The United States is the only country to recognize the value of books and reading. The Republic of Ireland, a small island country in Europe, has established the Children's Book Ireland organization.
CBI is the national children’s books organisation of Ireland. Through their many activities and events they aim to engage young people with books, foster a greater understanding of the importance of books for young people and act as a core resource for those with an interest in books for children in Ireland.Children’s Books Ireland was founded in 1997 as a result of the merger of The Irish Children’s Book Trust (ICBT) and the Children’s Literature Association of Ireland (CLAI). Both of these orgnisations had developed during the late eighties and nineties, a time of significant progress in Ireland for publishing and writing for children. The new organisation, Children’s Books Ireland, was established. CBI has continued to grow and now has a combined Irish and international membership of approximately 1,700.
The first chapter of CBI’s story has taken place at a time of extraordinary change in Irish society. Shifting arts, education and socio-economic landscapes have formed a dramatic backdrop to our first fifteen years. Significant lifestyle changes, along with increased immigration and urbanisation, have changed how people interact with the arts and, importantly, how children interact with books. Likewise, arts policy and infrastructure development have contributed to a positive relationship between the public and the arts. As an innovative and active arts organisation, CBI will continue to ensure that children’s books and the children’s books community are valued, cherished and supported. We look forward to Children’s Books Ireland making its contribution to the future vibrancy of the arts in a multi-cultural Ireland.
Aims and Goals - CBI is committed to sharing our values with individuals and organisations. We have a number of key advocacy campaigns which, in partnership with our events and programmes, focus on our core values.
1. CBI believes that access to books is the right of every child.
2. CBI believes that books are core to the experience of childhood.
3. CBI celebrates children’s books as an art form.
4. CBI is committed to the growth and development of publishing for children in Ireland.
For information on the CBI, search their website at www.childrensbooksireland.ie.
