Festival fosters love of books

HUNDREDS of events are being held across the country in a bid to cultivate a life-long love among children for the wondrous world of books.

James Curtain, the programme officer with the Children’s Book Festival, said book readings were being held in dozens of different venues to celebrate the written word.

“We are always looking to cultivate a love of books amongst the youngsters, it is a celebration of books really from the author who writes the book, right down to the reader who reads the book,” Mr Curtain said. “Something we are heavily leaning towards is trying to get kids involved in every part of children’s literature from writing themselves, to reading with the authors or being told stories with storytellers.”

Award-winning author Re O’Laighleis said opening the magical world of storytelling for children was a privilege.

“If something engages a child, then you are winning that child to the act of reading for life, and carrying them into adulthood and the whole vista that is opened up for them,” said Mr O’Laighleis, who writes in English, Irish and French.

The festival, in its ninth year, will run until the end of the month in bookshops, libraries, schools, community and arts centres.

Garry Kearney and Robert Kenny, both aged 11, from Scoil Plas Mhuire, St Mary’s Place in Dublin’s Dorset Street, both said they looked forward to the festival every year. At the festival launch in Dublin’s Pearse Street Library, Garry said: “It would make you want to read more.” However, both admitted they would still be more tempted by a video game than a book.

Robert, whose favourite character was 14-year-old genius Artemis Fowl from Eoin Colfer’s series, said: “I want to come back again next year, but I’ll be moving on to secondary school.”

Authors including Niamh Sharkey, Conor Kostick, Aubrey Flegg, Mr O’Laighleis and Roddy Doyle are just some of the people taking part in the programme of events which can be accessed through www.childrensbooksireland.com.