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Meet the team

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A t Gobblefunked we have a unique team of reviewers, ranging from new mums and ‘professional’ aunties to publishing professionals, teenagers, budding authors and YA enthusiasts – of course all lovers of children’s books.

The ‘brains’ behind the operation, Anne and Linda are first and foremost book lovers. Find out what else makes them tick below.

Co-founder of Gobblefunked, Linda Crosbie is currently based in Dublin, Ireland and works in educational publishing and eLearning.

An ex-children’s bookseller, Linda is a self-proclaimed book nerd and loves Roald Dahl, Oliver Jeffers, Freya Blackwood, Shirley Hughes, Raymond Briggs and Patrick Ness to name but a few. She firmly believes in the quote: “children are made readers on the laps of their parents” and wants to help parents find the right book for their little one.

Co-founder of Gobblefunked, Anne Whelton is based in Dublin, Ireland where she works in web publishing. A classicist at heart when it comes to children’s literature, Anne is also the first to admit she read (and enjoyed) her fair share of Sweet Valley High books as a child. Some of her favourite books for children include The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe , The BFG and Charlotte’s Web , but she also loves the thrill of discovering a ‘new’ classic.

Our eclectic band of reviewers all have one thing in common – they love books! From fiction to fantasy, picture books to poetry; find out what our reviewers do in the ‘real world’ and what they like to read by clicking on their names below.

Based in Seattle, Washington, Alison Buck has a Master’s Degree in Literature and Publishing from NUI, Galway and spends her free time reading fiction, especially the classics of her youth.

Elaine Burke is a book-lover and tech journalist for Siliconrepublic.com based in Dublin. She has a coterie of nieces and nephews plus a young brother and sister who love to devour books, and with whom she enjoys sharing some of her own childhood favourites.

Jean Burke is an experienced nanny who started her childcare career as a crèche teacher. She is mother to a little boy, named Harvey, who is already sharing her passion for books … or as he calls them ‘boous’.

Shauna Daly has just completed her Master’s Degree in English Literature and Publishing at NUI, Galway. She is currently working in the publishing industry, an industry she hopes to stay in for a long time. She has an interest in fashion, art and photography, and has a talent for wasting hours upon hours browsing through bookshops, much to the chagrin of her acquaintances.

Elaine Gaynor is a mammy and has been a primary school teacher for over nine years. As a mainstream teacher she always has a book or two on the go. Whether its a a quick chapter while eating lunch, or getting ready for home time on a Friday afternoon snuggled together on the rug for a story. As a child, she loved Enid Blyton, the Sweet Valley High and The Babysitter’s Club series. However, like many of us, her all-time favourite are J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter books. Now she can’t wait until her sons are old enough and has an excuse to relive the magic all over again!

Self-confessed book-worm Orla Hennessy currently lives in Sydney, where she also dabbles in chess, in the hopes of solidifying her nerd credentials.

Anna James is a Melbourne-based picture book enthusiast. She considers picture books nothing less than an exciting and unique art form. Recently graduated from university, Anna spends her spare time painting, enjoying video games and volunteering at her local arts and cultural centre.

Based in Dublin, Niamh Mac Sweeney works in publishing. She loves to write, read, bake and make fluffy felt creations. And when she isn’t doing all that, she spends her spare time (and money) in bookshops.

Based in Galway, Michaela Mc Dermott has a Masters in Literature and Publishing. She currently works in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop as a bookseller and buyer, so is constantly surrounded by a wide range of books, including children’s literature. Michaela’s interest in picture books goes beyond the text, as she is also an avid participant in story-time reading for children in the bookshop.

Kunak McGann works in publishing, lives in Kildare and is mum to two very lively young boys. Some of her all-time favourite reads growing up were ‘Each Peach Pear Plum’, the Narnia books and, of course, ‘Revolting Rhymes ‘and ‘The BFG.’

Jennifer Mooney is a primary school teacher, living in Dublin, with a great love for children’s books. She is currently working on her first book for children.

Jo O’Brien has recently graduated from college, and in an effort to avoid reality is attempting to relive her childhood and teenage years through devouring YA and children’s literature.

Lois Shedd works in publishing in Melbourne while researching nostalgic reading practices for her PhD. She is unashamed to admit that she has never quite kicked her intermediate/YA fiction habit. If you enjoy reading Lois’ reviews and articles for Gobblefunked, you can check her out on Tumblr.

Fiona Sheridan is a graphic designer and mum of two from Co. Meath. She is always on the lookout for beautiful and entertaining books to fill her children’s book shelves with.

Based in Melbourne, Sophie Suelzle works in publishing and heads up the Australian Gobblefunked team. She loves to read and considers herself a competitive scrabble player. Challengers beware! Sophie has reviewed picture books, YA books and even some classics for Gobblefunked!If you’re based in Australia and would like to review books for Gobblefunked, you can email Sophie directly.

Colin White is an editor and freelance photographer based in Dublin. He likes playing football, making music and watching classics episodes of The Simpsons, though not necessarily in that order…

An important cog in the Gobblefunked wheel, our talented teen reviewers are what Gobblefunked is all about! Read about their hobbies, hopes and dreams below.

Maeve Hickey is a 17-year-old reading fanatic living near Cork City with an interest in horse-riding, music, astrophysics and knitting and also loves debating. Her favourite authors include Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Robert Jordan and Victor Hugo. Some of the best books she’s ever read are Good Omens, Neverwhere , A Tale Of Two Cities and The Golem and The Djinni .

Based in Dublin, Ciarán Howley is a 15-year-old self-confessed bookworm. His hobbies include reading extensively, writing, attending book clubs and being a film buff. His favourite genres include YA fiction, contemporary fiction, science-fiction/fantasy and classic literature. One of his favourite YA novels is A Crack in Everything by Ruth Frances Long.

Mair Kelly is 16-years-old and lives in Co. Cork. An avid reader, Mair especially loves detective novels. Her favourite authors are Agatha Christie, Thomas Hardy and Terry Pratchett. There are so many books that she loves but her top three at the moment are The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini, Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy and Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. She other hobbies include drawing with pastel chalks, photography and she is also actively involved in table-tennis.

Laoise King lives in Galway, Ireland. She is is a student in an all- Irish secondary school. As well as being an avid reader, Laoise enjoys swimming, art and music.

Based in Melbourne, Kalina O’Reilly attends Eltham High School and has her sights set on a future in writing. She loves to read and enjoys reading classics, fantasy and YA as well as trying her hand at fan-fiction.

If you would like to review books for Gobblefunked, please just get in touch . At present we are particularly interested in finding reviewers for YA fiction, foreign language children’s books and those who work with children with dyslexia.

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