New Book to encourage Early Reading

A fantastic new Galway 2020 project will see a brand new book gifted to every child starting school this year, to encourage reading from a young age

When Galway 2020 thought about creating a book for young readers, set in the Capital of Culture, the obvious person to write it was Galway’s own Patricia Forde.
Patricia’s story is about a little girl who visits the strange and mythical island of Hy Brasil, off the west coast of Ireland, but then follows her heart home to Galway. Publisher, Little Island came on board with Galway 2020 and invited illustrator Nicola Bernardelli to bring a magic touch to the book.

To the Island, commissioned by Galway 2020, is an enchanting story that is beautifully illustrated to grab the attention of young readers and let their imagination run free. It looks set to be a book that families from Galway, Ireland and beyond will treasure for years to come. To the Island is now available, in both English and Irish, on the Little Island website HERE, and from all good bookstores. So pop in to Charlie Byrne's Bookshop with your little one, you never know what they will discover!

One group of school children who received a free copy of the book was at St Augustine's National School in Clontuskert. Kids and teachers are pictured here for the launch of children’s book 'To The Island' by Galway author Patrica Forde, commissioned by Galway 2020, published by Little Island in collaboration with Galway 2020 and Galway County Libraries. A copy of the book will be gifted to every junior infant starting school in Galway this month, in celebration of Galway as European Capital of Culture