Children’s Laureate brings ‘Whole Wild World’ magic to Derry schools

Children’s Laureate/Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde and Children’s Books Ireland, recently brought celebrated children’s writers and illustrators to schools, libraries, bookshops and cultural venues in Derry.

As part of the ‘Whole Wild World North’ tour, which ran from February 23 - 27, the Laureate was joined for a panel discussion in Central Library by NI illustrators, Flora Delargy and Clive McFarland, Derry author Sue Divin, children’s writing fellow, Shirley Anne McMillan and former children's writing fellow at the Seamus Heaney Centre, Paul Howard.

Oakgrove Integrated Primary School welcomed the tour for a very special storytelling session, while the Guildhall hosted one of the largest events in the tour, with over 300 local school children meeting Patricia Forde, Alan Nolan, Sadhbh Devlin and Neil Sharpson on Stage, with Northern Ireland artist Clive McFarland live illustrating their stories.

This was followed by a visit to ‘Little Acorns’ bookshop, where artists added their names to the ‘LegenDerry’ Writers' Chair.

The tour, which began at Fane Street Primary School in Belfast and finished at Queens University, also included a democratic vote for favorite local artists in Ballymena and a visit to the Heaney Homeplace. The full list of participating schools, bookshops, libraries and cultural venues can be found at https://childrenslaureate.ie/whole-wild-world-north/. 

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Patricia Forde, Laureate na nÓg said: “Northern Ireland has an enormous wealth of artistic talent, and I wanted to celebrate this, and bring unique experiences to children and young people along the way, introducing them to some of the most brilliant and creative artists from their doorstep and from across the island too!

“This tour seeks to spark young imaginations and nurture the next generation of Irish writers and illustrators. By bringing books and their creators directly into communities that may not often have the opportunity to meet them locally, we’re aiming to make literature more accessible and inspiring for all, a timely initiative during this National Year of Reading 2026.

“The artists joining me on this tour are eager not only to share their stories and creative journeys, but also to connect with audiences, young and old, exchange ideas, and celebrate in the joy of storytelling together.”

Having curated the ‘Whole Wild World’ tour in 2024 that ran from Malin to Mizen Head, Forde was committed to bringing a similar celebration of children’s literature and artists to Northern Ireland before her Laureate term ends in April 2026. Artists joining Patricia Forde on the Whole Wild World tour include Ashwin Chacko, Paul Howard, Neil Sharpson, Sadhbh Devlin, Andrew Whitson, Máire Zepf, Alan Nolan, Judith McQuoid, Flora Delargy, Clive McFarland, Derek Keilty, Dave Rudden, Sue Divin, Shirley-Anne McMillan, Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers.

Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland said: "Whole Wild World North will be a gift to children and young people from Belfast to Ballycastle and Ballymena to Bellaghy.

"Through this week-long tour, Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde will connect young readers with writers and illustrators from all over the island of Ireland. Bringing the joy of reading to communities in Northern Ireland, and visiting brilliant bookshops, libraries and other cultural venues along the way, will be the perfect way to kick off the National Year of Reading 2026.”

Damian Smyth, Head of Literature & Drama, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “One of the benefits of National Lottery funding is that young people in Northern Ireland can have access to local and international artists where they themselves live. This Childrens Books Ireland roadshow visits towns and cities across NI, bringing distinguished writers to their doorstep thanks to Patricia Forde, the Laureate na nÓg.

"The Arts Council is delighted to welcome the initiative as it champions children’s writers and artists island-wide”. 

As part of her final lecture as Laureate na nÓg, Forde will also launch Northern Lights, a first-of-its-kind curated reading guide that spotlights artists from or based in Northern Ireland.

This resource features 44 book recommendations in English and Irish published within the last five years, as well as 44 ‘read also’ recommendations, all books are suitable for readers aged 0–18.

The guide has an introduction from Patricia Forde Laureate na nÓg 2023–2026 and Frank Cottrell-Boyce Children’s Laureate 2024–2026 and the cover illustration is by Belfast illustrator Mel Carroll as taken from his 2025 picturebook ‘A Belfast Fairytale’.