It's Children’s Book Festival month
IT'S October, which means it’s Children’s Book Festival month at Mayo County Library. And have we got lots of treats in store for the younger members of your household, writes Darina Molloy.
Even the grumpiest pre-teen should manage to muster a little grin at the news that Darkmouth author Shane Hegarty will be coming to Mayo; he’ll be discussing his best-selling series, the writing life and the dark side, in Ballina, Crossmolina, Westport, Claremorris and Castlebar.
Author Dave Rudden, who recently published his second book in the Knights of the Borrowed Dark series, will also be visiting Ballina and Castlebar, and as a former English teacher, he’s well qualified to talk to Leaving Cert students about a good approach to the exam.
Sarah Webb, who is no stranger to these parts, will give writing workshops in Kiltimagh, Louisburgh and Westport, so make sure your young scribes are well-armed with pen and paper.
Michael Moylan will bring his special brand of interactive history to Ballyhaunis, Kiltimagh, Claremorris and Ballinrobe, giving children a chance to try on costumes and engage with props as they learn about the Titanic in a whole new way.
The Sligo-based Kid’s Own travelling library will bring its special workshops on book-making, artwork and story-telling to Ballina, Belmullet and Castlebar, and there are a number of public workshops as well as those organised for schools.
Drama is always a big part of our month-long celebration of books and reading, and this year is no different. The Booster Cushion Theatre group are bringing their unique take on Goldilocks, with their oversized version – Big Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Should be fun! Pignut Theatre will be looking for fairies, so they might need a hand in Swinford and Ballyhaunis; while the ever-popular Carmel Balfe will be bringing her Little Gem Puppets to Charlestown and Achill.
The Lyric Quartet will be including Ballina and Belmullet libraries in their ongoing nationwide tour, and Colmac Robotics will be coming back to their roots with two workshops in Castlebar Library.
October is also the month when we celebrate the hundreds of children in Mayo who took part in the Summer Stars reading scheme. They read and reviewed books during their summer holidays, and now they get to collect their goodie bags and certificates from the library branch they joined up in.
Councillor Richard Finn, cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, welcomes all children in Mayo to attend this year’s festival events and adds: “The festival is a nationwide celebration of reading and books with an emphasis on fun! It is a fun-filled event reaching children of all ages throughout Ireland.”
For more information about Children’s Book Festival, check out the Mayo County Library website at www.mayolibrary.ie, ask in your local branch for details, or pick up an event programme from your nearest library. All events are free of charge, so we’ll won’t be adding to your just-over-expensive-September pain!
Mayo Library branches near you are: Achill (098) 20910; Ballina (096) 70833; Ballinrobe (094) 9541896; Ballyhaunis (094) 9630161; Belmullet (097) 82555; Castlebar (094) 9047936; Charlestown (094) 9255934; Clare Island (098) 29838; Claremorris (094) 9371666; Crossmolina (096) 31939; Foxford (094) 9256040; Kiltimagh (094) 9381786; Louisburgh (098) 66658; Swinford (094) 9253120; Westport (098) 25747. Or check out www.mayolibrary.ie for more information on events and a full library catalogue.