McGann

The O’Brien Press @theobrienpress.bsky.social · 16d

Happy publication day to ‘Puffling and the Stormy Sea’ written by @erikamcgann.bsky.social and illustrated by @gerrydalyart.bsky.social 🌊

Available in all bookshops!

Book cover with illustration in the background

3 4

Erika McGann @erikamcgann.bsky.social · 16d

🎉PUB DAY🎉

Puffling and the Stormy Sea by me and @gerrydalyart.bsky.social is out today!

Published by @theobrienpress.bsky.social and available in your lovely local bookshop 😊

A copy of children's picture book Puffling and the Stormy Sea propped up next to a stuffed toy of a puffling. The book cover features a wild sea background in blues and greens, with the main Puffling character in the foreground, smiling while balancing on the back of a basking shark. Above the title overhead is a rainbow.

1 4 6

Erika McGann @erikamcgann.bsky.social · 17d

@gerrydalyart.bsky.social's stormy artwork in the new Puffling book is beyond gorgeous 🌟🎨🌟

Find Puffling and the Stormy Sea in your local bookshop from tomorrow!

Gerry Daly @gerrydalyart.bsky.social · 17d

Puffling and the Stormy Sea will be published trw by @theobrienpress.bsky.social

It was a lot of fun to illustrate @erikamcgann.bsky.social ’s amazing new Puffling story 😊

I really enjoyed painting many stormy sea scenes. Using impasto, gouache, oil pastel.

#picturebook #illustration #puffin

2 6

Erika McGann @erikamcgann.bsky.social · 19d

Thanks Ger!