‘There is power in a book’—Children’s Books Ireland launches Reading Matters
Children’s Books Ireland have announced the launch of Reading Matters, a campaign to drive home the importance of reading to create a welcoming, inclusive, and open society.
Recently libraries and bookshops across the country have been the target of protests—but today Children’s Books Ireland calls on the public to recall the positive impact that reading can have on children’s imagination, empathy and understanding of others.
The Reading Matters guide features 286 titles published in 2023, bringing together the best in children’s and YA publishing across a variety of formats, from fiction and non-fiction to poetry and graphic novels.
Highlighting the excellent books created by authors, illustrators and publishers on this island, Irish titles are marked with a shamrock symbol throughout. Reviews are in English and as Gaeilge, with cover artwork commissioned from the Irish illustrator, Róisín Hahessy.
“Reading matters because every single thing that children and young people will face in life can be found in a book and explored safely there. There is power in a book.”—Elaina Ryan, CEO Children’s Books Ireland.
Commenting on the launch of Reading Matters, Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, said that in a busy world, it might be easy to think that reading doesn’t matter as much as it used to for children and young people.
“And yet, we believe that reading matters. It really matters. Sometimes, it can be life-saving. Reading is freedom – in the sense that it opens the world up to be explored and introduces important ideas to young readers: equality, justice, kindness, empathy. Reading is also freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and it matters that everyone can tell their story and can read a version of their story in a book. Reading matters because every single thing that children and young people will face in life can be found in a book and explored safely there. There is power in a book.”
Reading Matters is now available for free in libraries nationwide, with a copy being sent to every primary and secondary school in Ireland. The guide is also free to download from the Children’s Books Ireland website.
