DOORA National School is one of just 18 in the country to be provided with free library resources by Children’s Books Ireland.
There will be a number of other benefits, accruing to the school under the Every Child’s A Reader project.
Teacher Geraldine Greene co-ordinated the Doora entry and was told in February that it had been successful, winning the school hundreds of free books in various genres, free art workshops, art materials and online interactive storytelling sessions with Pat Ryan, the school’s champion of Reading.
In late April a launch was held and this was followed with events such as art and storytelling workshops. Sadly, parents or visitors couldn’t come to see the school’s new book case or displays, but it is hoped they will be able to come when school resumes in the autumn.
Further storytelling events and art workshops continued during May and June, while each pupil received bookmarks, stickers and their personal challenge record pages.
When classes complete all 10 challenges, the school will be rewarded with a further 100 wonderful books in September.
Classes can have a selection of the new books in their classrooms and/or may take some home. All the books will be stamped and catalogued.
Children were also given the chance to take part in the Junior Juries project, with pupils from second to sixth classes reading books, rating them and having their votes counted towards deciding an overall winner of the Book of the Year award.
Local historian Joe Queally helped storyteller Pat Ryan with his work, while Joe also offered his vast knowledge to guide first to fourth classes on a local trip to nearby sites of interest that were mentioned in the storytelling sessions.
A powerpoint of the school’s participation project is being compiled and will be submitted to Children’s Books Ireland at the end of the month.

by Conor Clohessy