Lisburn illustrator picks up prestigious prize at KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards
Illustrator and picture-book maker Colleen Larmour from Lisburn has been announced as winner of the Honour Award for Illustration for her illustrations for ‘This That What’ at this year’s KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards.
success follows her award-winning illustrations for several books, including ‘Our Green City’, and being shortlisted for the 2024 World Illustration Awards.
‘This That What’ is a colourful, rhyming picture-book with accessible text that tells the story of Kiki Dime and her very busy brain, written by Katy Ashworth and illustrated by Colleen Larmour.
Announced by host Rick O’Shea at a ceremony held in Merrion Square, in partnership with International Literature Festival Dublin, a total of six awards were presented to Irish authors and illustrators, including Colleen Larmour. T
he winning artists will also receive a total prize fund of £16,000.
Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland said: “Children’s literature in Ireland is ever-evolving and this year’s winners undoubtedly reflect that. The winning titles are deeply imaginative and original, and by turns side-splittingly funny and incredibly moving.
"It’s a joy to see neurodivergent characters so strongly represented in this inclusive selection of excellent books.
“We’re proud to celebrate the authors, illustrators and publishers behind the books, and offer them our warmest congratulations.”
Damian Smyth, joint Head of Literature and Drama at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added: “Congratulations to this year’s winners who’ve produced outstanding books published in the last year.
"These awards recognise some of the most talented writers and illustrators on the island of Ireland today, sharing stories that connect with the minds and hearts of young audiences everywhere.”