Children’s Writing Fellow encourages children to share their stories through pictures
15th March, 2022
Paul Howard, Children’s Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland, is on a mission to get kids passionate about books.
Promoting visual literacy, he believes, is key for breaking down barriers to reading and, over the next two years, Paul is offering schools the opportunity to invite him into the classroom where he can share his skills first hand with pupils, through free illustration and writing workshops.
The celebrated writer and artist, best known for his stunning illustrations in Jill Tomlinson’s The Owl Who was Afraid of the Dark and Joe Wick’s The Burpee Bears, was announced as Children’s Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland in January 2022. The post was created as part of Queen’s University and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland's joint ten-year Seamus Heaney Legacy project, supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies.
Paul follows on from previous fellows Myra Zepf and Kelly McCaughrain and over the next two years will be based at the Seamus Heaney Centre where he will work with students and engage in outreach activities which promote literacy and learning.
Speaking about his plans, Paul said: “I am very much looking forward to engaging with lots of young people over the next two years, particularly those in schools who have never had the opportunity to experience an author/illustrator visit before, for whatever reason.
“As an illustrator, primarily, I want to use my Fellowship to promote visual literacy as an alternative, fun and accessible gateway into literature and help children, of all literacy levels, feel confident enough to engage with reading and use drawing as a springboard to create their own stories.”
In addition to schools visits, Paul will be taking part in a number of events over the coming months.
In June, he will be in residence at the Crescent Arts Centre Belfast for Belfast Book Festival where he will host a series of readings, workshops and more. While later in the year, Paul will travel to The Burnavon arts centre in Cookstown to work with schools groups in the region.
Paul will also be sharing insights into his career with the creative writing students at Queen's University Belfast, and spending time in the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen's where he will continue working on his own stories and illustrations.
Teachers can register their interest in booking a free illustration workshop with Paul Howard for their school by contacting the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University Belfast. Go to www.bit.ly/CWF-Paul-Howard for more details on how to apply.