Just back from an really amazing week in Cologne celebrating Irish Children's Literature. Every year the city focuses on a different country and invites their most well known Children's writers and Illustrators along to celebrate books, visit schools and have an exhibition of their artwork. I was lucky enough to be invited along with 10 other authors and illustrators, that included PJ Lynch, John Boyne and Malachy Doyle. It was the most wonderful experience I have EVER had as an author and illustrator in my career. We were treated like royalty!
I travelled with Siobhan Parkinson and our host Uschi made us feel so welcome. It was thanks to her enthusiasm (infectious!) and her wonderful team of helpers and translators that made the week so memorable. My highlights included dancing to the Irish/German traditional band at my exhibition opening, trying to understand German all week, meeting Daniel Mulhall the Irish Ambassador who travelled down from Berlin especially to meet us, being mesmirized by Branar's Children of Lir, and drawing Hugglewugs with the school children of Cologne! A link to the website especially made for our visit is here.
Me and my translator Maike!
Me in action..
Signing doodles!
Another highlight was a chance meeting with Dayve Stewart Sax player who kindly serenaded Two Irish Laureates on the Cologne Street!
