Now that December is finally here, the long, lovely wait can begin. To keep you and your young book-lovers amused, excited and amazed over the next few weeks, we at Inis towers have put together this selection of excellent titles that celebrate in various ways the joys and wonders of the season.

Choosing a college or apprenticeship, cracking up over a CAO form, careering from one career choice to another – it’s that nervous rite of passage as students from Transition Year to Sixth Year begin planning their post-secondary lives.

Are you a published children’s writer who could benefit from the support of a group of peers at a similar stage in their careers? If so, read on – author, translator and Inis magazine reviews editor Juliette Saumande is currently accepting expressions of interest from children’s writers who wish to be part of a new writing group:

Chair of CBI Board, Valerie Coghlan and CBI Director, Elaina Ryan have released an open letter to Minister Michael Noonan T.D. in light of his recent remarks in relation to bringing iPads into every classroom. Read more about the Minister’s original statement here.

This year, wherever you are in Ireland, events and activities will be taking place to encourage children to enjoy the experience and the magic of reading!

For the first time ever Children’s Books Ireland and Laureate na nÓg will take part in the celebration of music, arts, food, culture and utter madness that is Electric Picnic!

In advance of Conceal and Reveal: Truth and Lies in Children’s Books, the CBI conference on 12th and 13th September we are profiling some of our speakers, click on the links for blogposts about Mac Barnett, the Young Adult panel, New Voices, publishers Barrington Stoke, William Grill and Breaking through with Poetry.

Poetry and its relevance and importance in the lives of young people is a topic that comes up again and again when we talk to our members about what they’d like to see at the CBI Conference.

William Grill is the youngest winner of the Kate Greenaway medal for 50 years. We are delighted to be welcome him for his first visit to the CBI Conference: Conceal and Reveal.