Mayo author to launch her second childrens book

Belmullet writer Nicola Lavelle has just published her second children’s book.

‘Is Mise Nóinín’ will be officially launched this Sunday, March 10 at 3pm in Turas Siar, Belmullet. 

The primary school teacher’s new book is aimed at 6-9 year olds.

The new book deals with themes such as friendship, protecting the environment, the animals, the bees, the wildflowers, the plants and the herbs and the cures associated with them. These themes are beautifully illustrated by Aidan Courtney.

Nóinín is a cat, who after getting a sting from a bumblebee, tells us of her adventures.

Like her first book ‘Glór ar Inis Gluaire’, all proceeds made from sales will be donated to Children’s Health Ireland (Crumlin).

From an early age, Ms Lavelle enjoyed reading and writing. Her mother, Breege, is a retired librarian who inspired a love of books and reading and her father, John, hails from the Gaeltacht’s Surgeview, Blacksod. 

Having used Irish from the cradle, her father, like many others, emigrated to London in the 1960s in search of work.

During summers away from university, Ms Lavelle held story-telling workshops in her local library, which developed her craft of keeping young audiences enthralled in every word.

"As a teacher, I engage in shared reading with the class and model writing with the children. Our favourites are Roald Dahl and, more recently, David Walliams; both of whom have a wonderful way of weaving a witty tale” explained Ms Lavelle.

Modelling writing exercises and stories, helps to ignite the children’s imagination, and motivates them to create their own stories” she added.

Experiences like these have provided Nicola with an insight into various genres of writing and what is popular in children’s storytelling.

Her first book ‘Glór ar Inis Gluaire’ was published in 2021 and the profits donated to the Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.

The book is available to buy online for €12.00 on Nicola Lavelle’s website, and is also available at Castle Books, Castlebar and Charlie Byrnes Bookshop, Galway.