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Author Eoin Colfer was today announced as the third Laureate na nÓg, Ireland’s laureate for children’s literature, at an event organised by the Arts Council in Dublin.
Colfer said he feels “incredibly honoured and incredibly petrified” at the appointment. “I feel I am representing my family and my county and indeed all book people in Ireland which is not something I mean to takelightly. I intend to spend my time spreading stories to every nook and cranny in the country. Nobody is safe. It doesn't matter where you hide – I will find you and tell you a story.”
The position of Laureate na nÓg was created in 2010 by the Arts Council with the support of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Children’s Books Ireland, Poetry Ireland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The first laureate was Siobhan Parkinson. Niamh Sharkey took over the position in 2012.
Sheila Pratschke, chair of the Arts Council, said: “The stellar work of Eoin Colfer's predecessors, Siobhán Parkinson and Niamh Sharkey, has broadened and deepened the imaginative worlds of young people across the country,” adding: “We have no doubt that the Eoin Colfer's term will be exciting and inspired, and we very much look forward to the two years ahead.”
In the UK, Colfer became famous for his Artemis Fowl series (Puffin)about a teenage criminal mastermind. He has written standalone novels such as The Wish List and Airman, also both published by Puffin, and his collaboration with Oliver Jeffers, Imaginary Fred, will be published by HarperCollins next year.