My article for Journal.ie

I was asked by thejournal.ie why reading is so important and what I hope to achieve as Laureate na n'Óg. Here's my answer...

'MY NEW ROLE as Laureate na nÓg is to raise the profile of Irish children’s books in Ireland and abroad. I want children to get really excited about reading and drawing.

As a picture book maker my focus will be visual as well as literary. I make books for very young children and over the next two years I want to reach those who don’t have easy access to books. One of my aspirations as Laureate is to gift a picture book to every newborn child in Ireland. I think it would say a lot about us as a country.

So far it has been a bit of a whirlwind; I’ve been to Cologne, Annecy and Belfast in the past few weeks. The city of Cologne had a two-week celebration of Irish children’s literature, and invited twelve writers and illustrators over for an exhibition and school visits. John Boyne, and the previous Laureate, Siobhán Parkinson, were among those who were invited. The Irish Ambassador traveled down from Berlin to open Enchanted, an exhibition of 45 illustrations by Marie Louise Fitzpatrick, PJ Lynch and myself. It was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the world-class children’s writers and illustrators we have in Ireland.

I traveled from Cologne to Annecy in France, for the prestigious animation festival. This year cast a spotlight on Irish animation. I was there with Brown Bag Films with whom I’m making The Happy Hugglemonsters – an animated series based on my picture book.

I’ve been amazed at the response to my new role at home too. For a nation of readers and book lovers, having a Children’s Laureate has sparked lots of interest. We really care about reading and books in Ireland, and we need to be active in sharing this passion with the next generation.

I believe children are never too young to start enjoying books! Sharing stories and reading pictures enriches children’s lives and fuels their imagination. Parents provide a good reading role model; if your kids see you reading, they will be encouraged to. I’d encourage families to read together. This month I helped launch the Bord Gáis Energy Read Together campaign. They offer fun tips on sharing books with your child that are well worth checking out.

Avalanche of ideas

With Children’s Books Ireland (CBI), I’ve generated pages of ideas. I’m enthusiastic about promoting the visual side of storytelling. I’d love to start a huge Monster Doodle similar to the Big Draw Quentin Blake launched when he was the UK Laureate. I believe everyone can draw. Just pick up a pencil and make a mark. I would encourage children to keep a doodle notebook for sketching and writing their ideas down. A 2B pencil and a blank page can unleash an avalanche of ideas.

I want to highlight our children’s authors and illustrators – children’s literature in Ireland doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. This is particularly true of literature for the very young.

I think we need to expand the definition of reading and to think outside the box about how to draw in reluctant readers. I love funny books. The ‘Wimpy Kid’ series has been fantastic for hooking reluctant readers because of its humour.

Think about what started you reading! The Cat in The Hat changed my life. I loved the tangled wordplay of Dr Seuss. The books were great ‘read-alouds’, and had zany madcap illustrations. My weekly Beano sparked my interest in comics and illustration.  I’d make my own comics every Saturday with my brother Daniel.

As a child I borrowed books from the mobile library when it came to Swords. I can remember how eager I was to get my hands on new books. Over the years I have given countless workshops in libraries as a writer and illustrator. Some of the children at these workshops are being afforded access to books that they clearly haven’t had in their lives. Such workshops can offer them an introduction to the world of stories. As Laureate I’m keen to promote the highly valuable resource that Irish libraries are.

Reading and drawing should above all else be fun. Literature for children is profoundly enriching precisely because it is something that can be enjoyed, and there is such a wealth of quality Irish children’s literature out there to influence and inspire.'

If you would like to contact Niamh about Laureate requests and events please contact  the project manager, Nessa O'Mahony at info@childrenslaureate.ie

Story Spark at The Ark!

I had an amazing session yesterday at CBI’s Story Spark at The Ark in Dublin. I have to admit that as my last event of 2010 it was the session that I really fretted over. I think I was so nervous before because it is such an iconic venue and I knew there was going to be a packed house. I couldn’t do my usual doodle along session with the kids so I had to come up with more theatre friendly ideas.

So I decided that I should bring on as many props that I could pack into my suitcase…

I also brought along dummy books, roughs, early sketches and original illustrations.

The Ravenous Beast puppet went down a storm!!!!

I cracked the drawing by getting the kids to join me on stage for a doodle-along, and by playing the doodle shape game with Tom from CBI at the end!

Once I was onstage my nerves and worries disappeared, the audience were AWESOME! As you can probably tell from the photos I had great fun and the hour totally zoomed by…

Thanks to CBI for coming up with such an amazing month celebrating stories and huge kudos to The Ark too. They really storm a path for children’s creativity in this land! The Ravenous Beast thinks so too!

There is a lovely review of my session here from Natasha, who came along yesterday with her twins. Passed on by Tom at CBI. Thanks Tom!

Open Studio

Do you want to know what goes into making a picture book, where I get my ideas from or simply have a nose around my studio to see how messy I am?

Here's your chance...

This Friday night as part of Culture Night you'll have a chance to see me potter about in my attic. I'll be showing roughs, dummy books, and how I make a book step by step. You'll also have a chance to read and doodle along with me, and l'll answer all your questions.

You can also take a peek inside Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick's and Annie West's studio.

Broadcast from The National Library in Dublin, Sligo Library and in the University of Ulster in Belfast this Friday from 7-9pm.

Huge thanks to Children’s Books Ireland, Temple Bar Cultural Trust,Young at Art, the National Youth Council of Ireland and the Department of Tourism,
Culture and Sport for coming up with this great idea.

Children’s Laureate – Laureate na nÓg.

Children’s Books Ireland have announced the launch of Ireland’s first Children’s Laureate – Laureate na nÓg. It is in association with The Arts Council and will be awarded once every two years to a writer or illustrator of children's books.
This is really exciting initiative and a fantastic way to raise the profile of Children's Books in Ireland. Nominations must be received by 5pm March 19th 2010, that’s tomorrow. Information can be found on David Maybury's site and the application form can be downloaded here on the CBI site.
To give you an idea of what a laureate is all about have a look at what the UK's Laureate Anthony Browne is doing here.

Robert Dunbar Archive

HI! I'm just back from a week in Tuscany in Italy, to rain! This is a photo of me in the Studio above The Natural Shoe Store in Dublin. My good friend Dermot who ran the shoe store encouraged me through my 'early years'. I used to work downstairs selling Birkenstock and lovely roundy toes shoes for part of the week and doodle and paint in between times upstairs in the attic. Children's Books Ireland has just made available a collection of interviews in which Robert Dunbar meets with authors and illustrators to discuss their work. Many of these conversations were first broadcast as part of The Pied Piper series. Robert interviewed me about ten years ago around the same era as the photo, as part of this series and you can hear it here. Make sure to listen to the rest including one with PJ Lynch.