Forums for budding bookworms

PULLING TOGETHER FOR BOOKS Bríd Conroy (front, third from left) with other booksellers in Prague, during a recent conference.

Local book shop a talking shop too

Book Talk
Bríd Conroy

Bookshops all over the world are steadfast in their determination to promote the power of books. Recently I attended the first ever International Conference for Booksellers in Prague hosted by RISE Bookselling, an initiative supported by the EIBF (European and International Booksellers Federation), which represents over 25,000 members. Inspirational authors and speakers shared their stories with booksellers from 25 countries.
One speaker in particular wowed us all, Hannah Gold, a children’s author. With her debut book ‘The Last Bear’ (HarperCollins), she won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2022. She tours schools encouraging children to write themselves, to read, to express themselves through the written word, to take joy in stories and in their imaginations.
Many’s a grey day down at Westport’s Quay, business is slack and I’m questioning my sanity, when over the counter a little head might pop and a book is slid through the (Covid) porthole with a huge smile, excited at what lies beneath the cover. I too smile, a smile that goes straight to the soul. Books are magic for children, and bookshops all over the world, share a vision of keeping this magic alive in any way we can.
Tereza ParízkovΡ, whom I have had to joy to meet as part of the RISE Bookselling programme, is a children’s author as well as the owner of a children’s bookshop called ZlatΡ velryba, just outside Prague. At the conference, she was rushing back to hold her weekly evening writing class for children. Tereza is inspired to write children’s stories but wants to support children in finding their own inspiration. At Tertulia, we too aim to support and encourage children in literary endeavours.

Bookclubs for young readers
Last year, we started some children’s bookclubs for ages 8-12 years and ages 13-15. They have been so successful that this year we have had to host additional dates. We choose a book for discussion at each club, but we also create stories through fun games on the day and encourage discussion and sharing.
We are so lucky to have Róisín Kelliher, teacher and literary graduate, who plans and hosts our club. However, this month I had to step in at the last minute and take the reins. What a joy. With the 8-12 year olds, we read ‘Wolf Brother’, by Michelle Paver (Orion Children’s Group) and with the 13-15 year olds, we read ‘Hope Against Hope’, by Sheena Wilkinson (Little Island). A joy, yes, but no piece of cake. I was kept on my toes indeed.
‘Wolf Brother’ tells the story of an ancient fantastical time of nomadic clans. One man and his child are living outside of the clans and are attacked by a demon bear. A major adventure in pursuit of the bear ensues. There are highs and lows in the story, and some bits are a little scary. There are many interesting characters and many twists and turns to discuss. We talked about the plot. Did they like it? Was it believable, for example? What time was it set in? Could we live like that today?
‘Hope Against Hope’ is set in Northern Ireland in 1921, when the hard border has just split the island. The main character runs away to Belfast and ends up in a hostel for women called Helen’s Hope, which aims to give women a degree of independence but also to bring Protestants and Catholics together in a community that is being split down the middle.
Again, our group considered questions. Were the characters believable? Did it tell the story accurately of what was happening in Ireland at that time? Did we like the characters? Are some of the issues still relevant today? What more would you have liked in the story?
As in all bookclubs, some liked the books more than others, but most importantly, all had an opinion and an opportunity to think about what they liked and didn’t like.
Watch this space for other children’s events and competitions, sponsored by Tertulia, and please spread the word about our book clubs too.

Bríd Conroy and her husband Neil Paul run Tertulia  – A Bookshop Like No Other at The Quay, Westport.