Children's Books Ireland - every child a reader
Culleens NS has been announced as one of the recipients of a book-gifting programme 2025, which will bring hundreds of new books and resources to its students in 2025. Designed by national charity and arts organisation Children’s Books Ireland, the ‘Every Child A Reader’ programme is a year-long support provided to select schools which helps to foster a love of reading in their students and wider school community.
As part of this project, each school will have their own dedicated Champion of Reading, an author or illustrator assigned to the school who will host a series of live workshops throughout the year with students. These creative and engaging sessions will help promote a love of reading, writing and illustrating amongst class groups. Our 3rd and 4th Classes have commenced their workshops with our Champion of Reading "Serena Molloy".
In 2024, Children’s Books Ireland received 757 applications from primary and secondary schools for the limited amount of spaces for the book-gifting programmes commencing in 2025. Of 657 applications received from primary schools only nine of these could be selected to receive the support provided through the ‘Every Child A Reader’ programme. According to Education Outreach Manager, Dr. Becky Long, the volume of submissions was, “evidence of the tremendous level of need, both in relation to a lack of physical books in schools, and a lack of new, contemporary and inclusive books.”
We are one of four lucky schools to have been gifted the Robert Dunbar Memorial Library based on our application in 2024.
Through this initiative, Children’s Books Ireland provides schools with a library of 250 books covering all ages, interests, genres and issues which represent the richness and diversity of Irish society. As well as hundreds of brilliant new books, we will receive supports and resource packs as well as display posters, bunting and stickers to celebrate our new library books. Other materials such as curated reading guides, lists and further guidance will also be given to our school and families to encourage a love of reading that endures beyond the school gates.
Children’s Books Ireland believes that every student on the island of Ireland deserves access to books and a chance to fall in love with reading.
This Spring, Children’s Books Ireland’s various book-gifting programmes will commence in 19 different schools, bringing the power of stories to primary and secondary schools across the island of Ireland. A full list of participating schools in the 2025 book-gifting programmes is available here and here
We are beyond excited to begin this journey with our new collection of books. Thank you Children's Books Ireland!
