Fallen Star Stories

The new trailer for the final Harry Potter installment is just out. It's dark. It's dramatic! And I can't wait!!!! http://uk.movies.yahoo.com/features/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-two/

Looking for something interesting and exciting to do for the end of the Easter break? Why not take a trip up to the Spiddal Craft & Design Studios and enjoy Feile na Ceardlainne... the Crafts Festival taking place from 26th April through 1st May. A host of wonderful workshops and events, all for the enjoyment of the whole family and all free of charge!!! http://www.craftinireland.com/events/details/feile-na-ceardlainne/ For more information contact: Geraldine O’Rourke                                               091 504840                                        ...

In this year's Writer's Week in Listowel, the festival is celebrating it's 40th anniversary. And what an amazing programme they have! This year's festival is promising to be truly special, with an amazing variety of events. Focusing on the children's events, there will be a full programme set up just for children of all ages running from Thursday the 2nd of June through to Sunday the 5th of June. It will include some of our favourite children's authors, such as Sarah Webb, Judi Curtin, Roisin Meaney, Inbali Iserles, John Boyne..... there will be a Wandering Word workshop and a  Bookmaking workshop with the Happy Artist... the list is incredible! So while the adults are enjoying a huge variety of events featuring everyone from Cathy Kelly through to Richard Dawkins, John Connolly to Rita Ann Higgins (talk about variety!) the younger among us have loads to keep them interested and occupied and delighted. Here's the link.... http://writersweek.ie/

As I'm sure we've all heard by now, the final book in the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz has been released, and it is as gripping, action-packed and adrenalin filled as the first. As Scorpia Rising opens, the international terrorist organisation, Scorpia, has reformed and is planning it's most bold and damaging attack to date, which will involve framing both the British Government and it's most famous spy since Bond... boy MI6 agent, Alex Rider. But as said, this is the book in which we bid farewell to Alex. He's grown beyond discernible childhood and to carry on simply makes him one more secret agent. Horowitz made the decision long ago that Alex Rider would end when he reached 15 years of age, and he has kept his promise in dramatic form. If you're an Alex Rider fan, this is an absolute must. If you've not read them before (where have you been?), start with Stormbreaker and catch up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gpR8cBThWk&feature=related ...

Here's a quick reminder, for all those who don't know. April 23rd is the UN designated World Book and Copyright Day. It's a symbolic day in the world of publishing and literature. April 23rd is the anniversary of the deaths of Shakespeare, Cervantes and Inca Garsilasco de la Vega, all of whom died in 1616. It is also the birth or death date of quite a number of prominent authors. How will you mark the day? http://portal.unesco.org/culture/en/ev.php-URL_ID=5125&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html

I may be stepping into a hotbed of controversy here. Let me begin by saying that I'm certainly not opposed to technology (this is a blog, after all... though I am allergic to twitter), and I can see many advantages. However, the influx of e-books and i-readers, particularly when it comes to picture books and children's novels, I have some real concerns that come from an understanding of literacy development in young children. This blog entry, 'Books Without Batteries: the negative impact of technology' , by Bill Henderson is from Publishers Weekly, and it addresses briefly literacy development, but the strength of it's discussion lies within the statistics of the environmental impact.... well worth a read. Ever wonder what an e-reader is? Here's a quote: "Here's what an e-reader is: a battery-operated slab, about a pound, one-half inch thick, perhaps with an aluminum border, rubberized back, plastic, metal, silicon, a bit of gold, plus rare metals...

This is absolutely brilliant!!!! In response to the now famous New York Times article; 'Picture Books No Longer A Staple For Children' , the NYTimes received a tube in the post containing a scrolled 15 foot letter from Birch Lane Elementary School in Davis, California. Having taken exception to the article, the school designated February as 'Love A Picture Book Month' . "We believe that picture books are essential to the development of life-long readers and learners" , say the children; and each child signed the letter personally, with hand prints as well as signatures. I don't think there is anything I could add to that statement. Follow the link below to view the scroll.... you HAVE to see this!!!!! http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/04/14/opinion/20110414-letters-scroll.html