Peter Donnelly’s The President’s Sticker Activity Book is a charming and interactive addition to his acclaimed President’s series—joining the ranks of beloved titles such as The President’s Glasses, The President’s Dog, The President’s Surprise, and The President’s Cat. Bursting with Donnelly’s signature, award-winning illustrations, this activity book invites children to dive into an interactive world brimming with creativity, discovery, and fun.
The narrative follows the President on a whirlwind of delightful adventures alongside a plucky pigeon, a cheeky cat, a daring dog and includes a surprise birthday celebration. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Dublin, the story’s journey threads through iconic locations like the River Liffey, the Four Courts, Dublin Castle, Moore Street markets, Dublin Zoo, Farmleigh House, The Phoenix Park, the Áras, and even Glendalough in Wicklow. Along the way, children are invited to solve a variety of puzzles that are integral to advancing the story, making each page an engaging challenge.
More than just a story, the book is a treasure trove of interactive activities. Children are encouraged to let their imaginations soar, with plentiful opportunities to illustrate their own pictures inspired by the adventures. Each spread offers a medley of activities—matching games, search-and-find quests, puzzles, join-the-dots, word scrambles, and word searches—ensuring every reader can make the experience uniquely their own. Uncoloured illustrations eagerly await young artists’ finishing touches, making every journey through the book a personal one.
We particularly appreciated the clever reinforcement of literacy skills woven throughout the activities. Each task provided meaningful, enjoyable opportunities for children to practise reading and comprehension in an engaging context.
The content thoughtfully spans popular interests like birthday cakes and favourite pets, while also introducing children to key Irish services, such as the Irish Coast Guard. These themes naturally spark discussion and learning, blending enjoyment with education in a seamless way. Best of all is a pull-out full-colour poster featuring new art from Peter Donnelly, plus two pages of fantastic stickers to create your own scene.
Our nearly seven-year-old reviewer gave the book an enthusiastic endorsement, describing it as a perfect continuation of her favourite series. She relished the creative challenges and was delighted to learn more about the President’s role in Ireland through the book’s captivating content. Ideal for children aged 6+, The President’s Sticker Activity Book promises to enchant and educate any young reader eager for both entertainment and enrichment.
By Clare and Grace Burke
“The President’s Sticker Activity Book” by Peter Donnelly, published by Gill Books, is on sale now for €10.99 (P/B).
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, Gill Books, free of charge to Seomra Ranga for the purposes of this review.
