Author and illustrator Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick wins the 24th CBI Book of the Year Award

Author and illustrator Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick has won the 24th CBI Book of the Year Award as well as the Honour Award for Fiction for her novel Hagwitch. Hagwitch draws on ancient folk superstitions and the magic of the stage tradition to craft a haunting tale. The judges said, ‘Fitzpatrick brings the reader on a journey down a canal, through a world of theatre and puppetry, and into a realm of magic and mystery. Marie-Louise’s previous novel Dark Warning, won the CBI Honour Award for Fiction in 2013.

The CBI Book of the Year Awards judging panel also made awards to the following:

Special Judges’ Award: Paula Leyden for The Sleeping Baobab Tree. The judges said, ‘Combining robust character development with vivid descriptions of the Zambian landscape, Leyden skilfully creates an evocative and atmospheric narrative that explores themes of friendship, family and human rights.’

Honour Award for Illustration: P.J. Lynch for Mysterious Traveller. The judges said, ‘With an emphasis on browns, tans and blues, Lynch’s superb and stunning textured paintings transport readers/viewers into the desert landscape of the tale and guide us through the emotional journey of Issa and Mariama.’

The CBI Book of the Year Awards are the leading children’s book awards in Ireland. The awards are a celebration of excellence in children’s literature and illustration and are open to books written in English or Irish by authors and illustrators born or resident in Ireland and published between 1st January and 31st December each year. Previous winners include John Boyne for his book The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas; Chris Haughton for A Bit Lost, Sheena Wilkinson for Grounded and Kate Thompson for her books The New Policeman, Annan Water and The Alchemist’s Apprentice.