It’s great to nurture a love of reading and stories in young children and reading is such a great way to spend time with each other. This years Literary Festival in Bantry has a lot to offer both young and old, but we’ll have a look at some of the workshops on offer to the younger folk here! There’s so much to choose from and more details and booking information can be found on The West Cork Literary Festivals’ website HERE
MONDAY 13 & TUESDAY 14 / 10.00 / BANTRY LIBRARY / CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP / FREE
AGES: 3-7 / 15 CHILDREN MAX / BOOKING IS REQUIRED – THESE ARE TWO SEPARATE WORKSHOPS FOR TWO DIFFERENT GROUPS
A ONE-DAY CRAFTING WORKSHOP WITH YASMEEN ISMAIL: ILLUSTRATOR AND STORYTELLER
Yasmeen Ismail will read from her illustrated stories Specs for Rex and Time for Bed Fred! and will also help you to make some arts and crafts.
TUESDAY 14 / 10.00 – 13.00 / ST BRENDAN’S SCHOOL HALL / FREE
THE BOOK CLINIC COMES TO BANTRY
Welcome to the Book Clinic
Have you finished a series and are you not sure what to read next? Just can’t find a book that interests you? Then the Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinic is the place to go! Young readers of all ages are invited to drop in and meet the Book Doctor – no appointment needed, and no nasty jabs or tablets, we promise. After a chat about your favourite books, comics or things to do, the doctor will make a diagnosis and write a prescription for your next reads. The Book Doctor has lots of ideas and there’s a book out there for everyone. For more information on the Book Clinic, see www.childrensbooksireland.ie.
TUESDAY 14 / 15.00 / ST BRENDAN’S SCHOOL HALL / €5
MONSTER DOODLE : VIKINGS WITH MARK WICKHAM
Come along and get involved with our interactive Monster Doodle! Meet illustrator Mark Wickham and create the scariest, meanest monster you’ve ever seen! Stretch out and show off your drawing and colouring skills in a huge group drawing session on one massive colouring sheet with your family and friends! The Monster Doodle is in partnership with Children’s Books Ireland.
Mark Wickham is an award-winning illustrator and designer from Bantry. His personal and commercial work has been published and exhibited internationally. Brian and the Vikings is Mark’s first picture book, collaborating with author Chris Judge. It was shortlisted for Best Children’s Book of the year 2014.
The Monster Doodle is brought to you by Children’s Books Ireland, the national children’s book organisation of Ireland. Their mission is to make books a part of every child’s life.
WEDNESDAY 15 & THURSDAY 16 / 10.00 / BANTRY LIBRARY / CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP / FREE
AGES: 9-13 / 15 CHILDREN MAX / BOOKING IS REQUIRED
A TWO-DAY WRITING WORKSHOP WITH JUDI CURTIN
Judi Curtin will share what she has learned in the course of writing nineteen (how did that happen?) books for children. Learn about beginnings, middles and endings, dialogue, character development and lots more. Bring along books, pictures, chocolate – anything that inspires you!
WEDNESDAY 15 / 15.00 / ST BRENDAN’S SCHOOL HALL / CHILDREN’S READING / €5
FRIENDS FOREVER: JUDI CURTIN AND SARAH WEBB / AGE: 8+
Judi Curtin and Sarah Webb both write books about friendship. But they are also friends in real life. Join them for a fascinating glimpse into their books and their lives. Come with lots of questions to ask Judi and Sarah about their work and being friends!
THURSDAY 16 / 15.00 / ST BRENDAN’S SCHOOL HALL / €5
DARKMOUTH & DARKMOUTH 2 : SHANE HEGARTY / AGE 8 – 12 ( but really, anybody!)
Darkmouth is a monstrously funny debut from the new star of middle-grade adventure. Legends (also known as terrifying, human-eating monsters) have invaded the town of Darkmouth and aim to conquer the world. But don’t panic! The last remaining Legend Hunter – Finn – will protect us.
FRIDAY 17 / 10.00 – 12.00 & 12.45 – 14.15 / BANTRY SQUARE / FREE
STORYTELLING CARAVAN / AGE 4 – 10
The storytelling caravan is a cosy corner in a world apart, it seems. The audience climbs in among the rugs, sheepskin, golden curtains, carnival-like painted wagon with everything arranged to make you feel like you’re stepping into another space and time. In subtle ways, the rhythm slows and it’s easier to listen in. Melissa tells stories that revisit classical literature with the spontaneity of oral tradition. Myths from the Americas and Asia enrich her repertory, as well as more familiar stories from Ireland and France. Awarded a prestigious Commission Award from the Arts Council, Ireland in 2009, she spent a year collecting stories among elders in West Cork and training in the oral tradition. She has also received storytelling commissions from the Cork County Council. With the support of Irish storytellers Liz Weir and Kate Murphy and in France with Pierre Delye and Marie Prête, Melissa has crafted and honed her stories. Upcoming adventures include performing in the prestigious Picardie Plateforme du Conte this May and in Quebec this September in the renowned festival “Contes en Îles”.
FRIDAY 17 / 14.30 / BANTRY LIBRARY / CHILDREN’S WORKSHOP / FREE
AGES: 9+ / 15 CHILDREN MAX / BOOKING IS REQUIRED
A ONE-DAY COLLAGE AND WRITING WORKSHOP WITH SARAH WEBB
Create a Fantasy Island: this one-day workshop is perfect for creative youngsters who love making up stories and who also like drawing and collage. Sarah Webb will share her research and writing secrets and will help children create their very own island paradise. During the workshop the children will learn about how a story is created, from initial idea to final book. Sarah’s new series for children (age 8+), The Songbird Cafe Girls, is set on a fictional West Cork island, inspired by Cape Clear and Sherkin Island.
FRIDAY 17 / 15.00 / ST BRENDAN’S SCHOOL HALL / CHILDREN’S READING / €5 / AGES: XXX
APPLE AND RAIN: SARAH CROSSAN
Sarah Crossan’s Apple and Rain explores the bond between mothers and daughters, and the power of forgiveness. When Apple’s mother returns after eleven years of absence, Apple feels whole again. She will have an answer to her burning question – why did you go? And she will have someone who understands what it means to be a teenager – unlike Nana. But just like the stormy Christmas Eve when she left, her mother’s homecoming is bitter sweet, and Apple wonders who is really looking after whom. It’s only when Apple meets someone more lost than she is, that she begins to see things as they really are.
