Successful Longford launch for 'The Most Irish Person'

Longford library was the venue for the launch of a new children's book that explores our country's new found cultural diversity. 'The Most Irish Person' by poet and author Shelley Corcoran enjoyed a hugely successful launch on the 15th April.

Published by Currach Books Shelley's new offfering came about when photographing pupils in the junior infants: “I noticed the wonderful cultural diversity that exists within each school and thought how lucky it was for all these little four to five year olds to be able to experience growing up with Irish heritage and at the same time embracing all these different cultures in their classroom,” she told the Leader.

Shelley said the reaction to her story of cultural diversity in Ireland today was one of “enthusiasm and recognition”.

“Many of the 17 nationalities mentioned in the book were in attendance and identified with the characters in the book. The traditions explored in the story were recalled by many as practices done at home,” she said.

The illustrations by Angelika Sowul were highly praised and delighted the children who recognised St Mel’s Cathedral on the opening page.

Although targeted towards children in the age range of three to eight years olds, all children growing up in Ireland can relate to her book: “They know children that may have moved to Ireland from Italy or a friend that has a French father, or maybe a classmate that was born in Ireland to Polish parents or perhaps a school friend with a Nigerian mother,” Shelley explains.
The author notes that all the nationalities mentioned in her book sit beside each other and play in the playground and schoolrooms all across the country.

Shelley says there is a simple message to the book: “The friends encounter Maya in Leitrim who was born in India but now excels in sports like hurling and rounders. They meet Lei in Galway who has Chinese parents and loves to paint herself in green from head to toe to celebrate St Patrick’s Day! The book showcases traditions and heritage from both Ireland and abroad.”

Shelley and Angelika presented the book to the public in the open to all reading: “We were so excited to have a chance to have the reading. We also had illustration colouring-in for the children in attendance.”

The songs from the Ukrainian choir that echoed the multicultural event, were enjoyed by the huge number of both adults and children in attendance. The book can also be ordered at www.currachbooks.com