Fallen Star Stories

The Childrens Books Ireland Book of the Year Awards shortlist is out! And what an incredible shortlist it is! I am not going to go on and on about this, because the visual will always say it better. So here's the list! This years' shortlist contains a strong showing by Irish publishers and all are truly outstanding choices. The shortlist contains: A Dangerous Crossing by Jane Mitchell A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea written by Sarah Webb and illustrated by Steve McCarthy Chocolate Cake written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Kevin Waldron   Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers Illegal written by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin and illustrated by Giovanni Rigano Moonrise by Sarah Crossan Rabbit and Bear: The Pest in the Nest written by Julian Gough and illustrated by Jim Field Star by Star by Sheena Wilkinson Tangleweed and Brine written by Deirdre Sullivan and illustrated by Karen Vaughan The Space Between by Meg Grehan And my heartfelt congratulations to ...

The World Book Day 2018 is nearly over. But there is some great news for those of you who are still hanging on to the World Book Day Vouchers. Remember, these vouchers are given out by schools all across the UK and Ireland in an effort to make sure every child can have a book of their own choosing; one to read and enjoy and to help them develop a love of books and reading! The £1/€1.50 vouchers are redeemable in bookshops for one of the specially published World Book Day books (10 books in all/ 11 in Ireland thanks to the efforts of The O'Brien Press!) Or, your child can use them against any book of their choice to receive £1/€1.50 off the price. Now, here's the good news. Due to the freezing temperatures and the snow (!), while many of you were not able to attend World Book Day events or get out to spend your vouchers, the good people at World Book Day have decided to extend the redemption period until the 31st of March! So, you have two full weeks to spend those vouchers...

As I have been asked by a number of interested folks, this is just a quick post to share what I've been reading and what I'm reading now. Photo number one here is a selection of some of the books I've read over the past 6 weeks... We have Tin by Padraig Kenny, Begone the Raggedy Witches by Celine Kiernan, The Chosen Ones (Worldquake 2) by Scareltt Thomas - due out in April), Mollie on the March by Anna Carey, Rugby Heroes by Gerard Siggins, The Unpredictability of Being Human by Linni Ingemundsen, How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather, Rocking the System by Siobhan Parkinson, A Spoonful of Murder by Robin Stevens, Sky Song by Abi Elphinstone, The Claok of Feathers by by Nigek Quinlan, Sky Chasers by Emma Carroll and The Ice Garden by Guy Jones. (Rather a lot really....when I see it like this.) Just now, I'm reading the new offering by Caroline Busher, The Girl Who Ate the Stars. And it is marvelous! Caroline is the author of The Ghosts of Magnificent Children. He...

As I am sure you're aware, the 22nd World Book Day was yesterday, 1 March 2018. And I am also sure you are aware that throughout the UK and Ireland, many, many events were cancelled this week due to snow. Yes, snow. Very unusual. Some events still went forward, but there are a lot of disappointed children (and booksellers!) who look forward to this day; planning their costumes, meeting authors and illustrators and sharing a love of books and stories that will last a lifetime. But never fear...events are being rescheduled and our bookish spirits are not dampened! Those wonderful people at World Book Day have decided that,they want to make certain that as many children as possible have the opportunity to use the £1/€1.50 World Book Day tokens. Since the weather has been so cold and snowy (and frankly, weird for this part of the world) and so much has been at a standstill, World Book Day is going to extend the redemption period of the vouchers. You will now be able to use the vouc...

World Book Day 2018 is very near! This Thursday, 1st March marks the 22nd annual World Book Day. I know you are all used to me going on about this for months ahead of time (well, it is my favourite day/week/month of the year) and may have noticed I have been noticeably quiet this year. Ordinarily I would have been pestering authors, illustrators and storytellers and packing the shop out with school classes to bring in as many local school children as I possibly could fit (my record is 690) to share the joy and excitement of books and reading and to try to make clear the difference that books can make in the lives of children of every age. It is with sorrow that I tell you that due to circumstances, I will not be holding my World Book Day Extravaganza this year. I have a few events planned myself and will let you know what's happening. But I want to hear all about yours! What wonderful events do you have planned? And let's not forget the fabulous World Book Day Books...

I am incredibly excited about this book! As we celebrate 100 years of Womens' Suffrage and honour the fantastic and inspirational women throughout history, Rocking the System by Siobhan Parkinson (illustrated by Bren Luke) has been released into the wild recently and I think it's publisher, Little Island have every right to be extremely proud. This exceptional book is a collection of twenty essays on Irish women, both historical and contemporary who have bucked the trends, defied cultural norms and brought forth great change in the social structure in Ireland and across the globe through their determination, resourcefulness, intrepid nature and intelligence. The lives of these brave and bold Irish women from all realms of life; politicians, artists, writers, social activists, rebels; are brought forth in a publication that is suitable for ages 10 to 100 years. From the legendary Queen Mebh through to Mary Robinson to Sonia O'Sullivan, each of these women is given a v...

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