The Bisto Book of the Year Awards are literary award

Literary award

A literary award is an award presented to an author who has written a particularly lauded piece or body of work. There are awards for forms of writing ranging from poetry to novels. Many awards are also dedicated to a certain genre of fiction or non-fiction writing . There are also awards...

s presented annually in the Republic of Ireland

Republic of Ireland

Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...

 to writers and illustrators of books for children and young people

Children's literature

Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...

. The Awards are run by Children's Books Ireland (CBI) and are open to authors and illustrators born or resident in Ireland

Ireland

Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...

; books may be written in English

English language

English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...

 or Irish

Irish language

Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...

. Many bestselling, internationally renowned authors have won a "Bisto", including Eoin Colfer

Eoin Colfer

Eoin Colfer is an Irish author. He is most famous as the author of the Artemis Fowl series, but he has also written other successful books. His novels have been compared to the works of J. K. Rowling...

, John Boyne

John Boyne

John Boyne is an Irish novelist.- Biography :He was educated at Terenure College, before heading to trinity college, dublin, and studied Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, where he won the Curtis Brown prize. But it was during his time at Trinity that he began to get published...

 and several times winner Kate Thompson

Kate Thompson (author)

Kate Thompson is an award-winning writer for children and adults. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, she has lived in Ireland, where many of her books are set, since 1981. She is the youngest child of the social historians and peace activists E. P. Thompson and Dorothy Towers...

.

First awarded in 1990 (with the Book of the Decade Awards) and sponsored since their inception by Bisto

Bisto

Bisto is a well-known brand of traditional British foods in the United Kingdom, most famous for its gravy products.-History:The very first Bisto product, in 1908, was a meat-flavoured gravy powder, which rapidly became a bestseller in the UK. It was added to gravies to give a richer taste and aroma...

 (now part of Premier Foods

Premier Foods

Premier Foods plc is a British food manufacturer headquartered in St Albans, Hertfordshire. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index.-History:...

), prizes are awarded in three categories:

• Bisto Book of the Year Award
• Eilís Dillon Award for a First Children's Book, named in honour of writer Eilís Dillon
  Eilís Dillon
  Eilís Dillon was an Irish author of 50 books. Her work has been translated into 14 languages....
  
  
• three Merit Awards, which in 2009 were:
  • Judges' Special Recognition Award
  • Bisto Honour Award for Illustration
  • Bisto Honour Award for Writing

The winner of Book of the Year wins a perpetual trophy and €10,000; the 3 winners of the Merit Award share a combined prize fund of €6,000; the Eilís Dillon Award winner for first time writers also wins a trophy and €3,000.

In 2010, the Children's Choice award was introduced to mark the 20th anniversary of the Bisto Book of the Year Awards. It was chosen by 10 Junior Juries from all around Ireland, and was awarded to Jane Mitchell's Chalkline. The Judges' Special Recognition Award was not awarded in 2010.

Bisto Book of the Year Award

Source: Children's Books Ireland.

Year	Title	Author	Publisher
2011	A Bit Lost	Chris Haughton	Walker Books Walker Books Walker Books is an independent British publisher of children's books, founded in 1978 by Sebastian Walker.The success of their Where's Wally? series enabled them to expand into the American market, starting a sister company called Candlewick Press in 1991.Amelia Edwards, co-founder of Walker Books,...
2010	There	Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick	Roaring Book Press
2009	Bog Child Bog Child Bog Child is a historical novel by Siobhan Dowd. The book was released by David Fickling Books on September 9, 2008. It was listed as one of Amazon's Best Book of the Year for 2008 and one of Publishers Weekly's Best Book of the Year for the children's fiction category in 2008. It also won the 2009...	Siobhán Dowd Siobhan Dowd Siobhan Dowd was a British writer and activist.-Biography:Siobhan Dowd was born in London to Irish parents...	David Fickling David Fickling David Fickling is an English children's book editor and publisher based in Oxford. Fickling runs David Fickling Books, an imprint of Random House, which has published books by authors including Philip Pullman, Mark Haddon, John Boyne and Linda Newbery....
2008	The London Eye Mystery The London Eye Mystery The London Eye Mystery is a children's mystery novel by English author Siobhan Dowd. First published in 2007, it tells the story of how Ted, a boy with Asperger syndrome solves the mystery of how his cousin Salim seemingly vanishes from inside a sealed capsule on the London Eye...	Siobhán Dowd Siobhan Dowd Siobhan Dowd was a British writer and activist.-Biography:Siobhan Dowd was born in London to Irish parents...	David Fickling
2007	The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a 2006 novel from the point of view of an innocent young boy, written by Irish novelist John Boyne. Unlike the months of planning Boyne devoted to his other books, he said that he wrote the entire first draft of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in two and a half...	John Boyne John Boyne John Boyne is an Irish novelist.- Biography :He was educated at Terenure College, before heading to trinity college, dublin, and studied Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, where he won the Curtis Brown prize. But it was during his time at Trinity that he began to get published...	David Fickling David Fickling David Fickling is an English children's book editor and publisher based in Oxford. Fickling runs David Fickling Books, an imprint of Random House, which has published books by authors including Philip Pullman, Mark Haddon, John Boyne and Linda Newbery....
2006	The New Policeman The New Policeman The New Policeman is a 2005 children's fantasy novel by author Kate Thompson. It was the winner of both the 2005 Whitbread Children's Book Award and the 2005 Guardian Award for the Children's Fiction Prize category.-Reception:...	Kate Thompson Kate Thompson (author) Kate Thompson is an award-winning writer for children and adults. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, she has lived in Ireland, where many of her books are set, since 1981. She is the youngest child of the social historians and peace activists E. P. Thompson and Dorothy Towers...	The Bodley Head The Bodley Head The Bodley Head is an English publishing house, founded in 1887 and existing as an independent entity until the 1970s. The name has been used as an imprint of Random House Children's Books since 1987...
2005	Annan Water	Kate Thompson Kate Thompson (author) Kate Thompson is an award-winning writer for children and adults. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, she has lived in Ireland, where many of her books are set, since 1981. She is the youngest child of the social historians and peace activists E. P. Thompson and Dorothy Towers...	The Bodley Head The Bodley Head The Bodley Head is an English publishing house, founded in 1887 and existing as an independent entity until the 1970s. The name has been used as an imprint of Random House Children's Books since 1987...
2004	Wings Over Delft	Aubrey Flegg	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
2003	You, Me and the Big Blue Sea	Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick	Gullane Gullane Gullane is a town on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth in East Lothian on the east coast of Scotland. There has been a church in the village since the 9th century. The ruins of the Old Church of St...
	The Alchemist's Apprentice	Kate Thompson Kate Thompson (author) Kate Thompson is an award-winning writer for children and adults. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, she has lived in Ireland, where many of her books are set, since 1981. She is the youngest child of the social historians and peace activists E. P. Thompson and Dorothy Towers...	The Bodley Head The Bodley Head The Bodley Head is an English publishing house, founded in 1887 and existing as an independent entity until the 1970s. The name has been used as an imprint of Random House Children's Books since 1987...
2002	The Beguilers	Kate Thompson Kate Thompson (author) Kate Thompson is an award-winning writer for children and adults. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, she has lived in Ireland, where many of her books are set, since 1981. She is the youngest child of the social historians and peace activists E. P. Thompson and Dorothy Towers...	The Bodley Head The Bodley Head The Bodley Head is an English publishing house, founded in 1887 and existing as an independent entity until the 1970s. The name has been used as an imprint of Random House Children's Books since 1987...
2001	Izzy and Skunk	Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick	Blackwater Press
2000	Faraway Home	Marilyn Taylor Marilyn Taylor Marilyn L. Taylor is an American poet, and was Poet Laureate of Wisconsin from 2009–2010, appointed by Governor James Doyle in November 2008. She was also Poet Laureate of Milwaukee from 2004–2006.-Books:* Going Wrong...	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
1999	Tales of Wisdom and Wonder	Niamh Sharkey	Barefoot Books Barefoot Books Barefoot Books is an independent children's book publisher based in Bath, UK and Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.The company began as a home business in 1992. It is now an international business, with offices in the United States and in the UK...
1998	Dream Invader	Gerard Whelan Gerard Whelan Gerard Whelan is an Irish author . He was born in 1957 in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and has lived and worked in several European countries. After some time living in Dublin, he has returned to live in his native Wexford. He is the author of many books for children and is a multiple award-winner...	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
1997	Sisters ... No Way ! Sisters... No Way Sisters...No Way! is a children's novel by the Irish author Siobhan Parkinson. It is a two-sided book, written in the form of the diaries of two teenagers who become step-sisters through their parents' marriage....	Siobhán Parkinson Siobhán Parkinson Siobhán Parkinson is an Irish writer. She writes for both children and adults and is the current Laureate na nÓg.-Early life:Parkinson grew up in Galway and Donegal, studied English Literature and German at Trinity College Dublin, and later completed her PhD on the poetry of Dylan...	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
1996	The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey is a 2007 British film starring Tom Berenger, Joely Richardson, Luke Ward-Wilkinson, Aran Bell, Benjamin Eli and Saoirse Ronan....	P. J. Lynch P. J. Lynch Patrick James Lynch , known professionally as P. J. Lynch, is an Irish artist and children's book illustrator.__FORCETOC__- Early Years :...	Poolbeg Press
1995	Blaeberry Sunday	Elizabeth O'Hara Eilis Ni Dhuibhne Éilís Ní Dhuibhne is an Irish novelist and short-story writer who writes both in Irish and English. She is also known as Elisabeth O'Hara.-Biography:...  (Eilis Ni Dhuibhne)	Poolbeg Press
1994	When Stars Stop Spinning	Jane Mitchell	Poolbeg Press
1993	The Blue Horse	Marita Conlon-McKenna Marita Conlon-McKenna Marita Conlon-McKenna is an Irish children's novels author. She was born in Dublin in 1956 and brought up in Goatstown.She is the author of the Children of the Famine Trilogy which was inspired by the Great Irish Famine....	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
1992	The Summer of Lily and Esme	John Quinn	Poolbeg Press
1991	The Island of Ghosts	Eilís Dillon Eilís Dillon Eilís Dillon was an Irish author of 50 books. Her work has been translated into 14 languages....	Faber and Faber Faber and Faber Faber and Faber Limited, often abbreviated to Faber, is an independent publishing house in the UK, notable in particular for publishing a great deal of poetry and for its former editor T. S. Eliot. Faber has a rich tradition of publishing a wide range of fiction, non fiction, drama, film and music...

Merit Awards

Year	Title	Winner	Publisher
2011	The Heart and the Bottle	Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers is an artist, illustrator and writer from Belfast Northern Ireland and now lives and works in Brooklyn. He graduated from the University of Ulster in 2001.-Life and work:...	Philomel Philomel Philomel is the name of a musical instrument similar to the violin, but having four steel, wire strings.The philomel has a body with incurvations similar to those of the guitar; therefore, without corner blocks, the outline of the upper lobe forms a wavy shoulder reminiscent of the viols but more...
	Mac Rí Eireann	Andrew Whitson	New Island Books New island books New Island Books is an Irish publisher literary fiction, poetry, drama, biography, politics and social affairs.- Overview :New Island was founded as Raven Arts Press by Dermot Bolger in 1977....
	Taking Flight Taking Flight Taking Flight is the fourth studio album by Filipino singer Sarah Geronimo, released on July 25, 2007 under VIVA Records. The album showcases songs by Filipino composers Louie Ocampo, Trina Belamide, Chuckie Dreyfus, Rebel Magdagasang and Medwin Marfil...	Sheena Wilkinson	Walker Books Walker Books Walker Books is an independent British publisher of children's books, founded in 1978 by Sebastian Walker.The success of their Where's Wally? series enabled them to expand into the American market, starting a sister company called Candlewick Press in 1991.Amelia Edwards, co-founder of Walker Books,...
2010	Solace of the Road	Siobhán Dowd Siobhan Dowd Siobhan Dowd was a British writer and activist.-Biography:Siobhan Dowd was born in London to Irish parents...	David Fickling David Fickling David Fickling is an English children's book editor and publisher based in Oxford. Fickling runs David Fickling Books, an imprint of Random House, which has published books by authors including Philip Pullman, Mark Haddon, John Boyne and Linda Newbery....
	There	Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick	Roaring Book Press
	Chalkline	Jane Mitchell	Walker Books Walker Books Walker Books is an independent British publisher of children's books, founded in 1978 by Sebastian Walker.The success of their Where's Wally? series enabled them to expand into the American market, starting a sister company called Candlewick Press in 1991.Amelia Edwards, co-founder of Walker Books,...
2009	Highway Robbery	Kate Thompson Kate Thompson (author) Kate Thompson is an award-winning writer for children and adults. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, she has lived in Ireland, where many of her books are set, since 1981. She is the youngest child of the social historians and peace activists E. P. Thompson and Dorothy Towers...	The Bodley Head The Bodley Head The Bodley Head is an English publishing house, founded in 1887 and existing as an independent entity until the 1970s. The name has been used as an imprint of Random House Children's Books since 1987...
	The Great Paper Caper	Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers is an artist, illustrator and writer from Belfast Northern Ireland and now lives and works in Brooklyn. He graduated from the University of Ulster in 2001.-Life and work:...	Harper Collins
	Creature of the Night Creature of the Night (novel) Creature of the Night is a young adult novel by Kate Thompson. It was first published by Bodley Head on June 5, 2008. It was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the 2008 Booktrust Teenage Prize.-Plot summary:...	Kate Thompson Kate Thompson (author) Kate Thompson is an award-winning writer for children and adults. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, she has lived in Ireland, where many of her books are set, since 1981. She is the youngest child of the social historians and peace activists E. P. Thompson and Dorothy Towers...	The Bodley Head The Bodley Head The Bodley Head is an English publishing house, founded in 1887 and existing as an independent entity until the 1970s. The name has been used as an imprint of Random House Children's Books since 1987...
2008	The Black Book of Secrets The Black Book of Secrets The Black Book of Secrets is a novel written by F. E Higgins, who also wrote The Bone Magician and The Eyeball Collector.- Plot :A young boy, named Ludlow Fitch, lives in the City, and survives by picking pockets...	F. E. Higgins	Macmillan Macmillan Publishers Macmillan Publishers Ltd, also known as The Macmillan Group, is a privately held international publishing company owned by Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group. It has offices in 41 countries worldwide and operates in more than thirty others.-History:...
	The Way Back Home The Way Back Home The Way Back Home is the third studio album by American country music artist Vince Gill. It was released in 1987 on RCA Records and it produced four chart singles on the Billboard country charts. In order of release, these were "Cinderella" , "Let's Do Something , "Everybody's Sweetheart" , and...	Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers is an artist, illustrator and writer from Belfast Northern Ireland and now lives and works in Brooklyn. He graduated from the University of Ulster in 2001.-Life and work:...	Harper Collins
	Wilderness	Roddy Doyle Roddy Doyle Roddy Doyle is an Irish novelist, dramatist and screenwriter. Several of his books have been made into successful films, beginning with The Commitments in 1991. He won the Booker Prize in 1993....	Scholastic
2007	The Incredible Book-Eating Boy	Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers is an artist, illustrator and writer from Belfast Northern Ireland and now lives and works in Brooklyn. He graduated from the University of Ulster in 2001.-Life and work:...	Harper Collins
	Hurlamaboc	Éilís Ní Dhuibhne Eilis Ni Dhuibhne Éilís Ní Dhuibhne is an Irish novelist and short-story writer who writes both in Irish and English. She is also known as Elisabeth O'Hara.-Biography:...	Cois Life
	Something Invisible	Siobhán Parkinson Siobhán Parkinson Siobhán Parkinson is an Irish writer. She writes for both children and adults and is the current Laureate na nÓg.-Early life:Parkinson grew up in Galway and Donegal, studied English Literature and German at Trinity College Dublin, and later completed her PhD on the poetry of Dylan...	Penguin Penguin Books Penguin Books is a publisher founded in 1935 by Sir Allen Lane and V.K. Krishna Menon. Penguin revolutionised publishing in the 1930s through its high quality, inexpensive paperbacks, sold through Woolworths and other high street stores for sixpence. Penguin's success demonstrated that large...
2006	Lost and Found Lost and Found Lost and Found is the third full-length album by Mudvayne. The album was released on April 12, 2005 through Epic Records. The album had major success in the U.S., debuting at number #2 and being certified Gold by the RIAA shortly afterward. It has sold about 800,000 copies as of August 2006...	Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers is an artist, illustrator and writer from Belfast Northern Ireland and now lives and works in Brooklyn. He graduated from the University of Ulster in 2001.-Life and work:...	Harper Collins
	A Horse Called El Dorado	Kevin Kiely Kevin Kiely Kevin Kiely is an Irish politician and former Mayor of Limerick from 2009–10. He was made a Peace Commissioner in 1983 by the then Fine Gael Minister for Justice, Michael Noonan. He is a member of Fine Gael. He was first elected to Limerick City Council in 1985. He was re-elected to the council in...	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
	Penny the Pencil	Eileen O'Hely	Mercier Press
2005	Something Beginning with P	Corrina Askin, Alan Clarke Alan Clarke Alan Clarke was a television and film director, producer and writer, born in Wallasey, Merseyside, England.Most of Clarke's output was for television rather than cinema, including work for the famous play strands The Wednesday Play and Play for Today...  and Emma Byrne Emma Byrne Emma Anne Byrne is an Irish association footballer from Leixlip in County Kildare. She currently plays as a goalkeeper for the English team Arsenal, and also for the Republic of Ireland women's team.-Club career:...	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
	How to Catch a Star	Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers Oliver Jeffers is an artist, illustrator and writer from Belfast Northern Ireland and now lives and works in Brooklyn. He graduated from the University of Ulster in 2001.-Life and work:...	Harper Collins
	The Gods and their Machines	Oisín McGann Oisín McGann Oisín McGann is an Irish author and illustrator. He writes in a range of genres for children and teenagers, mainly science fiction and fantasy, and has illustrated many of his own short story books for younger readers....	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
2004	Origins	Kate Thompson Kate Thompson (author) Kate Thompson is an award-winning writer for children and adults. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, she has lived in Ireland, where many of her books are set, since 1981. She is the youngest child of the social historians and peace activists E. P. Thompson and Dorothy Towers...	The Bodley Head The Bodley Head The Bodley Head is an English publishing house, founded in 1887 and existing as an independent entity until the 1970s. The name has been used as an imprint of Random House Children's Books since 1987...
	You Can Do It Sam	Anita Jeram	Walker Books Walker Books Walker Books is an independent British publisher of children's books, founded in 1978 by Sebastian Walker.The success of their Where's Wally? series enabled them to expand into the American market, starting a sister company called Candlewick Press in 1991.Amelia Edwards, co-founder of Walker Books,...
	The Ravenous Beast	Niamh Sharkey	Walker Books Walker Books Walker Books is an independent British publisher of children's books, founded in 1978 by Sebastian Walker.The success of their Where's Wally? series enabled them to expand into the American market, starting a sister company called Candlewick Press in 1991.Amelia Edwards, co-founder of Walker Books,...
2003	Fox	Matthew Sweeney Matthew Sweeney -Life:He graduated from Gormanston College, Polytechnic of North London and University of Freiburg, in 1979.He had residencies at the University of East Anglia, and South Bank Centre.He has lived for many years in London.-Awards:...  and Colmán Ó Raghallaigh	Bloomsbury
	An Tóraíocht	The Cartoon Saloon	Cló Mhaigh Eo
	War Children War children A war child refers to a child born to a native parent and a parent belonging to a foreign military force . It also refers to children of parents collaborating with an occupying force...	Gerard Whelan Gerard Whelan Gerard Whelan is an Irish author . He was born in 1957 in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and has lived and worked in several European countries. After some time living in Dublin, he has returned to live in his native Wexford. He is the author of many books for children and is a multiple award-winner...	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
2002	Artemis Fowl	Eoin Colfer Eoin Colfer Eoin Colfer is an Irish author. He is most famous as the author of the Artemis Fowl series, but he has also written other successful books. His novels have been compared to the works of J. K. Rowling...	Puffin Puffin Books Puffin Books is the children's imprint of British publishers Penguin Books. Since the 1960s it has been the largest publisher of children's books in the UK and much of the English-speaking world.-Early history:...
	Caught on a Train Caught on a Train Caught On A Train is a British television play written by Stephen Poliakoff and directed by Peter Duffell, based on an overnight train journey across Europe, and following the route of a journey Poliakoff had himself made from London to Vienna...	Carlo Gébler	Egmont Egmont Publishing The Egmont Group is a media corporation founded and rooted in Copenhagen, Denmark. The business area of Egmont has traditionally been magazine publishing but has over the years evolved to comprise media generally....
	An Sclábhaí	Colmán Ó Raghallaigh	Cló Mhaigh Eo
2001	The Wish List The Wish List The Wish List is a fantasy novel by Eoin Colfer. It chronicles the adventures of Meg Finn, a teenage girl killed in a gas explosion who must earn her place in Heaven by returning to Earth to help the pensioner she attempted to rob.-Plot summary:...	Eoin Colfer Eoin Colfer Eoin Colfer is an Irish author. He is most famous as the author of the Artemis Fowl series, but he has also written other successful books. His novels have been compared to the works of J. K. Rowling...	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
	Dirt Tracks	Martina Murphy	Poolbeg Press
	The Orchard Book of Ghostly Stories	Martin Waddell Martin Waddell Martin Waddell is a prolific, award winning children's author. He has lived most of his life in Newcastle, County Down and is most famous for his engaging Big Bear, Little Bear and Little Dracula series....	Orchard Press Orchard books Orchard Books is a publisher of children's books active in the US and UK.Orchard Books was founded in 1986 by Grolier, an encyclopedia publisher, as a children's publisher. Grolier was acquired by Hachette two years later...
2000	Siúloid Bhreá	Mary Arrigan	An Gúm An Gúm An Gúm was an Irish state company tasked with the publication of Irish literature, especially educational materials.The agency is now part of Foras na Gaeilge. Its mission statement is "To produce publications and resources in support of Irish-medium education and of the use of Irish in general."...
	Fierce Milly	Marilyn McLaughlin	Egmont Egmont Publishing The Egmont Group is a media corporation founded and rooted in Copenhagen, Denmark. The business area of Egmont has traditionally been magazine publishing but has over the years evolved to comprise media generally....
	Silent Stones	Mark O'Sullivan Mark O'Sullivan Mark O'Sullivan is an Irish sportsperson. He plays Gaelic football with his local club Newmarket and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from the 1994 until 2001.-References:...	Wolfhound Press
1999	The Long March	Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick	Wolfhound Press
	The Moon King	Siobhán Parkinson Siobhán Parkinson Siobhán Parkinson is an Irish writer. She writes for both children and adults and is the current Laureate na nÓg.-Early life:Parkinson grew up in Galway and Donegal, studied English Literature and German at Trinity College Dublin, and later completed her PhD on the poetry of Dylan...	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
	An Rógaire agus a Scáil	Gabriel Rosenstock Gabriel Rosenstock Gabriel Rosenstock is an Irish poet, haiku writer, translator and author. He was born in Kilfinane, County Limerick in 1949. He currently resides in Dublin.-Biography:...	An Gúm An Gúm An Gúm was an Irish state company tasked with the publication of Irish literature, especially educational materials.The agency is now part of Foras na Gaeilge. Its mission statement is "To produce publications and resources in support of Irish-medium education and of the use of Irish in general."...
1998	The Hungry Wind	Soinbhe Lally	Poolbeg Press
	When Jessie Came Across the Sea	P. J. Lynch P. J. Lynch Patrick James Lynch , known professionally as P. J. Lynch, is an Irish artist and children's book illustrator.__FORCETOC__- Early Years :...	Poolbeg Press
	Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (maybe)	Siobhán Parkinson Siobhán Parkinson Siobhán Parkinson is an Irish writer. She writes for both children and adults and is the current Laureate na nÓg.-Early life:Parkinson grew up in Galway and Donegal, studied English Literature and German at Trinity College Dublin, and later completed her PhD on the poetry of Dylan...	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
1997	An Eala Dubh	Cliodhna Cussen and Cormac Ó Snodaigh	Coiscéim Coiscéim Coiscéim is a prolific Dublin-based Irish-language publisher founded by writer, artist and language activist Pádraig Ó Snodaigh in 1980. Well-known authors who have published with Coiscéim include Gabriel Rosenstock, Alan Titley, Michael Davitt, Michael Hartnett, Biddy Jenkinson, Tomás Mac Síomóin,...
	The Lantern Moon	Maeve Friel	Poolbeg Press
	The Guns of Easter	Gerard Whelan Gerard Whelan Gerard Whelan is an Irish author . He was born in 1957 in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and has lived and worked in several European countries. After some time living in Dublin, he has returned to live in his native Wexford. He is the author of many books for children and is a multiple award-winner...	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
1996	Hannah or Pink Balloons	Mary Beckett	Marino Books
	Sceoin sa Bhoireann	Ré Ó Laighléis	Cló Iar-Chonnachta Cló Iar-Chonnachta Cló Iar-Chonnachta is an Irish language book publisher and traditional Irish music label founded in 1985 by the writer Micheál Ó Conghaile. The company has, to date, released over 150 music albums and some 300 books, predominantly in Irish. Ó Conghaile's motivation in establishing the company was...
	Lockie and Dadge	Frank Murphy Frank Murphy William Francis Murphy was a politician and jurist from Michigan. He served as First Assistant U.S. District Attorney, Eastern Michigan District , Recorder's Court Judge, Detroit . Mayor of Detroit , the last Governor-General of the Philippines , U.S...	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
1995	Goodbye Summer, Goodbye	Rose Doyle	Attic Press
	Catkin Catkin A catkin or ament is a slim, cylindrical flower cluster, with inconspicuous or no petals, usually wind-pollinated but sometimes insect pollinated . They contain many, usually unisexual flowers, arranged closely along a central stem which is often drooping...	P. J. Lynch P. J. Lynch Patrick James Lynch , known professionally as P. J. Lynch, is an Irish artist and children's book illustrator.__FORCETOC__- Early Years :...	Poolbeg Press
	Ecstasy agus Scéalta Eile	Ré Ó Laighléis	Cló Iar-Chonnachta Cló Iar-Chonnachta Cló Iar-Chonnachta is an Irish language book publisher and traditional Irish music label founded in 1985 by the writer Micheál Ó Conghaile. The company has, to date, released over 150 music albums and some 300 books, predominantly in Irish. Ó Conghaile's motivation in establishing the company was...
1994	The Chieftain's Daughter	Sam McBratney	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
	The Hiring Fair	Elizabeth O'Hara Eilis Ni Dhuibhne Éilís Ní Dhuibhne is an Irish novelist and short-story writer who writes both in Irish and English. She is also known as Elisabeth O'Hara.-Biography:...	Poolbeg Press
	The Pony Express	Máirín Johnston	Attic Press

Éilís Dillon Award for a First Children's Book

Year	Title	Author	Publisher
2011	A Bit Lost	Chris Haughton	Walker
2010	The Third Pig Detective Agency	Bob Burke	HarperCollins
2009	Anila's Journey	Mary Finn	Walker Books
2008	The Thing With Finn	Tom Kelly	Macmillan Macmillan Publishers Macmillan Publishers Ltd, also known as The Macmillan Group, is a privately held international publishing company owned by Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group. It has offices in 41 countries worldwide and operates in more than thirty others.-History:...
2007	A Swift Pure Cry A Swift Pure Cry A Swift Pure Cry is a 2006 novel by Siobhan Dowd about a teenager named Shell who lives in County Cork, Ireland. It won the 2007 Branford Boase Award and the Eilís Dillon Award.-Characters:...	Siobhán Dowd Siobhan Dowd Siobhan Dowd was a British writer and activist.-Biography:Siobhan Dowd was born in London to Irish parents...	David Fickling
2006	Snake's Elbow	Deirdre Madden Deirdre Madden Deirdre Madden is an author from Toomebridge, County Antrim in Northern Ireland. She was educated at St Mary's Grammar School, Trinity College, Dublin and at the University of East Anglia . In 1994 she was Writer-in-Residence at University College, Cork and in 1997 was Writer Fellow at Trinity...	Orchard Books Orchard books Orchard Books is a publisher of children's books active in the US and UK.Orchard Books was founded in 1986 by Grolier, an encyclopedia publisher, as a children's publisher. Grolier was acquired by Hachette two years later...
2005	An Bhó Riabhach	Siobhán Ní Shíthigh	An Gúm An Gúm An Gúm was an Irish state company tasked with the publication of Irish literature, especially educational materials.The agency is now part of Foras na Gaeilge. Its mission statement is "To produce publications and resources in support of Irish-medium education and of the use of Irish in general."...
2004	Amach	Alan Titley	An Gúm An Gúm An Gúm was an Irish state company tasked with the publication of Irish literature, especially educational materials.The agency is now part of Foras na Gaeilge. Its mission statement is "To produce publications and resources in support of Irish-medium education and of the use of Irish in general."...
2003	Gyrfalcon	Grace Wells	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
2002	Adam's Starling	Gillian Perdue	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
2001	The Lost Orchard	Patrick Deeley	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
2000	Fierce Milly	Marilyn McLaughlin	Egmont Egmont Publishing The Egmont Group is a media corporation founded and rooted in Copenhagen, Denmark. The business area of Egmont has traditionally been magazine publishing but has over the years evolved to comprise media generally....
1999	Dea-Scéala	Caitríona Hastings	Cló Iar-Chonnachta
1998	It's a Jungle Out There	Ed Miliano	Wolfhound Press
1997	The Guns of Easter	Gerard Whelan Gerard Whelan Gerard Whelan is an Irish author . He was born in 1957 in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and has lived and worked in several European countries. After some time living in Dublin, he has returned to live in his native Wexford. He is the author of many books for children and is a multiple award-winner...	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
1996	Lockie and Dadge	Frank Murphy	O'Brien Press O'Brien Press The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
1995	Melody for Nora	Mark O'Sullivan	Wolfhound Press

Award winners in discontinued categories

• Best Emerging Author (1991) - Brian Boru by Morgan Llywelyn
  Morgan Llywelyn
  Morgan Llywelyn is an American-born Irish author best known for her historical fantasy, historical fiction, and historical non-fiction...
  
  , O'Brien Press
  O'Brien Press
  The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
  
  
• Book for Young Readers (1991) - Grandma's Bill by Martin Waddell
  Martin Waddell
  Martin Waddell is a prolific, award winning children's author. He has lived most of his life in Newcastle, County Down and is most famous for his engaging Big Bear, Little Bear and Little Dracula series....
  
  , Simon and Schuster
• Illustration (1991) - Fairy Tales of Ireland by P.J. Lynch, Collins
• Historical Fiction (1992) Wildflower Girl by Marita Conlon-McKenna
  Marita Conlon-McKenna
  Marita Conlon-McKenna is an Irish children's novels author. She was born in Dublin in 1956 and brought up in Goatstown.She is the author of the Children of the Famine Trilogy which was inspired by the Great Irish Famine....
  
  , O'Brien Press
  O'Brien Press
  The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
  
  
• Picture Book (1992) - The Sleeping Giant by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, Brandon Books
• First Children's Novel (1992) - The Secret of the Ruby Ring by Yvonne MacGrory, Children's Press
• Information Book (1993) - Tamall sa Chistin by Mairin Uí Chomain, An Gúm
  An Gúm
  An Gúm was an Irish state company tasked with the publication of Irish literature, especially educational materials.The agency is now part of Foras na Gaeilge. Its mission statement is "To produce publications and resources in support of Irish-medium education and of the use of Irish in general."...
  
  
• Teenage Fiction (1993) - Put a Saddle on the Pig by Sam McBratney, Methuen
• Historical Fiction (1993) Strongbow
  Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
  Richard de Clare, 2nd Earl of Pembroke , Lord of Leinster, Justiciar of Ireland . Like his father, he was also commonly known as Strongbow...
  
  by Morgan Llywelyn
  Morgan Llywelyn
  Morgan Llywelyn is an American-born Irish author best known for her historical fantasy, historical fiction, and historical non-fiction...
  
  , O'Brien Press
  O'Brien Press
  The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....
  
  

Book of the Decade Awards (1980–1990)

Fiction Category:

Run with the Wind

Run to Earth

Run Swift, Run Free

by Tom McCaughren, Wolfhound Press

Information Books Category:

Exploring the Book of Kells

Book of Kells

The Book of Kells is an illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin, containing the four Gospels of the New Testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. It was created by Celtic monks ca. 800 or slightly earlier...

Brendan the Navigator

by George Otto Simms, O'Brien Press

O'Brien Press

The O'Brien Press is a leading publisher in Ireland of mainly children's fiction and adult non-fiction and the only Irish publishing house to have received the prestigious International Reading Association Award....

Irish Language Category:

An Chanáil

by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, An Gúm

An Gúm

An Gúm was an Irish state company tasked with the publication of Irish literature, especially educational materials.The agency is now part of Foras na Gaeilge. Its mission statement is "To produce publications and resources in support of Irish-medium education and of the use of Irish in general."...

Records

• Most Bisto Book of the Year Awards: Kate Thompson
  Kate Thompson (author)
  Kate Thompson is an award-winning writer for children and adults. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, she has lived in Ireland, where many of her books are set, since 1981. She is the youngest child of the social historians and peace activists E. P. Thompson and Dorothy Towers...
  
   (4), Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (3), Siobhán Dowd
  Siobhan Dowd
  Siobhan Dowd was a British writer and activist.-Biography:Siobhan Dowd was born in London to Irish parents...
  
   (2)
• Most Merit Awards: Oliver Jeffers
  Oliver Jeffers
  Oliver Jeffers is an artist, illustrator and writer from Belfast Northern Ireland and now lives and works in Brooklyn. He graduated from the University of Ulster in 2001.-Life and work:...
  
   (7), Kate Thompson
  Kate Thompson (author)
  Kate Thompson is an award-winning writer for children and adults. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, she has lived in Ireland, where many of her books are set, since 1981. She is the youngest child of the social historians and peace activists E. P. Thompson and Dorothy Towers...
  
   (3), P.J. Lynch (2), Colmán Ó Raghallaigh (2), Siobhán Parkinson
  Siobhán Parkinson
  Siobhán Parkinson is an Irish writer. She writes for both children and adults and is the current Laureate na nÓg.-Early life:Parkinson grew up in Galway and Donegal, studied English Literature and German at Trinity College Dublin, and later completed her PhD on the poetry of Dylan...
  
   (2), Gerard Whelan
  Gerard Whelan
  Gerard Whelan is an Irish author . He was born in 1957 in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and has lived and worked in several European countries. After some time living in Dublin, he has returned to live in his native Wexford. He is the author of many books for children and is a multiple award-winner...
  
   (2), Eoin Colfer
  Eoin Colfer
  Eoin Colfer is an Irish author. He is most famous as the author of the Artemis Fowl series, but he has also written other successful books. His novels have been compared to the works of J. K. Rowling...
  
   (2) Ré Ó Laighléis (2), Éilis Ni Dhuibhne
  Eilis Ni Dhuibhne
  Éilís Ní Dhuibhne is an Irish novelist and short-story writer who writes both in Irish and English. She is also known as Elisabeth O'Hara.-Biography:...
  
   (Elizabeth O'Hara) (2)
• Most Bisto Awards (total): Kate Thompson
  Kate Thompson (author)
  Kate Thompson is an award-winning writer for children and adults. Born in Halifax, Yorkshire, she has lived in Ireland, where many of her books are set, since 1981. She is the youngest child of the social historians and peace activists E. P. Thompson and Dorothy Towers...
  
   (7), Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (7), Oliver Jeffers
  Oliver Jeffers
  Oliver Jeffers is an artist, illustrator and writer from Belfast Northern Ireland and now lives and works in Brooklyn. He graduated from the University of Ulster in 2001.-Life and work:...
  
   (7), Gerard Whelan
  Gerard Whelan
  Gerard Whelan is an Irish author . He was born in 1957 in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, and has lived and worked in several European countries. After some time living in Dublin, he has returned to live in his native Wexford. He is the author of many books for children and is a multiple award-winner...
  
   (4), Siobhán Dowd
  Siobhan Dowd
  Siobhan Dowd was a British writer and activist.-Biography:Siobhan Dowd was born in London to Irish parents...
  
   (4), Siobhán Parkinson
  Siobhán Parkinson
  Siobhán Parkinson is an Irish writer. She writes for both children and adults and is the current Laureate na nÓg.-Early life:Parkinson grew up in Galway and Donegal, studied English Literature and German at Trinity College Dublin, and later completed her PhD on the poetry of Dylan...
  
   (3), P.J. Lynch (3), Éilis Ni Dhuibhne/Elizabeth O'Hara
  Eilis Ni Dhuibhne
  Éilís Ní Dhuibhne is an Irish novelist and short-story writer who writes both in Irish and English. She is also known as Elisabeth O'Hara.-Biography:...
  
  (3)

External links

• Bisto Book of the Year Awards