About the Award
The CBI Bisto Award Leabhar-Ghradaim CBI Bisto's are the leading annual Children's Book Awards in Ireland. Now in their 18th year, the awards have been sponsored since their inception by Bisto (Premier Foods). The Awards are made annually by Children's Books Ireland to authors and illustrators born or resident in Ireland. The award is open to books written in Irish or English.
There are a total of five awards. CBI Bisto Book of the Year Award Prize: €10,000 prize and a perpetual trophy and framed certificate: CBI Bisto Honour Awards Prize: Three Honour (previously Merit) Awards share a prize fund of €6,000 and each prize winner receives a framed certificate. The Eilís Dillon Award (awarded to a first time writer for children) Prize: €3,000 prize, a trophy + framed certificate.
2010 Award Winners Bisto Children's Book of the Year Awards
MARIE-LOUISE FITZPATRICK WINS 20TH BISTO CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR '09/'10 FOR "THERE" Author and illustrator Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick has won the 20th Bisto Children's Book of the Year for her picturebook There.
The results of the twentieth Bisto Children's Book of the Year Awards were announced today, Monday 24 May 2010 at a ceremony in The Hugh Lane Gallery. Marie-Louise was present to accept the award and was presented with a cheque for €10,000 by Senator David Norris, Sean Brett, Marketing Controller Premier Foods and Chairperson of the Judging Panel, Maire Uí Mhaicín.
This is the third time that Marie-Louise has picked up this prestigious award, winning in 2001 and 2003 for her two other nominated picture books You, Me and the Big Blue Sea and Izzy and Skunk
Four other awards were made
• Bisto Honour Award - Solace of the Road by Siobhan Dowd
• Bisto Honour Award for Illustration - There by Marie Louise Fitzpatrick
• Eilís Dillon Award - Third Pig Detective Agency by Bob Burke
• Children's Choice Award - Chalkline by Jane Mitchell
Also Shortlisted
An Greasaí Bróg agus na Síoga- Caitríona Hastings and Andrew Whitson
Colm and The Lazarus Key - Kieran Mark Crowley
Gluaiseacht - Alan Titley
Lincoln and His Boys - Pj Lynch
The Eyeball Collector- FE Higgins
The Gates- John Connolly
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | Winners 1990 -2005
2009 Winners and Shortlists
Bisto Book of the Year Award 2009
Siobhan Dowd for Bog Child
The story of Fergus’ journey of self-discovery as he struggles to make sense of his personal, familial, and societal situation, as well as the voice of a bog child that comes to him in his dreams. To journey through this layered narrative is to be confronted with not only the frailty of life but also the redemptive qualities of love: unsettling yet optimistic, this is radiant prose that sings of the pain and beauty of the human condition.Published by David Fickling ISBN: 9780385614269 (HBK) 9781862305915 (PBK)
Eilis Dillon Award for a first children's book
Anila's Journey by Mary Finn
A story of a half-Indian, half-Irish girl whose journey down the Ganges is also a journey into her past. Sensitively told in gracefully lyrical prose, this meticulously researched coming-of-age novel vividly creates a sense of place and history in order to detail the life and relationships of its central characterPublished by Walker Books
ISBN: 9781406306590 (PBK)
Judges Special Recognition Award
Highway Robbery by Kate Thompson
Chosen for special recognition by the judges as an example of a exceptional stand alone novel for emerging readers.
A story told by a young beggar boy who is asked to look after a horse for a mysterious man. Atmospheric and evocative, this deceivingly slight tale is a well measured intertextual metanarrative built around a clever conceit. The creation of a natural storyteller, this aesthetically pleasing production will appeal – particularly – to newly confident readers.
Pubished by The Bodley Head ISBN: 9780061730344 (HBK)
Bisto Honour Award for Illustration
Oliver Jeffers for The Great Paper Caper
The story of its animal characters’ investigation into the gradual disappearance of their forest home. Intelligently absurd, every part of this stylish literary work, from its peritextual elements to its deceptively simple verbal and visual texts, challenges and entertains the reader. This is the work of an author who is in complete command of the picture book format.
Published by Harper Collins
ISBN: 9780007182299 (HBK) 9080007182336 (PBK
Bisto Honour Award for Writing
Kate Thompson for Creature of the Night
The story of Bobby’s attempt to return to his old life in the city after moving to a cottage in the countryside, which is the scene of supernatural happenings. Distinguished by the lightness and integrity of its storytelling, this unsentimental tale depicts unpleasant yet redeemable characters and suggests that the inner struggle to understand oneself can be redemptive.
Published by The Bodley Head ISBN: 9780370329307 (PBK)
2008 Bisto Book of the Year
London Eye Mystery
The detective story of brother and sister Ted and Kate’s attempt to solve the 
mystery of their cousin Salim’s disappearance. Enthralling at the level of story, this convincingly written narrative draws the reader in with its beautifully stylish and textured language, its clever and light use of symbolism, and its unpatronising humour so as to emphasize the importance of connecting with others in life. A traditionally structured novel, this is a sustained and fully realised thriller for young readers.
Published by David Fickling
Ellis Dillon Award
The Thing with Finn
The story of a young boy named Danny and his journey of self-discovery in the aftermath of the death of his twin-brother Finn. Cathartic and redemptive, this incredibly courageous narrative is told with such sensitivity that it manages to poignantly sustain pathos through moments of great humour. To journey through this layered narrative – in the company of a character who is sure to haunt the imagination long after the book has been read – is to recognise this unique publication as a modern classic.
Published by Macmillan Children’s Books
The Black Book of Secrets
A work that contains the dark secrets of the inhabitants of the remote village of Pagus Parvus . Subtly reminiscent and worthy of a writer like Dickens, this strikingly original and superbly plotted tale introduces readers to two of the most memorable literary protagonists of recent times, apprentice Ludlow Fitch and pawnbroker Joe Zabbidou. Grim but not pessimistic, this is uncommon storytelling,offering a liberating but hopeful exploration of the complexities of human nature.
Published by Macmillan Children’s Books
The Way Back Home
A picture book that tells the story of the relationship between a boy and a friendly Martian, who meet after the boy crash-lands on the moon while flying his aeroplane. The stylish quality of the illustration is the principal characteristic that defines this aesthetically pleasing literary artifact. Told from a child’s perspective, and developed through the structural dualism of strangeness and familiarity, the work’s deceptively simple verbal and visual texts are an enchanting celebration of the transformative power of the imagination. Published by Harper Collins Children’s Books
Wilderness
A work that tells the stories of brothers Tom and Johnny, on an adventure-holiday in Finland, theirhalf-sister Gráinne, at home in Ireland, and their respective mothers. Poetically weaving together alternating but parallel narratives, this is a work that concerns itself with both physical and psychological journeys into wildernesses: those places and situations where one confronts desolation and truth. Categories of adult and children’s fiction aside, this is a rarity in publishing: a novel in the true sense of the word, a work that transcends itself. Published by Scholastic Children’s Books
Other Shortlisted Books for 2008
The Alchemyst
A fantasy adventure narrative that follows the destiny of 15-year-old twins, Josh and Sophie Newman, who are the subjects of an ancient prophesy. Of its kind but different, this flamboyantly stylish work succeeds in weaving a mesmerizing and energetic plot around a structurally impressive mythological framework. Although intertextually complex, it is a story whose vivid descriptions of worlds and events enable the fantasy and the realism to connect. Published by Doubleday Children’s Books
Discover Art by Jessica O'Donnell
A unique and aesthetically pleasing publication that introduces its readers to the impressive collection of art exhibited at Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane. In a clear and lively style, this well-researched work manages not only to inform its readers about modern and contemporary art history but also to present its information in a way that children will enjoy by suggesting fun activities and practical projects to fire the imagination. Published by Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane
Gaiscioch na Beilte Uaine le Caitriona Nic Sheain agus Andrew Whitson
A retelling of an old Irish story about a warrior who, to prove himself a worthy suitor, must 
complete a number of trials. Although it enchantingly tells its story through a verbal text that poetically imbues the narrative with a magical atmosphere, it is the distinctive and quintessential character of the visual text that makes this picture book a beautiful work of art. This is a story that will continue to be retold as it is read and reread by both children and adults alike. Published by An Snathaid Mhor
The Last of the High Kings
A work of fantasy that centres on the choice Jenny, daughter of JJ Liddy, must make between a life in the world of humans and a life in the world of Tír na nÓg. Distinguished by the psychological depth of its characterization, its impressive use of dialogue, and – above all – the ease of its storytelling, this is fiction that not only explores the complexities of family life in an unsentimental and honest manner but also emphasizes the fact that fantasy, at its most accomplished, exists in a symbiotic relationship with reality.
Published by The Bodley Head
T
itanic 2020: Bk. 1
A futuristic tale that chronicles the adventures and discoveries of stowaway Jimmy Armstrong, aboard a new, and supposedly unsinkable, Titanic. Though it convincingly develops relationships between its central characters through episodes of humour and sadness, this well-conceived narrative is characterized, chiefly, by the adventurousness of the twists and turns in its plot, the subtlety of its cultural and literary references, and the innovative nature of its storytelling. Published by Hodder Children’s Books
THE BOY IN THE STRIPED PYJAMAS Wins 2007 CBI Bisto
JOHN BOYNE (right) for The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (Definitions)
Dublin born author, John Boyne has won the CBI Bisto Book of the Year '06/'07 for his book The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Mr. Boyne was presented with the newly commissioned Bisto Book of the Year Trophy and a cheque for euro10,000..
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamasis John's first book written for children tells the story of a nine year old boy struggling to understand what is happening around him in Auschwitz during World War II. The nove lhas been shortlisted for many literary awards including the British Books Awards.
This year's Eilís Dillon Award went to Siobhan Dowd, author of A Swift Pure Cry. Siobhan was presented with a specially commissioned glass sculptureand a cheque for euro3,000.
In A Swift, Pure Cry
Three CBI Bisto Honour Awards (E2,000 & framed certificate) we
re also presented to:
Oliver Jeffers, author and illustrator of The Incredible Book Eating Boy
Éilís NíDhuibhne, for Hurlamaboc
Siobhán Parkinson (right) for Something Invisible
Also shortlisted for this year's awards were Jon Berkeley for The Palace of Laughter (Circus Trilogy), Eoin Colfer for Artemis Fowl and the Lost Colony
An eagerly anticipated event on the Irish literary calendar, the CBI Bisto Book ofthe Year Awards are presented annually in recognition of excellence in writing and/or illustration of books for young people. The awards are administered byCBI, the national organisation for children's books and sponsored by Bisto(Premier Foods Ireland). Over the last three years the total prizefund for the awards has more than doubled, with a current total prize fund of E19,000 as compared to E7,000 in 2005.
The CBI Bisto Book of the Year
Kate Thompson
Annan Water
Published by The Bodley Head
Eilís Dillon Award
| Siobhán Ní Shíthigh Illustrator: Seán Seosamh Mac an tSíthigh |
AN BHÓ RIABHACH | An Gúm |
The Bisto Merit Awards
| Illustrators: Corrina Askin, Alan Clarke and Emma Byrne |
SOMETHING BEGINNING WITH P. | O'Brien Press |
Oliver Jeffers (author/ Illustrator) |
HOW TO CATCH A STAR | HarperCollins |
| Niamh Sharkey |
THE GODS AND THEIR MACHINES | O'Brien Press |
Shortlist
| Ré Ó Laighléis | GOIMH AGUS SCÉALTA EILE | Móinín |
| Kate MacLachlan | LOVE MY ENEMY | Andersen Press |
| Olwyn Whelan |
THE STAR CHILD | Chrysalis |
Sam McBratney & Anita Jeram (Illustrator) |
YOU'RE ALL MY FAVOURITES | Walker Books |
2003 - 2004 CBI Bisto Awards
The CBI Bisto Book of the Year
 |
Aubrey Flegg Wings Over Delft The O'Brien Press |
Eilís Dillon Award
| Alan Titley | Amach | An Gúm |
The Bisto Merit Awards
| Kate Thompson | Origins | The Bodley Head |
| Anita Jeram | You Can do it Sam | Walker Books |
| Niamh Sharkey (author/ Illustrator) |
The Ravenous Beast | Walker Books |
Shortlist
| Carlo Gebler | August '44 | Egmont Books Ltd |
| PJ Lynch (illustrator) |
The Been Man of Orn | Walker Books |
| Mary Murphy (author/ illustrator) |
I Kissed the Baby | Walker Books |
| Siobhan Parkinson | Kathleen and the Celtic Knot | Pleasant Company Publications |
| Mary Murphy (author/ illulstrator) |
Little Owl and the Star | Walker Books |
2002 - 2003 CBI Bisto Awards
The CBI Bisto Book of the Year - Joint Winners
 |
Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick |
 |
Kate Thompson The Alchemist's Apprentice The Bodley Head |
| The Bisto Merit Awards | Matthew Sweeney Colmán Ó Raghallaigh |
Fox | Bloomsbury |
| The Cartoon Saloon (illustrators) | An Tóraíocht | Cló Mhaigh Eo | |
| Gerard Whelan | War Children | O'Brien Press | |
| Eilís Dillon Award | Grace Wells | Gyrfalcon | O'Brien Press |
| Shortlist | Eoin Colfer | Artemis Fowl, The Arctic Incident | Puffin Books |
| Malachy Doyle | Who is Jesse Flood? | Bloomsbury | |
| Siobhán Parkinson | The Love Bean | O'Brien Press |
2001 - 2002 CBI Bisto Awards Back to top
The CBI Bisto Book of the Year
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Kate Thompson The Beguilers The Bodley Head |
| The Bisto Merit Awards | Eoin Colfer | Artemis Fowl | Puffin |
| Carlo Gébler | Caught on a Train | Egmont | |
| Colmán Ó Raghallaigh The Cartoon Saloon (illustrators) |
An Sclábhaí | Cló Mhaigh Eo | |
| Eilís Dillon Award | Gillian Perdue | Adam's Starling | O'Brien Press |
| Shortlist | Trevor J. Colgan | The Stretford Enders Away | Red Fox |
| Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (author / illustrator) | I'm A Tiger Too | Wolfhound Press | |
| P.J.Lynch (illustrator) | Ignis | Walker Books | |
| Austin McQuinn (author / illustrator) |
This Will Take Forever | Zero to Ten | |
| Martin Waddell | Give it to Joe! | Walker Books |
2000 - 2001 CBI Bisto Awards
The CBI Bisto Book of the Year
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Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick Izzy and Skunk Blackwater Press |
| The Bisto Merit Awards | Eoin Colfer | The Wish List | O'Brien Press |
| Martina Murphy | Dirt Tracks | Poolbeg Press | |
| Martin Waddell | The Orchard Book of Ghostly Stories | Orchard Press | |
| Eilís Dillon Award | Patrick Deeley | The Lost Orchard | O'Brien Press |
| Shortlist | Malachy Doyle Niamh Sharkey (illustrator) |
Tales from Old Ireland | Barefoot Books |
| Jim Halligan and John Newman |
Fowl Deeds | Wolfhound Press | |
| Adrienne Kennaway (illustrator) | This is the Tree | Frances Lincoln | |
| Michael Mullen | An Bóthar Fada | Coiscéim | |
| Siobhán Parkinson | Call of the Whales | O'Brien Press |
1999 - 2000 CBI Bisto Awards
The CBI Bisto Book of the Year
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Marilyn Taylor Faraway Home |
| The Bisto Merit Awards | Mary Arrigan | Siúloid Bhreá | An Gúm |
| Marilyn McLaughlin | Fierce Milly | Mammoth/Egmont | |
| Mark O'Sullivan | Silent Stones | Wolfhound Press | |
| Eilís Dillon Award | Marilyn McLaughlin | Fierce Milly | Mammoth/Egmont |
| Shortlist | Eoin Colfer | Benny and Babe | O'Brien Press |
| Louise Lawrence | The Crowlings | Collins | |
| Larry O'Loughlin | Is Anybody Listening? | Wolfhound Press | |
| Gabriel Rosenstock Piet Sluis (illustrator) |
Paidín Mháire Mhuigín | An Gúm | |
| Niamh Sharkey | Jack and the Beanstalk | Barefoot Books | |
| Bill Wall | The Boy Who Met Hitler | Mercier Press | |
| Gerard Whelan | Out of Nowhere | O'Brien Press |
1998 - 1999 CBI Bisto Awards
The CBI Bisto Book of the Year
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Niamh Sharkey Tales of Wisdom and Wonder Barefoot Books |
| The Bisto Merit Awards | Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick | The Long March | Wolfhound Press |
| Siobhán Parkinson | The Moon King | O'Brien Press | |
| Gabriel Rosenstock Piet Sluis (illustrator) |
An Rógaire agus a Scáil | An Gúm | |
| Eilís Dillon Award | Caitríona Hastings | Dea-Scéala | Cló Iar-Chonnachta |
| Shortlist | Pat Boran Stewart Curry (illustrator) |
All the Way from China | Poolbeg Press |
| Sam McBratney | Bert's Wonderful News | Walker Books | |
| Tom McCaughren | Ride a Pale Horse | Anvil Press | |
| Mary Murphy | Please Be Quiet | Methuen | |
| Niamh Sharkey (illustrator) | The Gigantic Turnip | Barefoot Books |
1997 - 1998 CBi Bisto Awards
The CBI Bisto Book of the Year
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Gerard Whelan Dream Invader O'Brien Press |
| The Bisto Merit Awards | Soinbhe Lally | The Hungry Wind | Poolbeg Press |
| P.J. Lynch | When Jessie Came across the Sea | Poolbeg Press | |
| Siobhán Parkinson | Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (maybe) | O'Brien Press | |
| Eilís Dillon Award | Ed Miliano | It's a Jungle Out There | Wolfhound Press |
| Shortlist | Mairéad Ashe FitzGerald Stephen Hall (illustrator) |
The World of Colmcille, also known as Columba | O'Brien Press |
| Dan Kissane Angela Clarke (illustrator) |
Jimmy's Leprechaun Trap | O'Brien Press | |
| Dan Kissane Angela Clarke (illustrator) |
The Eagle Tree | O'Brien Press | |
| Larry O'Loughlin John Leonard (illustrator) |
The Gobán Saor | Blackwater Press | |
| Mark O'Sullivan | Angels Without Wings | Wolfhound Press | |
| Mark O'Sullivan | White Lies | Wolfhound Press |
1996 - 1997 CBI Bisto Awards
The CBI Bisto Book of the Year
 |
Siobhán Parkinson Sisters ... No Way ! O'Brien Press |
| The Bisto Merit Awards | Cliodhna Cussen and Cormac Ó Snodaigh | An Eala Dubh | Coiscéim |
| Maeve Friel | The Lantern Moon | Poolbeg Press | |
| Gerard Whelan | The Guns of Easter | O'Brien Press | |
| Eilís Dillon Award | Gerard Whelan | The Guns of Easter | O'Brien Press |
| Shortlist | Dan Kissane Aileen Johnston (illustrator) |
The Eagle Tree | O'Brien Press |
| P.J. Lynch (illustrator) | The King of Ireland's Son | Poolbeg Press | |
| Ré Ó Laighléis | Gafa | Comhar | |
| Colmán Ó Raghallaigh | Drochlá Ruairí | Cló Mhaigh Eo | |
| Colmán Ó Raghallaigh | Róisín ar Strae | An Gúm | |
| Mark O'Sullivan | More than a Match | Wolfhound Press |
1995 - 1996 CBI Bisto Awards
The CBI Bisto Book of the Year
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P.J. Lynch The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey Poolbeg Press |
| The Bisto Merit Awards | Mary Beckett | Hannah or Pink Balloons | Marino Books |
| Ré Ó Laighléis | Sceoin sa Bhoireann | Cló Iar-Chonnachta | |
| Frank Murphy | Lockie and Dadge | O'Brien Press | |
| Eilís Dillon Award | Frank Murphy | Lockie and Dadge | O'Brien Press |
| Shortlist | Marita Conlon McKenna | Safe Harbour | O'Brien Press |
| Benedict Kiely | The Trout in the Turnhole | Wolfhound Press | |
| Paul Muldoon | The Last Thesaurus | Faber and Faber | |
| Siobhán Parkinson | All Shining in the Spring | O'Brien Press | |
| Gabriel Rosenstock Piet Sluis (illustrator) |
Naomh Pádraig agus Crom Dubh | An Gúm | |
| Martin Waddell | John Joe and the Big Hen | An Gúm |
1994 - 1995 CBI Bisto Awards
In 1994 the Eilís Dillon Award was established for an author or illustrator of an outstanding first book.
The CBI Bisto Book of the Year
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Elizabeth O'Hara Blaeberry Sunday Poolbeg Press |
| The Bisto Merit Awards | Rose Doyle | Goodbye Summer, Goodbye | Attic Press |
| P.J. Lynch | Catkin | Poolbeg Press | |
| Ré Ó Laighléis | Ecstasy agus Scéalta Eile | Cló Iar-Chonnachta | |
| Eilís Dillon Award | Mark O'Sullivan | Melody for Nora | Wolfhound Press |
| Shortlist | Maeve Friel | Distant Voices | Poolbeg Press |
| Tom McCaughren | In Search of the Liberty Tree | Children's Press | |
| Kate Thompson | Switchers | Aran |
1993 - 1994 CBI Bisto Awards
In 1993 the Bisto Merit Awards replaced the category awards.
The Bisto Book of the Year
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Jane Mitchell When Stars Stop Spinning Poolbeg Press |
| The Bisto Merit Awards | Sam McBratney | The Chieftain's Daughter | O'Brien Press |
| Elizabeth O'Hara | The Hiring Fair | Poolbeg Press | |
| Máirín Johnston | The Pony Express | Attic Press | |
| Shortlist | Mary Arrigan | Lá le Mamo | An Gúm |
| Siobhán Parkinson | Amelia | O'Brien Press | |
| Maria Quirk-Walshe | Searching for a Friend | Attic Press |
1992 - 1993 CBI Bisto Awards
The Bisto Book of the Year
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Marita Conlon-McKenna The Blue Horse O'Brien Press |
| Information Book | Mairin Uí Chomain Deiri and Bébhinn Ó Meadhra (illustrators) |
Tamall sa Chistin | An Gúm |
| Teenage Fiction | Sam McBratney | Put a Saddle on the Pig | Methuen |
| Historical Fiction | Morgan Llywelyn | Strongbow | O'Brien Press |
| Shortlist | June Considine | View from a Blind Bridge | Poolbeg Press |
| Margrit Cruickshank | A Monster called Charlie | Poolbeg Press | |
| Maeve Friel | The Deerstone | Poolbeg Press | |
| Mairéad Ní Nuadháin | Cois Trá | An Gúm |
1991 - 1992 CBI Bisto Awards
The Bisto Book of the Year
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John Quinn The Summer of Lily and Esme Poolbeg Press |
| Historical Fiction | Marita Conlon-McKenna | Wildflower Girl | O'Brien Press |
| Picture Book | Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick | The Sleeping Giant | Brandon Books |
| First Children's Novel | Yvonne MacGrory | The Secret of the Ruby Ring | Children's Press |
No shortlist was complied in 1991
1990 - 1991 CBI Bisto Awards
The Bisto Book of the Year
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Eilís Dillon The Island of Ghosts Faber and Faber |
| Best Emerging Author | Morgan Llywelyn | Brian Boru | O'Brien Press |
| Book for Young Readers | Martin Waddell | Grandma's Bill | Simon and Schuster |
| Illustration | P.J. Lynch | Fairy Tales of Ireland | Collins |
| Shortlist | Marita Conlon-McKenna | Under the Hawthorn Tree | O'Brien Press |
| Don Conroy | The Celestial Child | Kildanore | |
| Michael Mullins | The Long March | Poolbeg Press | |
| Eilís Ní Dhuibhne | The Uncommon Cormorant | Poolbeg Press | |
| Joan O'Neill | The Daisy Chain War | Attic Press | |
| Finola Sumner | Double the Boys | Poolbeg Press |
CBI Bisto Book of the Decade Award 1980 - 1990
Fiction Category
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Run with the Wind; Run to Earth; Run Swift, Run Free Tom McCaughren, Jeanette Dunne (illustrator) Wolfhound Press |
