The Write Choice: 1,800 Pupils Prepare to Hit the Polls for World Book Day

Thursday 19 February 2026

Ten of Northern Ireland’s local writers will be vying for the vote of almost 1,800 students as part of this election, taking place on World Book Day (Thursday 5 March).

The event is run by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, and this year’s programme has been extended to include an Author’s Roadshow to get the young electorate into the voting mood!

Ireland’s Children’s Literature Laureate, Patricia Forde, an author and illustrator of children’s books, will be in Ballymena ahead of the election, visiting pupils from Carniny and St. Colmcille’s Primary Schools.

Pupils from Carniny and St Comcille’s primary schools will count the votes at The Braid, Ballymena on Friday 6 March.

Speaking ahead of a series of Democracy Week 2026 events, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said: “Democracy Week is an opportunity for us to encourage civic engagement between our citizens and the roles of local elected representatives.

“As Mayor I look forward to meeting our younger residents and helping them understand how they can engage in politics to shape decisions and ultimately build their confidence to vote.

“I am buoyed to see so many of our primary schools involved, showing there is significant value educationally in having children participate in this opportunity - not just through reading, but the wider lessons on debating, public speaking, campaigning and learning how democracy directly impacts their daily lives.

“Their voices, opinions and future votes matter in shaping their communities and Mid and East Antrim, and I look forward to speaking to many of the pupils during the week.”

Throughout Democracy Week local schools will be visiting the Mayor to hear about his role and citizens can meet their councillors at public roundtable events across the Borough. 

The US Consul General to Northern Ireland, James Applegate will also deliver a Keynote Address at The Braid on Wednesday 4 March.

Those interested in attending can register by emailing: Members.services@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Each roundtable event will take place from 7pm to 9pm. Join the councillors at Larne Town Hall on Tuesday 3 March, Carrickfergus Town Hall on Thursday 5 March, or at The Braid in Ballymena, on Friday 6 March.

Attendance at the Roundtable events can be confirmed by emailing: Members.Services@midandeastantrim.gov.uk.

Notes to Editor:

The ten authors who will be on the Top Children’s Author Election ballot paper were born in or currently live in Northern Ireland:

• Hilary Bailey, from Islandmagee, writes stories based on Skye the Springer Spaniel and the exploits of Syke and peers. Her colourful books are illustrated by Louis Humphrey and Claire Coburn.
• Andrew Crooks, who teaches maths in Ballymena, made his literary debut with a book based on stories his daughter used to tell him about her dreams. His first book is distinctive as it is a rhyming story.
• Paddy Donnelly from Ballycastle, author and illustrator of books including The Vanishing Lake, Fox and Son, Dodos are not extinct and Wolves in Helicopters.
• Derek Keilty is from Belfast and is known for his fiction which blends adventure, fantasy and humour. He began writing in 2000 and has since written fifteen books and had his work translated into other languages. He is also engaged in promoting literacy and creative writing among children, storytelling and hosting writing workshops.
• Sophie Kirtley grew up in Northern Ireland, where she spent her childhood climbing on hay bales, rolling down sand dunes and leaping the raw Atlantic waves. Nowadays she lives in Wiltshire with her husband and three children.
• Judith McQuoid was born and lives in Northern Ireland, although she spent part of her childhood in Texas. Her debut novel, Giant, was published in 2025. She lives deep in the countryside but close to the city. Her homeland, its landscapes, and folklore inspire her to write.
• Marianne McShane, who is from Bangor, County Down, has drawn on inspirational stories of myths and legends as well as local coastal tales in writing her books.
• Ellan Rankin is an author and illustrator whose first children’s novel is The Secret Elephant.  Ellen is from Belfast and has several awards to her credit including being winner of the Sebastian Walker Prize for Picturebooks 2020.
• Morna Sullivan, who is County Antrim born and bred, delights in creating funny poems and stories, some of which are based along the Antrim Coast.
• Sheena Wilkinson was born in Belfast in the 1960s and grew up in a fairly rough estate. Described in The Irish Times as 'one of our foremost writers for young people', Sheena Wilkinson has published eleven novels, both contemporary and historical, as well as short stories. She has won many awards, including the Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year.