Fallen Star Stories

The judging panel of the prestigious Guardian Children's Fiction Prize has announced the 2011 shortlist. The panel, consisting of Julia Eccleshare (chair), Michelle Paver, Julia Golding and Marcus Sedgwick have chosen the following four books: My Name Is Mina , by David Almond (Hodder, £6.99). Age: 9+ In My Name Is Mina David Almond reintroduces readers to the girl next door who, in his bestselling first novel Skellig shared in the discovery of the mysterious eponymous creature in a dilapidated garage. We already know about Mina's love of nature, her passion for freedom, her struggle for truth. Now, through a series of reflections and brief stories told in many different styles, Mina describes her feelings on the death of her father, her catastrophic experiences at school, her fears and hopes, especially for the fledgling birds she watches closely from her perch up a tree. Almond promotes and celebrates freedom for children and their thinking in this lyrical book ...

With Bumble-Ardy out on the shelves now (which thrills and delights me...I'm sure you can tell), I thought I'd share with you the very beginning of the Bumble-Ardy. Maurice Sendak first began to develop the character in 1971, in an animated short for TV's Sesame Street by Jim Henson. In the short film, Bumble-Ardy was a nine year old boy who invites nine swine over for a party while his mum is at work. Enjoy!

OUT NOW! The Bippolo Seed and other lost stories by Dr. Suess. And it's wonderful! This collection includes seven original stories by Dr. Suess that were originally published in Redbook magazine in 1950 and 1951 (when Dr. Suess was becoming Dr. Suess.) Never before published in a book before, they seemed to have 'disappeared', until the were recovered by Charles Cohen. On the above video, you can hear all about their discovery and road to republication by Cohen and a few publishers at Random House Books for Young Readers Group. Fascinating history.... and a fabulous book!

Here's the magnificent trailer for Patrick Ness' 'A Monster Calls', which was based on an idea and notes left behind by the late Siobhan Dowd. This book is, in my opinion, possibly the best book released this year, if not in a good few years. If you haven't read it yet, young or old, I strongly recommend it. It will change you...and is completely unforgettable.

This is a lovely website for children/families/schools. Aimed to 'nurture with nature', Sow and Grow works with schools, creches, after-school programmes, to give children the freedom to explore and learn, use their senses.... all in nature and in the garden. This is something children desperately need in these times, where far too much time is taken up by indoor activities, and by the fact that the world is not necessarily 'child-friendly', in that we must be much more cautious in letting our children run free in the fields and forests, like we once did. http://www.sowandgrow.ie/ And, for those of us in the west, I do really need to point out Kay Synott's lovely 'Living Gardens' website. Kay does exactly the same thing as Sow and Grow, with much enthusiasm, knowledge and energy here in the west. Kay has (and does) worked with many, many schools and groups throughout the Galway area. http://www.livinggardens.ie/ Now, I know it's autumn, and getting d...

This Sunday, September 25th is Apple Day in Scariff, co Clare (sponsored by Irish Seed Savers.... in fact, this whole weekend is Apple Weekend). With loads of activities and events, there's plenty for the kids! (Bug hunts, face painting, apple tasting.... who doesn't like a good bug hunt?). So, if you're looking for something brilliant to do this weekend; here's the schedule of events! http://www.irishseedsavers.ie/blog/2011/events/12-to-5-pm-supporters-day-24th-and-open-to-the-general-public-on-the-25th-september-apple-weekend-schedule/

Tomorrow sees European Researchers Night arrive in Salthill for the first time ever. This event show cases science on a grand scale, totally  800 venues in 320 cities across Europe celebrating this momentous event. Ireland's participation will take place in Salthill, Galway as the Sea2Sky festival. This is a free, family-oriented event at which hundreds of scientists will showcase their work in variety of fields including Astronomy, Marine Science and Atmospherics. There will also be a variety of musical and entertainment events for the young and old. "Exhibits throughout the day will allow the public to learn more about whales and dolphins, take a 3D tour of the universe, tour the Galway Atlantaquaria, check-out scientific demonstrations, and take part in a variety of other hands-on activities. Scientists will be on hand in the main exhibition hall in Leisureland where stands will display areas of science from energy research and marine life to the study of the solar s...