Writers Oliver Jeffers and Kelly McCaughrain from Belfast have been shortlisted for this year’s KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards. Another Northern Ireland artist, Paddy Donnelly from Ballycastle, was also shortlisted for his illustrations in the Irish Language picturebook ‘Na Trí Mhuicín’. RTÉ broadcaster Rick O’Shea announced the ten shortlisted titles at a ceremony in the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast.
Jeffers’ shortlisted picturebook, ‘The Dictionary Story’, encourages creativity, problem-solving and attention to detail in its young readers. Jeffers is an artist whose work ranges from figurative painting and installation to illustration. His picture books include Lost and Found, How to Catch a Star, This Moose Belongs to Me, and The Day the Crayons Quit. His talent has been recognized by several high-profile awards, including the Irish Book of the Year and the Blue Peter Book of the Year; as well as shortlists for the British Book of the Year, the Roald Dahl Prize and the Kate Greenaway Medal. He was winner of Time Magazine’s Best Book of the Year for Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth. Born in Australia, Jeffers was brought up in Belfast.
McCaughrain’s shortlisted young adult novel, Little Bang, is set in contemporary Northern Irish society. Teenagers Sid and Mel are confronted with an unexpected pregnancy that is further complicated by their different backgrounds and a society where stringent laws banning abortion prevail. Sid and Mel have tough decisions to make about their future. McCaughrain’s first YA novel, ‘Flying Tips for Flightless Birds, won the Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year and NI Book Award in 2019 and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. She was the QUB Children’s Writing Fellow from 2019 to 2021. McCaughrain also runs a creative writing group in a voluntary capacity, with local creative writing charity Fighting Words Northern Ireland.
Paddy Donnelly.
Speaking at the announcement, Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, said: “This is the 35th year of the only Irish awards dedicated to celebrating books created for children and the calibre of writing and illustration just keeps getting better! Our dedicated panel of judges outdid last year’s record, reading a total of 169 titles from Irish or Ireland-based writers and illustrators. After whittling those down to an initial longlist of 19 books, this shortlist represents the best books for children and young people and showcases the rich diversity of titles published in Ireland or by Irish artists.”
The shortlisted books include three début titles, two Irish language titles, and two titles from former Laureate na nÓg. These will compete for six awards at the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards ceremony, held on 19th May as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin. Categories include the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year Award, as well as honours for fiction and illustration and the Junior Juries’ Award, which will be decided by young readers across the island of Ireland.
Speaking at the shortlist announcement, Johnny Hanna, Partner in Charge KPMG Belfast, said: “This incredible shortlist shows off the talent and creativity of the writers and illustrators of children’s books. KPMG is delighted to be sponsoring the awards for the sixth time – reflecting our support for helping promote the enjoyment of reading in children.”
Call for Junior Juries
Children’s Books Ireland is also calling on school classes, youth groups, early childhood settings and book clubs across the island of Ireland to participate in its Junior Juries programme, designed to encourage reading for joy and an appreciation of a wide range of books. Interested groups can register at the Children’s Books Ireland website to select suitable titles from the shortlist and send their feedback and scores to Children’s Books Ireland. The winning artist will accept the Junior Juries’ Award at the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards in Dublin on 19th May.
The KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards and Junior Juries’ programme are supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Funding.
Damian Smyth, joint Head of Literature and Drama at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “The books we connect with in childhood are often the ones which we hold in our hearts for life and these annual awards recognise some of the most outstanding books published in the last year across a range of age categories and genres. Congratulations to all of the immensely talented writers and illustrators who have made this year’s shortlist.”
