Fallen Star Stories

The judging panel of the prestigious Guardian Children's Fiction Prize has announced the 2011 shortlist. The panel, consisting of Julia Eccleshare (chair), Michelle Paver, Julia Golding and Marcus Sedgwick have chosen the following four books: My Name Is Mina , by David Almond (Hodder, £6.99). Age: 9+ In My Name Is Mina David Almond reintroduces readers to the girl next door who, in his bestselling first novel Skellig shared in the discovery of the mysterious eponymous creature in a dilapidated garage. We already know about Mina's love of nature, her passion for freedom, her struggle for truth. Now, through a series of reflections and brief stories told in many different styles, Mina describes her feelings on the death of her father, her catastrophic experiences at school, her fears and hopes, especially for the fledgling birds she watches closely from her perch up a tree. Almond promotes and celebrates freedom for children and their thinking in this lyrical book ...

With Bumble-Ardy out on the shelves now (which thrills and delights me...I'm sure you can tell), I thought I'd share with you the very beginning of the Bumble-Ardy. Maurice Sendak first began to develop the character in 1971, in an animated short for TV's Sesame Street by Jim Henson. In the short film, Bumble-Ardy was a nine year old boy who invites nine swine over for a party while his mum is at work. Enjoy!

OUT NOW! The Bippolo Seed and other lost stories by Dr. Suess. And it's wonderful! This collection includes seven original stories by Dr. Suess that were originally published in Redbook magazine in 1950 and 1951 (when Dr. Suess was becoming Dr. Suess.) Never before published in a book before, they seemed to have 'disappeared', until the were recovered by Charles Cohen. On the above video, you can hear all about their discovery and road to republication by Cohen and a few publishers at Random House Books for Young Readers Group. Fascinating history.... and a fabulous book!

Here's the magnificent trailer for Patrick Ness' 'A Monster Calls', which was based on an idea and notes left behind by the late Siobhan Dowd. This book is, in my opinion, possibly the best book released this year, if not in a good few years. If you haven't read it yet, young or old, I strongly recommend it. It will change you...and is completely unforgettable.

This is a lovely website for children/families/schools. Aimed to 'nurture with nature', Sow and Grow works with schools, creches, after-school programmes, to give children the freedom to explore and learn, use their senses.... all in nature and in the garden. This is something children desperately need in these times, where far too much time is taken up by indoor activities, and by the fact that the world is not necessarily 'child-friendly', in that we must be much more cautious in letting our children run free in the fields and forests, like we once did. http://www.sowandgrow.ie/ And, for those of us in the west, I do really need to point out Kay Synott's lovely 'Living Gardens' website. Kay does exactly the same thing as Sow and Grow, with much enthusiasm, knowledge and energy here in the west. Kay has (and does) worked with many, many schools and groups throughout the Galway area. http://www.livinggardens.ie/ Now, I know it's autumn, and getting d...

This Sunday, September 25th is Apple Day in Scariff, co Clare (sponsored by Irish Seed Savers.... in fact, this whole weekend is Apple Weekend). With loads of activities and events, there's plenty for the kids! (Bug hunts, face painting, apple tasting.... who doesn't like a good bug hunt?). So, if you're looking for something brilliant to do this weekend; here's the schedule of events! http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/blog/2011/events/12-to-5-pm-supporters-day-24th-and-open-to-the-general-public-on-the-25th-september-apple-weekend-schedule/

Tomorrow sees European Researchers Night arrive in Salthill for the first time ever. This event show cases science on a grand scale, totally  800 venues in 320 cities across Europe celebrating this momentous event. Ireland's participation will take place in Salthill, Galway as the Sea2Sky festival. This is a free, family-oriented event at which hundreds of scientists will showcase their work in variety of fields including Astronomy, Marine Science and Atmospherics. There will also be a variety of musical and entertainment events for the young and old. "Exhibits throughout the day will allow the public to learn more about whales and dolphins, take a 3D tour of the universe, tour the Galway Atlantaquaria, check-out scientific demonstrations, and take part in a variety of other hands-on activities. Scientists will be on hand in the main exhibition hall in Leisureland where stands will display areas of science from energy research and marine life to the study of the solar s...

Today's Guardian features an article on children's picture book author Maurice Sendak speaking to the New York Times, in which he states emphatically that today's children's books (and I'm sure we're talking about books for young children) "aren't wild enough." Children's books are too safe and "are not always truthful or faithful to what's going on with children," says Sendak. In many ways, I think he may be right. In recommending his own book, Where The Wild Things Are' to parents for their children, I am frequently greeted with the response ,'On no. I don't want to frighten the child. S/He'd be too sensitive for that,' leaving me with the distinct impression that it mat actually be the adult that's worried. Too often we are lulled into a belief that a book that expresses wildness or danger or rebellion will frighten children, or more dangerously, 'give them ideas.' Those frightening thoughts, t...

No...this isn't new news, but I do have to share it. For those of you out there who haven't found Michael Rosen's brilliant website, you have to check it out. So here's the link http://www.michaelrosen.co.uk/ And... my favourite, favourite story video of all time is 'We're Going On A Bear Hunt.' No gimmicks, no glitz, no animation...just the exceptionally wonderful Michael Rosen. You can find this, and many others on his website.

Yes, October is Children's Book Festival time all over Ireland. Those good people at CBI have planned an even bigger and better programme of events all over the country! And this year's events will have a real international flavour added to our own homegrown talent, with authors Tony DiTerlizzi (Spiderwick Chronicles and the latest Search for Wondla), Frank Cottrell Boyce (Millions, The Unforgotten Coat and the upcoming Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again), Andy Briggs (the new Tarzan series) and William Hussey (the Witchfinder series) bringing their experiences to events countrywide! So, Children's Books Ireland (and me!) invite and encourage you to join in and start now... whatever your taste, EAT BOOKS! The Children's Book Festival catalogue will be available from bookshops and libraries shortly, with the list of events and loads of reviews and recommendations (including a few from yours truly)! http://www.childrensbooksireland.ie/index.php?option=com_content&...

HAPPY ROALD DAHL DAY one and all! Are you wearing yellow (Dahl's favourite colour)? Have you told a silly joke? Have you shared some chocolate with a friend? (Yes, please!) Have you logged onto the site and started to follow that peach? Loads of funny things to be getting on with.... And one of the funny things that Booktrust have been getting on with is the shortlist for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize. So, here it is: Aged Six and Under Bedtime for Monsters by Ed Vere (Puffin) Cats Ahoy! by Peter Bently, illustrated by Jim Field (Macmillan Children's Books) First Week at Cow School by Andy Cutbill, illustrated by Russell Ayto (HarperCollins Children's Books) Limelight Larry by Leigh Hodgkinson (Orchard) Marshall Armstrong is New to Our School by David Mackintosh (HarperCollins Children's Books) A Place to Call Home by Alexis Deacon, illustrated by Viviane Schwarz (Walker) The Funniest Book for Children Aged Seven to 14 Animal Tales by Terry Jones, illustr...

Bath Kids LitFest has launched the Big Blog Story! This is a really exciting online event that includes 20 collaborators (some are well known authors and bloggers). It's a story that's written in real time, and allows you, the reader to follow the trail as it moves from blog to blog.... an addition to the story will be posted at each stop. The Big Blog Story runs from the 8th of September (that was yesterday!...yikes!) through the 16th October. The first installment is already posted on the Bath Kids LitFest Blog, and all you need to do is click through to the next installment from there. Installments are posted every other day. The schedule is posted on the blog, as well... so you know exactly where you're going and when! You'll find such people as Marcus Sedgewick, John Boyne, Lauren Kate, Annabel Pitcher, Joanna Nadin... and, as you can see, the possibilities with this are endless. Exciting stuff from the Bath Kids LitFest! http://bathkidslitfest.wordpress.com/

... and what a closing programme! It all starts off at 10.30am in the County Hall with Gillian Perdue and The Great pet Shop Escape; a lively workshop of story, drama and dance. At 11 there's a brilliant Animation Workshop by Cartoon Saloon. At 11.30, Oliver Jeffers is Stuck on Books. At 12:30, the Cartoon Saloon is back with part two of the Animation Workshop. 1pm is the time to meet the Queen of Teen, Cathy Cassidy. (Her new installment of the Chocolate Box Girls series 'Marshmallow Skye' is out now and going fast!) At 2pm it's time for Animal Madness with Mavis & Marge, and their exceptional creator, Niamh Sharkey. I hope you've all been preparing in advance for the Mountains to sea Monster Family Book Quiz at 2:30..... And, finally, to wrap up the day (and the children's/family events of this years' festival) it's Derek Landy and Mr. Skulduggery himself Kicking Evil Very Hard In The Face! So... if you're at lose ends on Sunday, here's t...

While we are still enthralled with all the goings on at the Mountains to Sea Festival at the moment, let's take some time to keep the excitement going. October will bring us an incredible Childrens Books Festival this year from those good people at CBI. But before I launch into that, I can't forget Baboro. This year's Baboro Festival is now in it's fifteenth year runs from October 16 through the 23rd. It will present a world of wonder, imagination and entertain to the children of Galway through theatre, dance, literature and many other fun events. This year's theme is 'illumination' and the programme will present the work of artists, authors and companies who have 'woven light and shadow into their work.' Authors included will be Malachy Doyle, creator of many wonderful picture books such as Charley is my Darling, When a Zeeder Met a Xyder and The Dancing Tiger ; Patricia Forde whose fabulous Lola series saw the addition of the second book, H...

Roald Dahl Day takes place every year on September 13th, Roald Dahl's actual birthday! There are events taking place all over the world, and this year is no different. Here's the link to the website so you can see what's happening. If your school (or your child's school), or your local library isn't planning anything that you know of, why not suggest it to them? This year, the celebrations are all focused on 'James and the Giant Peach', which is fifty years old! That is one well-preserved peach!!! (I can't decide if this is my favourite Roald Dahl book... or is it 'Danny the Champion of the World'? How about a reading relay? Or a Roald Dahl party? Or.. one of the best ideas that you can do on your own or as a group... is join in with 'Follow That Peach'!!! Sign up and join in the fun. Celebrate the world's best love children's author. http://www.roalddahlday.info/