SIOBHAN PARKINSON is the winner of this year's Bisto Book of the Year Award for her book, Sisters - No Way!, published by O'Brien Press. The award, which is organised by Children's Books Ireland, recognises excellence in children's literature by Irish authors and illustrators.
She was presented with a £1,000 cheque this week at the Irish Writers' Centre in Dublin by Ms Mary O'Rourke, deputy Fianna Fail leader.
Merit Awards went to Cliodna Cussen and Cormac O Snodaigh for An Eala Dhubh published by Cosceim; Maeve Friel for The Lantern Moon published by Poolbeg, and Gerard Whelan for The Guns of Easter published by O'Brien Press. Each received £500. The Eilis Dillon Award (£500) for the author of an outstanding first children's book was awarded to Gerard Whelan.
Siobhan Parkinson lives in Dublin and is the author of several books for young teenagers. Sisters - No Way! is based on the diaries of two girls.