Over 1,700 children in Northern Ireland inspired by authors and illustrators thanks to reading charity, BookTrust
25 June 2025
BookTrust Northern Ireland has concluded its 2024/25 Author Tour- a year long programme that brings a host of exciting poets, authors and illustrators into schools across the country, to inspire a love of reading, supported by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
Ramzee and children
Authors and illustrators Adeola Sokunbi, Erika McGann, Clive McFarland, Máire Zepf, Laura Ellen Anderson, Ramzee and Paddy Donnelly visited 22 primary schools and children’s settings, inspiring more than 1,700 young readers.
From sketching monsters and crafting mini‑books to exploring space and discovering stories with meaningful morals, classrooms across Northern Ireland buzzed with creativity. Teachers reported a noticeable boost in pupils’ confidence and interest in reading, writing and drawing their own stories.
Schools who took part received a bundle of new books for their libraries, and every pupil who took part in the programme received a signed copy of the visiting creator’s book—a keepsake to treasure and share.
BookTrust research shows that children who enjoy reading are more likely to develop stronger language skills, emotional wellbeing, and academic success. But the charity’s latest figures also show a worrying trend: while 1 in 3 seven-year-olds say they “love” reading, that drops to just a quarter by age 11. The Author Tours aim to reverse this decline by making reading fun, personal and memorable.
It’s great for the students to see the enthusiasm of an author in person and to hear about the writing process and how they create their characters and develop their stories… Meeting authors gives the children opportunities to ask questions and develops their curiosity about books and the writing process.
Owen Dodds, from White House Primary school
“The Author Tours give children in Northern Ireland to meet and be inspired by the very best in the children’s book sector. We know that when children are given the chance to meet authors and illustrators, their love for reading can spark. We’re incredibly grateful to National Lottery players, whose support through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland makes projects like the Author Tours possible.”
Kathryn Anderson, Senior Partnerships Manager, BookTrust Northern Ireland
Artist visits like this are a fantastic opportunity for pupils to meet successful writers and illustrators and step with them into the creative world of story making. Early reading leads to better educational results and a richer quality of life. The Arts Council is proud to support BookTrust NI in championing the value of reading for young people across Northern Ireland.
Damian Smyth, Head of Literature and Drama, Arts Council of Northern Ireland
