KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2022 (books published in 2021)
2021 was a whopper of a year for Irish books, with over 140 titles published, a record high. Here are my (rather hasty as I’ve just realised the shortlist is announced tomorrow 9th March) predictions for this year’s shortlist.
Picturebooks:
Maybe by Chris Haughton
Weirdo by Zadie Smith and Nick Laird, Illustrated by Magenta Fox
There’s a Ghost in This House by Oliver Jeffers
Frindleswyle by Natalia O’Hara and Lauren O’Hara
Younger Readers (A really strong age group this year!)
Rabbit and Bear: A Bad King is a Sad Thing by Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field (One of the best books I’ve ever read for this younger age group – this age group often gets overlooked for awards – esp if books are in a series – I think it deserves to win the overall prize.)
Cluasa Capaill Ar An Rí by Bridget Breathnach, illustrated by Shirely MacDonald
Wild Child by Dara McAnulty, illustrated by Barry Falls
Rescuing Titanic by Flora Delargy (My prediction for Eilis Dillon Award for First Book – amazing book!)
Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers by Manchán Magan, illustrated by Steve Doogan (the illustrations are outstanding – I’d love to see this on the shortlist)
Leaflings by Niamh Sharkey and Owen Churcher
Age 9+
The Summer I Robbed a Bank by David O’Doherty, illustrated by Chris Judge (I would love this to feature – brilliant book)
Wolfstongue by Sam Thompson
YA
Hani and Ishu’s Gide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar
Guard Your Heart by Sue Divin
The shortlist may also feature:
Picturebooks
Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C Moore, Illustrated by PJ Lynch
One of the many Paddy Donnelly titles (Here Be Dragons is my favourite)
Big Dance by Aoife Greeham
Younger Readers
Bad Panda by Swapna Haddow, Illustrated by Sheena Dempsey
Age 9+
Tabitha Plimtock and the Edge of the World by Erika McCann, illustrated by Philip Cullen
The Kidds of Summerhill by Ann Murtagh
Mr Spicebag by Freddie Alexander, illustrated by Helen O’Higgins
Teens
All the Money in the World by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
YA
All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue