I had the great pleasure of attending the welcoming ceremony for Laureate na N-Og, the new Irish Children’s Laureate. Exciting stuff.
The first ever Laureate is Siobhan Parkinson. Siobhan has written many excellent books for children of all ages, and has won many awards. She has also edited two children’s books magazines, has a PHD in languages, and is currently the editor for Little Islands, the children’s imprint at New Island. HIghly qualified as you can see and a very witty, intelligent lady indeed.
She will do the role proud.
Here’s an article on the event from The Bookseller:
Puffin author crowned Irish children’s laureate
10.05.10 | Graeme Neill
Puffin author Siobhan Parkinson has been announced as Ireland’s first laureate for children’s fiction. Irish president Mary McAleese announced Parkinson as Laureate na nÓg at an event today (10th May) at the Irish Arts Council in Dublin, where she was presented with the Laureate na nÓg medal.
The role will be held for two years and was established by the Arts Council “to engage young people with high quality children’s literature and to underline the importance of children’s literature in our cultural and imaginative life”.
Pat Moylan, chairman of the Arts Council, said: “The Arts Council is proud to initiate Ireland’s first laureate for children’s literature. Laureate na nÓg seeks to broaden and enrich young people’s imaginative worlds, to encourage a love of reading and to inculcate the value of literature among
children and young people.
Parkinson said: “I am thrilled and honoured to be chosen as the first Laureate na nÓg. I believe that children’s literature lays the foundations of the imaginative life of a people, and that every child deserves to have access to a reading haven—a well-stocked and well-run library in their
school and in their community.”
Parkinson has had more than 20 books published since 1992. Her titles include Sisters – No Way!, Amelia, The Love Bean, Breaking the Wishbone and Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (Maybe).
The project is supported by Eason and the Irish Times.
