The ‘Whole Wild World’ Tour, a unique initiative by Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde, will begin a 1,400km journey from Malin Head to Mizen Head on Monday, 15th April, bringing over 35 much-loved authors and illustrators to schools, libraries, bookshops and cultural events along the west coast over a two-week tour.

Ahead of the tour, Patricia Ford said: “There aren’t many opportunities for children in remote parts of the west to meet the writers or artists behind the books they read in school or at home. That can be a magical moment for a child to realise that they could be a storyteller too. I wanted to find a way to bring that magic to as many children in communities along the west coast as possible, no matter how remote.”

The colourful, 30-seater coach will take in over 40 stops in nine counties before concluding at Kinsale Library in Cork on Sunday, 28th April. The full list of participating schools, bookshops, libraries and cultural venues can be found at www.childrenslaureate.ie.