Award-Winning Children's Writer and Champion of Children's Books

Children's Programmer at ILFD - International Literature Festival Dublin and Dubray StoryFest

Creative Writing Teacher

Story Captain at Story Crew: Write, Draw, Create!

Story Crew holding logo.jpg

Novels for Children

Other Books for Children and Adults

My Blog 

Featured
Characters from Head to Toe by Natasha Mac a’Bháird
WRITING FOR CHILDREN WEEKEND WITH GRAINNE CLEAR and SARAH WEBB - 31ST AUG/1ST SEPT
Bologna Children's Book Fair 2019 - Notes for Children's Writers and Illustrators
Children's Books Ireland Book of the Year Awards 2019
Life as a Professional Children's Writer - the Low Down
The Best Children's Book Agents 2018 - Recommended by their Writers
Raising a Child Who Loves to Read - Recommended Books
How to Pitch to Book Festivals - Practical Tips for Children's Writers
Children's Books Ireland Book of the Year Awards 2018
Interview with Children's Writer, Helena Duggan
Books for Christmas 2017
Make Writing Your Priority
Oh, My! This World - CBI Conference 2017
Friendship and Writing Buddies by Judi Curtin
Sharing Books With Little Ones by Sarah Webb

Twitter

Instagram

Site meeting @airfieldestate this morning for @dubraybooks #StoryFest - Sat 28th Sept 11am to 5pm.
With Jennie ( Education Officer at MoLI) and Michael ( Writer) at the packed @moli_museum launch this evening. Delighted to be programming some family and children’s events for MoLI in 2020. Opens Sat - get your tickets now - a truly welcoming new museum with books and writing at its heart.
My dear friend Martina Devlin was awarded the Pyle Bursary for her PhD work on Edith Sommerville. Here she is being presented her award by the Head of English. Well deserved!
The new museum of literature @moli_museum opens next Friday for @culturenight - I was visiting today and it’s looking swish. Can’t wait to share some photos soon. Amazing place - do visit!
Dr Kathleen Lynn was celebrated today with a new plaque on her grave inDeansgrange Cemetery and a ceremony organized by the 1916 relatives association. Sabina Higgins spoke about her life and work. Dr Lynn was remarkable and deserves to be remembered.
One of my favourite picture books as a child (and now) by Tomi Ungerer. It’s strange and of its time ( a girl is kidnapped by an ogre but she’s such a good cook that he doesn’t eat her and ends up marrying her instead). The amazing food illustrations still wow me to this day! I still have lots of my childhood books and I’m very grateful to my mum and dad for giving me a childhood full of stories and art!
Three new Dorothy Cross pieces showing @kerlingallery at the moment. One of my favourite artists. I do love the shark but Ghost Ship has a special place in my heart.
I visit schools regularly with the @poetryireland Writers in Schools scheme. From time to time I like to reflect on this work and think about why and how I present creativity and writing to children. I like to tell them that for me it’s a joyful thing, a way of expressing myself, of being myself. A way of connecting with the world around me and with other people in it. This book is v practical and full of great quotes. ‘If a school cares enough about its students’ creativity to bring in a professional artist of any kind, this sends a message to the pupils that this part of themselves is respected and valued.’ Rose Flint. Hear, hear!
Tall ship ahoy! This one is from Mexico and it’s visiting Dublin today near the Convention Centre. Free to visit and open to the public until 8pm.
The hotel in Amsterdam where I was staying last week - Hotel Ambassade - has a stunning bar which doubles up as a library and writing space. Margaret Atwood stayed there and signed their guest book. Beautiful place - on one of the canals and full of art and books. @ambassadehotel
This quote from an award-winning Dutch writer called Guus Kuijer made me smile. @kidsbooksirel #childrensbooks #writingforchildren
Live illustration by @marymurphykidsbooks and @booksbyjarvis on @culturenight - I’m in! @kidsbooksirel