Hello and welcome Jennifer...
If you stick around here long enough I am sure you will hear plenty on this topic...Irish and how it should be learned seems to be a hot topic.
Do you know what kind of learner you are? I have noticed there are really two ways to learn a new language.
There's the translation approach, where you learn about the grammar and vocabulary of the langauge and then apply your knowledge to a something like a text or recording. This is the method commonly used for learning langauges in a school because it allows for a more academic approach.
Or there is the immersion approach that doesn't really concentrate on grammar so much but instead focuses on practicle conversational phrases and usages.
Both have their strengths, for instance with the translation method you will develope a better understand of how the language works, however, people often find that they can read and write the langauge but are very weak when it comes to speaking the language which is what learning a language is all about.
The immersion method is great for being able to converse in the language, however, people often find that they get trapped because they learn particular phrases and have trouble using the language outside of these phrases. They lack the knowledge of the language to use something other than the phrases they have been taught.
So obviously you want to find method that includes both ideas to some degree.
Translating children's books is a very good idea. They are usually simple enough for an adult to figure out what is going on even without being proficient in the language. I recommend a course called "Inish Dom." It is a childrens course in Irish that is pretty simple to follow along with, but does a nice job of introducing grammar ideas. Also, it comes with a CD that lets you hear the majority of the course in Irish so you have something to immitate. And if I remember right, this course is the one where the native speakers are children who really overdo the pronunciation of the words which is something adults don't do in some of the courses out there...plus they are just so cute sounding.
You can find the course at a place called Litriocht:
http://www.litriocht.com I wish you luck and hope you stick with the language...I think you will find there is something unique about it. At times it will leave you so frustrated and angry...and in the end you will love it even more. Kind of like a new puppy :0)
