'A must-have for families': Tipperary author pens incredible new children's books

Local author and former Ursuline Thurles student Julie Kennedy Fogarty is celebrating the release of her first two children’s picture books, Reuben’s Hunt for a Home and The Coolest Pet.

The books, inspired by the beauty of rural Irish life and the joy of storytelling, are already delighting young readers across the country.

In Reuben’s Hunt for a Home, readers follow a plucky little frog named Reuben on his eventful journey through the countryside as he searches for a new place to live after his beloved bog disappears.

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The story blends environmental themes with a heartwarming message of friendship and perseverance.

Julie’s second book, The Coolest Pet, captures the fun—and reality—of choosing a pet through the eyes of a child. Imaginative and funny, it gently encourages young readers to think about responsibility, empathy, and family life.

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“I wrote these stories out of the joy of reading with my own children and the magic of living in the Irish countryside,” said Julie.

“It’s a dream come true to share them with other families.”

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Julie Kennedy Fogarty, lives in rural Tipperary with her husband James and their four young children. Her brave move from a career in Finance to becoming a children’s author was inspired by a deep love of language, creativity, and the stories she shared at home with her own children.

The books are available through Julie’s website at juliekennedyfogarty.com, as well as at:

Eason’s Thurles
The Bookworm, Thurles
The Winding Stair, Dublin
Libraries across Ireland
Amazon

Perfect for children aged three to eight, both titles are ideal for parents, teachers, and librarians looking for heartfelt, locally written stories with universal appeal.