Leitrim author joins campaign to champion Irish children’s books

Ireland has a history of producing great literature over the years - John Boyne's 'The Boy in the Pyjamas' sold over eleven million copies worldwide and translated into 56 languages. 

On the international stage, Ireland's storytellers for children are much celebrated. However, on the island, "there is a lack of knowledge and awareness that Discover Irish Children's Books is determined to trace", says Sarag Webb, a children's writer and bookseller. 

Discover Irish Children's Books estimates upwards of 350 children's writers and illustrators from or living in Ireland. 

Discover Irish Books campaign logo, designed by renowned Irish illustrator Chris Haughton

Yet for 15 weeks between May and early August 2023, no Irish books charted in the weekly children's top ten sellers list. In the same period, 96 Irish writers charted in the equivalent list for adult fiction.

Conor Bredin, a children's author and teacher from Leitrim, has joined internationally celebrated authors and illustrators to launch Discover Irish Children's Books, a new initiative to champion children's books written by those living and working in Ireland. 

"I read my books to my class, and the children really love it. I think this is one of the reasons that I got involved with this new campaign", explains the Leitrim author. 

Born in New York, Conor's family moved home to Monorhamilton just in time for him to start school. As he grew up, the author was always fascinated by stories in books, games, TV and film. 

"I have never not been writing. I have always been writing in some shape or form", he says. 

Conor has been a children's teacher for the last 12 years and decided to start writing in 2016, where he self-published his first novel 'The Longest Night', published in 2019. 

His first novel is a fast-paced thriller set entirely in modern-day Ireland. The author combined his love for history, legends, and folklore to create an adventure full of action, twists, horror and suspense. 

Conor started writing a children's fantasy novel and fell in love with it. 

"In 2022, I applied for the Raising Voices Fellowship with Children's Books Ireland, where I got access to the best lecture series by many professionals in the industry", he explains. 

The Fellowship aims to break down barriers to publication, progression and inclusion to increase diversity and representation in the Irish literature sector. 

The Leitrim author says that with the Tyrone Guthrie Centre writing residency, he started to work on his first draft focused on children's literature. 

Conor Bredin, a children's author and teacher from Leitrim, has joined internationally celebrated authors and illustrators to launch Discover Irish Children's Books, a new initiative to champion children's books written by those living and working in Ireland

"Children are reading amazing books, but from the UK and US. I don't think children today realise that over 330 writers and illustrators live in Ireland writing exclusively for children. Yet, none of them is in the best-selling lists", Conor says. 

Sarah Webb says this trend shocked her: "Out of interest, I asked children attending my summer workshops who their favourite writer was. Even when prompted, they struggled to name an Irish writer.

"Almost a quarter of all books sold in Ireland are children's titles, but celebrity authors and big marketing budgets dominate that pool. There will always be a place for international writers, and for the classics we all know and love, but there is a diverse wealth of new Irish books available. We need to give them an equal opportunity to find their way into children's hands", she said. 

Conor told the Leitrim Observer that the most challenging in his career as a self-publisher is that "you are a small fish in a very large pond". 

"I am focused on more traditional publishing for my children's books career because I can't see myself being skilled enough to go to children's markets independently. 

"Once I get the chance to have my book published by an Irish publisher, one of the first things I want to do is go back to Saint Clare's National School and visit the kids there and say, 'hey, I went to school here and here's my book'. 

"I want them to have that feeling of seeing themselves in the book, their hometown in the book. My first novel is a fiction version of Monohamilton, and the town is called Monorwood. 

"I hope to come back there and talk to them about my book and teach them how wonderful Irish children's books are. I will be able to say, 'If you read this chapter, you might recognise the church, because it is St Claire's. 

"I think this is missing in the Irish children's books literature, because the kids are missing the chance to see themselves in a book. That's why I started podcasting", Conor says.  

'Story of a Storyteller' podcast has four seasons focused on authors creating and sharing unique stories. Conor explains that the idea was to raise awareness of who he was to help with his book sales. 

"[In the show] I have received big names of the self-publishing world. Also, that is how I first got involved with children's books and events in Ireland. 

"Sarah Webb was one of my first guests, and she is a fantastic champion of children's books in the country. She was kind enough to say yes when I asked if I could talk to her about writing. 

"And that's kind of how the podcast got started. But I had to put it to the side because I wanted to be an author with a podcast, and unfortunately, I became a podcaster who never could find the time to write", the Leitrim author said. 

Discover Irish Children's Books campaign aims to raise awareness of Irish titles for all ages through social media using #DiscoverIrishBooks. 

Discover Irish Children’s Books campaign aims to raise awareness of Irish titles for all ages through social media using #DiscoverIrishBooks. 

It will launch a new top ten bestsellers list every week throughout September and October. Further information is available at www.discoveririshkidsbooks.ie.