STORY.BOOK.GROW.Nurturing creativity through tales.A three day celebration of a visit from the Australian Children’s Laureates.

1 - 3 April 2013BELFAST - DERRY/ LONDONDERRY - DUBLIN

FREE CHILDREN'S EVENTS!

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“Ireland. I know you get a wee bit colder in the winter and not much warmer in the summertime. But summertime is always ready to shine from inside the hearts of your people. Smiling stories, sad stories, revolutionary stories, mischievous stories, hurling, dancing, Gaelic football, a good pint and good friends to see again.”

Boori Monty Pryor

“I can’t wait to come to Ireland. I’ve been wanting to visit for as long as I’ve been able to read, I guess, because so many of the books I love are set in Ireland. It’s going to be wonderful to meet the Irish laureate and I hope to make some books with Irish children. I’m especially looking forward to going for a horse ride in Connemara.”

Alison Lester

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FOREWORDThe inaugural visit by the Australian Children’s Laureates to the island of Ireland is a unique event that will bring together children, writers and practitioners with the common purpose of nurturing creativity, literacy, a love of books and storytelling among our children and young people.

In Melbourne last year I had the privilege of meeting Australia’s Children’s Laureates and witnessing their pioneering work with the Australian Children’s Literature Alliance, an organisation that champions the transformational power of reading in the lives of young Australians. Seeing how they use literature to connect with young people, particularly children living in disadvantaged and remote indigenous communities, was as inspiring as it was insightful. As world leaders in child development through the arts, the Australians have much to teach us, especially about recognising and nurturing the stories of our own communities, both old and new.

When the Children’s Laureates, Boori Monty Pryor and Alison Lester, told me they would be visiting Europe this month to attend the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss.

I’m delighted that they have generously accepted the Arts Council’s invitation to extend their visit and will be joining us for the first time in Northern Ireland, where they will be leading a series of workshops with children and master classes with practitioners at the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast on April 1st, the Verbal Arts Centre in Derry~Londonderry on April 2nd, before journeying on to Children’s Books Ireland at the National Library in Dublin on April 3rd.

Their visit is hopefully just the first of many creative exchanges between our two countries and will lead to future collaborations with organisations working in children’s creativity. What is certain is that Boori and Alison, here to share Australia’s experience of the value of instilling a love of books in children, will give fresh impetus to all of us who are committed to the development of our young people through literature and the arts.

Roisin McDonoughChief Executive, Arts Council of Northern Ireland

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ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN LAUREATESAs the Australian Children’s Laureates for 2012 and 2013, Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor are national and international ambassadors for Australian children’s literature inspiring young people to tell their own stories and be part of an active literary culture for enjoyment, wellbeing and success in life. The Laureates represent all children of Australia embracing their multi-cultural society. Boori Monty Pryor was born in North Queensland. His father is from the Birrigubba of the Bowen region and his mother from Yarrabah (near Cairns), a descendant of the Kungganji and Kukuimudji. Boori has worked in film, television, modeling, sport, music and theatre-in-education.

Alison Lester is a popular and best-selling writer and illustrator of children’s books. She grew up on a farm overlooking the sea and first rode a horse in her father’s arms. Her books mix imaginary worlds with everyday life, encouraging children to believe in themselves and celebrate the di!erences that make them special. Alison’s picture books include Are We There Yet?, which won the Children’s Book Council of the Year Book Award in 2005, and One Small Island which was awarded the Eve Powell Award in 2012.

ABOUT LAUREATE NA NÓGLaureate na nÓg is an exciting project recognising the role and importance of literature for children in Ireland. This honour was awarded for the first time in May 2010 to author Siobhán Parkinson. Illustrator Niamh Sharkey is the current laureate, and will hold the title until May 2014. The laureate participates in selected events and activities in Ireland and abroad during their term and is chosen as a result of their internationally recognised body of high quality children’s writing or illustration and the considerably positive impact they have had on readers as well as other writers and illustrators.

Laureate na nÓg is an initiative of the Arts Council with the support of The Minister for Children and Youth A!airs, Children’s Books Ireland, Poetry Ireland and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The programme is administered byChildren’s Books Ireland.

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1 APRILBELFASTCRESCENT ARTS CENTRE

The Cube 9.30am: Tea, co!ee and hot cross buns10.00am - 10.30am: Welcome reception

Ground Floor Studio

10.30am: All Gather In – Introduction

Morning Session (6 to 10 years)

Helen Lewis Studio11.00am – 12.15pm: Illustration/Painting

‘This is My Place’ postcard watercolour/wax resist workshop led by Alison Lester

Ground Floor Studio11am – 12.00pm: Storytelling Workshop led by Boori Monty Pryor

1.00pm – 2.00pm: Lunch for all participants

Afternoon Session (11 to 14 years)

Studio 2pm - 3pm: Boori Monty Pryor Storytelling Workshop

The Cube2pm - 3.15pm: Illustration/Painting

‘This is My Place’ postcard watercolour/fine liner workshop led by Alison Lester

The Cube 4.30pm-5.30pm: Masterclass Session (5 - 7 artists)

with Boori Monty Pryor and Alison Lester

These events are free and open to all. Pre-booking is advised as spaces are limited.

Reserve your space by visiting crescentarts.org

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2 APRIL DERRY/LONDONDERRY

VERBAL ARTS CENTRECafé Blooms

9.30am Tea and co!ee

Blue Coat Room 10.30am - 12pm Invited audience interviews with Australian Children’s Laureates

Boori Monty Pryor and Alison Lester with special guest host.

Café Blooms12pm - 1pm Lunch

Blue Coat Room

1.30pm - 2.30pm Participation based storytelling workshop for children (6-10yrs) with Boori Monty Pryor

1.30pm - 2.30pm Bookmaking Workshop for children (11-14yrs)

with Alison Lester

These events are free and open to all. Pre-booking is advised as spaces are limited.

Reserve your space by emailing editor@verbalartscentre.co.uk or calling Catherine on 02871 272507

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3 APRIL DUBLINCHILDREN’S BOOKS IRELANDNATIONAL LIBRARY OF IRELAND

Swapping Stories: Irish And Australian Children’s Literature Laureates In Conversation9.30am Facilitated by Dr. Pádraic Whyte.

Join Ireland’s Laureate na nÓg, Niamh Sharkey, and Australia’s Children’s Laureates, Alison Lester and Boori Monty Pryor, for a fascinating glimpse into the world of children’s

literature in Ireland and Australia as they discuss latest developments in the sector and compare notes on their roles as children’s literature laureates.

This event is free and open to all. Booking is advised. Reserve your space

by emailing info@childrenslaureate.ie.

Reserve your space by emailing info@childrenslaureate.ie

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