Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Awards Shortlist Announced

The Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Awards, in partnership with Children’s Books Ireland are presented annually in recognition of excellence in writing and/or illustration of books for young people. The awards are administered by CBI, the national organisation for children’s books and sponsored by Bisto Gravy. The awards are open to any children’s book by an author and/or illustrator born or resident in Ireland, written in Irish or English and published between 1st January and 31st December each year. Speaking about the shortlist, Keith O’Sullivan, Chair of the 2008-9 Judging Panel, said: “This year's shortlist is exceptionally strong and diverse: it is characterised by quality writing and illustration, which afford readers, of all ages, exciting opportunities to engage with a range of themes from adventure, friendship and belonging to conflict and loss.”
The shortlist:
Airman by Eoin Colfer.
An Phleist Mhór le Ré O’Laighléis, Susan Edwards & Emily Colenso
Anila’s Journey by Mary Finn
Bog Child by Siobhan Dowd
"Brionglóidí" le Áine Ní Ghlinn & Carol Betera
Creature of the Night by Kate Thompson
Her Mother’s Face by Roddy Doyle
Highway Robbery by Kate Thompson
The Gift of the Magi Illustrated by PJ Lynch
The Great Paper Caper by Oliver Jeffers

Both Ré O’Laighléis and Kate Thompson have close connections with Clare County Library, Kate having begun her writing career in the late 80s as a member of the North Clare Writer’s Workshop in Ennistymon Public Library.

Ré O’Laighléis lives in Ballyvaughan and is a regular visitor to Clare library branches providing reading and writing workshops for post-primary school pupils during Seachtain na Gaeilge and Children’s Book Festival. He has recently completed a series of creative writing classes in Sean Lemass Public Library Shannon with a group of twelve students from both St. Patrick’s Comprehensive School and St. Caimin’s Community School in the town.

Author Áine Ní Ghlinn, also shortlisted, visited Clare Library branches during Seachtain na Gaeilge 2008.