First review! Inis magazine

Thanks to Amanda Dunne Fulmer and the lovely folks at Inis magazine for our first official review!

Inis is published three times a year by Children’s Books Ireland, the national charity and arts organisation that aims to inspire and enable children and young people to become readers for life.

Look out for CBI’s brilliant Book Clinics throughout the year, where patients meet a Book Doctor and come away with a prescription for the perfect book!

That's It! Said the Dandelion

Nicola Reddy

Illustrated by Róisín Hahessy

The O'Brien Press, February 2026

Hardback, 32pp, €14.99

This collaboration between Nicola Reddy and Róisín Hahessy is delightful - a pleasure to read and to look at. Reminiscent of the work of Eric Carle, the picturebook replicates the life cycle of the dandelion in a way that is accessible and engaging for very young readers.

Simple in a way that looks effortless, this is the kind of picturebook that brings smiles to the reader and the audience, as it tells a sweet and rather profound story in well-chosen words and lush images. Dandelion changes and embraces each stage of her life cycle, not just living in the moment, but also relishing each transformation.

The use of repetition and the vividness of the language result in a satisfying reading experience. Though there are few words, they are used effectively to convey feelings as well as the passage of time. The page design is well thought out, short sentences placed where their interaction with the illustrations will have greatest effect, whether that is reinforcing Dandelion's dynamic growth or her resulting weariness. Hahessy's uncluttered pictures either burst with sunshine and life or have a tranquil quality, reflecting the text and creating just the right mood through the imagery and colour palette.

The inclusion of dandelion facts at the end is a nice touch for those whose interest has been piqued by the story. Dandelions have their moment here, highlighting that one person's weed, considered differently, is another person's wonder.

(Age 2-4)

Amanda Dunne Fulmer