Children’s Book Festival details announced
Date issued: 25/09/17
‘Get Blown Away by a Book (Bí Faoi Gheasa ag Leabhar)’ is Clare County Library’s message to children all over the county this October as the 2017 Children’s Book Festival take place.
Almost 70 events are scheduled to take place in library branches throughout Clare where children will have an ideal opportunity to meet face to face with their favourite authors, have their books signed or ask that question about a book that they’ve always wanted answered.
The 2017 festival programme includes some of the biggest names in writing for young people in Ireland today.
Caroline Busher and E.R. Murray’s joint event in glór is one of this year’s biggest attractions with over 500 children already signed up to experience ‘Things That Go Bump In the Night’ on 26 October. The award-winning and best-selling authors promise a crackling fireside, two ghostly hosts and a horde of tales to make your hair stand on end. You will explore the world of spooky stories - from myths and legends around the world to spine-chilling tales on your doorstep, create ghastly characters and make up your own creepy stories. The event will be followed by book signings with Caroline and Elizabeth after the show.
Ennis-based illustrator and writer Matt Griffin will visit libraries across the county during October. His debut children’s novel, ‘A Cage of Roots’ was published by The O’Brien Press in 2015 and the sequel, ‘Storm Weaver’ came out in April 2016 (also published by The O’Brien Press). The final book in the trilogy, ‘The Spiral Path’, was published by The O’Brien Press in March 2017. Matt’s interests include illustration, graphic design, writing, animation, strange stories from science, typography, the Atlantic coast, art, sport, music, story-telling, films, Irish myths, friends, family and space. And if he has any time left, the thing he loves to do most of all is chat about his books with the children and teenagers who read them.
Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, an award-winning writer, musician and publisher from County Mayo, will present a fun talk about his work, writing, publishing and singing with Futa Fata in an interactive power point presentation. He will read, Oisín from his Fionn agus na Fianna series, published by An Gúm, and even sing a song or two from his latest book and CD collection, Bliain na nAmhrán.
Myra Zepf is a children’s author and has published four books in Irish to date. Her latest book, Rita agus an Róbat is part of a brand new series illustrated by Andrew Whitson. Her picture book Ná Gabh ar Scoil with illustrator Tarsila Krüse, published by Futa Fata in 2015 was nominated for the Children’s Book of the Year in Ireland and she has been three times nominated for the ‘Reics Carló Book of the Year Award’. She is currently the first ever Children’s Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland. During her visits to libraries in Clare, Myra will inspire young children to write their own stories.
Fresh from his marathon drawing workshops with thousands of children who completed the Summer Stars reading programme at awards events in Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush, Scariff and Ennistymon libraries in September, Aidan Courtney will be back for Children’s Book Festival. He will help children draw cartoons and caricatures at guaranteed fun-filled, drawing events. Founder of the Irish language comic ‘Coimicí Gael’ to promote comics and the Irish language Aidan has also has worked as a cartoonist and writer for publications in Ireland, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Gillian Perdue’s book-based drama and dance sessions went down a treat with children when she visited libraries in Clare last year. She worked as a primary school teacher for many years and this experience both informs and inspires many of her stories for children. Her first novel, Adam’s Starling won the 2002 Eilis Dillon Memorial Award and was hailed by the Evening Herald as a book “that belongs on the shelf of any home with school-going children.” Gillian’s ‘Conor Stories’ in The O’Brien Press Panda Series for younger children were published subsequently. Her library visits during Children’s Book Festival 2017 will encourage the youngest and even the most reluctant children to engage with the characters in her stories by getting involved in the action.
Another repeat visitor for this year’s festival is popular author and illustrator Alan Nolan. Alan lives and works in Bray, County Wicklow. He has written and illustrated many books and comics for children and grown-ups, including ‘Fintan’s Fifteen’, ‘Conor’s Caveman’ and the ‘Murder Can Be Fatal’ series. His workshops in Clare libraries during October will include lots of drawing, lots of chat and talk about his books.
Children are invited to step into a modern day Tír na nÓg during Children’s Book Festival courtesy of Eire’s Kids this October. Derek Mulveen’s books ‘Oisin the Brave - Robot Island’ and ‘Oisin the Brave – Moon Adventure’ will come to life during storytimes full of fun activities that will captivate the imagination of young listeners. Published by Eire’s Kids Publishing, the ‘Oisin the Brave’ books are a whimsical and imaginative adventure through the dolmen of time.
STEM activities promote children’s learning and understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and Clare County Library staff are mindful of including such activities, linking them with books and reading in the annual Children’s Book Festival Programme.
Children are invited to attend the Star Dome at Kilkee Library courtesy of Blackrock Castle Observatory, Cork. Dedicated to primary, secondary and third level education in Ireland it brings science education alive for students of all ages. Through innovative workshops and partnership the Stardome at the Cultúrlann Sweeney and Kilkee Library will offer an opportunity for local schoolchildren to marvel at the night sky in an inflatable Planetarium. As the night sky lights up overhead, local young astronomers will be transported from their classrooms “to infinity and beyond”.
In Sixmilebridge, Shannon and Ennis libraries, CIT Blackrock will host their 'Aliens' workshop in an engaging science activity ideally suited to first and second classes. Children will use language, mathematical and scientific design skills in activities based on the theme of imaginary aliens.
Geologist for Clare County Council, Dr. Eamon Doyle from the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark develops research and education programmes for adults and children. He is also responsible for the Burren Geopark’s trails programme which highlights the geology and heritage of the towns and villages in the area. Eamon visits libraries this October to meet with children from senior classes in primary schools. His talk and presentation during Children’s Book Festival will be based on the Geopark’s book, Stone, Water & Ice: A Geology Trip Through The Burren. During his hour-long talks his audiences will explore the beauty and fascination of some of the smallest and often overlooked creatures in the Burren National Park and in County Clare as a whole.
Clare Beekeeper Frank Considine is part of this year’s line-up for Children’s Book Festival and Clare Library Service will welcome him to four branches to share his limitless information on the importance of bees for plants, biodiversity and humans. During his hour-long talks including Q & A he will outline the importance of pollinators; bees, bumblebees and butterflies in the West of Ireland and how we can help protect their environment. Children will have the opportunity to taste delicious honey from Frank’s hives in Cree, Co. Clare and, weather permitting, he will demonstrate living bees
in beehive frames.
The ReDiscovery Centre’s programme for primary schools include workshops in their education centre in Dublin and outreach workshops at schools and for the first time in Clare libraries. In the ‘Nuts about Nature’ workshops children will be encouraged to explore ideas through discussion and activities as part of a fun-filled journey in discovering the wonders of our natural world. Children will be looking at biodiversity, exploring different Irish habitats and investigating animal adaptations including camouflage. Games, hands-on simple experiments and nature-themed arts and crafts make up the show.
A specific focus of farm safety is a new addition to the Children’s Book Festival programme in Clare. Alma Jordan of Agri Kids will visit Clare’s libraries to show children how to know when to play and when to stay away and be farm safe. Agri-Kids’ children’s books, ‘Tales from Riverside Farm’ will be on display and available for borrowing at each of the four libraries she visits.
Clare County Library looks forward to welcoming teachers and children from schools all over the county to its network of branches for Children’s Book Festival 2017. Full details available at www.clarelibrary.ie, Tel. 065 6846350 and from all library branches.
Content Last Updated/Reviewed: 25/09/17
