World Book Day embraces Irish language
Today marks the 25th anniversary of World Book Day, and the event is embracing Irish language this year.
The event helps children discover a love for reading through a huge range of fun reading activities, while providing more opportunities than ever to exchange their token and choose a €1.50 book for free.
Irish language title 'Clussa Capaill at an Rí' by Bridget Breathnach, illustrated by Shona Shirley Macdonald, published by Futa Fata, is available to Irish audiences, giving readers the opportunity to chose between two Irish published titles. The pilot project, a partnership with Foras na Gaeilge sees the winner of the 2021 Réics Carló Award (Book of the Year for Young Readers) available in a special World Book Day edition that can be exchanged for the €1.50 tokens.
It joins 'Deadly! Irish History: Fun with the Celts and the Vikings!' by John Farrelly, published by The O’Brien Press, along with 12 other titles from Sharna Jackson, Michael Morpurgo and Matt Lucas amongst others.
Chief Executive of World Book Day, Cassie Chadderton said, “Our 25th anniversary is a moment to look ahead to our ambitions for the future, and we are delighted to be partnering with Foras na Gaeilge to bring an Irish language book to children on World Book Day next year. The announcement of the €1.50 books and the authors and illustrators involved is always the exciting first step towards World Book Day in March. This important addition will mean we can do more to encourage all children across Ireland to love reading and books on World Book Day 2022.”
With the core message of “You Are A Reader”, World Book Day has a particular focus on reaching children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The charity’s 2022 campaign will aim to encourage parents and carers to support reading at home, helping them to feel more confident in reading together for a few minutes every day. Reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success– more than their family circumstances, their parents’ educational background or their income.
The 2022 €1.50 books, authors and illustrators reflect the energy and diversity of children’s literature in the UK and Ireland today. In its 25th year, World Book Day will highlight the importance of all children having the opportunity to own and be inspired by inclusive stories, written by authors and illustrators who are representative of the society we live in.
To celebrate the past, present and future of children’s literature, World Book Day will partner with BookTrust and Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell MBE on a special edition of their #PassthePen campaign. Designed to help promote visibility, champion new voices and generate book sales, this year’s activity will see World Book Day legacy authors paired with up-and-coming writers and illustrators of colour.