Newbridge school to receive hundreds of new books to promote a love for reading
Scott Hayes, Head of Relationship Management at Ecclesiastical Insurance Office, Ireland with Áine O’Mahony, Development Manager, Childrens Book Ireland and children from St Patricks National School, Newbridge, Kildare.
A NEWBRIDGE primary school has been chosen to be the recipient of hundreds of new books and some wonderful resources from national charity and arts organisation, Children’s Books Ireland.
St Patrick’s NS in Newbridge, was announced as one of the lucky schools to benefit from the charity’s book-gifting programme which will bring hundreds of new books and resources to its students in 2026.
Designed by Children’s Books Ireland, the ‘Every Child A Reader’ programme is a year-long support provided to select schools which helps to foster a love of reading in their students and wider school community.
As part of this project, each school will have their own dedicated Champion of Reading, an author or illustrator assigned to the school who will host a series of live workshops throughout the year with students. These creative and engaging sessions will help promote a love of reading, writing and illustrating amongst class groups.
Delivered by the team at Children’s Books Ireland, the ‘Every Child a Reader’ programme will bring a diverse collection of excellent contemporary titles to students in 28 primary schools this year.
Through this initiative Children’s Books Ireland provides schools with a library of 250 books covering all ages, interests, genres and issues which represent the richness and diversity of Irish society. As well as hundreds of brilliant new books, chosen schools will receive supports and resource packs as well as bookmarks, bunting and stickers to celebrate their new library books.
Other materials such as curated reading guides, lists and further guidance will also be given to schools and families to encourage a love of reading that endures beyond the school gates.
Stephen Lynch, Home School Community Liason and Literacy Co-ordinator for St Patrick’s NS, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be chosen as one of the participating schools in the Every Child a Reader Programme this year. We have recently opened a new extension to our school, which has afforded us the opportunity to set up a dedicated library space. The brand new selection of books and support from Children’s Books Ireland has already generated a great buzz and enthusiasm for reading here in St Patrick’s.”
“It is so important to have a new selection of books that reflects the lives and experiences of our community. These books really are the best of the best.”
He continued: “Our Champion of Reading, Molly Harris, has also begun her workshops and class visits, sharing her experiences as a reader and author and instilling her love of literacy throughout our school community.”
In 2025, Children’s Books Ireland received over 1,000 applications from primary and secondary schools for the limited number of spaces for the book-gifting programmes commencing in 2026. Of 907 applications received from primary schools only 28 of these could be selected to receive the support provided through the ‘Every Child A Reader’ programme.
Learn more about the work of Children’s Books Ireland on www.childrensbooksireland.ie For more information, please contact Book-gifting Manager Aoife McDonnell on aoife.mcdonnell@childrensbooksireland.ie
