Blogs

There are many ways you can enjoy Pancake Tuesday with Dublin City Libraries

Dublin City Libraries are thrilled to announce Summer Stars Competition Time! How do you enter? It's so easy.

Get Reading! Now that school is over you can still spark your imagination, join in activities and take part in our exciting Summer Stars challenge. This year you can do a marathon read, a sprint read or a read from your couch; if you would like to register for the Summer Stars reading challenge, contact your local library.

As a special treat, the Lord Mayor will read one of Alex’s favourite books for everyone. It’s called, A Dublin Fairytale, written and beautifully illustrated by Nicola Colton and published by The O’Brien Press. Watch out for famous Dublin landmarks and some dodgy Dublin characters in this re-telling of a familiar fairy tale.

October was a busy month at Ballymun Library for children’s activities with many events organised in conjunction with Children’s Book Festival 2019 and Stemsational Saturdays’ activities for 8 to 12 year olds to name but a few.This time of year wouldn’t be complete without the Library’s dedicated Hallowe’en storytelling sessions for 0 to 4 year olds. These took place on the 29th of October at 10am and 11am, respectively. Most of the attendees dressed up for the occasion and had a spooktacular time.Millie Donnelly dressed as a witch at the Baby/Wobbler Hallowe’en Book Club. At the baby session, the book ‘Spot’s Spooky Fun’ by Eric Hill was read by Maria Sheahan (Librarian). Eric Hill has written many stories for babies including ‘Spot Says Goodnight’ and ‘Spot Goes to School’. This is a lovely story for babies and wobblers where Spot has the difficult task of deciding which costume he should wear for Hallowe’en. The group was captivated proving this story is a perfect Hallowe’en read for young babies. The Toddlers heard the story ‘Usborne Noisy Spooky Book’. As you can see from the photos, this book is always a big hit with small children! Isabella Forsyth is the dashing pumpkin and Amelia Sweeney is batgirl. They love hearing the creepy sound effects that go with the story and it’s a fun choice for grown-ups to read! Hallowe’en rhymes were also taught to the children after each storytelling session. Finally, toys and sweet treats were provided to complete the sessions.Ballymun Library’s Book Clubs for Younger Children will continue on a weekly basis on Tuesdays during November and early December.  The Baby/Wobbler Book Club (0 to 2 Year Olds) runs from 10.00am to 10.45am and the Toddler Book Club (2 Year Olds to pre-school age) runs from 11.00am to 11.45am.  No advance booking is necessary.Join us each week in making family reading a magical and fun experience! 

This spring children in Dublin are urged to keep their eyes peeled for mysterious aliens at their local library as Bumpfizzle – the Best on Planet Earth by Patricia Forde, has been chosen for the 2019 Citywide Reading Campaign for Children.Bumpfizzle is an alien, sent to Earth from Planet Plonk on a research mission. Or is he really just a ten-year-old boy who is feeling a bit disgruntled at all the attention his parents are lavishing on The Baby? It is up to readers to make up their own minds. The author, Patricia Forde, has published numerous books for children in English and in Irish, two plays, in addition to several television drama series for children and teenagers. She has worked as a writer on both English and Irish language soap operas. In another life, she was a primary school teacher and the artistic director of Galway Arts Festival.The illustrator Elīna Brasliņa is an illustrator from Riga, Latvia. She has illustrated fifteen titles to date, most of them picturebooks, children’s books and young adult novels. Her work has been nominated for many local awards as well as the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal. She has twice received the Zelta Abele Award for Book Design, as well as the Janis Baltvilks Baltic Sea Region Award (2017).This is the eighth year of the city wide reading initiative. Previous books selected for the Citywide Reading Campaign in previous years include; Arthur Quinn and the World Serpent by Alan Early, The Nightmare Club series featuring Annie Graves, The Powers by Kevin Stevens, Danger is Everywhere by David O’Doherty and Chris Judge, The Book of Learning by E.R. Murray, Knights of the Borrowed Dark by Dave Rudden and last year’s book was Making Millions by Erika McGann. The aim of the campaign is to encourage children to read for pleasure. There will be author visits to many Dublin City Council branch libraries as well as city-centre based events in bookshops, the National Library of Ireland and Dublin City Gallery – Hugh Lane. The campaign ends with fun events based on the book, as part of the St. Patrick’s Festival’s in Merrion Square. Copies of the book are available in all Dublin City Public Libraries as well as in all good bookshops.  Dublin City Council Library stock can be borrowed from libraries nationwide.Key Events;•    Author visits to Dublin City Public Library branches between January and March. Class visits booked locally at branch libraries.•    Cabra Library, Navan Road, Dublin 7, Tuesday 29th January at 3.30pm (Booking Essential; [email protected] or ph. 8691414).•    The National Library of Ireland, Kildare St, Dublin 2. Thursday 7th February at 10am (Booking required: Contact Bríd O’Sullivan  [email protected])•    Dublin City Gallery - The Hugh Lane, Charlemont House, Parnell Square North, Dublin 1 Saturday 16th March 11am-12pmAuthor Patricia Forde says: “I am delighted and very excited that Bumpfizzle The Best on Planet Earth is the 2019 Citywide Read.  Bumpfizzle is an alien- which may attract some funny business from other planets - but I think Dublin children are up for that. I sincerely hope so.  We may need heroes before this is over.”(Dublin City Public Library Staff, Patricia Forde and Kids at Launch)(Photo Credit Fennell Photography)You can download a Reading Guide to the book, suitable for teachers and parents at http://www.dublincityofliterature.ie/projects/citywide-read/The campaign is run by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Dublin City Council Public Libraries, in partnership with Little Island Books, and is funded by Dublin City Council’s Public Library Service and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. 

We invite children to delve into the world of Ebony Smart, a 12-year old girl whose world has just changed forever  - a new home in Dublin that is full of secrets, a magical book that unlocks the mystery to her past and a mysterious boy called Zach who befriends her – for the Citywide Reading Campaign for Children 2016.The campaign is run by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Dublin City Public Libraries, in partnership with Mercier Press, and runs from January to March 2016.The Book of Learning by E.R. Murray is a story of mystery and adventure, and will appeal to both girls and boys of 9 years and older. There will be author visits to branch libraries as well as city-centre based events to promote the campaign, which encourages children to read for pleasure. The book features many well known Dublin landmarks such as Glasnevin Cemetery, the Botanic Gardens, the Natural History Museum, the National Library and Saint Stephen's Green.An t-Ardmhéara Críona Ní Dhálaigh said: "The Book of Learning is a book that will enchant and engage boys and girls from aged 9 upwards, and I encourage children and their parents all across the city to read it and to visit their local Dublin City library to find out more about the fun events taking place. Is scéal draíochtach é a bheadh taitneamhach do éinne thar 9 mbliana d’aois.""I'm delighted The Book of Learning has been chosen for this year's Citywide Reading campaign, especially since Dublin is so central to the story." says E.R. Murray. "I wanted to capture the city's essence in an adventure story that was both magical and mysterious – so get ready for wildcats, enchanted books, underground lairs, and shark submarines! I can't wait to meet lots of young readers at events in the New Year – after all, it's the readers that bring stories to life and make writing so worthwhile."Details of the campaign will be available in early January here and at www.dublincityofliterature.ie. The project is funded by Dublin City Council's Library Service and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Have you ever wondered is your teacher a vampire or is your pet cat in fact a dangerous tiger? This spring we are inviting boys and girls in Dublin to become qualified ‘dangerologists’ by reading Danger is Everywhere by David O’Doherty as part of our Citywide Reading Campaign for Children. This fun handbook points out the dangers of everyday objects from your schoolbag and pet cat to the dangers of having a party or brushing your teeth.This book has great illustrations by Chris Judge and will appeal to both girls and boys of mixed reading abilities. There will be an author and illustrator visit to public libraries as well as city-centre based events to promote this campaign. The final event of the campaign will take place as part of the St. Patrick’s Festival.The Citywide Reading Initiative is run by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Dublin City Public Libraries, in partnership with Puffin Books, and encourages children to read for pleasure. The campaign runs from January to March 2015. This is the fourth year of the initiative. In previous years books promoted included Arthur Quinn and the World Serpent by Alan Early, The Nightmare Club series of books and The Powers by Kevin Stevens.You can borrow Danger is Everywhere from Dublin City Public Libraries and other public libraries and it is available to buy in all good bookshops.View photos from the launch below at the Natural History Museum of Ireland.(Pictures Jason Clarke Photography)EventsVirtually Live presents Danger is Everywhere David O'Doherty and Chris Judge present their book Danger is Everywhere, hosted by former Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton. Watch videos, live Q+A and a draw-along.Join author David O'Doherty and illustrator Chris Judge for some Danger is Everywhere fun.Tuesday 20th January 2015 3.30pm at Cabra Library, Navan Road, Dublin 7. Free. Suitable for children 7+.  Booking essential at 8691414. Apologies this event is now Fully Booked!Dublin UNESCO City of Literature Children's Art Workshops - Danger is EverywhereSaturday 24th January at 2pm at Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane, Parnell Square. Open to children of all ages and costs €5, all materials are provided. Book at 2228883Family Sketching - Danger is EverywhereSunday 8 February at 2pm at Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane, Parnell Square. Free! All Materials are included. Open to all ages. Families welcome! Book at 2228883Danger is Everywhere Storytelling Session - join storyteller Paul Timoney for a fun-filled hour of mayhem based on Danger is Everywhere. Waterways Ireland, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2 on Friday 20th February at 12pm.  Book at [email protected] e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Ph: 6777510. Suitable for children 6+ Free admissionDanger is Everywhere Workshops - St. Patrick's FestivalBig Day Out, Merrion Square on Sunday 16th March 2014. More Details to follow.