Annual Children's Book Festival was a huge success in Tipperary

The annual Children’s Book Festival, which is run nationwide throughout the month of October, is a highlight of the Tipperary Library Service programme for children. Every year it seeks to bring together all those involved in the world of books so that we may celebrate our wonderful tradition of reading and storytelling. 

This year, the Library Service, with the kind support of the Tipperary Creative Ireland Fund, Tipperary Arts Office and Poetry Ireland, had a packed programme of events, with visits and performances by a range of children’s authors, illustrators and storytellers.

Tipperary audiences were left spellbound by Oliver performances

Clonmel High School and Presentation students combine to put on a marvellous spectacle

The Festival was formally launched in Clonmel library by an Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Cllr. Declan Burgess, at the start of the month. Joining him on the day was county librarian, Damien Dullaghan and other senior members of Tipperary library staff.

 It was a bittersweet occasion, as it would also be retiring Executive Librarian, AnneMarie Mullins, final Children’s Book Festival. A stalwart of the service for almost 40 years AnneMarie never lost her enthusiasm for books and throughout her years of service she was to the forefront in recommending books to adults and children alike and so was delighted to be on hand to welcome young children from Sisters of Charity N.S. and Gaelscoil Cluain Meala to meet Julie Rose McCormack and her wonderful puppet show.

From then on it was a full on programme with all 12 branch libraries throughout the county getting events. Returning authors like Alan Dunne and Wayne O’Connor, who had proved so popular last year, introduced a whole new set of children to their books - Alan’s very amusing history book, ‘The Forgettables’ and Wayne’s wacky take on Roald Dahl’s ‘Revolting Rhymes.’ Pupils also got to meet newcomers like Kate Sheehy, author of the popular children’s book, ‘Too Many Cats,’ Alma Jordan, founder of Agri Kids, which promotes farm safety in a fun interactive way and Emma Larkin, who with her ‘Twin Powers’ series, showed children how to create and plot a story, using the layout of a GAA team. Enthusiastic children, who clearly knew their GAA, enjoyed her sessions immensely.

With graphic novels now so popular with young people and an increasing interest in anime characters, the graphic illustrator, John Carpenter, proved popular with his workshop on anime art for senior classes. Again, Ann Murtagh, the well - known author of several Irish historical novels for young people visited a number of schools and children enjoyed her sessions with them.

Éanna Ní Lamhna, is a scientist as well as an author and broadcaster and discussing her book, ‘Wonders of the Wild,’ gave her the opportunity to open children’s eyes to the weird and wonderful in nature. Doing session in English agus as Gaeilge, her fun facts fascinated the children…and  adults. With the increased emphasis on STEM subjects in primary school it was great to have the renowned naturalist take part in this year’s CBF. Likewise, we were delighted to welcome Tina Keating to Tipperary. A goldsmith, geologist and gemmologist, Tina’s artistic and scientific backgrounds are a great asset to her work with the Heritage in Schools Scheme and visiting schools in Tipperary, she spoke to children about our volcanic past and showed them how to make their own volcanoes.

This year approx. 1400 children, from junior infants to 6th class, either visited their local library or the Library Service brought an author to their school. Children’s Book Festival 2024 was a well - rounded programme, with a good mix of authors, illustrators and performers for all age groups and an inclusion of authors with expertise in STEM subjects.

Tipperary Library Service would like to acknowledge and thank all those who supported our Festival this year. We would like to thank the Tipperary Creative Ireland Fund, Tipperary Arts Office and Poetry Ireland for their continued financial support. We would like to thank also the principals, class teachers and students who took the time to visit our libraries throughout the month. We would like to thank the following participants in this year’s Festival - Julie Rose McCormack, Alan Dunne, Wayne O’Connor, Alma Jordan, Eanna Ní Lamhna, John Carpenter, Kate Sheehy, Emma Larkin, Ann Murtagh and Tina Keating. Finally, we would also like to acknowledge the hard work of the various librarians around the county in making this Children’s Book Festival the best yet. Until next year…