Book award to put winner on the gravy train

LEGENDARY author Roddy Doyle’s latest tale for young readers, an account of a futuristic Titanic voyage and an old Irish yarn about a warrior are among the treasured reads up for the Irish children’s book of the year award.

Unusually, a non-fiction book — Jessica O’Donnell’s guide to the artworks at Dublin’s Hugh Lane Gallery — is also on the shortlist for the Bisto Book of the Year.

With €10,000 up for grabs for the winner, this year’s shortlist also includes four-times previous winner Kate Thompson, whose book The Last of the High Kings is based on the fabled land of youth, Tír na nÓg.

And the first book released by Irish language publishing house An tSnáthaid Mhór is also in the running for the top prize.

Entitled Gaiscíoch na Beilte Uaine, the story by Caitríona Nic Sheáin recounts an old Irish yarn of a warrior who has to undergo a number of trials to prove his worth as a future husband.

The judges said their shortlist reflected the quality of modern authors whose work is aimed at children and teenagers.

“The shortlist comprises an eclectic mix of works from new and established writers and illustrators,” said judging panel chairman Keith O’Sullivan.

“In fact, each work on the shortlist could justifiably make a claim for the award of Bisto Book of the Year.”

The awards are open authors and illustrators who are either Irish-born or resident in Ireland. Works can either be as Gaeilge or in English.

The winner of the top prize will be named at a reception on May 22 at the home of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland at 6 Kildare Street, Dublin.

A further €9,000 will be shared by three runners-up and also the winner of the Eilís Dillon Award for best first-time author.

Youngsters from a mix of 150 primary and secondary schools are also choosing their own winner from the shortlist.

Two groups of children will be chosen at random to attend the awards ceremony and meet the authors and illustrators.

* www.childrensbooksireland.com

The shortlist

* The Alchemyst by Michael Scott

* The Black Book ofSecrets by FE Higgins

* Discover Art by Jessica O’Donnell

* Gaiscíoch na Beilte Uaine by Caitríona Nic Sheáin

* The Last of The High Kings by Kate Thompson

* The London EyeMystery by SiobhánDowd

* The Thing with Finn by Tom Kelly

* Titanic 2020 by Colin Bateman

* The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers

* Wilderness by Roddy Doyle