President McAleese has announced that Siobhán Parkinson is to be the first Laureate na n-Óg. A well-known writer of fiction for children and young people (and occasionally for adults), Siobhán has published more than twenty books since 1992, and her work has been translated into as many languages.
She has been shortlisted eleven times for the Bisto Book of the Year award, which she won on one occasion; she has received Bisto Merit and Honour Book awards four times and has had two IBBY Honours and several White Ravens.
The announcement was made at a ceremony at the Arts Council on Monday 10th May.
Laureate na nÓg 2010-2012 Siobhán Parkinson discusses her work as a writer and her plans for her term as Laureate on Facebook.
More information on the Laureate na n-Óg website http://www.childrenslaureate.ie/
