You probably have never
heard of a Patron of Reading before and that’s not surprising. While there are
lots in the UK, there are only 3 in Ireland and SMGS is the first primary school in the Republic to have one!
A Patron of Reading is a school’s designated
children’s author with whom the school forms a special relationship. The whole
idea of the role is to create a buzz
around books and reading, and to encourage reading for pleasure.
You can find out more
here: http://www.patronofreading.co.uk/
What does a Patron of Reading do?
A Patron of Reading doesn’t
deal in homework or phonics or spelling. The Patron is all about discovering fun ways to interact with books
and reading. Think reading challenges, reviewing competitions, creative
writing workshops, bookish treasure hunts and so on.
The Patron is here for
everyone in the school: the children, of course, but also the teachers and the
parents.
Who is the SMGS Patron of Reading then?
Your first ever Patron of Reading is Juliette Saumande. Juliette is a French
writer and translator of children’s books living in Dublin. She has over 30
titles to her name, ranging from picture books to non-fiction, game books to novels
and book apps, in French and in English.
She is part of the Writers in
School scheme. She is actively involved in Children’s Books Ireland both as
Reviews Editor for its magazine – Inis
– and as a regular Book Doctor in CBI’s very successful Book Clinics.
As Juliette has two
children in the school, you’re likely to find her in the yard every morning.
Come say hello! J
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