Writers and illustrators vie for Children's Book of the Year Award

Books that tackle difficult contemporary or global issues and books that are whimsical and funny are all competing for a major Irish award.

All but one of the eight titles nominated for the 24th Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year Award were penned or illustrated by previous award winners — Paula Leyden, Eoin Colfer, Siobhán Parkinson, Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, Sheena Wilkinson, PJ Lynch, and Oliver Jeffers.

Skulduggery Pleasant: Last Stand of Dead Men is Derek Landy’s first CBI Book of the Year Awards short-listing.

The awards that will be announced in May celebrate excellence in children’s literature and illustrations.

This year, the judging panel whittled down their choice for the coveted Book of the Year Award from almost 70 titles.

Young readers across the country will vote for the Children’s Choice Award. There are honour awards for fiction and illustration and a judge’s special award.

CBI director Elaina Ryan said empowering children and young people to discover books they enjoyed reading was a great pleasure.

“This year we have eight books which we know will resonate with readers, both young and old,” she said. “Irish authors and illustrators rank among the best in the world, so we are very proud to announce our shortlist today.”

The awards, founded in 1990, celebrate excellence in children’s literature and illustration by authors and illustrators born or resident in Ireland.

Previous winners include John Boyne for his book The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas; Chris Haughton for A Bit Lost; Marie Louise Fitzpatrick for There; and Kate Thompson for her books The New Policeman, Annan Water, and The Alchemist’s Apprentice.

The nominees

The Day the Crayons Quit, by Oliver Jeffers

About a boy whose crayons have fallen out and want to quit.

The Mysterious Traveller, by PJ Lynch

Issa, a desert guide, finds a baby girl after a dangerous storm.

Hagwitch, by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick

A canal leads into the world of theatre and puppetry in 16th century London.

Too Many Ponies, by Sheena Wilkinson

A sanctuary for abused ponies is in danger of closing down.

Skullduggery Pleasant: Last Stand of Dead Men, by Derek Landy

The eighth installment in the supernatural series.

Heart-Shaped, by Siobhán Parkinson

A brother and sister escape from their alcoholic, abusive mother.

The Sleeping Baobab, Tree by Paula Leyden.

A boy accompanies his great-granny to an ancient burial site.

The Reluctant Assassin, by Eoin Colfer

A Victorian boy finds himself in the 21st century accused of murder and on the run.