Children's Book Festival lands at Offaly Libraries for October
Offaly Libraries will be hosting a series of school workshops, public events and competitions through October to celebrate Children's Book Festival 2024.
The festival is aimed at providing opportunities for young people, parents, teachers and libraries to celebrate books and reading.
As a central tenet of the Right to Read initiative, the festival aims to encourage children to enjoy the experience of reading and support their reading development through activities and events in collaboration with writers, artists and storytellers.
Offaly Libraries events, which are co- funded by Creative Ireland, will be held in all of its branches, with something scheduled for readers of all ages and interests.
School workshops will include the following:
* 'Vroom Town' author Emer Conlon will join Tullamore, Daingean and Edenderry on Wednesday October 9 for her workshop for Junior -1st class, which includes a storytime and a maze fun.
* Local illustrator and author Paul Tubb will join Edenderry and Kilcormac on Thursday October 10 to facilitate a poetry workshop for 1st – 5th class, in which the children will be split into groups and write a limerick.
* 'Milly McCarthy' author Leona Forde will join Birr and Tullamore on Tuesday, October 15, to facilitate her workshop for 3rd – 5th class
* Deirdre Doyle from The Cool Food School will join Banagher and Birr on Wednesday, October 16, to facilitate her workshop on healthy eating and good food for children, aimed at Senior Infants – 6th Class.
* 'Little Irish Folklore Friends' author Niamh Donnellan will join Ferbane and Clara on Thursday, October 17, for her workshop for Junior Infants – 1st Class
*Author Eve McDonnell will join Birr and Tullamore on Friday, October 18, to facilitate her writing workshop for 1st – 6th Class.
Public events lined up for the festival include the Ultimate Hogwarts Experience in Tullamore and Birr on Wednesday, October 30, facilitated by Sonya Cuddy from Speak Out Drama . This is suitable for 6-12 year olds.
In addition, The Tallest Smallest Theatre will bring the BFG to join Edenderry and Clara on Thursday October 31 for an event suitable for the whole family.
Competitions include one for schools to create a Halloween character, and a 'Bookface' photo competition.
For more information, contact your local library branch or see the Offaly County Council website.