Tag Archives: books

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.

A VISIT TO BALLYMUN BOOK CLUB

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Marita with The Balymun Book Club

Everyone knows by now that libraries are one of my favourite places so it was a real treat to be invited along to the lovely library in Ballymun to meet and talk to their Book Club.

They are a great bunch of young readers and the junior Book Club is run by librarian Caitriona O’Doherty. They had all just finished reading my book The Blue Horse so we had plenty to talk about.  I was thrilled to hear they had also enjoyed reading Fairy Hill last year. They meet every month and read everything from newly published children’s books to old favourites and the classics, perfect for these brilliant bright bookworms. Over Christmas and New Year they will be reading The Wind in the Willows.

Ballymun library is a very special place and right at the heart of the community, with Writers Groups, art groups, and book clubs including a Murder one, study space and all kinds of events to encourage people to use the library. My friend librarian Sarah Conroy showed me around and Peter O Reilly, the senior librarian, is justifiably proud of their mission to get everyone reading, and using the library.

Peter O’Reilly, Caitriona O Doherty, Marita and Sarah Conroy in Ballymun Library

Celebrating 50 Years of O’Brien Press

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Marita with Kunak McGann

There were great celebrations to mark the 50 years of my Publishers O’Brien Press. The party was held in The Printworks at Dublin Castle as part of the busy Dublin Book Festival. It is hard to believe that it all began with Thomas O’ Brien’s little book library which he ran from his home and also went around Dublin delivering books in a cart. Over time the business has grown and grown with many of the O’Brien family involved. Michael O’Brien published my first book ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ in 1990 and they are still my publisher. We have worked together on so many lovely books over the years.

Since Michael’s death his son Ivan and director Kunak McGann continue on the good work, publishing a huge range of adult and Children’s fiction, and non- fiction books, and O’Brien press is a very important part of the Irish publishing industry.

The room was packed with authors and illustrators and book people delighted to be part of such a lovely evening. A special edition of Michael O’ Brien’s memoir of being ‘The  Accidental Publisher’ was gifted to everyone present.

Earlier that day Sarah Webb had organised a get together for Irish children’s writers in the castle too. 

Marita with Ivan and Susan Houlden , Ide ni Laoghaire, Jane O Hanlon and Siobhan Parkinson, and having lunch with friends Sarah Webb and Judi Curtin.

Ballymena Bound to Visit Slemish College

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Marita with Librarian Paula Agnew and English Teachers from Slemish College

October is always a busy month for Children’s Writers and I found myself Ballymena bound to visit Slemish College Secondary School.  Hearing all about its marvellous library which has become the heart of the school I really felt I had to come and visit it.

Librarian Paula Agnew has made the library a very special place for all the students, who told me how much they use it and go there even during lunch breaks. I’m not surprised as its array and display of books would put many a bookshop to shame.

I met all the lovely teachers from the English Department and talked to groups of students, many of them brilliant readers with some really keen to write and create their own books.

The fact we were in the large library made it extra special as libraries are one of my favourite places. 

Traveling back to Dublin on the train I was a tired but happy writer and was absolutely thrilled with the beautiful gift of a hawthorn print that the school presented me with.

The students of Slemish College, Ballymena Marita with librarian Paula Agnew

‘THE MAGIC OF STORIES FESTIVAL’ AT SWORDS CASTLE

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With Author Illustrator Niamh Sharkey

The sun came out for Saturday’s ‘The Magic of Stories’ Fingal Festival of Children’s Literature held in the grounds of Swords Castle in Swords in County Dublin.

The castle was a hive of creativity for kids and families of all ages, with something to entertain everyone. There were talks and art, games, music and theatre, workshops, and lots of fun filled activities with artists, writers and illustrators Niamh Sharkey, Paddy Donnelly, Tarsila Kruse, and Margaret Ann Suggs, Alan Nolan, Derek Landy, Leona Forde, Eve McDonnell, Alan Nolan, Sarah Bowie, Owen Churcher, and Chris Judge.  

I had great fun meeting everyone in the Castle’s Chapel where author Megan Wynne and I had a lovely chat about writing and books. There were so many things to see and do and everyone who came along got a free copy of a book from the author or illustrator they met.

Well done to author Shane Hegarty and Fingal Library for putting on such a super free Festival. The fun will continue with The Magic of Stories in some of Fingal’s s libraries with artist Kim Jenkinson.

Marita with Writers Shane Hegarty and Megan Wynne