World Book Day Through The Years- part one

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World Book Day 2019 is on it's way! In just over a week, it will be time to celebrate the joy and excitement to be found in reading for pleasure and all the authors and illustrators that are working to bring the gift of books into the lives of children (of all ages) everywhere.
Over the years the years that I have been involved with World Book Day, I cannot express the amount of happiness this day (well...week really; I always celebrated all week.) that I have felt. Inviting school classes in to meet authors who have generously made the trip to Galway and given children a memory that will stick with them throughout their lives has been a highlight of each year.
And the opportunity it gave me to share my love of childrens' books with so many children...sometimes as many as 650 a year!...talking to them about books, reading to them and listening to what they have to say about the best (and worst) books they've read has been, and continues to be amazing. So before I go further, thank you so very much to the children, the teachers, the authors and illustrators...and to Dubray Books Galway; all of whom tolerated and supported me in this incredible indulgence.
I have been going through my stacks and stacks of World Book Day photos through the years. It will take a few posts to share these memories with you, but from 2009-2011, here are a few of my favourites...
Let's travel back 10 years to 2009; not my first World Book Day...
 But I did manage to drag Matthew, then manager of Dubray Books Galway, out of his office to share a story with some young book fans...and he was marvelous!

Our favourite Galway storyteller, Rab Fulton came along to scare the beejeesus out of some of the kids. They jumped, laughed and were completely enthralled by Rabs' Scary Tales from long ago.

Local poet, singer, and then teacher Ger Hanberry was always a big hit with the school children, reading to them and engaging them in lively conversation...drawing the creative side out of each one.
But the highlight of 2009 had to be when we were joined by the incomparable Eddie Lenihan, famed Irish storyteller and author who had the kids in the palm of his hand with his stories of encounters with the Good Folk...all true, I assure you!

World Book Day 2010 was a great year, with my World Book Day Extravaganza picking up steam.
Trish Forde made a stellar appearance that year, telling the (hilarious) stories about how she became an author...and reading from a few of her wonderful books.

Judi Curtin generously gave her time and energy, discussing all about her books, her publishing adventures and her life.

And you know it's a very special event indeed when the one and only Ken Bruen (and no, he did not read from his noir crime novels) came to visit. The kids just thought he was magic!



For World Book Day 2011, there was a two day visit from the wonderful Sarah Webb...she was as lovely, engaging and brilliant as you might imagine and the girls from a number of local schools were star-struck as she explained everything about Amy Green.
Deirde Sullivan was a real treat; talking about her new book, Prim Improper, working with 'Annie Graves' on those creepy Nightmare Club stories and cover designs for books. Deirdre is always a complete delight for everyone she meets.

Immediately after the madness of World Book Day, we also celebrated Seachtain na Gaeilge! A visit from Bridget Bhreathnacht saw the launch of her beautiful picture book as gaeilge, Lulu agus an Oiche Ghlorach! She even raffled off a copy of the book to one very lucky and extremely pleased winner. It was loud, busy, happy and all in Irish!
We're going to leave part one now, but watch this space...more good times coming.
Are you ready for World Book Day? Pop over to the website to find out how you can bring the joy of reading and books to the lives of young people in your world and to find out what's in store in your local area. There's loads to do!
https://www.worldbookday.com/ 

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