A Dublin author and illustrator has scooped up a prestigious prize for his book at the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2023.
Dublin-born writer and illustrator Steve McCarthy was one of six winners at this year’s event as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin. The event saw hundreds of book lovers, writers, illustrators, editors, publishers and more flock to Merrion Square Park in Dublin on Wednesday, 7 June.
Steve McCarthy won the Honour Award for Illustration for his book ‘The Wilderness’. His work was selected by by an independent panel of expert judges, including a Young Judge, and a network of Junior Jurors’ nationwide.
'The Wilderness' is described as a wild and wondrous story of true bravery and discovering friendship in unexpected places. It's not Steve's first win at the KPMG awards, as he previously picked up a gong for his poetry anthology with Sarah Webb.
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Their poetry anthology A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea was the 2017 Children’s Book of the Year. Steve, who is based in London, was delighted with the win.
He wrote on Instagram: "The Wilderness won a thing! The @kpmg_ireland @kidsbooksirel award for illustration! It's a very nice thing, because @kidsbooksirel are an institution I have deep respect for, and who have championed good work tirelessly for as long as I've been allowed into the industry.
"I am glad you like our book, I will make more. Thank you."
Speaking at the ceremony, Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, said: “Our congratulations to every one of the authors, illustrators and publishers celebrating their wins. Through our KPMG Junior Juries programme, we have seen the wonder and delight that these six books have inspired in young readers across Ireland, and it is a joy to recognise and reward the artists that created them at this level.
“Ireland has always been a nation of storytellers, and every one of these winners exemplifies the sheer excellence visible in contemporary Irish children’s books. As we celebrate another year of the KPMG Children’s Book Awards, we hope that the celebrations encourage them to keep creating stories that speak as powerfully to their readers as these.”
A total prize-fund of €16,000 has been awarded to this year’s winners. Meanwhile, students from forty-nine schools in Dublin participated in the Junior Jurors’ Programme, which included: Shellybanks Educate Together National School, St. John of Gods Artane, Whitechurch National School and St. Vincent’s Girls National School.
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