What do you think?
Rate this book
Milly McCarthy is a Complete Catastrophe
Milly’s class have won an All-Ireland Climate Action competition, which means they’re in with a chance of earning a coveted Green Flag award for their school. Best of all is the a private tour of Fota Wildlife Park! Sure, what could possibly go wrong?
From the moment Milly and her friends arrive, chaos and calamity ensue - and of course Milly is totally not to blame for the butterfly breakout, the giraffe drama or the unfortunate incident on Monkey Island. Could the school lose their Green Flag before it even arrives?
From the moment Milly and her friends arrive, chaos and calamity ensue - and of course Milly is totally not to blame for the butterfly breakout, the giraffe drama or the unfortunate incident on Monkey Island. Could the school lose their Green Flag before it even arrives?
176 pages, Paperback
Published May 4, 2023
2 people are currently reading
8 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 18, 2023
Milly's class has won an All-Ireland Climate Action competition, which means they're in with a chance of earning a coveted Green Flag Award for their school. Best of all is the competition prize: a private tour of Fota Wildlife Park! Sure, what could possibly go wrong?
But from the moment Milly and her friends arrive at the park, chaos and calamity ensue - and of course Milly is totally not to blame for the butterfly breakout, the giraffe drama or the unfortunate incident on Monkey Island... Could the school lose their Green Flag before it even arrives?
This is an outstanding children's book that is so authentic, fun and easy to read. The illustrations by Karen Harte are simply amazing and makes the book so engaging for young readers who might find reading difficult, Harte's beautiful illustrations make the story come to life and would keep anyone engaged.
The story reads like Diary of a Whimpy Kid but Irish. It is so relatable to young Irish children, especially those based in Cork. Having grown up in Cork myself and have spend a huge portion of my life in Fota Wildlife Park, it was so personal to me and yet to relatable to anyone who may not have been to the park before. The little bit of cupla focal that Leona Forde introduces is so brilliantly done, and this story is so beautifully Irish without it being cringy.
I would recommend this book to any parent who is trying to get their child into reading, any Irish child who goes to a Gaeilscoil or English speaking primary school, and to any Irish person who just enjoys a good, lighthearted, fun story. It's a book for everyone.
But from the moment Milly and her friends arrive at the park, chaos and calamity ensue - and of course Milly is totally not to blame for the butterfly breakout, the giraffe drama or the unfortunate incident on Monkey Island... Could the school lose their Green Flag before it even arrives?
This is an outstanding children's book that is so authentic, fun and easy to read. The illustrations by Karen Harte are simply amazing and makes the book so engaging for young readers who might find reading difficult, Harte's beautiful illustrations make the story come to life and would keep anyone engaged.
The story reads like Diary of a Whimpy Kid but Irish. It is so relatable to young Irish children, especially those based in Cork. Having grown up in Cork myself and have spend a huge portion of my life in Fota Wildlife Park, it was so personal to me and yet to relatable to anyone who may not have been to the park before. The little bit of cupla focal that Leona Forde introduces is so brilliantly done, and this story is so beautifully Irish without it being cringy.
I would recommend this book to any parent who is trying to get their child into reading, any Irish child who goes to a Gaeilscoil or English speaking primary school, and to any Irish person who just enjoys a good, lighthearted, fun story. It's a book for everyone.
March 4, 2023
What a truly brilliant story!
'Milly McCarthy is a Complete Catastrophe' is everything I would have wanted in a book growing up.
Dubbed as the next 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid', Milly's story follows her as she gets up to all kinds of accidental mischief whilst trying to obtain the Green Schools flag for her school.
What makes Milly so special is her heritage. Leona does such an amazing job of capturing the Cork essence of Milly. Not only this, but Milly attends a Gaelscoil and uses her cúpla focail throughout the story.
It is so important to have literature set in our own counties and country for kids to see themselves reflected in stories, and for it not just to be the UK or US children who are represented. Not only that, but it is truly refreshing to have a female protagonist at the helm of such a story! I cannot wait for the next installment.
'Milly McCarthy is a Complete Catastrophe' is everything I would have wanted in a book growing up.
Dubbed as the next 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid', Milly's story follows her as she gets up to all kinds of accidental mischief whilst trying to obtain the Green Schools flag for her school.
What makes Milly so special is her heritage. Leona does such an amazing job of capturing the Cork essence of Milly. Not only this, but Milly attends a Gaelscoil and uses her cúpla focail throughout the story.
It is so important to have literature set in our own counties and country for kids to see themselves reflected in stories, and for it not just to be the UK or US children who are represented. Not only that, but it is truly refreshing to have a female protagonist at the helm of such a story! I cannot wait for the next installment.
March 17, 2023
Absolutely fantastic and hilarious book!
April 9, 2023
A pure daycent read.
March 7, 2023
This book is a hape of fun - and as Irish as they come. I really enjoyed Milly's hapless attempts to not get into trouble, which always seem to land her right in hot water. The scenes in Fota Wildlife Park in particular were so funny, and very relatable! This book is perfect for young readers of around 7+ who've enjoyed books like Perdita and Honor Cargill's Accidental Witch series (there is no magic in Milly McCarthy, but the diary/epistolary style, and the highly illustrated format, should appeal).
February 5, 2024
What a great read for the young person in your life. Milly is indeed a catastrophe - a loveable and very funny one. With wonderful illustrations it’s fast paced and great fun.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews