CBI Book of Year Award Shortlist Revealed

Children's Books Ireland has announced the shortlist for their 2016 Book of the Year Awards. The awards celebrate the very best in Irish children's literature. They are open to any children's book written in English or Irish by Irish born or resident authors and illustrators.

The 2016 shortlist covers titles for all ages, from charming picture books for the youngest book lovers, to young adult fiction with dark and difficult themes. It features previous CBI Book of the Year winners Oliver Jeffers (Once Upon an Alphabet, 2015) and  John Boyne (The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, 2007). Louise O'Neill's Asking For It has already gathered praise and generated much discussion since it was published last year and in December it was chosen by public vote as the Bord Gáis Energy Book of the Year 2015.

The shortlisted titles are:

• Imaginary Fred written by Eoin Colfer, illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
• The Day the Crayons Came Home illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
• The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne
• Gulliver illustrated by Lauren O’Neill
• Asking for It written by Louise O’Neill
• Ná Gabh ar Scoil written by Máire Zepf, illustrated by Tarsila Krüse
• Irelandopedia written by John Burke, illustrated by Fatti Burke
• The Wordsmith by Patricia Forde
• One by Sarah Crossan

We're looking forward to the winner announcement at Smock Alley Theatre on 23 May. Best of luck to all shortlisted!