Stories of Hope, Adventure, Identity and Resilience Take Centre Stage

in Children and Young Adults Programme at

International Literature Festival Dublin 2022

ILFDublin 2022 returns once more to host live in-person events in Dublin this May. Running from 19-29 May, the annual celebration of literature looks forward to welcoming the youngest of readers to delight in stories of hope, adventure, identity and resilience in its new home, a literary village in Merrion Square.

Children, families, young adults and school groups 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 schools 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 experience for children and young people of all ages.

Highlights include a celebration of 25 Years of Harry Potter; an exploration of some of the most amazing people we can be inspired by with Onjali Q. Raúf; insights into how to tell the real news from rubbish with Nick Sheridan; the thrilling conclusion of the second cycle of Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant; an opportunity to turn your doodles into cool cartoons with comic book creator and author-illustrator Aoife Dooley; journalist Paul Howard unveiling his first solo children’s book; podcaster, model and author Alexis Caught exploring and celebrating LGBTQ+ identity and active allyship; the chance to dance with Luna Loves… creators Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers and find out who the winners are in the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards on 24th May with a live ceremony for both an in-person and digital audiences which means schools from across the country can participate.

Discover the festival’s young readers and family programme over two jam packed weekends in May:

Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 May

After All This Time: 25 Years of Harry Potter – Sat 21 May, 10:30 / Tickets €8
Join Fleurble Laffalot for a family friendly journey through J.K. Rowling’s much loved books and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the unforgettable first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone that set Harry Potter’s destiny in motion. Age 7+

The Wonderful World of Luna with Fiona Lumbers – Sat 21 May, 10:30 / Tickets €6
Calling all young artists! Whether you make magic with markers or work wonders with watercolours, join Fiona Lumbers, illustrator of the Luna Loves series, for a magical morning of painting, drawing and making colour dance! Age 3+

The Stuff that REALLY Matters with Jenny Pearson – Sat 21 May, 11:00 / Tickets €8
Join Jenny Pearson, the queen of heart and humour, for a reading from her hilarious, moving new book Grandpa Frank’s Great Big Bucket List, plus questions, quizzes, and lots of laughs. Age 7+

Hope On The Horizon with Onjali Q. Raúf – Sat 21 May, 13:00 / Tickets €8
Join the author of bestselling novel The Boy at the Back of the Class, for an inspiring exploration of some of the most amazing people we can be inspired by, both fictional and real. Age 9+ To Book

Luna Loves Dance with Joseph Coelho & Fiona Lumbers – Sat 21 May, 13:30 / Tickets €6
Bring your dancing shoes and join the dream team behind the Luna Loves series as they share their latest adventure, Luna Loves Dance. With live drawing and magical, interactive readings of Luna Loves Dance, discover the joy of dancing and the importance of family, whatever your culture, ability or style. Age 3+

A Gallery of Wonderful Things with Kristina Stephenson – Sat 21 May, 14:00 / Free, drop in
Kristina Stephenson, author and illustrator of the fabulous picture book, The Museum of Marvellous Things will be coming to The National Gallery of Ireland on National Drawing Day! She’s bringing a model museum but the display cases and walls will be empty and she needs you to fill them, drawing on inspiration from the paintings in the Grand Gallery. Age 3+ To Book

Naturally Wild Little Ones with Olivia Hope – 21 May, 15:15 / Tickets €8
Join Olivia Hope for a heart-lifting journey from pine forests to breathtaking mountains; from sparkling seas to starry skies. Join Olivia as she shares her new, beautiful picture book, Be Wild, Little One that celebrates the wildness in all of us.Age 4+

Twisted Turns with Karen M. McManus & Alexia Mason – Sat 21 May, 16:00 / Tickets ​​€12 / €10 (online €8)
Karen M. McManus and Alexia Mason know their crime fiction. Between them they’ve written some of the most gripping and downright mysterious thriller novels for YA audiences – and they’re not finished yet! This is a unique chance to be part of a conversation with two thrill queens, where no one quite knows what might be revealed. Age 12+

Nick Sheridan Breaks the News! – Sat 21 May, 16:45 / Tickets €8
What’s it like to be a TV newscaster? Find out from Nick Sheridan, news expert and author of Breaking News: How to tell what’s real from rubbish. Age 8+

The Museum of Marvellous Things with Kristina Stephenson – Sun 22 May, 10:30 / Tickets €15
With original music, songs, puppets, lots of opportunities to join in and a magical gift bag for each child, don’t miss this marvellous, magical event. Age 4+

Smile Out Loud with Joseph Coelho – Sun 22 May, 10:45 / Tickets €8
A poem said out loud has a certain magic … almost like casting a spell! Come and learn how to make poetry magic, whether muttered quietly to oneself or shouted from the rooftops. Age 7+

The Spectacular Translation Machine Drop-In – Sun 22 May, 11:15 / Free, drop in
Have you ever wanted to turn one language into another? See what happens when we all try our hand at translating; do you think we come up with the same words? Age 14+

The Best Worst Vikings with Francesca Simon – Sun 22 May, 12:00 / Tickets €8
Hack and Whack’s parents are so proud of their terrible little Vikings. But Hack and Whack have some fierce competition when grouchy Grunt the Berserker moves in … next door! 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. Age 5+

Magic Most Adventurous with Alex Mullarky and Peter Bunzl – Sun 22 May, 12:30 / Tickets €8
Magic and adventure abound in these two spellbinding tales of overcoming fear, uncovering secrets, and making new friends along the way. Join two authors who excel at world building and creating magical adventures with compelling characters and hear about their ideas and inspiration. Age 9+

Standing Still and Running Away: Alex Barclay & Christine Pillainayagam – Sun 22 May, 15:00 / Tickets €8
Life is full of fight-or-flight, make-or-break moments. Will you stand up, stand out, stand still? Or when the time comes to face your truth, will you run in the opposite direction? Join authors Alex Barclay, author of My Heart & Other Breakables, and debut novelist of Ellie Pillai is Brown, Christine Pillainayagam for this heart-on-your-sleeve chat about first love, friendship, family, and the biggest moments of your life. Age 10+

Derek Landy and the World of Skulduggery Pleasant – Sun 22 May, 16:00 / Tickets €10
The second cycle of the internationally bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series by Derek Landy is coming to a thrilling conclusion. Age 9+

Magical Inheritance with Caroline O’Donoghue & Mary Watson – Sun 22 May, 16:30 / Tickets €10
Caroline O’Donoghue and Mary Watson, two supremely talented YA authors, weave magic and mythology at this not-to-be-missed event. Caroline taps into Irish stories and legends while Mary is inspired by her own South African heritage. Age 12+

Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 May

Pawsitively Perfect Tails: Sensory Storytime – Sat 28 May, 10:00, 11:00 & 12:00 / Tickets €5
Join storyteller George Hoyle for a wonderfully interactive, touchy-feely journey through the book that started it all, That’s Not My Puppy, the first in the That’s Not My… series by Fiona Watt. Perfect for tiny readers, dive into this household favourite with lots of tactile and sensory delights for very small people including songs, rhymes and games. Age 0-2

A Wizard’s Feast of Delights with Vivian French – Sat 28 May, 10:30 / Tickets €8
Come join other witches and wizards to hear about Vivian French’s latest adventure, The Wizard’s Banquet, and take on the challenge of finding the way to the ultimate Wizard’s banquet … despite many and varied obstacles getting in the way. Age 7+

The Best Thing Never Planned with Adiba Jaigirdar & Edward van de Vendel – Sat 28 May, 12:00 / Tickets €8
Love has a way of taking you by surprise, something that the characters in Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating and The Days of Bluegrass Love have learned the hard way. Join writers Adiba Jaigirdar and Edward van de Vendel for a conversation about queer identity, twists of fate, and falling in love when you least expect it. Age 12+

Love is Blue: A Sea Journey with Barroux – Sat 28 May, 12:15 / Tickets €6
Barroux is a brilliant artist from France who is passionate about the sea and everything that lives in it! Join Barroux as he presents I Love You, Blue and have the opportunity to create some of your own artworks inspired by the creatures and characters of the books. Age 3+

Paul Howard’s Cheese Nightmares – Sat 28 May, 12:30 / Tickets €8
Sweet dreams are made of cheese! Aldrin Adams has an extraordinary superpower – when he eats cheese just before he goes to sleep at night, he can enter into other people’s dreams … and their nightmares. Join author Paul Howard for a brie-lliant journey through his first children’s book Aldrin Adams and the Cheese Nightmares. Age 7+

We All Scream for Ice Cream with Shane Hegarty – Sat 28 May, 13:45 / Tickets €8
Join Shane Hegarty for his latest adventure, The Shop of Impossible Ice Creams, the story of Limpet who likes a safe life and vanilla ice cream. He’s not too enthused when his Mum opens up an ice cream shop full of fanciful flavours like rhubarb and turkey! But when wicked Mr Fluffy arrives with his Mega Emporium of Amazing and Spectacular Ice Creams, can Limpet find the magic ingredients to fight back? Age 8+

The Soldier’s Song / Amhrán na bhFiann – Sat 28 May, 14:00 & Sun 29 May 10:00 / Tickets €4
Join Rachel J Cooper, for an inspiring story and song session exploring the story behind the National Anthem. Age 6+

Pizazz the Superhero with Sophy Henn – Sat 28 May, 15:30 / Tickets €8
Come along to hear about Pizazz’s latest devilish adventure, Pizazz vs The Demons, and learn how to draw Pizazz with author and illustrator Sophy Henn. Age 6+

Fact Force: Journey to Space! – Sat 28 May, 16:00 / Tickets €8
Meet the minds behind 100 Things to Know About Space for space-tastic facts. Did you know that the snow on Mars is square? Or that there’s a cloud in outer space that tastes just like raspberries? Buckle up for a journey through the cosmos and test your knowledge with the great big space quiz, find out how to become an astronaut, and learn mind-blowing facts about black holes. Age 7+

The Dark Side with Finn Longman & Maura McHugh – Sat 28 May, 17:00 / Tickets €10 / €8
Finn Longman and Maura McHugh are two authors that understand the power of darkness to enchant and enrapture their readers. Why do we love a good fright? And why do horror stories haunt us the way they do? Age 14+

The Great Cartoon Draw-Down – Sun 29 May, 10:30/ Tickets €12 / €10
What happens when you give three amazing illustrators a flip chart, a marker and drawing ideas from you, the audience? Hosted by author Vivian French who, armed with her warning bell and your wildest ideas, will challenge Sophy Henn, Paul Howard and Barroux in an epic battle of daring and delightful doodle displays. Age 6+

Celebrate Your True Colours with Elmer – Sat 28 May, 11:30, 29 May, 11:30 / Free, drop in
Elmer is one of the most iconic and widely read children’s book series of all time. Whether you read it first in 1989 or you have that joy ahead of you, this is the weekend to show your true colours and celebrate all the things that make you! All ages

Cartoon Crash Course with Aoife Dooley – Sun 29 May, 12:00 / Tickets €10
Turn your drawings and doodles into cool cartoons with comic book creator and author-illustrator Aoife Dooley. Age 9+

Fact Force: Love Your Planet – Sun 29 May, 12:00 / Tickets €8
Can you guess what’s inside the world’s biggest cave? Do you know what makes sand sing? Fact Force is here to give you a peek into the magical world we live in.

Do-It-Yourself Story Building with Paul Howard – 29 May, 14:00 / Tickets €8
Calling all budding writers and illustrators – do you love to make up tall tales and fantastical fictions? Do you want your stories to jump off the page? Join illustrator and author Paul Howard to learn all the different ways you can make a story shine. Age 4+

Mythical Magic with Ross Mackenzie & Eve Wersocki Morris – 29 May, 15:30 / Tickets €8
Are myths real or imaginary? After this, you may have doubts! Join Ross Mackenzie and Eve Wersocki Morris for a mystical, magical exploration of mythology, nature, inherited stories, and what inspired the dark worlds of The Colour of Hope and The Bird Singers. Age 10+

David O’Doherty’s Perfect Robbery – 29 May, 16:15 / Tickets €8
Have you ever considered robbing a bank? David O’Doherty certainly has, and he has an epic plan for pulling off the perfect heist. The first thing you’ll need to do – read his book The Summer I Robbed a Bank, of course! Age 8+

Love Is Love Is Love with Alexis Caught – 29 May, 17:00 / Tickets €10 / €8
Queer and curious teens and allies, join podcaster, model, and author Alexis Caught in an exploration and celebration of LGBTQ+ identity and active allyship. Age 14+

School Events in Merrion Square Park

Until the End with Derek Landy – Thu 19 May, 10:00 / Tickets €4
Derek Landy discusses his book Until the End which brings the second cycle of the internationally bestselling Skulduggery Pleasant series to a thrilling conclusion. Age 9+ For School Bookings Only

How to Make a Better World with Onjali Q. Raúf – Fri 20 May, 11:00 / Tickets €4
Hope on the Horizon: A children’s handbook on empathy, kindness and making a better world by life-long human rights campaigner Onjali Q Raúf shows us that no one is too small to make a change. Learn how to create your own personal empathy toolkit and start making a positive change in the world. Ages 9+ For School Bookings Only

You Can’t Buy Happiness with Jenny Pearson – 20 May, 11:30 / Tickets €4
Join Jenny Pearson, the queen of heart and humour, for a reading from her hilarious, moving new story plus questions, quizzes, and lots of laughs. Ages 7+ For School Bookings Only

Magicborn: Unleashing Your Power with Peter Bunzl – 23 May, 10:00 / Tickets €4
Join Peter Bunzl as he answers questions about writing historical fantasy and creating characters and shares the true story that inspired his new book Magicborn. Ages 9+ For School Bookings Only

The Worst at Everything! with Francesca Simon – 23 May, 10:00 / Tickets €4
Join Francesca Simon 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. Ages 6+ For School Bookings Only

The Spectacular Translation Machine – 23 May, 10:30 / Tickets Free, booking required
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. Ages 14+ For School Bookings Only

Tomorrow Will Be Beautiful with Sarah Crossan – 24 May, 11:30 / Tickets €4
When life gets tough, it’s important to remember that tomorrow will be a new day. Join Sarah Crossan to hear some heartwarming stories and chat about ways to build resilience. Ages 11+ For School Bookings Only

KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards – 24 May, 12:00 / Free, booking required
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 winners will be announced by book-loving broadcaster Rick O’Shea and will also be broadcast live. Ages 5-11 For School Bookings Only

Poetry Workshop with Áine Ní Ghlinn – 25 May, 10:00 / Tickets €4
A fun workshop as Gaeilge. Children will read and write poetry with Laureate na nÓg, Áine Ní Ghlinn. Age 10+ For School Bookings Only

Feeling Your Feelings with Hans & Monique Hagen – 25 May, 10:30 / Tickets €4
Joining us all the way from the Netherlands are former Dutch Children’s Book Laureates Hans and Monique Hagen, here to guide you through their book You Are The Loveliest. ge 5+ For School Bookings Only

Fitting In and Standing Out with Aoife Dooley – 26 May, 11:30 / Tickets €4
Join autistic author-illustrator Aoife Dooley as she takes us through her new graphic novel, Frankie’s World, and answers all your questions about fitting in and standing out. Age 9+ For School Bookings Only

The full programme is now available at ilfdublin.com

How to book Visit ilfdublin.com to book online or email boxoffice@ilfdublin.com
On school events a *10% discount is automatically applied to class bookings of 20 or more.

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