Clara Maria Fiorentini is a lecturer in Initial Teacher Education at Marino Institute of Education, specialising in Literary, Children’s Literature and Early Childhood Education. Prior to this, Clara taught for eleven years in an urban, DEIS primary school in Co. Dublin, Ireland. Clara provides CPD for primary teachers and early childhood professionals in the areas of literacy, children's literature, play based learning and school transitions. Clara has recently completed her PhD research in early literacy development and transitions to formal literacy learning. Clara is currently an executive committee member of the Literacy Association of Ireland and was the President of LAI for 2024. You can connect with Clara via her website www.claramariafiorentini.com or via Instagram.