Linda Hanlon part of a celebration of literature

A conference aimed at celebrating children’s literature and organised by local woman Linda Hanlon will take place in Dublin this June.

‘Children’s Literature: Building Resilience’ will take place on Saturday, June 17th in the historic surrounds of the National Library of Ireland on Kildare Street.

The one day conference is presented by Parental Pathways, the parenting education and training centre and Children’s Books Ireland.

The conference is a first for Ireland and will promote childhood mental health in a coming together of two worlds and two different disciplines – the literary and the therapeutic.

Louth woman Linda Hanlon, who co-founded Parental Pathways alongside Maria McGrane, is one of the innovators behind this new event.

Roddy Doyle, Siobhan Parkinson, Kevin Stevens, Hillary Fannin and Patricia Forde are just some of the names making up a diverse line-up of Irish and international authors, writers, illustrators and artists as well as psychotherapy professionals in conversation throughout the day.

Other speakers include Damien O’Connor (Brown Bag Films), Professor Amanda Piesse and Mary Pyle of Trinity College Dublin, senator Marie-Louise O’Donnell and Fergus Finlay, CEO of Barnardos Ireland.

Delving into the world of children’s literature, the conference will celebrate the transformative power which child and young adult-focused writing has on little minds with big imaginations and how that inspires resilience in children. The one-day conference is designed for adults who are interested in the rich diversity and power of children’s literature as well as those in both the literary and the psychotherapy fields.

‘ This debut conference from Parental Pathways in association with Children’s Books Ireland is an opportunity for parents to better understand how literature helps child development,’ Said Linda and Maria.

Running from 9:30am - 4:45pm on Saturday 17th June, tickets are available at a cost of €65 per person via Eventbrite, bookable at this link: http://bit. ly/PPconF