Author/Artist Kelly McCaughrain from Belfast has been shortlisted for this year’s KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards. RTÉ broadcaster Rick O’Shea announced the ten shortlisted titles at a ceremony in the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast.
McCaughrain’s shortlisted young adult novel, ‘Little Bang’, is published by Walker Books and set in contemporary Northern Irish society. ‘Little Bang’ is narrated alternately from the perspectives of teenagers Sid and Mel who 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
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.
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 19thMay 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 19thMay.
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.”
