This years Bisto Award nominees have been announced. The Bistos are Ireland's biggest and most prestigious book award and celebrate excellence in children's literature and illustration.
The full shortlist is:
A Bit Lost by Chris Haughton
Dancing in the Dark by Peter Prendergast
Mac Rí Éireann le Caitríona Hasting agus Andrew Whiton
Prim Improper by Deirdre Sullivan
Taking Flight by Sheena Wilkinson
The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers
The Lunatics Curse by F.E. Higgins
The Owl and the Pussycat illustrated by Kevin Waldron
Tiny Little Fly illustrated by Kevin Waldron
Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers
There are some very strong contenders in there and it will be interesting to see who nabs the prizes when the results are announced in May.
One sad note is that I'll have to return the splendid trophy I was presented with last year (sniff, sniff) but on the basis of the list above, I suspect it will be going to a very deserving winner for the next year.
Full details can be found on the CBI site.
Congrats to all the nominees.
