‘A book is a dream you hold in your hand’

THERE was a lot of disappointment in schools all over Ireland when World Book day was cancelled due to Storm Emma’s untimely arrival. However, some schools rescheduled the event for last week and locally children at Cloghoula National School in Millstreet and St. Brendan’s, Rathcoole, got the opportunity to come into school dressed as their favourite book characters.

Colourful and innovative costumes portraying Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Willie Wonka, Artemis Fowl and many others turned the classrooms of both schools into a living library. Some of the pupils at St. Brendan’s shared their thoughts about World Book Day with the Corkman.

Evelyn Lehahan, 1st Class - “I love World Book Day because I love books and reading and you can find out lots of nice things in books. I was an Ice Fairy from Rainbow Magic”.

Trevor Kealy, 2nd Class - “I had a great time on World Book Day because I like reading books, usually different series, you want to know what’s going to happen next. I came as Tom from Beast Quest which has lots of great adventures”.

Robyn O’Connor, 3rd Class - “I enjoyed World Book Day because I love seeing everyone dressed up as their favourite book character and sharing and swapping books with other people. I was Janet from The Secret Seven”.

Emer Finn, 4th Class - “World Book Day was great because it’s nice to see people dressed in different costumes and to experience different books. I was dressed as Valerie Lewis from Best Mate Chasing Gold”.

Olivia Lehane, 5th Class - “I love World Book Day because I get to see what other people’s favourite books are”.

Luke Kelleher, 5th Class - “World Book Day was brilliant, I love to read and I was dressed as Artemis Fowl - a criminal mastermind”.

Over the last 22 years, World Book Day has become firmly established as one of Ireland’s most popular annual events promoting the enjoyment of books and reading. The main aim is to encourage children to explore the pleasure of books and reading by providing them with an opportunity to have a book of their own.

Grace Singleton, Mary Kate Drake, Grace Finn, Carolyn Buckley, Olivia Carter and Rachel Dineen enjoyed dressing as their favourite characters at St. Brendan’s, Rathcoole.

Photos: Sheila Fitzgerald Ellen Murphy was Little Red Riding Hood for World Book Day at Cloghoula National School.

Third and fourth Classes pictured during World Book Day at St. Brendan’s National School, Rathcoole.

Fifth and Sixth Classes pictured during World Book Day at St. Brendan’s National School, Rathcoole.

Ciara Healy as Cinderella during World Book Day at St. Brendan’s National School, Rathcoole.

Anna Keane dressed like her favourite character ‘The Little Princess’ at St Brendan’s.

Fionn O’Mahony (Willie Wonka), Caroline Buckley (Goldilocks) and Eamon McGroary (Harry Potter), looking the part during World Book Day at St. Brendan’s, Rathcoole.