Children dressed as their favourite book characters raced around Pearse Street Library in Dublin yesterday at the opening of the ninth annual children's book festival. Spiderman, Goldilocks and a handful of princesses were all in attendance.
The book festival was expanded this year and will run for almost four weeks in libraries, schools, bookshops, community and arts centres nationwide until October 31st. Irish and British authors will travel the country reading from their books.
"Every county in Ireland has at least 10 to 15 festival events running and they are all free," said Ms Mags Walsh, director of Children's Books Ireland, organisers of the festival in association with the Youth Libraries Group. "It's about trying to foster a relationship between schools and their local libraries. We want children to get used to being in the library."
As well as celebrating children's literature, the festival also promotes related art forms - rap music workshops and art workshops are also scheduled to take place. "Music and books and drama and books are related. Looking up these interests in the library can open up many more doors," Ms Walsh added.
One important element of the festival, she continued, was the distribution of their recommended children's reading guide to parents, teachers and libraries. "Last year, we estimated that this festival reached 35,000 children. Hopefully this year we will reach even more, as we have expanded. We hope that teachers are using our book guide in schools. We have printed 50,000 copies."
Many authors attended yesterday's launch. New author Joe O'Brien has just published the first two books from his series, Alfie Green and the Magical Gift and Alfie Green and a Sink Full of Frogs. "I have dedicated the series to the memory of my son, Ethan. I hope other children will enjoy them," he said.
Also present was author Judi Curtain, who "hoped the festival could pull in some children who would not usually read".
Author Oisín McGann listed 10 reasons why books were better than computer games: "They work without batteries. You can scratch it, drop it and drive over it and a book will still work."
• For further information: contact James Curtain on 01-8727475.