Niamh Sharkey is Ireland’s new Children’s Laureate!

08/05/12 by Jennie Stacey

Posted in News

Today President Michael D. Higgins announced Niamh Sharkey as the new Laureate na NÓg; Ireland's Laureate for children's literature! At a gathering at the Arts Council this morning, President Higgins presented Niamh with the Laureate na NÓg medal and announced that she will hold the prestigious position until May 2014.

The honour of Laureate na NÓg has been established to highlight the importance of children's literature in Ireland's cultural life and to engage young people with chldren's literature.

Speaking about her appointment Niamh Sharkey said:

‘It is a great honor to be chosen as the next Laureate na nÓg. I am a picture book maker so my focus as Laureate will certainly be visual as well as literary. I am going to get to do even more of what I love most – promoting quality children’s literature and encouraging children to read, write and draw. I have lots of ideas that I hope will inspire creativity in children of all ages. I’m very excited and can’t wait to get started’

President Michael D. Higgins with Niamh and some young readers (photo by David Maybury)

Niamh's picture books include The Ravenous Beast, On The Road With Mavis & Marge, and I'm A Happy Hugglewug, upon which our animated series for Disney Junior, 'The Happy Hugglemonsters', is based. Her books have won many awards and have been translated into 20 languages. We couldn't be more happy for Niamh and know she will be a wonderful Laureate for children's literature in Ireland.

For more information on the Laureate naNÓg project please visit the website here.