Fallen Star Stories

Those brilliant folks on the World Book Day team have started their search for the Nations' Supreme Storyteller. Now I KNOW we have so many gifted, energetic and absolutely mesmerising storytellers out there. So perhaps you'd like to get involved and nominate your favourite for this amazing competition. Rather than explain the details myself, here's the information straight from the World Book Day people themselves: BESTSELLING CHILDREN’S AUTHORS LEAD SEARCH FOR NATION’S SUPREME STORYTELLER Francesca Simon and Lauren Child launch ‘Storytelling Superstar’ 2013   Once upon a time, two of the country’s best-loved children’s writers set off on an adventure to find the top storytellers in the land… Mega-selling creator of Horrid Henry , Francesca Simon and Lauren Child, acclaimed author of the Ruby Redfort and Clarice Bean books, have joined forces for this year’s World Book Day to find the UK and Ireland's Storytelling Superstar for 2013. The pair

Yes, World Book Day 2013 will soon be with us.. I'm sure you've heard me say this before. World Book Day this year falls on Thursday, March 7th!The planning for the World Book Day Extravaganza 2013 in Dubray Books Galway Branch (which is where you'll find me) is well under way and I'll shortly be sending out the invitations to various school classes throughout Galway City. So, don't worry... you are all on my list and can expect to hear from me soon. And I don't mind saying, I've got some very, very special authors and storytellers offering their time this year, all to bring the wonder and excitement of reading to the kids! If you're not in the Galway area, I'm sure you can expect to hear from your local bookshops and libraries... or perhaps there is even a special celebration taking place in your school! One of the things I want to be sure to say to you all is this: if your school has not yet received their World Book Day book tokens, please c

We're almost through January! I don't know about you, but in my little corner of the world things have been changing thick and fast and heavy. So, it's nice to reflect on some old, old traditions....  while in the US, February 2nd is Groundhog Day, here in Ireland, we celebrate it Brigid's Day. And what Brigid's Day would be complete without Brigid's Crosses to protect and bless us throughout the upcoming year? At the Galway City Museum, on February 2nd, the whole family can partake in a very special workshop. " Saturday 2nd February, 11am-12pm ILLUSTRATED TALK & WORKSHOP: St Brigid's Crosses Join Brendan McGowan of Galway City Museum to learn about some of the folklore and traditions associated with St. Brigid and her feast day, and afterwards have a go at making some of the various types of Brigid's crosses. Age: 9+ Saturday 2nd February, 2pm-3pm ILLUSTRATED TALK & WORKSHOP: St Brigid's Crosses Join Brendan McGowan of Galway

Out now! By my absolute favourite childrens' author, Cornelia Funke, the secong novel in the Mirrorworld series, Fearless has just been released. After saving younger brother Will, Jacob Reckless faces certain death from a fairys' curse now burning in his heart. Searching through the Mirrorworld for a cure and reunited with his old friend, the shape-shifting Fox, Jacob has only one chance...a golden crossbow that is capable of both saving him and killing him. Jacob is about to learn what it means to stay alive. Funke has based the Mirrorworld books on the original Grimms' fairytales she knew as a child, with all the magic, thrill and horror they possess. (For ages 12+) (And here's Cornelia Funkes' amazing website where you can learn all about the Mirrorworld, the Inkworld and all her other amazing books and projects.) http://www.corneliafunke.com/

The second book in one of (two) of my favourite 'fairytales' is due out here in just a few days time. The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne Valente is the follow-up to The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making .... and it is just as wonderful as the first. Expect a review in the next few days (so you can read it before it's release date on January 17th). But in the meantime, here's a wonderful trailer from YouTube.

Beautiful image I just wanted to share with you all today... it's been going around on Facebook!

It's coming, it's coming, it's coming!!!!  This year, World Book Day falls on Thursday, 7th March. (But, you know what I'm like. Dubray Books Galway Branch will be celebrating the week of Monday 4th March through Friday 8th March!) So, my first shout out is to all you authors/illustrators and story-tellers who want to come to Galway and help me entertain as many primary school-children as I can safely fit into the shop. If you're up for it, give me a shout.... email, phone call, private message on facebook, carrier pigeon, smoke signals; whatever works best for you. I'll respond with the proposed schedule and we'll book you in! Can't wait!!! But before I get carried away, you'd probably all like to know what the featured books for WBD are this year. (And don't forget, every child should be getting a €1.50 WBD voucher from school, so they can chose their own book... for FREE with the voucher!) Here they are!!!! As per usual... something f

We have bid a fond farewell to 2012 and are now on the second day of 2013. This year promises much in the way of childrens' books and publishing, and I will do my utmost to keep up with all the excitement and the new titles that will come our way. One of the things that did my heart a world of good this past holiday season were the number of articles in favour of/praising the printed book. In an atmosphere of Kindles and other e-readers, it seems the printed page is still as strong as ever. Below is an article by Beth, one of the winners of the Guardians young critics award, exploring the question "Can a Kindle ever take the place of a book?" I'm quoting from Beth here, as she puts very explicitly one of the reasons why I feel the answer to that question is a resounding NO! "Books are like humans: each one is unique, they all have their own story to tell. They need a bookshelf just as we need a house. They can be ripped or torn just as we can break a bone.