Reading to my children has always been one of my favourite things to do as a parent. Sitting with them cuddled up on my knee as tiny babies looking through ‘touch and feel’ books and marvelling at the pictures in the amazing picture books available for young children brings back very fond memories for me. 

In more recent years, we’ve progressed to reading children’s classics such as Winnie The Pooh, The Cat in the Hat, The Magic Faraway Tree and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I remember reading these as a child myself and it is wonderful to be able to share these fantastic characters and adventures again, with my children.

Irish children’s authors are among some of the best in the world with writers such as Derek Landy, Oisin McGann, Oliver Jeffers and Niamh Sharkey now internationally recognised names in children’s literature.

Thursday 3rd March is World Book Day in Ireland . Many schools will be participating in related events; holding book fairs, inviting authors in to schools to read from their books and even inviting parents in to read to the children. I have volunteered to read to the Junior Infants class at my son’s school – and am now terrified (I’ll let you know how I get on ‘back in the classroom’ at a later date!)

If you’re looking for reading inspiration, or want to discover some new books to share with your children, there is a fantastic list available on the World Book Day website; 70 great books to read aloud .

Full details of World Book Day in Ireland are available on the website . Why not check it out and find out what your child’s school is doing to celebrate this event. You could even get involved yourself – if you dare!

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