Children’s Books Written by Kids Exhibited in Trinity College Dublin

An exhibition of books illustrated and written by children from three Dublin primary schools was opened in the Long Room of Trinity College’s old library by Trinity College librarian, Robin Adams, on March 23rd.
Children’s Books Written by Kids Exhibited in Trinity College Dublin
(Trinity College Dublin)
3/29/2011
Updated:
10/1/2015

<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/PS_TCD_Bookmarks_2.jpg" alt=" (Trinity College Dublin)" title=" (Trinity College Dublin)" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1806251"/></a>
 (Trinity College Dublin)
DUBLIN—An exhibition of books illustrated and written by children from three Dublin primary schools was opened in the Long Room of Trinity College’s old library by Trinity College librarian, Robin Adams, on March 23rd.


The books were written, illustrated and bound by 5th and 6th class students from primary schools in Dublin. Olivia Waters, Communications Officer for Trinity College Dublin, said, “The children were involved in a programme called the Bookmark Programme; it is a three month programme incorporated into school time, and the children do not miss out on their school curriculum.

“At the beginning of this programme they are first introduced to the Pollard collection (thousands of books dating from the 17th to the 20th century) by our English lecturer, Amanda Piesse. They are also taught how to illustrate by professional artists. Last year, the students were involved in creating pop-up books,” said Ms Waters.

The Bookmark Programme is a story-writing, illustration and bookbinding programme involving Trinity Access Programmes-linked schools. The programme features workshops with renowned authors, illustrators and publishers.

Over the course of the Bookmarks Programme, the children attended a series of workshops on story writing and illustration, delivered by local artist Hannah Maguire and author Emer Martin.

Author and TCD lecturer, Conor Kostick, visited each of the participating schools to speak about his books and life as an author of children’s literature.

Amanda Piesse, lecturer in the TCD School of English, delivered a workshop on 10,000 historic children’s books from the Pollard Collection, which is an imaginative resource for today’s children, helping them to develop their storylines whilst also learning about their own literary and cultural heritage.

The stories this year range from travelling to another world (where the sky is always purple and the sea is black in colour), to a giant robot rabbit which is armed with a gun.

On the day of the launch of the exhibition, Susan Iwanowicz (10) from St Brigids school said: “The project was great fun. We learned loads about books and art.”

The Bookmarks Programme is just one of a number of TCD outreach activities which aim to build a positive relationship between Trinity College Dublin and primary school students and their families in the hope of raising their aspirations regarding third level study.

This year, the programme involved seventy 5th and 6th class students from schools affiliated with the Trinity Access Programmes (TAP), which offer to support students who are under-represented to progress to higher education.

During the programme, the students were also given the opportunity to explore Trinity Campus, visit the old library, and view the Book of Kells exhibition.

Commenting on the success of the Bookmarks Programme, Kathleen O’Toole-Brennan of Trinity Access Programmes said: “TAP is very proud of the Bookmarks Programme and the unique opportunity it provides our children to acquire new skills and to be exposed to the world of children’s literature in a very hands-on manner.

“The quality of the children’s books are excellent and with continual involvement in TAP’s outreach programme, which attracts over 4,000 students annually, these same students and their peers will successfully make the transition to both second and third level education.”

The children from participating schools were each presented with a certificate of achievement by Conor Kostick at an awards ceremony at the launch of the exhibition.

Their books are being displayed in the Long Room in Trinity College in recognition of their achievement. The Bookmarks Exhibition will run until April 5th.