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We're Mad About Books...

Each month we pick the new children's book that we think stands out from the herd, books that are destined to become the classics for this generation and generations to come, in short, books that we are mad about.

The World's Worst Mothers by Sabine Ludwig and Siobhan Parkinson

“Meet RoboMum – your dream mother and worst nightmare. ”

Vivienne Luke
Dubray Books, Rathmines


Sophie's little brother Patrick is a brat with a capital B, always getting Sophie into terrible trouble. But all their mother sees is a little angel being persecuted by his big sister! Bruno is strictly forbidden to follow his passion for boxing. His mother insists he practices the piano each day and has hung a picture of Mozart on his bedroom wall for inspiration. Emily is fed up with forever having to rescue her mother. If her disorganised Mum hasn’t lost her wallet, then she has more than likely ran out of petrol.

Each of these three children enters a competition to find The World’s Worst Mother. But the organisers – a toy factory owner and his deranged technician – have their own ulterior motives and the mothers disappear, to be replaced by friendly and efficient ‘Aunt Annas’. Is this a dream come true for the children or might it just be their worst nightmare?

I loved this brilliantly funny adventure/detective story by Sabine Ludwig, who is one of Germany’s most successful children’s authors. Translated by Laureate na nÓg, Siobhán Parkinson, it is a must read for all the boys and girls who have ever considered trading in their mother for a better model. David Walliams fans: you’re in for a treat!

- Vivienne Luke, Rathmines

I really enjoyed the book The World’s Worst Mothers. The book was very funny at times. At other times the book really has your blood pumping. In the story there are three children who have three of the world’s worst mothers. One of the children is called Bruno, he wants to box but his mother wants him to play the piano. Even though he’s rubbish at playing the piano. Then there’s Sophie. She’s misunderstood by her mother. Her little brother, Nicolas, he keeps on putting dead animals in Sophie’s bed. And we can’t forget Emily. Emily’s mother is a scatter brain. Emily is looking after her mother more than her mother is looking after her. Then one day all three children see an advertisement. The advertisement said World’s Worst Mothers wanted. Go to www.worldsworstmothers.eek. Reading The World’s Worst Mothers was amazing. I was really looking forward to reading The World’s Worst Mothers when I had finished my homework.

- Molly Raftery, age 11


Children's Books of the Month 2011

  • The Sleeping Army

    The Sleeping Army
    Francesca Simon

    Hardback · 20 Oct 2011 · €13.35
    Our Price: €10.99

    Freya is an ordinary girl living in modern Britain, but with a twist: people still worship the Viking gods. She's caught in her parents' divorce, and shuttling between bickering adults is no fun. One evening, stuck with her dad on his night shift at the British Museum, she is drawn to the Lewis Chessmen and Heimdall's Horn.

  • Wonderstruck

    Wonderstruck
    Brian Selznick

    Hardback · 14 Sep 2011 · €20.00
    Our Price: €15.99

    Ever since his mother died, Ben feels lost. At home with her father, Rose feels alone. When Ben finds a mysterious clue hidden in his mother's room, and when a tempting opportunity presents itself to Rose, both children risk everything to find what's missing.

  • History Keepers: The Storm Begins

    History Keepers: The Storm Begins
    Damian Dibben

    Paperback · 01 Sep 2011 · €13.35
    Our Price: €10.99

    Jake Djones' mum and dad have gone missing and they could be anywhere in the world - at any time in history. Because the Djones family have an astonishing secret, which for years they've managed to keep - even from each other. They belong to the History Keepers: a secret society which travels through the centuries to prevent evil enemies.

  • The Donut Diaries

    The Donut Diaries
    Dermot Milligan

    Paperback · 04 Aug 2011 · €8.00
    Our Price: €6.99

    Dermot Milligan's got problems. He's overweight and hooked on donuts. He has a pushy, over-achieving mother, and a father who spends all his time hiding in the loo. His sisters, Ruby and Ella (known as Rubella) attack him relentlessly from the opposite directions of Chav and Goth. And now, he's being sent to a nutritionist, Doctor Morlock.

  • Reckless

    Reckless
    Cornelia Funke

    Paperback · 04 Jul 2011 · €9.00

    For years, Jacob Reckless has enjoyed its secrets and treasures. Not any more. His younger brother has followed him. Now dark magic will turn the boy to beast, break the heart of the girl he loves, and cause chaos to rule forever. Unless Jacob can find a way to save them.

  • A Monster Calls

    A Monster Calls
    Siobhan Dowd

    Hardback · 05 May 2011 · €17.35
    Our Price: €13.99

    The monster showed up just after midnight. As they do. But it isn't the monster Conor's been expecting. He's been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he's had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming...

  • Trash

    Trash
    Andy Mulligan

    Paperback · 31 Mar 2011 · €8.00

    Raphael is a dumpsite boy. He spends his days wading through mountains of steaming trash, sifting it, sorting it, breathing it, sleeping next to it. Then one unlucky-lucky day, Raphael's world turns upside down. A small leather bag falls into his hands. It's a bag of clues. It's a bag of hope. It's a bag that will change everything.

  • Twilight Robbery

    Twilight Robbery
    Frances Hardinge

    Paperback · 04 Mar 2011 · €13.35

    Mosca Mye and Eponymous Clent are in trouble again. Escaping disaster by the skin of their teeth, they find refuge in Toll, the strange gateway town where visitors may neither enter nor leave without paying a price. By day, the city is well-mannered and orderly; by night, it's the haunt of rogues and villains.

  • When You Reach Me

    When You Reach Me
    Rebecca Stead

    Paperback · 06 Jan 2011 · €8.00

    Miranda's life is starting to unravel. Her best friend, Sal, gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The key that Miranda's mum keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen.

We're MAD About...


Future of Us

The World's Worst Mothers
by Sabine Ludwig
and Siobhan Parkinson

Read Our Review...