Dollies are GO! - Part 2 - To Bologna and beyond!

So Group Check-in at Cork Airport was a bit of a nightmare, but the staff were really patient and eventually we all went to the departure area.

First time crossing the Alps - Hannibal had nothing on us!

Direct flights from Cork-Venice, so we just had to stop over!
The girls were fascinated by everything - I always say Venice is like disneyland for adults - it's kind of hard to believe it's real!
They particularly loved the gondolas and of course wanted to go on them (but there's a safety rule, only 2 under 5s per adult, so of course that ruled us out).
Reader, they were so naughty! Running around St Marks' Square... I was terrified one of them would fall into the water! So back to the room for some quiet time to calm down!

We did find a display gondola in a museum, so that was a small consolation.
They each had to have a photo, but I won't post all eleven! (Pssss they all look the same!)

My favourite statue of the Four Tetrarchs by the edge of St Mark's Basilica - I love how it looks like the guys are whispering secrets.
Had to have a photo there!

And one of the naughty ones slipped out and had a Lemoncello on her own!

Then off on the fabulous Italian train to Bologna!

The bookfair usually really starts for me attending the wonderful dinner organised on the Sunday night before the Fair by the amazing peeps
at Children's Books Ireland.

Gerry Daly (illustrator extrordinaire of the wonderful Puffling books AND author AND illustrator of the new What's that Spooky Sound?) looked a bit worried that she might dive into his desert!

The girls could not believe that in Italy cheese was MUCH bigger than them!

And just HOW MANY kinds of pasta you can buy - including pasta that was bigger than them!

There WAS also work to do... the book fair was BUSY.
But it was the best place to give the illustrator of the Lulu books,
the wonderful Rosalind Beardshaw her dolly. She LOVED her!

And we had some time with the illustrator of the Zeki books too. The equally amazing Ruth Hearson. (Pssst Makers of Dromid, Zeki will be 15 in 2029, so we'll have to think about a dolly for that - plenty of time...)

 After all the meetings were done, we had a little drink together to celebrate 20 years of working together, of creativity and friendship.

The 'Art is the Way' was already in place by the wonderful Enoteca (I'd tell you who they were but then I'd have to kill you - it's my favourite wine bar in Bologna and we don't want the big corporates finding out about it and booking it out!)

All the publishers brought copies of various Lulu/Lola and some Zeki/Leo books.

Elaina Ryan from CBI in DEEP discussion with Marianna and Christina from Pallas Editora Brazil (considered state-of-the-art in publishing fiction for children, youth, and adults in the universe of Afro-Brazilian and African cultures).

Two amazing Publishers - these are people who really know and understand children's publishing.
On the left, my publisher, teacher and editor for over 20 years Yolanda Scott from Charlesbridge (who continue to support these books despite various titles in the series being banned - my own statement is here).
On the right is the amazing author and illustrator (not to mention patron and guide and advocate, as well as co-Publisher at Alanna Max with Fay Erek) Ken Wilson-Max.

More wonderful publishers - Wouter Jooren and Femke Ganzeman of School Support in the Netherlands.

Sneak peek of Fay Erek, talented but shy Co-Publisher at Alanna Max chatting to Ruth Concannon - Publications Manager at CBI.

Ruth again, chatting with PR wonder, Nicky Potter and Dr. Siobhan Parkinson author, publisher, IBBY Ireland board member and the first Irish Laureate na nÓg (2010-2012).

Illustrators gallore with Meg Quinn honorary cousin and VP and Director of Sales and Marketing
at Charlesbridge.

Pam Dix the fabulous chair of the UK branch of The International Board of Books for Young People - IBBY UK chatting with most talented author, Margaret Bateson-Hill and Nicky Potter.

Just a glimpse of the powerhouse that is Dr. Jane O'Hanlon, of IBBY Ireland and member of the Executive Committee of IBBY International and Barbara Vagnozzi, a most wonderful Italian illustrator.

After drinks, dinner with the Alanna Max Publishing team (Fay Erek and Ken Wilson-Max) , published authors and illustrators (Margaret Bateson-Hill and Ruth Hearson), vital bag carriers (thanks Brian and Gerald!) plus Pam Dix and Nicky Potter.

After the Fair, there was a little time to visit some favourite places around the beautiful city of Bologna - including my favourite San Stefano.
My girl found her niche - boom boom.

So this is a huge thankyou to the Makers of Dromid for helping me celebrate 20 years of this little character and the wonderful editors, Publishers and others who supported me and her along the way.

Click here to read Part 3.