It’s been a busy few days.  Today, I spent the day in Roscommon reading in Roscommon County Library to the children from two schools in the town.  It was a very enjoyable event as I was accompanied by my good friend and fellow writer, Ailbhe Nic Ghiolla Bhrighde, who was promoting her first book for children: Cocó An Colgán Cróga (Futa Fata).  It was also made enjoyable by a well organised librarian, welcoming teachers and wonderful children.

It is a totally different part of a writer’s life but also a very important part.  By going out like this, we get to promote our books, but we also get to meet our audience.  At one stage, in today’s session,  we were talking about being different, and when Ailbhe asked the children in what ways might  we be different from one another, a little Polish boy replied:

“You could be Polish.”

I hope our literature has room for a little boy like that.  I hope we can be inclusive, and realise that being Irish now means very different things to different people and that Irish children’s literature should reflect that.

Next week we’re off to Co. Clare where we will be reading in Shannon, Ennis and Kilrush and where we will meet more children who will influence us and what we write. Reading to children is not a one-way thing. We give

but we get an awful lot back.  Long may it continue.