Ireland’s first Laureate na nÓg

Laureate na nÓg 2010-2012 Siobhán Parkinson discusses her work as a writer and her plans for her term as Laureate. Posted on Youtube on 9th May 2010 by childrenslaureate.

This new award was conferred on Siobhan Parkinson by President Mary McAleese on May the 10th 2010 at a special event at the Arts Council. Laureate na nÓg is a new initiative of the Arts Council and has the support of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Children’s Books Ireland and Poetry Ireland. It is hoped that the title will promote the importance of the availability of high quality children’s literature and encourage a love of reading and will underline the value of literature among children and young people. Speaking at the ceremony Pat Moylan, Chairman of the Arts Council said, “This is an exciting and valuable initiative and it comes at a time when good news and optimism, particularly in relation to children and young people, are vital.” Siobhán 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.” Siobhan’s award-winning books for children include Sisters... No Way!, Amelia, The Love Bean, Breaking the Wishbone and Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (Maybe). She has always been a popular author for children in County Clare and many of her ardent fans were pleased to get the opportunity to meet with her in the late 1990s when she toured Library branches during Children’s Book Festival. See http://www.childrenslaureate.ie/ for more info...