If I were a child again, and born somewhere else, to different parents - how different might my childhood, my life, have been?
Caroline Finnerty compiled this wonderful collection of memories and inspirational words from some of Ireland’s finest writers, journalists and TV personalities as they tell what they would do if they could be a child again for one more day. Some recall their fondest childhood memories, some are bittersweet, while others provide uplifting words of wisdom for today’s children.
Jenni was delighted to contribute a story An Accident of Birth. The story was a reflection on her childhood as it compared with that of two young people – a special needs child she met while working in the Kibera Slum in Nairobi, and a young man with special needs from Dublin.
This book will make you laugh and cry but, above all, it encapsulates the magic of childhood. 100% of the royalties from the sale the book are donated to Barnardos educational programmes.
Published by Poolbeg Press, Oct 2013
Praise for If I Was A Child Again
“As a huge fan of Irish writing and of the work of Barnardos, buying this book was a win, win for me. It is a perfect little package of the thoughts and views from 41 contributors, all who describe their thoughts of their childhood and how they would love to live it all again, change it, keep it the same or slow down their journey to adulthood. Some of the stories are heartfelt and show how the authors lives were very different in childhood, while others are a comic recalling of some of the things they did way back when life seemed simpler. Each have a personal touch and I could certainly identify with the recollections of school, libraries, weekly comics and how the grass would appear greener in some of my friend’s homes.
Most of the stories are nostalgic for more basic times, where there was less of a search for perfection on a daily basis, technology was less important and friends and family were the core of happiness.
This would make a perfect Christmas gift for anyone, male or female, who enjoy good, simple writing, who have memories of a childhood where board games and family movies were on the menu and the contents of a Christmas Stocking were the highlight of their Christmas Day. ”