Kildare national school announced as recipient of book-gifting programme

St Patrick’s N.S., Newbridge, Kildare has been announced as one of the recipients of a book-gifting programme which will bring hundreds of new books and resources to its students in 2026.

Designed by national charity and arts organisation Children’s Books Ireland, the ‘Every Child A Reader’ programme is a year-long support provided to select schools which helps to foster a love of reading in their students and wider school community.

As part of this project, each school will have their own dedicated Champion of Reading, an author or illustrator assigned to the school who will host a series of live workshops throughout the year with students.

These creative and engaging sessions will help promote a love of reading, writing and illustrating amongst class groups.

Delivered by the team at Children’s Books Ireland, the ‘Every Child a Reader’ programme will bring a diverse collection of excellent contemporary titles to students in 28 primary schools this year, including St.Patrick’s NS.

READ NEXT: Kildare's assessment of need (AON) backlog 'one of the largest in the country' - senator

Through this initiative, Children’s Books Ireland provides schools with a library of 250 books covering all ages, interests, genres and issues which represent the richness and diversity of Irish society.

As well as hundreds of brilliant new books, chosen schools will receive supports and resource packs as well as bookmarks, bunting and stickers to celebrate their new library books.

Other materials such as curated reading guides, lists and further guidance will also be given to schools and families to encourage a love of reading that endures beyond the school gates.

In 2025, Children’s Books Ireland received over 1,000 applications from primary and secondary schools for the limited number of spaces for the book-gifting programmes commencing in 2026.

Of 907 applications received from primary schools only 28 of these could be selected to receive the support provided through the ‘Every Child A Reader’ programme.

This Spring, Children’s Books Ireland’s various book-gifting programmes will be launched in 39 different schools, bringing the power of stories to primary and secondary schools across the island of Ireland.

Learn more about the work of Children’s Books Ireland on www.childrensbooksireland.ie

For more information, please contact Book-gifting Manager Aoife McDonnell on aoife.mcdonnell@childrensbooksireland.ie