Baboró Is Coming!

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Each year at this time here in Galway, we are excitedly preparing for Baboró International Arts Festival for Children. Baboró brings a world of art, theatre, music, dance and literature for young people to Galway through a fantastic line-up of school and public events that are well-worth attending, whether you are a child or a child-at-heart.
I want to focus on this year's expanded literature programme...it is filled with bigger and better and more events surrounding the world of childrens' books than ever before.
On Monday, 16th of October, Ryan Tubridy and PJ Lynch will be will be talking about their collaboration in creating their wonderful new book, Patrick and the President; the story from a young persons perspective of John F Kennedys' Presidential trip to Ireland. Our own Patricia Forde will be presenting a bi-lingual event in which younger school children will get to visit the school for tooth fairies and also meet Lísín the pirate!(Thursday, 19th October) On Saturday the 21st October, Jane Mitchell will visit the Blue Teapot Theatre to present her incredible new book, A Dangerous Crossing, based on the experiences of Syrian families trying to escape their war-torn country. (highly recommended for ages 9+) And Dave Rudden will be at the Mick Lally Theatre on Sunday, October 22 for a fun, fast-paced journey into the world of Denizen Hardwick and the Knights of the Borrowed Dark. It is a real can't miss event.
Also, don't forget to join us at Charlie Byrnes Bookshop on both Saturday and Sunday, from 11am to 12 for our ever bigger and better Storytime in The Cornstore outside of the shop. Who knows what we'll be reading?! (Great books, that's what!)
But wait! There's more!
In the O'Donoghue Centre, NUI Galway, a true feast for the eyes awaits one and all with the A World of Colour exhibition, featuring the work of Chris Haughton and Beatrice Alemanga. Presenting work from their stunning picture books, this is your chance to enter a vibrant and lively world of the imagination.
There is an exceptional information day for childrens' writers (and anyone interested in childrens' literature) called So You Want To Write A Proper Book?  Chaired by Sarah Webb, the dlr Writer in Residence for 2016/2017, this day for adults will answer all your questions about writing for children; how much do authors get paid, what are agents and publishers are looking for, the impact of social media and events... You won't want to miss this. Featured are the Baboró authors, Conor Hackett of Hackett Flynn Publishers Agency, Aoife Murray from CBI, Ivan O'Brien from O'Brien Books...so many fantastic people from the world of childrens' books in Ireland I couldn't possibly list them all. (But I will add...me...participating on a really interesting panel discussion on chapter books!) Takes place on Saturday 21st October from 10am-4:30pm.
And don't forget about all the other fabulous Baboró events throughout the week. If you haven't booked your tickets yet, here's the link to the programme (below). Be there!
http://www.baboro.ie/festival/programme

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