Out and About in Dublin by Mary Finn (£7.99, Wolfhound)

Building on her reputation from The Adventure Guide to Dublin, Mary Finn offers young people a comprehensive look at Dublin and its environs in this new book. She introduces her readers to museums, castles, historic houses, churches and public buildings in a friendly, accessible tone, making every place mentioned sound like it's worth a visit. Some perhaps less well known places - such as the Skerries Mills Centre (with two working windmills), Findlater's Museum (memorabilia from old shops alongside lots of vintage wines), the Airfield Trust (organic gardens and farm animals in the heart of Dundrum) and the Larchill Arcadian Gardens and farm in Kilcock, Co Kildare (exotic breeds, Gothic pig houses and follies galore) - will be particularly appealing to those familiar with the usual spots. Her section on shopping is also useful, with headings such as fancy dress, markets, arty-crafty, Internet cafes and bookshops. With this book at hand, there are no excuses for boredom.