NI artists featured in 2026 KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards Shortlist

A picturebook that questions the trustworthiness of fish; a retelling in Irish of the classic tale of Puss in Boots; a teenager living with Tourette’s and a science-fiction young adult novel that takes the reader on a train journey to a world of different time zones – these are just four of this year’s ten shortlisted publications for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards.

The shortlist, which also features stories on neurodiversity, life after a terrorist attack and grief following the loss of a parent, was announced by RTÉ’s Rick O’Shea yesterday at a special event held in the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast.

Speaking at the announcement, Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland said:

“This year’s KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards shortlist has something to delight every kind of reader. There are stories steeped in Irish mythology, tales of bravery and resilience and books that will move you to tears – or make you cry laughing. It’s wonderful to see how children’s literature and publishing in Ireland is evolving through this diverse, excellent shortlist. Our warm congratulations go to the authors, illustrators and publishers whose wonderful work we are so proud to champion.

“It’s so timely to be announcing this fantastic shortlist in Northern Ireland at the start of The National Year of Reading, a UK-wide campaign to help people rediscover the joy of reading. We know that reading expands minds, builds confidence and fuels creativity and we believe that every single title on this shortlist will undoubtedly inspire a real love of reading in audiences from early years to young adults.”

Ballycastle artist, Paddy Donnelly’s Puisin na mBróg (Puss in Boots) and Lisburn artist, Colleen Larmour’s This That What, will be in contention for six awards at the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards ceremony on Monday, 18^th May, taking place as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin. The awards include the prestigious KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year, alongside categories celebrating excellence in fiction and illustration, and the highly-coveted Junior Juries’ Award, which is selected by young readers from across the island of Ireland.

This year’s shortlist includes:

1. Letters to a Monster – This inventive picturebook tells the story of Sophie, who, fed up with the monster who has been hiding under her bed, decides to confront the situation head on! Written by Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde and illustrated by Sarah Warburton (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
2. The Doomsday Club – A début authored novel set in Dublin that blends adventure, fantasy and humour as school students Jack, Conan and Yash make a strange discovery in the school yard. Written by Kevin Moran (The O’Brien Press)
3. Solo – A contemporary young adult verse novel that tells the story of Daisy as she learns to cope with heartbreak, friendship fall outs and Leaving Cert stress. Written by Gráinne O’Brien (Little Island Books)
4. Puisín na mBróg – This charming picturebook is an Irish language retelling of the popular tale Puss in Boots. Written by Fearghas Mac Lochlainn and illustrated by Paddy Donnelly (Futa Fata)
5. My Name is Jodie Jones – This young adult novel centres a neurodiverse narrator, Jodie Jones, who is struggling to reconcile with her experience of a terrorist attack. It is a celebration of individuality that does not shy away from darker themes. Written by Emma Shevah (David Fickling Books)
6. The Waters and the Wild – This verse novel follows the character of Rowan after her father’s death and thoughtfully deals with the subjects of death, loss and fear. Written by Eilish Fisher and illustrated by David Rooney (Puffin)
7. This That What – A colourful, rhyming picturebook with accessible text that tells the story of Kiki Dime and her very busy brain. Written by Katy Ashworth and illustrated by Colleen Larmour (Puffin)
8. Stealing Happy – Young adult fiction set in Scotland that brings the reader into the inner life of thirteen-year old Sonny who is living with Tourette’s syndrome. A vivid, funny and gripping read that deals with family drama, fear, friendship and even a heist. Written by Brian Conaghan (Bloomsbury YA)
9. Don’t Trust Fish! – A hilarious début authored picturebook that is filled with reasons why fish are untrustworthy creatures and likely plotting your downfall. Written by Neil Sharpson and illustrated by Dan Santat (Andersen Press)
10. Skipshock – Young adult fiction that takes the reader on a train from Cork to a whole world of different time zones. A science-fiction story with multilayered power dynamics and an electrifying romance. Written by Caroline O’Donoghue(Walker Books)

“Once again, we’ve been impressed by the breadth of imagination and creativity in these books for children and young people. KPMG is proud to sponsor the Children’s Books Ireland Awards and to celebrate these shortlisted books, which we believe will bring joy to all readers, young and old, for many years to come.”

Children’s Books Ireland is also recruiting young readers across the island of Ireland to participate in its Junior Juries’ programme, which encourages reading for joy. School classes, youth groups, book clubs and early childhood settings 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. The winning artist will accept the Junior Juries’ Award on 18^th 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.”