Champion of Reading Call Out for Children’s Books Ireland

Children’s Books Ireland is pleased to announce an opportunity for artists to apply to become a Champion of Reading for our school programmes for the next 3 years (2025 to 2027)

Our Champions of Reading are in a unique position to encourage and inspire children and young people to read for joy, and will work alongside Children’s Books Ireland to develop a culture of reading in their school, bringing us closer to our vision: every child a reader.

We are specifically looking for children’s and young people’s book authors or illustrators, resident on the island of Ireland. Applicants must have at least two books for children published by a recognised publisher.



Applications will close on Monday 15th of September at 5pm.



We want to encourage a literature sector in Ireland that is truly inclusive, fair, vibrant and progressive. As such, we welcome applications from all.



As set out in Article 15 of the UN Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and as stated in the Arts Council’s Paying the Artist policy, we recognise the right of everyone to participate in the cultural life of their community, the right of artists to freedom of expression and to be adequately remunerated for their work.


We hold ourselves accountable to ensuring through our individual and collective actions that no one is denied their right to participate in literary culture on the basis of their gender identity, sexual orientation, civil or family status, religion, age, disability, race, nationality, membership of the Travelling Community or socio-economic status.


If you have any queries please contact Aoife McDonnell, Book-gifting Manager on aoife.mcdonnell@childrensbooksireland.ie
1.Name(Required.)
2.Email address(Required.)
3.Phone number(Required.)
4.What county are you based in?(Required.)
5.What counties are you willing to travel to?(Required.)
6.Please give us a brief biography, including books published (up to 5 books).(Required.)
7.Have you taken on a similar role in a school setting before? If so, please summarise briefly below. (Max. 250 words)(Required.)
8.What is your preferred age range to work with? Please select all that apply(Required.)
9.Please outline the workshops you deliver to each of the age groups you work with. (Max. 500 words)(Required.)
10.Can you outline how you would tailor artist visits to different age groups? (Max. 250 words)(Required.)
11.Would you be comfortable working with groups of children in special educational classes within schools? (You can give details of any requirements you might need).(Required.)
12.Would you be comfortable working with children and young people in a hospital setting?(Required.)
13.Which of the below roles would you like to be kept in consideration for? Please tick all that apply(Required.)
14.The Champion of Reading role will require you to be Garda Vetted by Children’s Books Ireland.(Required.)
15.As part of the documentation of these projects, we may wish to bring a photographer and/or videographer to record the launch of a project or other project related event. Are you comfortable with this?(Required.)
16.Are you happy to be added to our artists newsletter?(Required.)
17.Do you wish your submission to be added to an artist’s database, which
will be retained until 2027. Artists that are stored in this database will
not need to apply again in the September 2026, and September 2027 call
outs.(Required.)