The Bisto Book Awards were conceived to recognise excellence in the field of children's book writing, or children's book illustration, currently available in Ireland. The overall award is presented to the best book by an Irish author or illustrator published that year. Inaugurated in 1990 by the Irish Children's Book Trust, now Children's Books Ireland, nearly 100 submissions flooded in this year, of which 10 are now in the final running.
This year's books were assessed by fifth class students from Rathmichael National School in Dublin, who read and critically analysed all of the field. Interestingly, their shortlist corresponded closely to the actual (adult-chosen!) list, agreeing on four of the 10 final books.
This year's list includes a number of picture books, together with Irish language books and first novels. One of these, All the Way from China, by Pat Boran, illustrated by Stewart Curry, (Poolbeg Press £3.99) is assessed elsewhere on these pages by Niall MacMonagle. Given that this is Boran's first book for children it's a remarkably self-assured debut. The illustrations by NCAD student Stewart Curry are full of character and wit, perfectly complementing the text. (Read aloud 5+, read alone 7+)
Another contender this year, MarieLouise Fitzpatrick, won a previous Bisto Award in 1990 for her Irish language picture book, An Chanail (An Gum), a charming yet straightforward depiction of a canal bank scene. Her shortlisted offering, The Long March (Wolfhound Press, £9.99) reveals this author/illustrator at the pinnacle of her career. This epic picture book, executed unusually in pencil, is the rich and evocative retelling, in words and pictures, of a fascinating, true story of the Irish Famine, the Choctaw tribe and young Choona 's decision whether to answer the cry for help: see illustration on the facing page. (Confident readers 7+) Sam McBratney is best known for his modern picture book classic, Guess How Much I Love You. In Bert's Wonderful News (Walker Books, £3.50 UK), he produces a charming young hero in the form of Bert, a Bad Harry for the 1990s.
There are seven inter-connected stories, dealing with all kinds of childhood concerns, from wasps and plasters to wellies and puddles. It's guaranteed to raise a smile or two from even the most fractious five year old. (Read aloud 5+, read alone 7+) Tom McCaughren won the first Bisto Award in 1990 for his wonderful Fox Trilogy, Run With the Wind, Run to Earth and Run Swift, Run Free ( Wolfhound Press ), proving the lasting value of high quality writing. His confidently written historical novel, Ride a Pale Horse (Anvil Press, £6.99), set in 1798, has him back as a contender. It focuses on the lives of two boys: Tom Howlett, whose family supports the Rebellion, and George Tyrell, whose father is the High Sheriff of Kildare. (Confident readers 9+) Please Be Quiet!, written and illustrated by Mary Murphy (Mammoth, £6.99 UK), is a picture book for young children (18 months to four years) which combines child-friendly, repetitive text with strong, vividly coloured graphic illustrations. Little penguin hops, skips and bounces through the pages, much to the exasperation of the parent penguin.
This is a work of art, reminiscent of Jan Pienkowski's enduring Meg and Mog books, and Dick Bruna's classic Miffy. Highly recommended. Siobhan Parkinson consistently produces high quality children's literature, and her latest, The Moon King (O'Brien Press, £4.99), certainly deserves recognition. The central character, Ricky, is a strange young man, unable to communicate and bullied by the other children in his foster home. This is a highly original and sensitive novel. (Confident readers 10+)
Illustrator Niamh Sharkey has two books on the list. In The Gigantic Turnip (Barefoot Books, £9.99 in UK), she illustrates the traditional Russian folktale originally recorded by Aleski Tolstoy in wonderfully expressive and highly inventive style. Her figures leap off the page, her animals are full of quirky character, and the colours glow with a life of their own. Sharkey's palette ranges from vibrant, glittering yellows to muted rich purples and rich, velvety browns. The Gigantic Turnip is a joy to the eye, a masterpiece. I cannot recommend it highly enough. (18 months to 6 years) Tales of Wisdom and Wonder is Sharkey's second shortlisted book (Barefoot Books, £12.99 in UK). A collection of magical folk tales from around the world, retold by Hugh Lupton, each tale is illustrated to represent the particular country and culture. Sharkey's attention to detail, her gentle wit and perception and her amazing palette produce another mini-masterpiece. Again this would have to be highly recommended.
Irish language contenders are DeaSceala by Caitriona Hastings (Clo Iar-Chonnachta), a re-telling of a selection of Old and New Testament tales. Written in a distinctive Ulster voice, using warm and child-friendly prose, it would be suitable for children aged eight and over.
An Rogaire agus a Scail, by Gabriel Rosenstock, illustrated by Piet Sluis (An Gum), is a vibrantly illustrated picture book re-telling a traditional Irish folk tale in which the devil is outwitted by the forces of good, written in strong, clear prose.
This year's shortlist is unusually strong on picture books, with the two wonderful titles from Niamh Sharkey, the new offering from Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick and the strikingly graphic book for young children from Mary Murphy. For me, Sharkey's The Gigantic Turnip deserves the overall Bisto Award 1999 for its highly original and exuberant oil paintings on gesso-textured background, which won her the world-renowned Mother Goose Award, for best new "British" illustrator of 1999, last week. Newcomer Pat Boran should be the one for the Bisto Eilis Dillon Award (best first children's book) for the thoughtful All the Way from China.
Now all we have to do is wait and see . . .
Sarah Webb writes for children, as well as adults. Her most recent book is Children's Parties (Children's Press, £5.95)