KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards 2025
‘Year 8 students Rosie Quinn and Haifa Alswailem from Victoria College with Johnny Hanna, Partner in Charge KPMG Belfast at the shortlist announcement of the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2025 in Belfast’s Crescent Arts Centre.’
Article from the Ulster Tatler:
From unexpected twists and turns with fairies and banshees to heartwarming stories of a lamb that needs a haircut and pigs trying to stay safe in their houses, to the dilemma of an unexpected pregnancy in a teen relationship – the shortlisted publications for this year’s KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards invite readers to look at enduring themes in new ways. RTÉ broadcaster Rick O’Shea announced the ten shortlisted titles today (05.02.25) at a ceremony in the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast.
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, today’s 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.
The Shortlist
This year’s shortlist includes:
Beanie the Bansheenie A quirky and original take on the story of a young banshee who builds a friendship with her ‘human’, a little girl called Rose, written by former Laureate na nÓg Eoin Colfer and illustrated by Steve McCarthy (Walker Books).
Fia and the last Snow Deer A début-authored novel about thirteen-year-old Fia and her beloved snow deer Solas, set in pre-historic, snow-covered Ireland, written by Eilish Fisher and illustrated by Dermot Flynn (Puffin Books).
Bearradh Gruaige d’Eoinín A reassuring tale for children of Eoinín the apprehensive little lamb who badly needs a haircut! Written byMuireann Ní Chíobháin and illustrated by Róisín Hahessy (Futa Fata).
Little Bang Young adult fiction set in Northern Ireland, where are a teenage couple from different backgrounds face an unexpected pregnancy. By Kelly McCaughrain (Walker Books)
Na Trí Mhuicín This picturebook is a charming retelling of the classic fairy tale The Three Little Pigs in Irish verse. Written by former Laureate na nÓg Áine Ní Ghlinn and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly (Futa Fata).
Songlight A début young adult dystopian novel where those with the gift of songlight – the power to communicate telepathically – are deemed Unhuman. They face fear and condemnation in Brightland, a country whose young men are sent to fight in a brutal war against their enemies across the sea in Ayland. By Moira Buffini (Faber & Faber).
Stitch Inspired by Mary Shelley’s gothic classic Frankenstein, this is a compelling, compassionate and adventurous tale about Stitch and his friend Henry Oaf. Written by Pádraig Kenny and illustrated by Steve McCarthy (Walker Books).
The Dictionary Story A wonderfully inventive picturebook about words which encourages creativity, problem-solving and attention to detail. This brilliant concept is a collaboration between Oliver Jeffers and Sam Winston (Walker Books).
The Faerie Isle This beautifully crafted hardback picturebook brings sixteen fascinating examples from Irish folk and faerie lore to a new generation of readers. By Síne Quinn and illustrated by Dermot Flynn (Walker Books).
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Irish Lighthouses This début-authored text is an engaging and informative book,telling its young readers everything they ever wanted to know about lighthouses. Written by David Hare and illustrated by Linda Fährlin (Gill Books).
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.”
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, make a selection of suitable titles from the shortlist and send their feedback and scores to Children’s Books Ireland, and the winning artist will accept the Junior Juries’ Award 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.”