Fallen Star Stories

The winner of the Childrens Book Ireland Book of the Year 2015 (the 25th annual awards) was announced today at a ceremony at the Light House Cinema in Dublin. So....biggest congratulations go to picture book Once Upon An Alphabet for being chosen the overall winner of Book of the Year 2015. Jeffers also won the Childrens Choice Award, being the third author to take home both. creator Oliver Jeffers for his wonderful latest creation, Four other awards were given at the annual celebration. The Honour Award for Illustration went to Chris Haughton for his third and completely stunning book, Shh....We Have A Plan. The Honour Award for Fiction was given to Áine Ní Ghlinn for her Irish language book; Daido. The Judges Special Award was received by Gabriel Rosenstock and Brian Fitzgerald for the wonderful Haiku Más é do thoil é! (Also in Irish language...and absolutely beautiful.) And finally, the Eilís Dillon Award for first childrens book went to Louise O'Neill for th

Those of us anxiously awaiting the Childrens Books Ireland Book of the Year Awards won't have to wait much longer. Tomorrow is the day! This annual event, now in its 25th year, seeks to " identify, honour and promote excellence in books for young people by Irish authors and illustrators." There are a total of six awards made, which includes the one I consider most interesting, the Childrens Choice Awards, the selection of which is made by young book clubs and judging panels across Ireland. I've always said, if you want to know about a really good book for children, ask the kids. As this is really just a quick reminder, here's the short list of ten: Shortlist 2015 Ten Books have been shortlisted for the 201 CBI Book of the Year Awards: When Mr Dog Bites by Brian Conaghan Apple and Rain by Sarah Crossan Shh! We Have a Plan by Chris Haughton Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers The Apple Tart of Hope by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald Daideo by Áine Ní

The brilliant new book The Wordsmith by Patricia Forde is being launched today at Charlie Byrnes Bookshop in Galway. Here is a tantalizing YouTube trailer for this spectacular book! (My review is on the Irish page of this blog, if you haven't found it yet.)

Debbie reads from Class Act What a wonderful event today! I felt truly grateful and privileged to play a small part in the launch of Debbie Thomas' new childrens book, Class Act. The event, in the Weston Restaurant, Weston Airpark in Celbridge, was well attended and everyone had a fantastic time. I got to introduce the book, which Debbie then read from. Following this, there was face-painting, clay bee-making, a treasure hunt and a special guest appearance by local bee-keeper John Lennon of the North Kildare Beekeepers Association and his display hive of busy honeybees (much admired by all.) Enough of my chit-chat...here's the photos: signing for a young fan Excited readers and author Making clay bees face-painting Results of the workshop the guests of honour Treasure Hunt winner, Megan Jackson So, a big, big THANK YOU to Debbie, Steve and family (who not only invited me to participate, but also to stay at their lovely home!), Mercier