Awards

• Long-listed for Children's Book of the Year 2026 (Ireland)
• Nominated for Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2026 (UK)
• Short-listed for Children's Book of the Year (Junior) 2025 (Ireland)
• Short-listed for Picture Book Award 2025 (UK)

Overview

‘A story about the power of imagination and friendship.’ Eoin Colfer From the world of Fox & Son Tailers. ‘Badger Books’ is a bookshop, run by a badger. You can find books about every animal. From bears to elephants, tigers to dinosaurs and pandas to narwhals. But there’s one book they don’t have ... and it’s one that Rory the Fox really, really wants.

Full Product Details

9781788496537

Table of Contents

Reviews

The book is filled with beautiful imagery and wonderfully funny illustrations, packed with so much detail that you discover something new each time you read it. It’s a delightful story. I would highly recommend it, perfect for classroom read-alouds, a cozy bedtime cuddle, or simply to inspire imaginative dreams of what could be. I would give this book 10/10. -- Brigid O’ Donovan, Co. Cork The illustrations bustle with togetherness, are rich with warmth and contain oodles of extra fun details to enjoy, but the pulse of this story is its focus on community and the good that we can do for one another, regardless of age. We all have a lot to learn from the townsfolk of Ballybrush! -- CBI’s The Best Irish Books of 2025 this gorgeous, adorable, and heartwarming picture book about the power of creativity and friendship is a lovely story, with sweet and beautifully detailed illustration. Set in the same world as Paddy Donnelly’s previous picture book, Fox & Son Tailers, this story explores a similarly warm theme of community, finding your place, and celebrating togetherness -- Booktrust’s Book of the Day a lovely story with sweet, beautifully detailed illustrations! Take a trip to Badger Books in this wonderful tale’ -- Booktrust NI’s Book of the Month ‘A story about the power of imagination and friendship.’ -- Eoin Colfer fantastic, and the story is perfect for sharing aloud. Funny, with empathy and kindness, this story made me smile. If you can't find the book you want, write it or draw it yourself! -- It’s All About Stories We revisit the little town of Ballybrush in Paddy Donnelly’s new picturebook and drop in on Badger Books, next to Fox & Son Tailers, setting of course for his earlier bestseller … another quirky and charming story, elegantly plotted and beautifully paced and with a world of detail and description on every page. Young readers will find the book with a much stronger understanding of the creative process than when they opened it too and will feel immense satisfaction that Rory is able to realise his vision of the story. A lovely celebration of books (and bookshops), the imagination and community too - 5 star review -- Books for Keeps I adore all of Paddy Donnelly’s books but especially this series featuring the animals of Ballybrush. We first met this town in Fox & Son Tailors and now we are back introduced properly to Badger’s Books … Another heartwarming story filled with the most divine illustrations -- MyShelvesAreFull I LOVE THIS BOOK! … exciting and simply brilliant … The illustrations are beautiful; bright, colourful, full of spark and spirit. The writing is clear, rhythmic, expressive. The resulting tale is a complete joy -- FallenStarStories this is the most gorgeous book you’re ever going to see  -- Librarians Jennie & Tracy on RTE Radio 1’s Claire Byrne show Brilliant Bedtime Read ... The illustrations are full of tiny details for children to pore over, and both adults and children will love this charming tale of kindness and honouring children’s creativity -- Irish Independent magnificent -- Wendingwords Paddy Donnelly, from Ballycastle, wants to inspire children in his books to appreciate the amazing nature they can experience … the adults will love this as much as the children … your illustrations just jump off the page, they really are just gorgeous and filled with detail -- BBC Radio Ulster’s Your Place and Mine a modern classic in the making with an exquisite level of detailed illustrations that must be seen to be believed -- Irish Examiner With Paddy being a very visual storyteller there is so much detail to spot … We loved the bookshop setting and comparing the two stories side by side and wondering where the next adventure might take the animal folk of Ballybrush! -- Educa8Wirral a visual and literary delight -- TheCelticClassroom Badger Books, a bookshop owned and run by a badger, is crammed full of hundreds of books and Donnelly hand-drew every one of them. When a young fox comes in looking for a book about the jellyfish on the moon, Badger is flummoxed. He’s never heard of a book like this and shoos Rory out of the shop grumpily, but gradually he has a change of heart and helps Rory create such a book. The illustrations are full of tiny details for children to pore over, and both adults and children will love this charming tale of kindness and honouring children’s creativity. -- Irish Independent

The book is filled with beautiful imagery and wonderfully funny illustrations, packed with so much detail that you discover something new each time you read it. It’s a delightful story. I would highly recommend it, perfect for classroom read-alouds, a cozy bedtime cuddle, or simply to inspire imaginative dreams of what could be. I would give this book 10/10. -- Brigid O’ Donovan, Co. Cork The illustrations bustle with togetherness, are rich with warmth and contain oodles of extra fun details to enjoy, but the pulse of this story is its focus on community and the good that we can do for one another, regardless of age. We all have a lot to learn from the townsfolk of Ballybrush! -- CBI’s The Best Irish Books of 2025 this gorgeous, adorable, and heartwarming picture book about the power of creativity and friendship is a lovely story, with sweet and beautifully detailed illustration. Set in the same world as Paddy Donnelly’s previous picture book, Fox & Son Tailers, this story explores a similarly warm theme of community, finding your place, and celebrating togetherness -- Booktrust’s Book of the Day a lovely story with sweet, beautifully detailed illustrations! Take a trip to Badger Books in this wonderful tale’ -- Booktrust NI’s Book of the Month ‘A story about the power of imagination and friendship.’ -- Eoin Colfer fantastic, and the story is perfect for sharing aloud. Funny, with empathy and kindness, this story made me smile. If you can't find the book you want, write it or draw it yourself! -- It’s All About Stories We revisit the little town of Ballybrush in Paddy Donnelly’s new picturebook and drop in on Badger Books, next to Fox & Son Tailers, setting of course for his earlier bestseller … another quirky and charming story, elegantly plotted and beautifully paced and with a world of detail and description on every page. Young readers will find the book with a much stronger understanding of the creative process than when they opened it too and will feel immense satisfaction that Rory is able to realise his vision of the story. A lovely celebration of books (and bookshops), the imagination and community too - 5 star review -- Books for Keeps I adore all of Paddy Donnelly’s books but especially this series featuring the animals of Ballybrush. We first met this town in Fox & Son Tailors and now we are back introduced properly to Badger’s Books … Another heartwarming story filled with the most divine illustrations -- MyShelvesAreFull I LOVE THIS BOOK! … exciting and simply brilliant … The illustrations are beautiful; bright, colourful, full of spark and spirit. The writing is clear, rhythmic, expressive. The resulting tale is a complete joy -- FallenStarStories this is the most gorgeous book you’re ever going to see  -- Librarians Jennie & Tracy on RTE Radio 1’s Claire Byrne show Brilliant Bedtime Read ... The illustrations are full of tiny details for children to pore over, and both adults and children will love this charming tale of kindness and honouring children’s creativity -- Irish Independent magnificent -- Wendingwords Paddy Donnelly, from Ballycastle, wants to inspire children in his books to appreciate the amazing nature they can experience … the adults will love this as much as the children … your illustrations just jump off the page, they really are just gorgeous and filled with detail -- BBC Radio Ulster’s Your Place and Mine a modern classic in the making with an exquisite level of detailed illustrations that must be seen to be believed -- Irish Examiner With Paddy being a very visual storyteller there is so much detail to spot … We loved the bookshop setting and comparing the two stories side by side and wondering where the next adventure might take the animal folk of Ballybrush! -- Educa8Wirral a visual and literary delight -- TheCelticClassroom Badger Books, a bookshop owned and run by a badger, is crammed full of hundreds of books and Donnelly hand-drew every one of them. When a young fox comes in looking for a book about the jellyfish on the moon, Badger is flummoxed. He’s never heard of a book like this and shoos Rory out of the shop grumpily, but gradually he has a change of heart and helps Rory create such a book. The illustrations are full of tiny details for children to pore over, and both adults and children will love this charming tale of kindness and honouring children’s creativity. -- Irish Independent this is the second picture book that Paddy has written and illustrated about the industrious animal townsfolk of Ballybrush. The first one, Fox & Son Tailers, is an absolute gem, but in my opinion Badger Books, being about three of my favourite subjects - books, bookshops and badgers - sparkles even brighter -- Alan Nolan in the Irish Times A charming tale about kindness and honouring creativity with detailed illustrations to pore over -- Irish Independent

The book is filled with beautiful imagery and wonderfully funny illustrations, packed with so much detail that you discover something new each time you read it. It’s a delightful story. I would highly recommend it, perfect for classroom read-alouds, a cozy bedtime cuddle, or simply to inspire imaginative dreams of what could be. I would give this book 10/10. -- Brigid O’ Donovan, Co. Cork The illustrations bustle with togetherness, are rich with warmth and contain oodles of extra fun details to enjoy, but the pulse of this story is its focus on community and the good that we can do for one another, regardless of age. We all have a lot to learn from the townsfolk of Ballybrush! -- CBI’s The Best Irish Books of 2025 this gorgeous, adorable, and heartwarming picture book about the power of creativity and friendship is a lovely story, with sweet and beautifully detailed illustration. Set in the same world as Paddy Donnelly’s previous picture book, Fox & Son Tailers, this story explores a similarly warm theme of community, finding your place, and celebrating togetherness -- Booktrust’s Book of the Day a lovely story with sweet, beautifully detailed illustrations! Take a trip to Badger Books in this wonderful tale’ -- Booktrust NI’s Book of the Month ‘A story about the power of imagination and friendship.’ -- Eoin Colfer fantastic, and the story is perfect for sharing aloud. Funny, with empathy and kindness, this story made me smile. If you can't find the book you want, write it or draw it yourself! -- It’s All About Stories We revisit the little town of Ballybrush in Paddy Donnelly’s new picturebook and drop in on Badger Books, next to Fox & Son Tailers, setting of course for his earlier bestseller … another quirky and charming story, elegantly plotted and beautifully paced and with a world of detail and description on every page. Young readers will find the book with a much stronger understanding of the creative process than when they opened it too and will feel immense satisfaction that Rory is able to realise his vision of the story. A lovely celebration of books (and bookshops), the imagination and community too - 5 star review -- Books for Keeps I adore all of Paddy Donnelly’s books but especially this series featuring the animals of Ballybrush. We first met this town in Fox & Son Tailors and now we are back introduced properly to Badger’s Books … Another heartwarming story filled with the most divine illustrations -- MyShelvesAreFull I LOVE THIS BOOK! … exciting and simply brilliant … The illustrations are beautiful; bright, colourful, full of spark and spirit. The writing is clear, rhythmic, expressive. The resulting tale is a complete joy -- FallenStarStories this is the most gorgeous book you’re ever going to see  -- Librarians Jennie & Tracy on RTE Radio 1’s Claire Byrne show Brilliant Bedtime Read ... The illustrations are full of tiny details for children to pore over, and both adults and children will love this charming tale of kindness and honouring children’s creativity -- Irish Independent magnificent -- Wendingwords Paddy Donnelly, from Ballycastle, wants to inspire children in his books to appreciate the amazing nature they can experience … the adults will love this as much as the children … your illustrations just jump off the page, they really are just gorgeous and filled with detail -- BBC Radio Ulster’s Your Place and Mine a modern classic in the making with an exquisite level of detailed illustrations that must be seen to be believed -- Irish Examiner With Paddy being a very visual storyteller there is so much detail to spot … We loved the bookshop setting and comparing the two stories side by side and wondering where the next adventure might take the animal folk of Ballybrush! -- Educa8Wirral a visual and literary delight -- TheCelticClassroom Badger Books, a bookshop owned and run by a badger, is crammed full of hundreds of books and Donnelly hand-drew every one of them. When a young fox comes in looking for a book about the jellyfish on the moon, Badger is flummoxed. He’s never heard of a book like this and shoos Rory out of the shop grumpily, but gradually he has a change of heart and helps Rory create such a book. The illustrations are full of tiny details for children to pore over, and both adults and children will love this charming tale of kindness and honouring children’s creativity. -- Irish Independent this is the second picture book that Paddy has written and illustrated about the industrious animal townsfolk of Ballybrush. The first one, Fox & Son Tailers, is an absolute gem, but in my opinion Badger Books, being about three of my favourite subjects - books, bookshops and badgers - sparkles even brighter -- Alan Nolan in the Irish Times

The book is filled with beautiful imagery and wonderfully funny illustrations, packed with so much detail that you discover something new each time you read it. It’s a delightful story. I would highly recommend it, perfect for classroom read-alouds, a cozy bedtime cuddle, or simply to inspire imaginative dreams of what could be. I would give this book 10/10. -- Brigid O’ Donovan, Co. Cork The illustrations bustle with togetherness, are rich with warmth and contain oodles of extra fun details to enjoy, but the pulse of this story is its focus on community and the good that we can do for one another, regardless of age. We all have a lot to learn from the townsfolk of Ballybrush! -- CBI’s The Best Irish Books of 2025 this gorgeous, adorable, and heartwarming picture book about the power of creativity and friendship is a lovely story, with sweet and beautifully detailed illustration. Set in the same world as Paddy Donnelly’s previous picture book, Fox & Son Tailers, this story explores a similarly warm theme of community, finding your place, and celebrating togetherness -- Booktrust’s Book of the Day a lovely story with sweet, beautifully detailed illustrations! Take a trip to Badger Books in this wonderful tale’ -- Booktrust NI’s Book of the Month ‘A story about the power of imagination and friendship.’ -- Eoin Colfer fantastic, and the story is perfect for sharing aloud. Funny, with empathy and kindness, this story made me smile. If you can't find the book you want, write it or draw it yourself! -- It’s All About Stories We revisit the little town of Ballybrush in Paddy Donnelly’s new picturebook and drop in on Badger Books, next to Fox & Son Tailers, setting of course for his earlier bestseller … another quirky and charming story, elegantly plotted and beautifully paced and with a world of detail and description on every page. Young readers will find the book with a much stronger understanding of the creative process than when they opened it too and will feel immense satisfaction that Rory is able to realise his vision of the story. A lovely celebration of books (and bookshops), the imagination and community too - 5 star review -- Books for Keeps I adore all of Paddy Donnelly’s books but especially this series featuring the animals of Ballybrush. We first met this town in Fox & Son Tailors and now we are back introduced properly to Badger’s Books … Another heartwarming story filled with the most divine illustrations -- MyShelvesAreFull I LOVE THIS BOOK! … exciting and simply brilliant … The illustrations are beautiful; bright, colourful, full of spark and spirit. The writing is clear, rhythmic, expressive. The resulting tale is a complete joy -- FallenStarStories this is the most gorgeous book you’re ever going to see  -- Librarians Jennie & Tracy on RTE Radio 1’s Claire Byrne show Brilliant Bedtime Read ... The illustrations are full of tiny details for children to pore over, and both adults and children will love this charming tale of kindness and honouring children’s creativity -- Irish Independent magnificent -- Wendingwords Paddy Donnelly, from Ballycastle, wants to inspire children in his books to appreciate the amazing nature they can experience … the adults will love this as much as the children … your illustrations just jump off the page, they really are just gorgeous and filled with detail -- BBC Radio Ulster’s Your Place and Mine a modern classic in the making with an exquisite level of detailed illustrations that must be seen to be believed -- Irish Examiner With Paddy being a very visual storyteller there is so much detail to spot … We loved the bookshop setting and comparing the two stories side by side and wondering where the next adventure might take the animal folk of Ballybrush! -- Educa8Wirral a visual and literary delight -- TheCelticClassroom Badger Books, a bookshop owned and run by a badger, is crammed full of hundreds of books and Donnelly hand-drew every one of them. When a young fox comes in looking for a book about the jellyfish on the moon, Badger is flummoxed. He’s never heard of a book like this and shoos Rory out of the shop grumpily, but gradually he has a change of heart and helps Rory create such a book. The illustrations are full of tiny details for children to pore over, and both adults and children will love this charming tale of kindness and honouring children’s creativity. -- Irish Independent this is the second picture book that Paddy has written and illustrated about the industrious animal townsfolk of Ballybrush. The first one, Fox & Son Tailers, is an absolute gem, but in my opinion Badger Books, being about three of my favourite subjects - books, bookshops and badgers - sparkles even brighter -- Alan Nolan in the Irish Times A charming tale about kindness and honouring creativity with detailed illustrations to pore over -- Irish Independent a great book concept … very captivating -- RTEJr's We Love Books  fabulous -- Fallen Star Stories

Author Information

Paddy Donnelly is an Irish author and illustrator living in Belgium, who has illustrated many children’s books, including Fox & Son Tailers, The Golden Hare, The Vanishing Lake and Dodos Are Not Extinct. He has been nominated twice for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration and in 2023 he won the Judges’ Special Award at the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards. The Golden Hare won Children's Book of the Year (Junior) at the Irish Book Awards. His books have been published worldwide, in many languages.

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