Derry author Maggie O’Farrell wins at KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2023

Derry-born author Maggie O’Farrell is one of the six winners of this year’s KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards which were announced as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin.

Selected by an independent panel of expert judges, including a Young Judge, and a network of Junior Jurors’ nationwide, Derry author Maggie O’Farrell received The Honour Award for Fiction for her book ‘The Boy Who Lost His Spark’.

The long-form picture book which features a mysterious mood-affecting creature that lives within, was illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini.

Born in Coleraine, and now living in Edinburgh, O’Farrell is an award-winning author for both adults and children. Her first book for children, Where Snow Angels Go published in 2020, was also illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini.

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.”

Damian Smyth, Joint Head of Literature and Drama for the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, commented: “These awards are recognised as the most prestigious for children’s books in Ireland, and we are thrilled once again to see two artists from Northern Ireland taking home prizes. The stories we encounter in childhood are the ones that shape us for life, and the young readers of Ireland are fortunate to have such excellent homegrown titles at their fingertips. Our congratulations to everyone celebrating!” 

Derry schools participate in Junior Jurors’ Programme

Students from four schools in Derry participated in the Junior Jurors’ Programme. These schools included: Dominican College Portstewart, St. Mary's College, Derry, Derry Model Primary School and St Cecilia’s College, Derry.

Through the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards Junior Juries’ Programme young people in schools, libraries and book clubs shadowed adult judges on the judging panel in reading, discussing and assessing the shortlisted books.

Seamus Hand, Managing Partner of KPMG in Ireland, said: “Well done to all our winners, and a special congratulations to our Reading Hero Shi Lei Chen who was nominated by her teacher, Caroline Fox. Shi Lei came to Ireland from China aged 11 and is a voracious reader in both English and Chinese.

“We were delighted to hear about the incredible kindness and empathy for the characters bought to life through reading in class. This along with her dedication to improving her reading and writing in English has been truly admirable.”

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.