Book Clinics
Are you a young reader? Looking for a new series to delve into? Feeling uninspired by your bookshelves at home? Then pop along to the Book Clinic! These few sentences have been inviting young readers to the Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinic since 2012. Since then the Book Doctors have met thousands of young readers around the country in need of a prescription for a new read.
Throughout the year Children’s Books Ireland brings the Book Clinic around the country, working with many different partners in libraries, festivals and venues.
Children and their parents or guardians are invited to drop in for an informal consultation with one of Children’s Books Ireland’s friendly Book Doctors, who are ready to offer the best advice for young readers.
When the Book Doctor is ready to see a patient, the consultation begins with some questions about books the young reader previously enjoyed as well as activities, movies, TV shows and video games they enjoy. This lets the Book Doctor know a little bit more about the patient so they can write a book prescription, which is a personalised list of books recommended for the individual patient.
Every patient leaves the Book Clinic with a book prescription to take to their local library or bookshop to have filled. Please note that although we endeavour to operate each clinic on a drop-in basis, a waiting list may operate during busy periods on a first come first served basis.
The Book Clinic welcomes all families, and seeks to work to support children with differing needs including dyslexia, ADHD, autism, vision impairment and sight loss.
The Book Clinic is available in English or as Gaeilge.
To organise a Book a Clinic in your community, email Aoife Murray, our Artist & Programme Manager, at the link below.
Watch the Book Clinic in action!
The Book Clinic team
The Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinic team is made up of authors, librarians, academics and other book lovers based around the country.
To find out about upcoming clinics check out the events listing in News & Events.
The Book Doctors are keen to bring their love of books to all corners of Ireland, so if you are a programmer and would like to invite the Book Clinic to your town please contact aoife@childrensbooksireland.ie
