Roscommon County Council in association with Roscommon Arts Centre, Roscommon Library Services and Roscommon Arts Office proudly present Roscommon’s first Bookworms Children’s Literary Festival, which takes place on Friday June 12th and Saturday June 13th.
There are a huge array of events taking place in town over the two days – specifically aimed at young readers and lovers of books.
Local venues are getting in on the fun by throwing their doors open to welcome Roscommon’s little bookworms in. With everything from storytelling trails, design a book and monster draw workshops, theatrical performances, book clinics, and school storytelling sessions there really is something for everyone.
Children’s author Gerry Boland will be visiting rural schools on Friday 12th, introducing children to both his own work and sharing the work of other authors. With an emphasis on creativity and fun, participants will have the opportunity to get involved, writing their very own poems and stories.
Also on Friday German storyteller Simone Schuemmelfeder will host storytelling sessions and workshops in Roscommon Library inviting young audiences to come and listen to tales of magic and wonder. Over the weekend the library will also host a Mystery Book Club which invites children to come in and take out a book – but each book is wrapped! So you won’t know what you’ve got until you get home and unwrap it! The perfect way to discover a new read!
On Saturday storyteller Danielle Allison’s invites youngsters to come along to her storytelling session and workshop also in the library. Join Danielle as she transports you to places near and far with stories that are funny, serious, wise and interactive…all at once.
Roscommon Arts Centre also has plenty on offer over the weekend. Branar Theatre Company will perform their show ‘The Way Back Home’, based on the children’s book by Oliver Jeffers.
This show, without words, combines puppetry and music to realise a beautiful and imaginative story. Monkeyshine Theatre Company are bringing their ‘Magic Bookshop’ to the centre on Saturday.
Step inside and meet some of the inhabitants of this little shop, hear their stories and maybe even take a little of their magic home with you. An interactive theatre experience where audiences are invited to bring gently used books to swap.
Children’s Books Ireland’s Book Clinic will also be on hand at the centre on Saturday to give out book prescriptions for new reads to young bookworms. Come along bring a book and sit in the Book Doctors waiting room until the Doctor calls you in!
There are lots of literary events taking place around the town over the weekend such as Storytelling Sessions in Molloy’s Bakery and The Peppermill Restaurant.
There are also workshops such as a Monster Draw with artist Anna Spearman in Eight ‘till Late and Gleeson’s Townhouse will host a Design a Book Cover workshop and a Stop Motion Workshop with artist Naomi Draper.
For the full programme of events taking place check out www.roscommonartscentre.ie or contact Roscommon Arts Centre on 090-6625824 or Roscommon Library on 090-6637270.
