Fallen Star Stories

I'm a great fan of historical fiction, particularly in children's literature. In the Guardian's Book Blog, Imogen Russell Williams has posted a wonderful article outlining the value of  children's historical fiction, not just in it's telling of a great story and quality of writing, but in the benefits of the stories themselves in inspiring the imagination and thought processes of young readers. She not only speaks eloquently of older fiction writers like Rosemary Sutcliffe, whose tales of Roman Britain such as Eagle of the Ninth are simply magnificent; but also of some more contemporary favourites bringing the past alive again... Kevin Crossley-Holland, Celia Rees and Sally Gardner (whose I, Coriander and The Red Necklace bring to life some brilliant aspects of history, mixed with a slight mystical content that effortlessly seems both magical and completely possible.)  An article well worth reading, as are all the books mentioned. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books...

Children's Books Ireland teamed up with O'Brien Press for the third year in a row to give young, budding designers a chance to see their designs as the cover art of a professionally published book. During the October Children's Book Festival, a call was put forth for submissions to grace the front of  a new edition of Michael Scott's Irish horror story October Moon . And this winners have now been announced! The launch of October Moon with it's brilliant new look, courteousy of O'Brien Press and Adina McNulty, and the prize-giving ceremony for all the brilliant young designers will be held on Friday, 4th March at 12pm in Dublin City Hall and is free to one and all. 1st Place Winner (front cover): Adina McNulty, Ballina, Co. Mayo (11)
 2nd place (back cover): Thomas Caffrey, Duleek, Co. Meath (12)
  Runner-up (inside cover): Sophie Gallagher, Kilpedder, Co Wicklow (12)
 Runner-up (inside cover): Aoife Harty, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary (12)
  Runner-up (inside c...

My absolute favourite children's author/illustrator, Emily Gravett, has shared a spread of her award winning picture book illustrations in the Guardian (Tuesday, 22nd February.) The selection of spreads take us from her first book, Wolves , through to her latest triumph, Wolf Won't Bite . It takes nothing less than pure genius to get the balance of illustration and text just right in a picture book. In Gravett's books, few words are used or needed, and seem to act merely as accents for the sentiments and actions expressed in her highly expressive illustrations. Her commentary explains her thought processes while working on her always evocative and delightful books. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/gallery/2011/feb/22/emily-gravett-in-pictures#/?picture=371574060&index=0

It's a very exciting time for children's literature in Ireland at the moment. World Book Day is next Thursday, 3rd March and the number of events and children getting involved grows every year. Next week is also the time for us to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge ('week of the Irish'), so we all need to use our Irish language skills (even if they are very limited.... trust me, mine are very limited.) And, if this wasn't enough.... the good people at Children's Books Ireland are preparing to announce the shortlist for the 21st annual Bisto Children's Book of the Year Awards . With this in mind, the call is being put to all school teachers, librarians and young readers all across Ireland to sign up and take part in this year's Shadowing Scheme . The Shadowing Scheme is a guided reading programme designed to involve young readers with the 10 titles selected for the shortlist, and to allow them the opportunity to give their input on the selection. Regist...

I've already waxed poetic about my love of all things Moomin. And in the Guardian on 19th of February, Frank Cottrell Boyce has an excellent review of the new translation of Jansson's 'The Dangerous Journey' In this book, a young girl named Susannah undertakes a journey fired by her desire to escape her humdrum life and comes across our friends the Moomins. They see many wondrous, extraordinary sites... but in the end, she discovers how good it is to find yourself right back where you started, with the help of your family and friends. The review offered by Boyce points out how truly wonderful and timeless this book is..... http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/feb/19/dangerous-journey-tove-jansson-review

A couple of weeks ago, a dear friend of mine brought me a copy of 'Nursery Rhymes' by The Speks . This is a book filled with many traditional nursery rhymes for young children (such as 'Sing A Song Of Sixpence' and 'Humpty Dumpty' , etc.) brightly illustrated and includes a CD to sing along with. But, this is no ordinary nursery rhyme CD/book. Rather than the expected, rather plummy voice warbling along to old-fashioned music, The Speks (a clever group based in county Clare) have set these rhymes to Irish music.... and the children just love it! Unique and thoroughly wonderful, I highly recommend it! You can check it out on their website, or pick up a copy at a great bookshop near you. http://www.thespeks.com/

Just a quick reminder about World Book Day . On Thursday, the 3rd of March, we will be celebrating the 14th annual World Book Day , with events happening all over the UK and Ireland. Always exciting! Here's the link to World Book Day Ireland's page, for those of you who want more information on what World Book Day is all about. From there, you can access all the other information on World Book Day worldwide. http://www.worldbookday.com/world_book_day_in_ireland.asp I can assure anyone who's wondering, during the entire week (Monday, 28th February - Friday, 4th March), the typical madness and joy will be taking place in Dubray Books, Galway. To show you what I mean, here are a few photos from last year (2010), featuring some of our guest authors and some local school children. Patricia Forde enchants.... Judi Curtin delights.... Rab Swannock Fulton entertains... Ken Bruen enthralls.... Ger Hanberry captivates....