Six spooky books with a sense of humour are to be the focus of the second Dublin UNESCO City of Literature Citywide Reading initiative.
The Nightmare Club is written by twelve year old ‘Annie Graves’, an orphan from the Glasnevin area (the pseudonym and pseudo-identity of five Irish authors: Oisín McGann, David Maybury, Deirdre Sullivan, Katherine Farmar and Alice Stevens) and are brilliantly illustrated by Glenn
McElhinney. The series was chosen by City of Literature and is supported by the home-school liaison officers because the books are accessible and easy to read, and appeal to children themselves, rather than parents.
The sense of excitement and tension in the writing will carry through to the many events taking place from January to March 2013, featuring mad scientists, haunted guinea pigs, illustration workshops and readings, with the finale taking place on March 18th at the St Patrick’s Day Festival. Watch out for storytelling on the ghost bus, readings at local libraries and advertising on Dublin Bus and Irish Rail services.
See www.littleisland.ie for more information about the books.
A dedicated website, www.thenightmareclub.com will go live in January 2013 and will feature activities and fun extras for readers.
‘Four perfectly horrid tales, guaranteed to goosebump the 7–10-year-olds’ – Books Ireland
‘A colourful, attractive series which deserves that grossly over-used description, fun’ – Inis, the Children’s Books Ireland magazine
Elaina
