Fallen Star Stories

And if the BookFest isn't enough to keep you completely delighted this October... it's also time for Galways' own  Baboro International Arts Festival for Children. Running October 15 through the 22nd, Baboro has loads on offer...theatre, dance, puppetry, a silent disco, music..... the fun never stops. And here's the link for their programme: http://www.baboro.ie/programme-2012/

It's coming, it's coming!  That's right... it's BookFest time. (For those who don't know... that means the CBI Children's Book Festival.) This October (once again) marks the month celebration of children's literature events occurring all over Ireland, with 2012 being the twenty-second consecutive run for this amazing collection/collaboration of events all aimed at enthusiastically participating in children's literature. To discover all the information you need for events taking place in your area, here's the link for the brochure: http://www.childrensbooksireland.ie/childrens-book-festival/festival-programme/

The short list for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize has been announced! And the nominees are: In the funniest book for ages six and under category: The Pirates Next Door by Jonny Duddle (Templar Publishing) Oh No, George by Chris Haughton (Walker Books) Stuck by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins Children's Books) The Worst Princess by Anna Kemp; illustrated by Sara Ogilvie (Simon & Schuster) My Big Shouting Day by Rebecca Patterson (Jonathan Cape) The Baby That Roared by Simon Puttock; illustrated by Nadia Shireen (Nosy Crow) In the funniest book for children ages seven to fourteen category: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again by Frank Cottrell Boyce; illustrated by Joe Berger (Macmillan Children's Books) The Dragonsitter by Josh Lacey; illustrated by Garry Parsons (Andersen Press) Socks Are Not Enough by Mark Lowery (Scholastic) Goblins by Philip Reeve  (Marion Lloyd Books) Dark Lord: the Teenage Years by Jamie Thomson; illustrated by Freya Hartas (Orchard Books) Ga...

On Monday, 24th September, the Guardian will be hosting a very special live-stream event in conjunction with Puffin Virtually Live. To celebrate the incredible, fantastic Roald Dahl with Quentin Blake drawing drawing live while in conversation with Michael Rosen, they will be answering your questions and there will be a very special appearance by David Walliams as the BFG! Also, you can see behind the scenes footage from the Roald Dahl Museum and Storytelling Centre and have a glimpse inside Roald Dahls' famous writing hut! Just follow the link below for more information on an event you won't want to miss presented by Michael Rosen. Also, look out for Rosens' new book, Fantastic Mr. Dahl , a wonderful biography of Roald Dahl written for children. http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/interactive/2012/sep/20/roald-dahl-live-stream-webcast-michale-rosen-quentin-blake?fb=native

GREAT NEWS! Irelands' own brilliant and brave childrens' book publishers and the incredible Walker Books have teamed up. As of January 2013, Walker Books will distribute books from Little Island Press to the UK and around the world, bringing exceptional Irish authors and the marvellous translations to a larger audience. From Siobhan Parkinson: ‘We are thrilled with this partnership, which opens up a huge market for us. The people at Walker have been incredibly welcoming and generous with their advice and expertise, and we look forward to working with them into the future.’ And with all the exciting books Little Island has in their catalogue preparing to reach out into the world... how cool is that! http://www.littleisland.ie/news  

Just a quick reminder for you all..... if you haven't got your tickets, yet; our favourite performers for the whole family will be appearing at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway this Sunday! That's right! This Sunday, 16 September at 12:30, THE SPEKS are taking a foray from Glasses Island and will be in Galway for the whole family to enjoy.... (from the Town Hall Theatre brochure): "The Speks are a six-piece traditional Irish music band for children. They live on a mysterious Island off the coast of Co. Clare called Glasses Island where everybody wears glasses! The Speks’ debut album recently won a prestigious Parents’ Choice music award in the US where their music has been described as ‘Riverdance for toddlers’ and ‘grown up music for kids.’ They perform their nursery rhymes and singalong songs set to Irish music while encouraging kids to sing and dance along. This will be a great, fun event for kids aged 7 and under. "If your little ones love fantastic, mag...

Yes, with school back in action and the days getting shorter, that time of year is edging closer. And there are more films opening shortly with Holiday themes.One of my favourite Christmas books is Cornelia Funke's When Santa Fell to Earth . From the creator of wonderful, wonderful books such as Inkheart , Reckless and the Thief Lord , in this holiday offering, things are not going well for the last real Santa Claus. With dangerous villains out to stop him, skittish reindeer who are afraid of storms and a bunch of cranky elves, Nikolas falls to earth and becomes stranded in a small town... and now, it's been made into a film!

Announcing.... Walker Eireann!!! A new branch of Walker Books has just published it's first four books. These best-loved picture books by Irish authors have just been released in the Irish language. Just so we're all clear... they are Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, Owls Babies by Martin Waddell, The Ravenous Beast by Niamh Sharkey and A Bit Lost by Chris Haughton; all expertly translated by Gabriel Rosenstock. Available now!

We're just one week away from Roald Dahl Day... each year Roald Dahl Day is celebrated on Roald Dahl's actually birthday. And this year, the big exciting news is that our old friend, The BFG is turning 30!!!!! Here's the link to the Roald Dahl Day site. Check it out and join in the fun! (Also... you may want to check out an earlier posting on this blog regarding Roald Dahl Day and the BFG). Time to Dream Big with The BFG!!!!!! http://www.roalddahlday.info/DreamBig.aspx By the way.... in case you're preoccupied on the 13th of Septemer, don't worry about missing out. September 28th has been designated DRESS UP BIG Day. How about organising your class to Dress Up Big in Dahl/BFG inspired costumes in support of Roald Dahl's favourite charity... or one of your own choosing???? Great idea!!!!! "Get set for the Dahlicious Dress-Up Day, Friday 28 September. All in aid of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, we’re inviting schools to dress up in ...

I am soooo excited! The follow-up to the magical 'Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making' by Catherynne Valente... my favourite book of the year...is coming soon. Well, it's coming soon in the US. On this side of the ocean, it seems we have to wait until mid-January next year for 'The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There.' (But where there's a will.....) It seems all is not well in Fairyland, and when September makes her return trip she finds that it's residents have all been losing their shadows... and their magic... to Fairyland Beneath. There is a new ruler, Halloween, who is actually.... oh, wait! I say too much! Here's a brilliant trailer to enjoy until you can get your hands on a copy. (Me? I'm ordering mine from the States!)

The Mountains to Sea Festival is on! Beginning today, there are more authors for the whole family than you can shake a stick at (please don't!) But do get yourselves to Dun Laoghaire and soak in the atmosphere and meet so incredible, favourite authors. Family events include writers such as Marita Conlon McKenna, Steve Cole of Astrosaurs fame, the unbelievable Derek Landy, Robert Muchamore.... so many others. And don't forget the Monster Book Lunch on Saturday! There's something for everybody! http://www.mountainstosea.ie/

Attention all you Robert Muchamore fans.... and I know there's a lot of you! On Thursday, 13 September at 4pm, the man himself will be appearing at Dubray Books Galway branch (4 Shop Street) in honour of the recent release of his new book; Guardian Angel . This is part of Muchamores' first ever Irish tour, so there is much excitement! Guardian Angel is the second book in the brand new CHERUB series that began with Peoples Republic . The first series, now classic CHERUB, began in April 2004 with The Recruit and ended August 2010 with the publication of Shadow Wave . But now those cunning young intelligence operatives are back in a second series. People's Republic was launched  last year, and began the saga of twelve year old Ryan, a new hero. Guardian Angel brings Ryan back for a second time, with an even deadly mission than his first! Join Muchamore at Dubray Books in Galway, where he will be available to sign books and have a bit of a chat. Don't miss this even...