A Book Festival of Fairy Tales and Fun

Clare People, Tuesday, 2nd October 2007

Parents are being encouraged to bring their children to the Sean Lemass Library in Shannon during Children's Book Festival, which runs throughout October. The idea behind the festival is to encourage young people across the country to read books. A busy schedule of events to suit all interests has been put in place at the Shannon Library.

While a number of famous authors and personalities will visit the library during the month, several Shannon-based artists and crafts people will display their talents to the youngsters every Wednesday at 4.00pm.

Derek Landy, the author of the children's comic-horror-adventure novel Skulduggery Pleasant and who has been hailed as the next JK Rowling, will open the festival in Shannon next Tuesday at 1.30pm with readings from his book designed for 9 to 13 year-olds.

Chris Beekman will hold a Chi Kung workshop for 9 to 12 year-olds on October 10th. Author of the Alice and Megan series of books, Judi Curtin, will read extracts from her books on Tuesday, October 16th. Local woman, Joan Clohessy, will hold a jewellery workshop for 8 to 12 year-olds on Wednesday, October 17th.

Well-known panelist on RTE wildlife programmes, Eanna Ni Lamhna, will give an hour-long presentation on wildlife on Monday, October 22nd, at 10.00am. Peggy Coyne's drama workshop for 8 to 12 year-olds will be held on October 24th. Puppets and pageantry will bring the festival to an end on Tuesday, October 30th, at 3.00pm.

The Dog and String Theatre Company will entertain 5 to 10 year-olds with a presentation of The Wishing Tree. Michael Moylan of Irish History Live invites 8 to 12 year-olds to experience a taste of life in Tudor Ireland with the Flight of the Earls on Wednesday, October 31st, at 11.00am.

Senior Library Assistant, Marie Clohessy, said young people can benefit a lot from reading books and going to the library. "Reading is educational. It is a pastime. The local community is involved in the book festival in that we have some local artists visiting," she said.

A number of other events will take place in addition to the reading element of book week. These include a puppet show and bookmark competition, where children can design their very own bookmarks. "Books aren't just something you have to open and learn something. They can be fun and interesting too," said Ms. Clohessy.

Booking is necessary for the workshops. All events are free.

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