Latest news with #RuthConcannon
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Book are my business: Children's Books Ireland publications officer Ruth Concannon
Ruth Concannon is publications officer with Children's Books Ireland (CBI), which aims to help children and young people become readers for life. How did you get into your role? I did a masters in University College Dublin, and my thesis was on children's literature. I knew it was an area I wanted to explore, so I did an internship with Children's Books Ireland. When I finished that, I worked in Charlie Byrne's bookshop in Galway for a few years, and also with Dublin City University (DCU), Dublin City Council Culture Company, and the National Library of Ireland. I always kept books at the heart of it. I returned and did a masters in children's and young adult literature at DCU, then I saw this job come up, and I jumped at the chance. I am in the role just over two years now and it was a real full circle moment, because it was almost 10 years after my internship that I became a full-time staff member. What does your role involve? It's a really varied role. I lead on selecting books for review on our website and across our publications. I edit our magazine, which is our flagship publication, and our other reading guides. I help Elaina, our CEO, to select books that are highlighted on TV, radio, and in the media. I also write round-ups for various media outlets. I represent CBI when we go to the Bologna Book Fair and to YALC, the young adult literature convention, which is in London every November. I work across the team, with our comms team, book gifting and for awards submission. I track Irish-published books, to see what are the best opportunities for them to shine. What do you like most about what you do? There is something really special about finding a book and passing it on to the right reader. I get a real buzz off that, whether it is matching one of our reviewers with the right book, or showing parents, caregivers and teachers a list of books on a topic that can help them through a difficult time. It's also really great to be able to help authors get their books out there. I still work as a book doctor, so seeing the look on a child's face when they get a book, that really means a lot to me. I believe that a book can really spark something that can change the course of your life. The book clinics are great because I get to see what the children themselves are enjoying — they are incredibly honest, which I always appreciate. What do you like least about it? I'm really fortunate in that I read widely because I have to read across age groups and genres. Sometimes it would be nice to have more time to savour the books, like when you finish a book and it's so good and profound that you would like to sit with it for a while before you move on to the next. Three desert island books If I was on a desert island, a comfort read would be key, so I would bring Light a Penny Candle by Maeve Binchy. I love the way she tells stories and knits everything together, and the sense of community that you get from her books. I love listening to her audiobooks as well, because her cousin Kate Binchy reads them and she is spectacular. The next book would be The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson, who was a very influential author on me growing up. I absolutely adored her books, and it's a treat now to revisit them, because she has started to write adult sequels, which is such a gift. The last one is likely the most important one, The Secret of the Ruby Ring by Yvonne McGrory, an author from Donegal, which came out in the early '90s. When I was about nine, my aunt got me a box of books from a charity shop for Christmas, and this was in it. It was the book that started my journey to becoming a reader; if I hadn't read it, I probably wouldn't be where I am today.
RTÉ News
05-06-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
RTÉjr Book Club: Read with Pride this month
Ruth Concannon, Publications Officer for Children's Books Ireland, is here with more great reading recommendations for all you RTÉjr Book Clubbers. And she tells us about a brand new reading guide too! June is an exciting month for members of the LGBTQ+ community; you might spot some rainbow flags and bunting lining the streets, perhaps you are planning to take part in your local Pride march or simply spend time with loved ones. Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, or know someone who is, June is a great month to celebrate and support the rights of this resilient community. At Children's Books Ireland, we believe that it is essential that children and young people have access to inclusive books so that we can build a better, more compassionate world. This month, we have launched our annual Read with Pride recommended reading guide. This guide is suitable for readers aged 0–18 years and is filled with stories that reflect the lives and experiences of LGBTQ+ people. We hope that all readers can find a book within the pages of this guide to inspire, empathise and bring a sprinkling of joy to everyday life. For this month's book club, we are highlighting six stories from our Read with Pride guide that feature families, friendship, joyful celebrations and supporting those we love. You can find physical copies of the guide at participating libraries and bookstores, or for more recommendations download the Read with Pride guide for free via Croí an Teaghlaigh an Grá by Sophie Beer, translated by Shanna Ní Rabhartaigh and Gillian Nic Ionmhain, An Gúm, 24PP, ISBN 9781857919899 Leabhar beag ildaite nua-aimseartha a léiríonn cineálacha éagsúla teaghlach, bíodh sin beirt mhamaithe nó aithreacha, tuismitheoirí aonair, seantuismitheoirí, nó tuismitheoirí ar daoine de dhath iad. Léirítear seo sna pictiúir, a théann in éindí le téacs nach ndéanann tagairt don eagsúlacht seo. Tá abairt amháin ar gach dhá leathanach a deir cad is grá ann. Tá codarsnacht mhór sna dathanna. Oiriúnach mar leabhairín suaimhneach am codlata do theaghlach ar bith le leanbh óg – críochnaíonn sé ar 'Oíche mhaith' ach d'fhéadfaí é a léamh am ar bith. A super boardbook for our youngest readers that celebrates the love that makes a family. (Age 0–2) Everything Possible by Fred Small, illustrated by Alison Brown, Nosy Crow, 32PP, ISBN 9781839948916 Beautifully lyrical this is a book that is a delight to read aloud and is based on the author's classic folk song. Strong and bold, or quiet and kind, this book celebrates all types of children with diverse messages about what boys and girls can be that will inspire and engage readers. With vivid, bright and gentle illustrations the message of the story centres around the idea that children can create their own dreams and make them as big as they want. (Age 2–4) Our Big Day by Bob Johnston, illustrated by Michael Emberley, The O'Brien Press, 32PP, ISBN 9781788493147 Uncle David and his partner Simon have lived together with their fluffy dog, Bear, for a long time. They are due to get married. The narrator, David's young niece, explains that, in Ireland, everyone is now allowed to marry the person they love the most; this is since the Irish public voted for marriage equality. There is lots to do, to help Uncle David and Simon prepare for their wedding. This story is a celebration of love, of family and of a commitment to marriage equality. (Age 5–8) So Devin Wore a Skirt by Shireen Lalji, illustrated by Lucy Fleming, Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 32PP, ISBN 9780711298521 Nanabapa's birthday party is imminent, and Devin still hasn't decided on an outfit! But stepping onto the dance floor in front of the whole family in a twirly skirt is a step too far for Devin, who decides to hide the skirt under a ninja costume. But it's getting pretty hot under tension between Devin's delight at finding a way to be himself and his worry that it might upset his relatives is resolved through a well-balanced dynamic of agency and understanding. (Age 5–8) A Year of Pride and Joy: 52 LGBTQ+ Voices Share Their Life Passions edited by Simon James Green, illustrated by Ruth Burrows, Magic Cat Publishing, 112PP, ISBN 9781915569394 This unique collection is a perfect resource for exploring new hobbies or seeking inspiration to find your passion. With fifty-two diverse, well-known people detailing what brings them joy in life, there's a 'joy' for each week of the year. It's fantastic to have a resource aimed at LGBTQ+ young people that introduces them to a variety of interests from people they can identify with and shows them that they belong anywhere their passion takes them. (Non-fiction, Age 8–10, 10–12) The Secret Sunshine Project by Benjamin Dean, illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat, Simon & Schuster, 336PP, ISBN 9781471199752 When Bea's sister Riley reveals she is attracted to girls, her family attend London Pride together, showing their support. But the family is left struggling as Bea's father passes away shortly after, leading to a move from London to the sleepy village of St Regent's Vale. Spirits are low, but they soon discover that happiness and Pride do not exist in London alone. The representation of LGBTQ+ culture throughout the novel is excellent and offers young readers a beautiful message of acceptance, tolerance and love. (Age 10–12) Ruth Concannon is the Publications Officer for Children's Books Ireland, the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child's right to develop a love of reading. Their mission is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people in Ireland, to share their expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, to champion every child's right to excellent books and live literature events and support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland.
