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Celebrating Irish Children’s Books | Online School and Family Book Festival.
WonderFest is over for 2021. Thank you to everyone who took part. See you in 2022!

Festival books

Supported by the Arts Council of Ireland - Literature

The Boldness of Betty: A 1913 Dublin Lockout Novel

Dublin 1913

My name is Betty Rafferty. A few weeks ago I had to leave school and go out to work in a cake shop, serving fancy cakes to rude, rich people. No choice.

But since then so much has happened. It all started when old Miss Warby took our pay away. And we walked out!

The whole city – well, all us union members – are going out on strike. Even my dog Earnshaw has joined in!

Life on the picket line in the lashing rain isn’t much fun. Lots of people, like Peter Lawlor, just don’t understand how unfair everything is. But we workers have to stand together – no matter what!

“Told in Bettys’ own voice as she reaches towards her dream of being a writer, beginning with this memoir, a fascinating picture of life during the Dublin Lockout emerges with insight and feeling. While this is a work of fiction, it has a vision of historical accuracy woven through its’ strands. The portrayal of Betty and her family and friends rings true against this background with all its’ hardships, hopes and dreams and is highly relatable even today. All the confusion and determination of young adult life is relayed in genuine voice. The plot builds steadily with perfect flow, taking us from drama to crisis to resolution and back again. And it is an intriguing read; full of life, heart and reality. An absolutely marvelous book!”

Fallen Star Stories

“Carey’s lightness of touch means that descriptions of police brutality towards workers, or the hypocritical actions of Catholic pressure groups, are all the more shocking. ‘You can learn a lot from a story,’ Betty notes, talking to – rather than down to – the young/pre-teen audience for this compelling, satisfying book’ …’endearing, Adrian Mole-esque”

Irish Times
Buy The Book

Author

Anna Carey

Illustrator

Lauren O'Neill

Publisher

The O'Brien Press

Related events in the festival

From the Arctic to the 1913 Dublin Lockout: Bringing History Alive and Kicking with Judi Curtin, Nicola Pierce and Anna Carey

Connect with Wonderfest online

Wonderfest Wonderfest · 4 months ago
@WonderFestIre
This looks terrific - we'll be there! A must for any children's writers or illustrators and anyone who wants to find out more about children's books. https://t.co/6LtaWDfkBp
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Sarah Webb is Away Writing in July@sarahwebbishere
Join us at the next online #ChildrensBookSalon on Thurs 24 Feb 7.30pm with
@HGold_author
@gerrydalyart
@Erika_McGann
@markbradleyart + @KatiaCotton
talking about their new books.
A must for all who love children's books.
Tickets available here: https://t.co/p4MTKyBEHh https://t.co/6B92dpQzlg
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Wonderfest Wonderfest · 7 months ago
@WonderFestIre
Watch out for #BookElves2021 from today until 2nd Dec - lots of great recommendations from children's writers, illustrators, librarians, teachers and more.
If you're looking for a children's book, the elves are there to help! https://t.co/MXGLs3Zeve
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Sarah Webb is Away Writing in July@sarahwebbishere
🚨The #BookElves2021 are back!🚨
We are children's writers, illustrators, booksellers, reviewers, librarians and teachers and we LOVE children's books.
Today we'll be recommending some of our favourite #IrishBooks
Watch out for us during @RTELateLateShow #LateLateToyShow too! https://t.co/wxNdd7sxli
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Wonderfest Wonderfest · 7 months ago
@WonderFestIre
And that’s a wrap! #WonderFest21 has officially come to an end and we’ve had an incredible time celebrating the best of children’s books in Ireland over the last five days. https://t.co/Inkm4UrgpU
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WonderFest Children's Book festival
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