Author Archives: fionaconlonmckenna

 ‘Children of the Famine’ is Number One, top of Ireland’s Children’s Best Selling book list.   

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In Greystones Community School’s amazing woodland inspired Library

 ‘Children of the Famine’ is Number One, top of the Irish Children’s Best Selling book list.   

May and June are always extra busy for me before the summer holidays trying to get around to visit some of the many schools that have been using my books, and meeting my young readers and some very creative aspiring writers, before I go on holidays.

In the past few weeks I have visited wonderful schools in Ballymun, Castleknock, Foxrock and finished up in Greystones Community Primary School in Wicklow.

 This is a pretty new school and I got a wonderful welcome when I talked to a big gang of brilliant readers in their amazing woodland inspired library. I was surrounded by deers and foxes and to my mind what looked like two beautiful hawthorn trees.

 A few classes there are also reading my book, ‘Safe Harbour’ which I set in Greystones, as it is one of my all- time favourite places. 

I was so happy to see the beautiful Kenny’s Edition of ‘Children of the Famine’, which combines the three books ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ , ‘Wildflower Girl ‘and ‘Fields of Home,’ went straight to number one and top of Ireland’s Children’s Best Selling list. Hard to believe that it is exactly 35 years ago since my first book, ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ was published.

Kenny’s Bookshop in Galway for the launch of a Special limited edition of ‘Children of the Famine’

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I’ve just had a wonderful few days in sunny Galway as the good people in Kenny’s bookshop, Tom, Tomas and Sarah Kenny came up with the idea of creating a very special edition of The Children of The Famine Trilogy in one book in a beautifully designed limited edition to mark thirty five years since the book was first published. The specially bound book is beautiful and I am so proud and pleased with it. I had to sign every numbered copy over two days with Grainne and then Clodagh helping me.

On Thursday evening Kenny’s held a special event to launch it with author Grainne O’ Brien interviewing me. We had a great turn out with lots of lively fans of all ages. My publisher Ivan O’Brien came down from Dublin for the night and a few of my lovely cousins also attended. I have such lovely memories of doing events in Kenny’s over the years in the old book shop and gallery. Thank you to all the Kenny family and all who came along to mark the occasion.

                    Happy World Book Day!

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‘Happy World Book Day’ today is the day when we celebrate the joy of reading and books with everyone getting the chance to have fun.

All over Ireland and the United Kingdom teachers are busy as kids are dressing up today as their favourite character in a book for schools fancy dress parties. My three little grandsons are dressing up as Harry O ’Hay, Dog Man and The Big Bad Wolf characters from the books they love. New book jackets are being designed for favourite books. I always love seeing the brilliant and creative new jacket ideas for my books.  Everywhere bookworms and young readers are out in force testing their knowledge in their school’s World Book Day Quizzes. Also for us writers there are lots of visits to schools and libraries.

Most of you will receive a special World Book Day token either in school or in your local book shop which can be used to get one of the specially published World Book Day books or can even be used to go towards another book you want to buy.  So use your token and remember the important thing is to keep reading…….

                 Ireland Reads

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Stuart Hamiliton of Ireland Reads LGMA.

Irelands Read’s is a brilliant initiative by the Government and Healthy Ireland supported by our public libraries to encourage us all to read during the month of February.

The Irish Library Borrowing figures for 2024 have just come out and I am so delighted to be top of the list of Irish authors on it. 

The ever popular comic series of ‘Dog Man’, and ‘Bunny and Monkey’ take the top slots but it is great to see that ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ is still the most borrowed book by an Irish author. It is no surprise to see that Children’s books dominate the list as we have the best young readers and bookworms in the world. The top 37 titles are children’s and young peoples.   The list is compiled by 330 Irish libraries and 23 mobile libraries, which have more than 13 million books to borrow. They also have eBooks and audio books to borrow with ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ topping the overall eBook list

There will be a big call out on Saturday 22nd of February for everyone, whatever your age or interests to Get Lost in a Good Book. It doesn’t matter where you read, or what you read as long as you read.

Reading is good or us and relaxes us and reduces stress by believe it or not 698%.

So let’s get reading!

Discover Irish Kids Books for Christmas

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Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without giving lots of lovely new Irish books to the children in my life. This year there are so many brilliant new books by Irish children’s writers to choose from that I know will keep everyone happy.   Many of this year’s favourites are published by Irish publishers which is a real bonus

‘Over the Red Brick Chimney’ by Una Leavy with illustrations by Shannon Bergin  is a really beautiful picture  book  about  a little goose that gets lost and injured from the flock as they migrate to winter in Ireland . Finn and his mother find her and help to look after her and get her ready to fly again.

‘Twas the Match before Christmas’ by Julianne McKeigue with illustrations by Brian Fitzgerald is one that I know all the GAA Supporters and young footballers in my family will love.  A Funny and colourful story as Santa and his crew of reindeers and elves decide to play a big Christmas Eve match in Croke Park stadium.  

The Great Discovery by Peter Donnelly is a wonderful picture book by one of Ireland’s foremost children’s writer and illustrators.  This time we return to the Dead Zoo with Mr Gray and a brand new discovery.  All Peter’s books have been a huge hit in our family with The Presidents Dog a great favourite. 

‘Milly McCarthy and the Christmas Calamity’ by Leona Forde with illustrations by Karen Harte

Milly from Cork is back with big plans for the class Christmas  school show, but as often happens with Milly things can go wrong!! This is perfect for Wimpy Kid fans but with a great Irish heroine.

The Lost Dogs: by Patricia Forde.

This will enthral and entertain all young dog lovers with a great story of being lost, and the quest of three dogs to try to find a new home and owner. 

‘I see the Moon and the Moon sees me’ is the latest in the beautifully colourful illustrated collection of rhymes and songs by Sarah Webb and illustrator Paul Delaney.  Perfect for all ages and a joy to share with the ones you love.
Along with all my book recommendations I want to give a big a shout out to ‘The Borrowers’ in Dublin’s Gate Theatre   which is brilliant and totally entertaining. We loved it and it was adapted for the stage by my friend Charles Way who has also adapted ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’. A great cast, new songs and clever staging of this children’s classic make it well worth a trip to the theatre.