Fallen Star Stories

In just a weeks' time, the Cuirt International Festival of Literature will land in Galway bringing a plethora of writers, illustrators and story-tellers to the city for one of the best festivals we see annually. The programme is diverse, insightful and entertaining. Of course, my interest here is primarily in the programme for young people. Cuirt offers the Cuirt Labs and brings authors, illustrators and other creative artists of all sorts into the lives of our students, giving them entertainment and inspiration. From primary through to young adults, the workshops give young people the opportunity to meet and work with some of the best and most popular in Ireland today. This year, we have Tatanya Feeney, Erika McGann, Caroline Busher, Gerard Siggins, Claire Hennesy, Shirley-Anne McMillan, Dave Rudden....and many others sharing their time and talents in what proves to be a fascinating and exciting time. While the schools have been busy booking places for their classes, there is ...

Today, it has been announced that the 2017 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award has gone to Wolf Erlbruch. Erlbruch was one of 226 candidates from over 60 countries worldwide. Born in 1948, Erlbruch began working in childrens publishing in 1985, when he first illustrated James Aggreys' The Eagle Who Would Not Fly. Best known for his work in 1994 on Werner Holzwarths' The Story of the Little Mole Who Knew It Was None of His Business, Erlbruch has shown himself to be both a traditional and innovative illustrator at the same time. He is unafraid to tackle difficult subject matter in his illustrations, while displaying a sensitivity, delicacy and delightful humour. Last years' winner, Meg Rosoff is quoted as saying, “Erlbruch gives the impression that he is an artist incapable of sentimentality, but his drawings have a delicacy and a sweet humour that helps us cope with the immensity of the subject.” Congratulations go to Wolf Erlbruch for receipt of this prestigious award; ...

A huge congratulations is going out to Kiran Millwood Hargrave (and publisher Chicken House) on winning the overall Waterstone's Childrens Book Prize 2017 with the truly magnificent The Girl of Ink and Stars. The award was announced just a few hours ago at Waterstones' flagship shop in London Piccadilly. The Girl of Ink and Stars is the story of Isabella, daughter of a cartographer, who lives on the small island of Joya under the watchful eye of a strict and dictatorial governor. When a school friend, Lupa, disappears into a deep and strange forest under mysterious circumstances, Isabella volunteers to lead a rescue party, using old maps and the islands' dark, eerie legends to locate her. Having to conceal herself as her brother, she treks out on a dangerous journey into the unknown. They've called it mesmerising...and they are not wrong! A stunning debut novel and a well-deserved winner. The Waterstones' prize for illustrated books went to the sumptuous and e...

The shortlist has just been announced for this years' Childrens Books Ireland Book of the Year Awards. And, once again, what an exciting shortlist it is! I won't ramble on about it. Here's the photo! I do have to mention, however, that this is the moment for the Shadowing Groups to start getting busy! They've a lot to read before the awards date. The awards will be announced on 23rd of May at Smock Alley Theatre as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin...and by Rick O'Shea, no less! Everything you need to know about the awards and Shadowing scheme is on the website. Just follow the link: http://childrensbooksireland.ie/cbi-book-of-the-year-awards/

Last week...for the second week....I had more wonderful World Book Day events with two of my favourite authors and more of my favourite schools came to visit at Charlie Byrnes Bookshop. A bit unusual perhaps, but if it were up to me, every day would be World Book Day. So to keep the message going, Patricia Forde came to say us and spoke to the girls from Mercy Primary about her writing life and all of her books, but especially about the incredible novel, The Wordsmith. If you haven't read The Wordsmith yet, I strongly recommend this incredible book. And, I'm told it is to be published in the US later this year as The List. We were also treated to a visit by Marguerite Tonery, who graciously spoke to two class groups and took us all away to Kapheus, the fantastical world of light. The kids from St Nicholas Primary and Scoil Iognaid were mesmerised by the journey...as was I. Marguerite has three Kapheus books out now, each one as amazing as the each other. ...

Last week, I had some wonderful World Book Day events at my new home as Childrens' Books Specialist; Charlie Byrnes Bookshop. It's been a more low key than in years past, but the energy and enthusiasm for World Book Day remains just as high. I started off last week with a visit to Gaelscoil Mhic Amhlaigh in Galway, where I spoke with 4 wonderful class groups. We, of course talked about World Book Day...now in its' 20th year...and what the kids had been reading, their favourite books, etc. I also read to them from one of my favourite books published over the past year, Perijee and Me by Ross Montgomery . The enthusiastic response from the children and the teachers was very much appreciated. I should also mention that, while there, I ran into Geraldine Mills, who was there to speak to 4 slightly older class groups about her absolutely brilliant book, Gold. (Lucky kids!) A huge thanks to the school for inviting me out to meet such a great group of young people. On Thursd...

I know I've been rather quiet about World Book Day this year, but now is the time to shout out loud... This Thursday, 2nd of March, is World Book Day 2017 and we are celebrating 20 years! That's right. For 20 years, we have been celebrating the one day per year especially set aside to sing the praises of childrens' literature, reading and the pure joy and delight of books. That is really what it's all about. And I have absolutely loved every year; seeing the school kids, reading to them, watching them interact with authors, illustrators and story-tellers...it is utterly amazing. As always, there is a special selection of books published for World Book Day. We have Peppa, The Famous Five, Horrid Henry, those crazy Underpants-loving Aliens and much more, including a special offering from David Walliams....Blob! And because we're in Ireland, we get one more....those great people at The O'Brien Press have produced a book from our own Judi Curtin; F...