Events Epidemic

Lots of events happening in the next week……..

First up is Pj Lynch, in St Patrick’s College on Thursday 23rd April at 6.30pm. In celebration of UNESCO World Book Day, Cregan Library, St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, Dublin, will present a special event with P.J. Room E201, St Patrick’s College Drumcondra.To RSVP, email info.library@spd.dcu.ie

Also on Thursday, in Cork city library- French graphic artist Stéphane Heuet will be in town not only to launch a new graphic novel by teenagers with author John Sexton and illustrator Alan Barrett but he will also be participating in a public event on Thursday afternoon. For more information please contact cork libraries 021 4924900- libraries@corkcity.ie

On Saturday Walker Books and Church of Ireland College of Education in Rathmines are presenting ‘The Story in the Picture’ on 25th April 2009 in the College in Rathmines. Featuring illustrators Patrick Benson, Bruce Ingman and Niamh Sharkey along with Deirdre McDermott and Lizzie Spratt from Walker Books.Cost €35 (students €20) to include coffee/tea and lunch. For further information contact vcoghlan@cice.ie or telephone 01 4970033.

On Saturday April 25th from 2.30pm, Derek Landy will be celebrating in the National Gallery of Ireland as part of Family Fun day. Derek will be in The Shaw Room from 3pm and will be signing books as well- more info from the National Gallery of Ireland – http://www.nationalgallery.ie or info@ngi.ie

On Monday 27th at 7pm, US academic Jack Zipes will be addressing the theme of The Reconfiguration of Children and Children’s Literature in a Globalised World. St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. More information from celia.keena@spd.dcu.ie or janeohanlon@poetryireland.ie

Festive Fear

Lots of things have been getting in the way of posting lately – Pj Lynch, parties, Budapest, stemming the flow of 2009 leaks

Normal service will hopefully resume next week – In the meantime here are some scary stories from CBI’s recent Derek Landy competition to keep you amused.

is it too early to mention Xxxx?

I’ve been enjoying recent visits to Pj Lynch’s blog so its an opportune time to remind you about special PJ event in December.

Monday December 8th 2008 – 6.30pm
National Library of Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2

“PJ Lynch… the Champion of Picture Book Illustration in Ireland”

CBI invites you to a special Christmas celebration in honour of Ireland’s foremost picture-book artist, PJ Lynch. PJ will be joined by Dr Pat Donlon to discuss his life and work to date, including such wonderful seasonal titles as The Christmas Miracle of Jonathon Toomey, A Christmas Carol and The Gift of The Magi, published  this year.
Those attending will also have the opportunity to enjoy an exhibition of selected pieces from the National Library’s PJ Lynch collection, which will be on public display for the first time to mark the occasion and PJ will be happy to sign books as well.

Please Note: Entry to this event is free but numbers are limited. To book please email:
info@childrensbooksireland.ie, including your name, telephone number and the number of places you require for event.

A new ‘fizzy’ book festival for Dublin

Just heard about new literary festival for Dublin in September. Organised by Sunday Independent it features both writers for adults and children.

Madeleine Keane, literary editor of the Sunday Independent explains how Books 2008 is different. “I know that there are other festivals, but I wanted something that would reflect the Sunday Independent … I wanted intellect and froth. If you look at the books page, we cover everything from chick lit to serious writers. I wanted something for all readers that’s city- centre based and very accessible to everyone.” She enthuses, “I wanted a big, bright buzzy festival that would capture the imagination … “

The children’s programme (sept 6th) features Anthony Horowitz, Pj Lynch, Niamh Sharkey, Derek Landy, Marita Conlon McKenna and Judi Curtin. Tickets and Line up available here -

There are also writing seminars on Sunday 7th – more details on the site http://www.bookevents.ie though site does seem to be on the temperamental side!

PJ Lynch in words and pictures

Illustrator Pj Lynch has been busy adding to his web presence lately. He has some really interesting stuff about his technique over on his blog

For anyone who has seen his murals in Cavan Library he has a fantastic record of how it was done –

And if you want to hear the man himself talk about his work – head over the Robert Dunbar Archive on the CBI site.