England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales,
Inside, Outside, Donkeys’ Tails
Were you the local Elastics champion growing up? Did you spend every waking moment obsessively playing Kerbs with your best mates? Have you never had more fun than racing to Tip the Can? Then this is the book for you. Packed with classics like Marbles, Conkers, Bulldog, and Hopscotch, party games like Blind Man's Buff and Snap Apple, and rainy day fun with Battleship, Murder in the Dark, and paper Fortune-Tellers.
‘What you need’, how to play, handy tips, ‘risk’ ratings and stories of great craic will whisk you back to those carefree days of childhood and, if your creaky old bones are up to it, inspire you to get out with the kids and revel in those games all over again.
Coming, coming, ready or not, keep your place or you’ll be … caught!
Kunak McGann grew up in Drogheda back in the days when electronic tablets were unheard of (she can still remember the excitement when the family got a ZX Spectrum – Luna Crabs, anyone?) and playing out on the street was the most fun kids could imagine. Eventually, she had to grow up and get a proper job. Now she works in publishing and lives in Kildare with her husband, two lively sons and one chilled-out dog.
an asset to any home or school … an excellent family present
Irish Independent
easy to follow instructions for childhood games … I think this book would definitely encourage children to engage in some physical activity away from the television! … a great Christmas gift or stocking filler
InTouch Magazine
this charming guide to childhood games will bring back a flood of happy memories, and inspire you to share a piece of your past with a new generation. If you don’t, then you should read it for new ideas – after all, you’re never too old for your first game of Slaps! McGann explains each game in beautifully clear language, and even provides strategy tips (don’t get distracted by the funky tunes during musical chairs – keep your eyes on the prize at all times) and physical risk assessments (Concentration has a 0/10 chance of injury, Red Rover has a 10/10 probability). Her sense of joy is contagious, and her wry humour had me laughing out loud in between bouts of nostalgia. Simple diagrams accompany any games that need them, and the black and white photos of children playing are genuinely heartwarming. A practical instruction manual, comedic slice of life, and important piece of social history all rolled into one, Red Rover is a flawless execution of a great idea that I can’t recommend enough
Children’s Books Ireland
Childhood memories fantastic book #redrover @OBrienPress
Kevin Dundon
this book is smashing
LMFM’s Late Lunch
you have … documented a little bit of Irish history that was in danger of being forgotten … It’s going to be a nice little Christmas stocking filler
Tommy Marren Show, MidWest Radio
These games...tick a lot of boxes; there's physical activity, social activity, skill levels & there's fresh air!
Ray D'Arcy, RTE Radio 1
Well done for compiling all these things because we forget how much craic we had as kids
The Dermot and Dave Show, Today FM
Hopefully there’s a bit of a mini change in society off the back of it
Gavin Grace, Clare FM
So many of the games children used to play are being forgotten, so this book is a great idea to ensure future generations rediscover the fun their parents and grandparents had … parents and grandparents will find it nostalgic and children will love to see what previous generations enjoyed
Parents in Touch
it will encourage children to park the remote control in the holder & engage in some physical activity in the fresh air. This book is definitely a stocking filler for the teacher or parent in one’s life
seomraranga.com
we love Kunak McGann's new book, Red Rover, Red Rover, and other fun games from your childhood to play with your kids, because it lists and explains how today's kids can play the games we loved so much growing up
magicmum.com
a wonderful trip down memory lane. Readers are prompted to use the collection as inspiration … a laudable aim indeed, and a technique that will likely be successful in passing on these traditional games to very young children
Evening Echo
