Children's Book Festival

The annual Children’s Book Festival helps spread the enjoyment of books and reading among children and families, authors and illustrators, teachers and librarians all over Ireland. 

This festival is part of the national Right to Read initiative.

Aims of the National Children’s Book Festival:

  • to encourage children to enjoy the experience of reading and support their reading development
  • to provide activities and events in collaboration with writers/illustrators/storytellers
  • to promote children’s books and stories
  • to increase engagement with families and schools and to attract new audiences

CBF in Meath

This year’s festival runs from Wednesday 1st to Friday 24th October and contains a multitude of events, classes and workshops with a wonderful selection of authors and facilitators that aim to delight and inspire in equal measure. 

Every school in the county will get a chance to join in the fun as we have some pre-recorded and online events available too. 

And the ever-popular Big Book Quiz will make a welcome return to each library in Meath, with fun spot prizes on the day. 

This year we have 2 competitions for schools, where your class/school could win a great collection of books. See details on this page.

Teachers can view all the event details in this year's brochure:

A Right Royal Read 2025! Meath County Council Library Service Children's Book Festival Brochure.

Children's Book Festival 2025 A Right Royal Read Meath Library Service

Booking

Bookings for each school should be co-ordinated and submitted by 1 teacher per school.

Bookings for this year's festival will be via this online form only from Monday 1st September to Friday 12th September. 

Each school can choose up to five events, however, due to increasing demand we may only be able to allocate one event per school.
Please ensure that your class age matches the age range listed in the event details.

Booking is required for all events including the pre-recorded events.

Booking confirmations will be sent out from Monday 22nd September.
For any other queries please contact us.
childrensbookfestival@meathcoco.ie 

Competition for Schools

Competition 1: Design Your Own Superhero!

We want you to create and draw a brand new comic book character for this year’s festival!

Make sure you include their name and some details on any special skills or powers that they have!

Watch the Alan Nolan video below for some great tips.

The winner will receive a €50 book token and their class will receive a book hamper to the value of €250.

Competition 2: Design the cover for next year’s CBF brochure!

We have so much fun working with schools during Children’s Book Festival (CBF), that we have decided to get everyone involved even earlier for next year!

Use your artistic skills to create an eye-catching cover for next year’s Children’s Book Festival brochure. 

The winning design will be front and centre for the 2026 festivities and the talented Artist will receive an art set to the value of €30.

 

How to Enter the Competitions

Step 1: Teachers please pick a winner from your class.

Step 2: Email the winning entry from your class to childrensbookfestival@meathcoco.ie by 24th October with details of your class name and school and the name of the pupil.

Winners will be announced mid-November.

A Right Royal Read! Meath County Council Library Service Children's Book Festival Brochure 2025