Laureate na nÓg
Encyclopedia
Laureate na nÓg is a position awarded in Ireland
once every two years to a distinguished writer or illustrator of children's books
. It was set up by the Arts Council of Ireland
in 2010. It is intended "to engage young people with high quality children's literature and to underline the importance of children's literature in our cultural and imaginative life".
Siobhán Parkinson
is the incumbent Laureate na nÓg.
, described by The Irish Times
as "one of Ireland's foremost children's writers", was announced as the first holder of the post on 10 May 2010. President of Ireland
Mary McAleese
revealed the news at an event held at the Irish Arts Council in Dublin. Parkinson received the silver Laureate na nÓg medal from the President.
She announced one of her her main aims was that "every child in the country has access to a nice, bright, warm, cheerful, comfortable library, where they can go and find the books that will open their minds and bring them into wonderful imaginary places. That sense of excitement and joy about books I want every child to have, and not all children do get that". She is in favour of modern media techniques, commenting: "Texting is a form of writing as well. If we get too uptight in pushing books at children it will have a negative effect. We have to make them interested in books and to realise they can get enjoyment, fun and pleasure from reading". One of her first requests was an appeal to the Government of Ireland for the restoration of school library system funding which it had removed due to cuts.
Parkinson is scheduled to remain as Laureate na nÓg for a period of two years.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
once every two years to a distinguished writer or illustrator of children's books
Children's literature
Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...
. It was set up by the Arts Council of Ireland
Arts Council of Ireland
The Arts Council of Ireland was founded in 1951 by the Government of Ireland to encourage interest in Irish art and channel to funding from the state to Irish artists and arts organisations...
in 2010. It is intended "to engage young people with high quality children's literature and to underline the importance of children's literature in our cultural and imaginative life".
Siobhán Parkinson
Siobhán Parkinson
Siobhán Parkinson is an Irish writer. She writes for both children and adults and is the current Laureate na nÓg.-Early life:Parkinson grew up in Galway and Donegal, studied English Literature and German at Trinity College Dublin, and later completed her PhD on the poetry of Dylan...
is the incumbent Laureate na nÓg.
2010-2012
Siobhán ParkinsonSiobhán Parkinson
Siobhán Parkinson is an Irish writer. She writes for both children and adults and is the current Laureate na nÓg.-Early life:Parkinson grew up in Galway and Donegal, studied English Literature and German at Trinity College Dublin, and later completed her PhD on the poetry of Dylan...
, described by The Irish Times
The Irish Times
The Irish Times is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Kevin O'Sullivan who succeeded Geraldine Kennedy in 2011; the deputy editor is Paul O'Neill. The Irish Times is considered to be Ireland's newspaper of record, and is published every day except Sundays...
as "one of Ireland's foremost children's writers", was announced as the first holder of the post on 10 May 2010. President of Ireland
President of Ireland
The President of Ireland is the head of state of Ireland. The President is usually directly elected by the people for seven years, and can be elected for a maximum of two terms. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office, but the President does exercise certain limited powers with absolute...
Mary McAleese
Mary McAleese
Mary Patricia McAleese served as the eighth President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. She was the second female president and was first elected in 1997 succeeding Mary Robinson, making McAleese the world's first woman to succeed another as president. She was re-elected unopposed for a second term in...
revealed the news at an event held at the Irish Arts Council in Dublin. Parkinson received the silver Laureate na nÓg medal from the President.
She announced one of her her main aims was that "every child in the country has access to a nice, bright, warm, cheerful, comfortable library, where they can go and find the books that will open their minds and bring them into wonderful imaginary places. That sense of excitement and joy about books I want every child to have, and not all children do get that". She is in favour of modern media techniques, commenting: "Texting is a form of writing as well. If we get too uptight in pushing books at children it will have a negative effect. We have to make them interested in books and to realise they can get enjoyment, fun and pleasure from reading". One of her first requests was an appeal to the Government of Ireland for the restoration of school library system funding which it had removed due to cuts.
Parkinson is scheduled to remain as Laureate na nÓg for a period of two years.
List of Laureates na nÓg
| Years | Author |
|---|---|
| 2010–2012 | Siobhán Parkinson Siobhán Parkinson Siobhán Parkinson is an Irish writer. She writes for both children and adults and is the current Laureate na nÓg.-Early life:Parkinson grew up in Galway and Donegal, studied English Literature and German at Trinity College Dublin, and later completed her PhD on the poetry of Dylan... |