Superstars & Stellar Stories Inspire
the International Literature Festival Dublin
School’s Programme

 

In-person running from 19th – 26th May 2022 & now booking at ilfdublin.com

The line-up was announced today for ILFDublin’s school’s programme, taking place from 19th to 26th May, 2022. This year, the annual celebration of literature looks forward to welcoming the youngest of readers to delight in stories of hope, adventure, identity and resilience.

To mark the 25th anniversary of the festival, ILFDublin will take place in Merrion Square, a beautiful space in the heart of the city and surrounded by a rich and unique literary history. Over 3200 school pupils will have the opportunity to visit the new festival village where they can tap into their own creativity, discover and debate books, share stories and connect with other young people. The 2022 ILFDublin school’s programme features writers from Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands exploring fiction, non-fiction, poetry and graphic novels. Expect book signings, drop-in activities, workshops and plenty of memories sure to make a trip to the festival an unforgettable day out for pupils and teachers alike.

The festival will present superstars Derek Landy and Francesca Simon, award-winners Onjali Q Raúf, Peter Bunzl and Sarah Crossan, debut Irish comic creator Aoife Dooley and Laureate na nÓg Áine Ní Ghlinn. In partnership with Children’s Books Ireland, ILFDublin will host the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards on 24th May with a live ceremony for both an in-person and digital audience allowing schools from across the country to participate.

The full festival programme will be announced in early April 2022. Tickets for the schools events are on sale now.

 

Discover the Programme

 

Until the End with Derek Landy
When: Thu 19 May / 10:00 – 11:00. Suitable for ages 10+ (4th, 5th & 6th class & 1st & 2nd year). Tickets €4 per child*

The second cycle of the internationally bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy is coming to a thrilling conclusion.

In the latest adventure, Until the End, no longer able to rely on Valkyrie Cain – Skulduggery must make allies of enemies if he’s going to stand any chance of saving what’s left of the world. And just when things are looking their bleakest, they manage to get even worse!

 

How to Make a Better World with Onjali Q Raúf
When Fri 20 May / 11:00 – 12:00. Suitable for ages 9-11 (5th & 6th class & 1st & 2nd year). Tickets €4 per child*

Hope on the Horizon: A children’s handbook on empathy, kindness and making a better world by Onjali Q Raúf shows us that no one is too small to make a change. Learn with Onjali how to create your own personal empathy toolkit and start making a positive change in the world. A life-long human rights campaigner, Onjali (author of the award-winning The Boy at the Back of the Class), has founded organisations to fight domestic violence against women and to support refugees.

 

You Can’t Buy Happiness with Jenny Pearson
When Fri 20 May / 11:30 – 12:30. Suitable for ages 7-10 (2nd, 3rd & 4th class). Tickets €4 per child*

What would you do if a step-grandmother you’ve never heard of left you 462,000 quid and strict instructions to look after one grumpy grandpa? That’s the question for Frank John Davenport, star of Jenny Pearson’s new book Grandpa Frank’s Great Big Bucket List. Join Jenny, the queen of heart and humour, for a reading from her hilarious, moving new story plus questions, quizzes, and lots of laughs.

 

The Worst at Everything! with Francesca Simon
When Mon 23 May / 10:00 – 10:45. Suitable for ages: 5-7 (Senior Infants – 2nd class). Tickets €4 per child*

Join Francesca Simon, best-selling creator of Horrid Henry, as she tells you all about Viking history and Norse mythology and takes you through the wild and wintery world of Two Terrible Vikings and Grunt the Berserker.

 

Magicborn: Unleashing Your Power with Peter Bunzl
When Mon 23 May / 10:00 – 11:00. Suitable for ages 9-11 (5th & 6th class & 1st & 2nd year). Tickets €4 per child*

Set in the year 1726, Magicborn begins an exciting new series combining history and fantasy in an epic quest for survival. Join Peter Bunzl as he answers questions about writing historical fantasy and creating characters and shares the true story that inspired the book.

 

The Spectacular Translation Machine
When Mon 23 May / 10:30 – 12:30. Suitable for all ages. Tickets FREE (limited capacity)

Whether you’re a seasoned linguist or just beginning to explore other languages, drop in and check out The Spectacular Translation Machine! A brilliant introduction to the wonderful world of literary translation that’s fun and accessible to all, anyone and everyone can take part and help us to translate part of the picture book La Petite Créature by Marjolaine Leray. With top literary translators on hand to guide you, including French translator Sarah Ardizzone, each page is displayed individually and you can choose which to translate using both the images and the words for inspiration. Translate into any language you wish. By the end of the process we will have a multitude of interpretations, imaginings and languages! It’s free so just drop in and help us translate part – or all – of this delightful and quirky French illustrated book.

 

Tomorrow Will Be Beautiful with Sarah Crossan
When Tue 24 May / 11:30 – 12:30. Suitable for ages 11+ (6th class & 1st & 2nd year). Tickets €4 per child*

Tomorrow is Beautiful is a tender and inspiring poetry anthology compiled by bestselling young adult writer Sarah Crossan (former Laureate na nÓg). When life gets tough, it’s important to remember that tomorrow will be a new day. Join Sarah to hear some heart-warming stories and chat about ways to build resilience, stay hopeful, and focus on the positive.

 

KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards
When Tue 24 May / 12:00 – 13:15. Suitable for ages 5 – 11. Tickets FREE

The KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards are the most prestigious awards for children’s books in Ireland and celebrate Irish writing and illustration for children and young people. The ten shortlisted titles, suitable for a range of ages, will compete for a total of six awards. The winners will be announced by book-loving broadcaster Rick O’Shea and will also be broadcast live!

More info about the shortlisted titles can be found here.

 

Workshop with Laureate na nÓg Áine Ní Ghlinn
When Wed 25 May / 10:00 – 11:00. Suitable for ages 10-12 (5th & 6th class). Tickets €4 per child*

Take part in this fun workshop as Gaeilge where children will read and write poetry with Laureate na nÓg, Áine Ní Ghlinn. Ceardlann spraíúil ina ndéanfar dánta a léamh agus dánta a scríobh le Laureate na nÓg, Áine Ní Ghlinn.

 

Feeling Your Feelings with Hans & Monique Hagen
When Wed 25 May / 10:30 – 11:15. Suitable for ages 5-8 (Junior Infants – 2nd class). Tickets €4 per child*

From the Netherlands come former Dutch Children’s Book Laureates Hans and Monique Hagen to guide you through their book You Are The Loveliest. Each one of these very special poems and illustrations explores the many different feelings we can have from the good to the bad to the silly.

 

Fitting In and Standing Out with Aoife Dooley
When Thu 26 May / 11:30 – 12:30. Suitable for ages 9-12 (4th, 5th & 6th class). Tickets €4 per child*

If you’ve ever felt like an alien, don’t worry! You’re not alone. Frankie is on a mission to figure out exactly why she’s not like anyone else in her class. Join autistic author-illustrator and comedian Aoife Dooley as she takes us through her very special new graphic novel, Frankie’s World, and answers all your questions about fitting in and standing out when you feel different from everyone around you.

 

*10% discount automatically applied to class bookings of 20 or more.

 

How to Book: Visit ilfdublin.com to book online or email boxoffice@ilfdublin.com

Where to Find Us: The festival site is located in Merrion Square Park, with the main access gate located on Merrion Square East.

How to Get There: For school groups arriving by foot the best access point is from Merrion Square East. School groups arriving by coach or bus are advised to be dropped off on Merrion Square South and access the site via the gate located on that street.

 

International Literature Festival Dublin is back from 19-29 May. Full details of the programme will be announced in the coming weeks.