PICTURES | Language, creativity and warmth: Ukrainian book events in Longford library

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In October, Longford Library hosted two captivating children’s book events featuring Halyna Budilova, a children's book writer, songwriter, and publisher from Kyiv (Ukraine).

Her poems were published in New Ulster Poetry Journal and her recent song “Raspberry Jam” became a part of PoetryJukebox project and is available at all music databases. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

Halyna has authored more than 20 books and is a member of Irish PEN and The Irish Society for the Study of Children's Literature.

Recently she has been working on a book series for the Ukrainian community, which will enable children to improve their reading skills in Ukrainian and preserve ties with their native country and language.

At the same time in her creative content agency, Little Beetle Press, Halyna creates lovely books in English for children in Ireland and all over the world. Among Halyna’s books published in Ireland are ‘The Sunflower Lion’ and ‘Happy will be the Days’.

Her newest book, ‘Sleepytime, My Little Squirrel!’, was launched on Friday, October 6. It is a bilingual lullaby book that became a part of an International CBFU project (Children’s Books For U (Ukraine), with bedtime songs originally written by Halyna in Ukrainian, and translated into English and Dutch.

At the event Halyna was talking about the importance of lullabies singing both for a mother and a child and the positive effect of it on their bonding, development, and general wellbeing. The book features QR codes that offer readers the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the melodious songs performed by the talented Olya Borodkina from Ukraine. The songs were presented to the audience and resonated deeply with both big and small, leaving a lasting impression.

Saturday's event (October 7) was equally captivating as Halyna presented her remarkable ‘Young Ukrainian Readers’ series.

Engaging with the young and enthusiastic attendees who spoke different languages, she facilitated an engaging and interactive ‘Poetry Playground’. The event provided a delightful platform for budding book enthusiasts to unleash their creativity.

Children were given the unique opportunity to craft their very own poems, bring them to life with vivid illustrations, and even experience the intricate process of bookmaking, all under the expert guidance of Halyna Budilova.

The joy and excitement in the eyes of the young participants were truly heartwarming.

The Longford Library events featuring Halyna Budilova were met with resounding warmth and enthusiasm from both children and adults alike. The seamless blend of literature, music, and creativity left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who attended.