The shortlist for the CBI Bisto Book of the Year Award will be announced on March 26th. Full details will be available on http://www.childrensbooksireland.ie/. This year’s submissions featured picture books, novels, information books, poetry and plenty of new names. The winners will be announced on May 22nd.

CBI Bisto Awards Shadowing – There is still time to register young judges and shadowing groups

The CBI Bisto Book of the Year award is the most prestigious award given to Irish Illustrators and authors whose work is for young readers. Every year CBI looks for library and class groups to become involved in the CBI Bisto Awards. Teachers and or librarians are invited to sign up a school or library group for a very unique guided reading experience. For further information or to register a school or library group please contact Tom Donegan in CBI, tom@chidrensbooksireland.ie, 01 8727475, http://www.childrensbooksireland.ie/ Shadowing materials will also be available on the CBI website from March 26th.

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VOICES IN CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Pearse Street Library, Saturday 24th- Sunday 25th May

The annual CBI Conference is a celebration of the best in books for young people. Featuring some of the most exciting names in illustration, writing, publishing and criticism, the weekend is an opportunity to meet established favourites and discover new voices, all in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Speakers include
Saturday: Julia Eccleshare (The Guardian), Polly Dunbar, Laoise Ní Chomhraí, Julie O’Callaghan, Mary Finn and Enda Wyley.
Sunday: Professor Kristin Wardetzky (University of Arts Berlin), Anne O’Gorman (Draíocht Arts Centre), Tiina Nunnally, Nina Christensen (Centre of Children’s Literature in Copenhagen), Tim Bowler and Robert Dunbar.

Full Weekend package
CBI Members € 90     
Non-Members €100

Single Day
CBI Members €45  

Non-Members €50  
Price includes admission to all sessions and the Saturday evening reception. Tea, coffee and a light lunch are also provided. Places are limited and must be booked in advance. To book please visit http://www.childrensbooksireland.ie/ or call 01-8727475

Dublin’s City Hall will be alive with books, readers and writers this weekend as the inaugural Dublin Book Festival takes place. Organised by CLÉ - Irish Book Publishers' Association, the Dublin Book Festival will take place from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th March in Dublin’s City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin 2. The fair is open from 10am-6pm each day.

Come and celebrate the best of contemporary Irish publishing and writing in a very warm, welcome and festive environment!

The theme of this year’s festival is ‘Debuts and New Beginnings.' We will have new work debuted from both established and new authors as well as readings and discussions on the theme including talks and readings by some of Ireland’s leading literary luminaries.

A vibrant programme of children’s events includes Marita Conlon-McKenna, Judi Curtin, Eddie  Lenihan, Tom McCaughren, CBI is proud to support two special events featuring Enda Wyley, Ríona Nic Congáil, Laoise Ní Chomhraí, and Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair.

Full details of all events can be found on http://www.dublinbookfestival.com/.

Congratulations to Kidsown who this month will celebrate the launch of their new title
This is the place I like the best (and I’m not just sayin’ that!) This unique book is a collection of stories, poems, jokes and illustrations by children from all over Ireland.  Taking place during the Children’s Books Festival, Kidsown visited Fermoy, Clonakilty, Stillorgan, Deansgrange, Letterkenny, Falcarragh, Castlebar and Ballyhaunis. To read more about this fascinating project visit www.kidsown.ie

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (Ireland) welcomes published and unpublished writers and illustrators. SCWBI is a place to meet, share ideas, experiences, tips and advice. Meetings take place on the last Saturday of the month at 2.30pm  in CBI offices, 17 North Great George’s Street, D1. For more information please contact Maeve, maevemcm@netzero.net.

Happy Birthday to iBbY Ireland who celebrate their tenth birthday this month. The Ireland Section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBbY Ireland) is a non-profit organisation, which promotes children's books at an international level.
IBbY Ireland 's mission is:
 •  To promote the exchange of relevant expertise and knowledge relating to children's books at a national and international level.
 •  To encourage the development of networks linking Ireland and other countries in the area of children's books
 •  To act as an information resource in relation to children's books for writers, publishers, arts agencies, librarians, parents/guardians, the teaching professions and other educational interests, designers and illustrators, government and statutory bodies.

IBbY Ireland is a voluntary body and membership is open to open to any organisation or individual who has an interest in and is committed to the aims and mission of iBbY Ireland. For more information please visit www.ibbyireland.ie

To celebrate the launch of the next installment of his Skullduggery Pleasant series, Derek Landy will be staging two events for schools audiences in early April.

On the morning of Monday April 7th he’ll be visiting the Mermaid Arts Centre in Bray (tel. 01 885 2622) and on Tuesday April 8th he’ll be at the Draíocht Arts Centre in Blanchardstown (tel. 01 272 4030).

Any teachers interested in bringing their classes along should contact the venues directly for further information. NB. These events are best suited to readers from 5th & 6th class.

 
Congratulations to Mary Healy, from Argosy Libraries, winner of The O'Brien Press Bookseller of the Year Award 2008. Mary was announced as this year's winner of the award at the annual Booksellers Association Conference held in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway on Saturday, March 1st, 2008. Created in 1994 to mark the twentieth anniversary of The O'Brien Press, The Bookseller of the Year Award is presented annually to an individual bookseller in recognition of outstanding achievement.

 Closing date for applications: 28 March 2008     As part of the implementation of its strategy, Partnership for the Arts, the Arts Council now wishes to invite tenders for the role of Literature Adviser (Irish) on a part time consulting basis. The Literature Adviser (Irish) will work as a member of the literature team, reporting to the Head of Literature, and will be required to  provide the Arts Council with expert, strategic advice about literature, including oral literature, in Irish in  Ireland. Further details from www.artscouncil.ie