As Seachtain na Gaeilge and World Book Day overlap it's a great chance to embrace the joy of reading in Irish.
Áine Ní Ghlinn is Ireland's sixth Laureate na nÓg (Children’s Literature Laureate), and the first to write exclusively in Irish, and she has given us a list of books for kids to enjoy and love as Gaeilge.
Her ambition as Laureate is to increase awareness about the quality and availability of Irish language books for children and to encourage young people to read in Irish for pleasure, not just for school.
Children in Ireland learn to read in Irish at the same time as they learn to read in English. That's half a million kids who can read in Irish. So, let's get them reading!
Here are Áine's recommended reads for Seachtain na Gaeilge 2021:
1. Cá bhfuil Teidí? by Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, illustrated by Steve Simpson.
2. Cloisim Rud Éigin! by Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, illustrated by Steve Simpson.
3. Rita agus an Lampa Draíochta, by Máire Zepf, illustrated by Mr Ando.
4. Geansaí Otto, by Sadhbh Devlin, illustrated by Róisín Hahessy.
5. Scúnc agus Smúirín, by Muireann Ní Chíobháin, illustrated by Paddy Donnelly.
6. MÍP, by Máire Zepf, illustrated by Paddy Donnelly.
7. Muireann agus an Teach Solais, by Malachy Doyle, translated by Máire Zepf, illustrated by Andrew Whitson.
8. Mór agus Muilc, by Kim Sharkey, words by John Óg Hiúdaí Neidí Ó Colla, illustrated by Kim Sharkey.
9. Lúba, by Alan Titley, illustrated by John White.
10. Ar Strae, by Patricia Forde, illustrated by John White.
11. An Eala Órga, by Gabriel Rosenstock, illustrated by Brian Fitzgerald.
About Laureate na nÓg
Laureate na nÓg is an initiative of the Arts Council. It is managed and delivered on Council's behalf by Children’s Books Ireland, and also supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Poetry Ireland, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
