Children's Book Festival 2024 at Inchicore Library

October is an exciting month for children's books! The Children's Book Festival (CBF) is happening all over Ireland, and there's plenty to look forward to. Organized by Libraries Ireland, the CBF brings together authors, illustrators, and storytellers throughout the month to host engaging events and workshops for children all over the country. It's a wonderful opportunity for young readers to immerse themselves in the world of literature, creativity, and, of course, the love of reading.

Image from Richmond Barracks

I recently had the amazing opportunity to lead two Halloween-themed workshops at Inchicore Library as part of the festival. The space there is fantastic, with dedicated areas for workshops. I have to give a shoutout to the librarians, Clodagh and Michael, who were incredibly welcoming and helpful. They went above and beyond to assist in getting two local schools involved and ensured everything was set up for the day. Michael even made sketchbooks for the children who attended – talk about dedication!

The two classes I worked with were quite different – one was a small special needs school, and the other was a mainstream 3rd class. Both groups were enthusiastic and brought so much fun and creativity during our time together. It was truly heartwarming to see the children immerse themselves and share their Halloween-themed creativity.

“The best part of the workshop was that Tarsila let the children choose what they wanted to draw and the presentation had  a variety of drawings. It was a short and concrete workshop that we can recommend to special needs and mainstream schools” Iris - St John of God School

The Children's Book Festival is a wonderful opportunity for young readers to explore the magic of books, and I can't wait to see all the amazing events and workshops that will take place throughout the month. If you have or work with children in Ireland, be sure to contact your local library, check out the festival, and join in on the fun!

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Ceol Na Mara

By Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin
Composed by John Rya
Illustrated by Tarsila Krüse and Úna Woods

I'm very excited to share that Ceol Na Mara, a captivating collection of illustrated songs by Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, is set to hit the shelves in September 2024! This beautiful book celebrates the Irish language and culture, weaving together the magic of music and art for children. With its enchanting sea-inspired journey, captivating songs, and stunning artwork (I am very biased) by Úna Woods and myself, it's all set to offer a delightful and immersive experience to all who delve into its pages.

Originating as a CD composed by Tadhg, Ceol na Mara is deeply connected to the acclaimed Futa Fata book, Bliain na nAmhrán (Year of Songs), to which I had the pleasure of contributing back in 2017. Bliain na nAmhrán, which began as a CD and blossomed into a captivating book featuring artwork from various talented artists, including Brian Fitgerald, Jennifer Farley, Christina Donovan and myself, achieved recognition and was even selected for the White Raven Catalogue of Exceptional Children's Books in the Children's Library in Munich, Germany.

Similarly, Ceol na Mara is a result of an incredible collaboration involving Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin, composer John Ryan, singer Caitlín Ní Chualáin, local school children from the Galway Gaeltacht area of Cois Fharraige, Úna Woods, and myself. Working on this project has truly been a joyous experience!

WHY CEOL NA MARA? CÉN FÁTH CEOL NA MARA?

You might be wondering, why Ceol na Mara? Here, Tadhg shares the inspiration behind the title, and his heartfelt response beautifully captures his deep connection with the sea and nature. (In Irish, followed by a translation in English):

"Tá grá agam don fharraige ó bhí mé an-óg. Ach níor tógadh cois na farraige mé. Tá cuimhne ghlé agam ar an gcéad uair riamh ar leag mé súil ar an bhfarraige - bhí mé thart ar thrí bliana d'aois agus thug mo thuismitheoirí muid chuig trá i gContae Shligigh, áit darb ainm Inis Crabhann. An trá, boladh na farraige, na tonnta, cúpla ciliméadar de ghaineamh mín faoi mo chosa nochta, na faoileáin os ár gcionn, bhí mé faoi dhraíocht ag an timpeallacht aisteach, álainn seo.

Nuair a bhí mé i mo chónaí i mBaile Átha Cliath blianta ina dhiaidh sin, bhí árasán agam i nDumhach Trá ag breathnú amach ar chuan Bhaile Átha Cliath. Tá mé i mo chónaí i gceantar Chois Fharraige i gConamara le beagnach cúig bliana fichead. Siúlaim cois farraige beagnach gach lá. Is cuid de mo shaol an fharraige agus theastaigh uaim í a cheiliúradh. Chomh maith leis sin, tá an-suim agam sa nádúr, in ainmhithe agus éin, i ngach neach beo. Bhí mé ag iarraidh an grá sin don nádúr agus i gcás Ceol na Mara, an grá don fharraige a roinnt le páistí i bhfoirm ceolmhar.

Agus an teideal? San oíche, nuair nach mbíonn mórán tráchta ar an mbóthar a shíneann idir mo theach agus an fharraige, is féidir na tonnta a chloisteáil. Ar oíche chiúin, bíonn fuaim an-suaimhneach ag na tonnta. Ar oíche stoirmiúil, fuaim an-bhríómhar a bhíonn ann. Tá an ceol mar sin chomh maith, is iomaí mothúchán is féidir leis a chur in iúl, díreach cosúil le ceol na mara."

Translation:

"I have loved the sea since I was very young. But I wasn't raised by the sea. I have a vivid memory of the first time I ever laid eyes on the sea - I was about three years old, and my parents took us to a beach in County Sligo, a place called Enniscrone. The beach, the smell of the sea, the waves, a few kilometres of fine sand under my bare feet, and the seagulls above us, I was enchanted by this strange and beautiful environment.

When I lived in Dublin years later, I had a flat in Sandymount overlooking Dublin harbour. I have lived in the Seaside area of ​​Connemara for almost twenty-five years. I walk by the sea almost every day. The sea is part of my life, and I wanted to celebrate it. Also, I am very interested in nature, animals and birds, and all living things. I wanted to share that love for nature and, in the case of Ceol na Mara, the love for the sea with children in musical form.

And the title? At night, when there is not much traffic on the road that runs between my house and the sea, you can hear the waves. On a still night, the sound of the waves is very soothing. On a stormy night, it's a very lively sound. The music is so good, it can express many emotions, just like the music of the sea."

THE VISUALS OF CEOL NA MARA

As Úna and I delved into creating the visuals for "Ceol na Mara," we immersed ourselves in the original songs on the CD to craft illustrations that harmonized with the diverse rhythms and moods reminiscent of the sea. Inspired by the ever-changing hues of the sea, we carefully curated a colour palette that reflected its transformations and established consistent visual elements to weave together the essence of the book. Keep an eye out for a charming little boat with a red flag accompanying you through tumultuous storms and serene shores, adding an enchanting touch to the visuals.

Whether you're a music or Irish language enthusiast, a picturebook aficionado, or simply have a passion for Irish culture, Ceol Na Mara is guaranteed to be a treasure worth exploring. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in this captivating journey when it releases this September!

Unleashing Creativity: Exploring Summer Through My Little Album Workshop with author & illustrator Tarsila Krüse

This summer, I am hosting a workshop called "My Little Album of Summer" in partnership with Fingal Libraries at Baldoyle, Donabate and Swords Libraries. This workshop is designed to encourage exploration, discovery, and creativity inspired by my books "My Little Album of Dublin" and "My Little Album of Ireland" in collaboration with author Juliette Saumande, published by The O'Brien Press.

This workshop offers children a unique platform to express their creativity and self-expression by crafting their own little albums (folded zines). Through a blend of drawing and writing, the children can encapsulate their treasured summer moments and experiences in a medium that is uniquely their own. This not only fosters artistic expression but also provides a safe space for them to reflect on and appreciate the beauty of their summer adventures.

The 'My Little Album of Summer' workshop is a celebration of personal experiences, imagination, and storytelling. It guides children to cherish and remember the fleeting moments of summer while also providing a platform for them to share their unique perspectives with others.

While celebrating the participants' ingenuity, this workshop demonstrates the importance of imagination and individuality. It also highlights the significance of providing spaces where children can express themselves freely and confidently. It allows children to build self-esteem, develop their storytelling skills, and learn the value of creativity and self-expression.

So, as we embrace the vibrancy of the season, let's also embrace the creativity and storytelling skills of our young ones! Through the "My Little Album of Summer" workshop, children can record their favourite things, preserving their cherished memories and celebrating the unique experiences that make summer so special.

When facilitating workshops, I aim to foster children's creativity, providing a safe and encouraging space to unleash imagination through art, writing, and storytelling. It is a chance for children to build self-esteem and skills to express themselves creatively while having a blast. If you are a teacher, librarian or event organiser, check out my workshop services here.

Small Glimpses of Hope & Little Love Lessons

In my most recent article published in The Belfast Telegraph, I shared my personal journey of overcoming Post Natal Depression (PND) and the difficulties that came along with it. I delved into my struggles with PND, the impact it had on my life, and how I was able to work through it. I also shared how this challenging experience led me to create one of my most meaningful books: Little Love Lessons.

The path through depression alongside motherhood is a difficult one, and I encourage anyone facing it to seek help, professionally and personally, too. The burden it created in my life was immeasurably heavy, and the way I found to support others was to create a book that could be light yet powerful and, above all, that created opportunities for transformation and connection.

Little Love Lessons is a heartfelt book crafted to offer little supportive reflections to anyone with children in their lives. This book is written to provide a warm and comforting embrace to anyone - parent, grandparent, other relative, teacher, coach, carer, or friend - looking for insights into how they can build meaningful relationships with their children.

The 12 Little Lessons in this book will help you communicate with children, understand their needs, and encourage them to grow and thrive. Whether you are a seasoned parent or a new caregiver, this book will inspire you to connect with children in the most meaningful ways.

Read the full article in The Belfast Telegraph here or in the link below.

https://m.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/life/books/i-wanted-to-enjoy-motherhood-and-love-it-so-badly-but-i-just-couldnt-do-it/a1379110762.html

Pet Portrait - Pico

There's nothing quite like the joy of bringing home a new furry friend! That's exactly what my friend recently did when she adopted a beautiful little black kitty named Pico. To celebrate Pico's arrival, I made an illustrated portrait of her.

Pico is an adorable little cat with bright eyes and a beautiful black coat. She's playful, curious, and loves to cuddle. When her owners brought her home, Pico quickly became the centre of attention. She's always up for a good play session and loves exploring her new surroundings (being under the Christmas tree was quite the treat for her!)

Creating an illustrated portrait of Pico was a fun and lovely challenge. I wanted to capture her unique personality while also reflecting the love that surrounds her. I started by sketching out her basic shape, considering her playful nature and trying to find a pose that communicated those ideas, too. The choice of colour for the embellishing flowers came from the owner's favourite colour combo. In the end, I was thrilled with the result.

The portrait is lovely, but what I love most about Pico is how much joy she brings to her new family. She's a constant source of entertainment and love, and it's clear that she's already made herself right at home.

If you're considering adopting a cat or any other pet, I highly recommend it. Not only will you give a loving animal a new home, but you'll also be gaining a new companion who will bring endless happiness and love into your life.

As an artist, I strive to capture the essence of your pet's personality and create a beautiful piece of art that you'll cherish forever. Whether it's a gift for yourself or a loved one, an illustrated pet portrait is a meaningful way to celebrate the love and joy that your pet brings to your life. And who knows, getting an illustrated portrait of your furry friend will be precisely what you want to celebrate: their presence in your life.

For pet portrait queries, send an email to hello@tarsilakruse.com

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