The Bisto Awards began in 1990 when Bisto Book of the Decade Awards were given to authors Tom McCaughren, George Otto Simms and illustrators Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick, Jeanette Dunne and David Rooney. This led to the establishment of an annual award made by The Irish Children’s Book Trust, which later became Children’s Books Ireland.

In the early years of the Bisto Awards, prizes were also given for certain categories, however, in 1993 the categories were replaced by the Bisto Merit (Honour) Awards.

 

Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

2011/2012 cycle

The CBI Book of the Year

‘Into the Grey’ by Celine Kiernan (The O’Brien Press)

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘The Butterfly Heart’ by Paula Leyden (Walker Books)

 

Honour Award for Illustration

‘Stuck’ by Oliver Jeffers (HarperCollins)

 

Honour Award for Fiction

‘Maitríóisce’ by Siobhán Parkinson (Cois Life)

 

Judges’ Special Recognition Award

‘My Dad is 10 Years Old’ by Mark O’Sullivan (Puffin)

 

Children’s Choice Award

‘Into the Grey’ by Celine Kiernan (The O’Brien Press)

 

2010/2011 Cycle

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘A Bit Lost’ by Chris Haughton (Walker Books)

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘A Bit Lost’ by Chris Haughton (Walker Books)

 

Honour Award for Illustration

‘Mac Rí Éireann’ le Caitríona Hastings agus Andrew Whitson (An tSnáhaid Mhór)

 

Honour Award for Fiction

‘Taking Flight’ by Sheena Wilkinson (Little Island)

 

Judges’ Special Recognition Award

‘The Heart and the Bottle’ by Oliver Jeffers (Harper Collins)

 

Children’s Choice Award

‘Taking Flight’ by Sheena Wilkinson (Little Island)

 

Also Shortlisted

Dancing in the Dark by Peter Prendergast (O’Brien Press)

Prim Improper by Deirdre Sullivan (Little Island)

The Lunatic’s Curse by F E Higgins (Macmillan)

The Owl and The Pussycat illustrated by Kevin Waldron (Simon and Schuster)

Tiny Little Fly illustrated by Kevin Waldron ( Walker Books)

Up and Down by Oliver Jeffers (Harper Collins)

 

 

2009/2010 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘There’ by Marie Louise Fitzpatrick (Roaring Brook Press)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘Third Pig Detective Agency’ by Bob Burke (The Friday Project)

 

Honour Award for Illustration

‘There’ by Marie Louise Fitzpatrick (Roaring Brook Press)

 

Honour Award for Fiction

‘Solace of the Road’ by Siobhán Dowd (David Fickling Books)

 

Children’s Choice Award

‘Chalkline’ by Jane Mitchell (Walker Books)

 

No Judges’ Special Recognition Award was made in 2010

 

Also Shortlisted

‘An Gréasaí Bróg agus na Síoga’ le Caitríona Hastings agus Andrew Whitson (An tSnáthaid Mhór)

‘Colm and the Lazarus Key’ by Kieran Mark Crowley (Mercier Press)

‘Gluaiseacht’ le Alan Titley (An Gúm)

‘The Eyeball Collector’ by F.E. Higgins (Macmillan)

‘Lincoln and his Boys’ illustrated by P.J. Lynch (Walker Books)

‘The Gates’ by John Connolly (Hodder and Stoughton)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

2008/2009 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘Bog Child’ by Siobhán Dowd (David Fickling Books)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘Anila’s Journey’ by Mary Finn (Walker Books)

 

Honour Award for Illustration

‘The Great Paper Caper’ by Oliver Jeffers (Harper Collins)

 

Honour Award for Fiction

‘Creature of the Night’ by Kate Thompson (The Bodley Head)

 

Judges’ Special Recognition Award

‘Highway Robbery’ by Kate Thompson (The Bodley Head)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘Airman’ by Eoin Colfer (Puffin)

‘An Phleist Mhór’ le Ré Ó Laighléis, Susan Edwards agus Emily Colenso (Móinín)

‘Brionglóidí’ le Áine Ní Ghlinn agus Carol Betara (Cló Mhaigh Eo)

‘Her Mother’s Face” by Roddy Doyle (Scholastic)

‘The Gift of the Magi’ illustrated by P.J. Lynch (Walker Books)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

2007/2008 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘The London Eye Mystery’ by Siobhán Dowd (David Fickling Books)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘The Thing with Finn’ by Tom Kelly (Macmillan)

 

Honour Awards

‘The Way Back Home’ by Oliver Jeffers (Harper Collins)

‘The Black Book of Secrets’ by F.E. Higgins (Macmillan)

‘Wilderness’ by Roddy Doyle (Scholastic)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘The Alchemyst’ by Michael Scott (Doubleday)

‘Discover Art’ by Jessica O’Donnell (Hugh Lane Gallery)

‘Gaiscíoch na Beilte Uaine’ le Caitríona Nic Sheain agus Andrew Whitson (An tSnáthaid Mhór)

‘The Last of the High Kings’ by Kate Thompson (The Bodley Head)

‘Titanic 2020’ by Colin Bateman (Hodder)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

2006/2007 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ by John Boyne

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘A Swift Pure Cry’ by Siobhán Dowd (David Fickling Books)

 

Honour Awards

‘The Incredible Book Eating Boy’ by Oliver Jeffers (Harper Collins)

‘Hurlamaboc’ le Éilís Ní Dhuibhne (Cois Life)

‘Something Invisible’ by Siobhán Parkinson (Penguin)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘The Palace of Laughter’ by Jon Berkeley

‘Artemis Fowl & the Lost Colony’ by Eoin Colfer

‘A Christmas Carol’ illustrated by P.J. Lynch

‘An Táin’ le Colmán Ó Raghailligh agus the Cartoon Saloon

‘The Fourth Horseman’ by Kate Thompson

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

2005/2006 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘The New Policeman’ by Kate Thompson (The Bodley Head)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘Snakes’ Elbows’ by Deirdre Madden (Orchard Books)

 

Honour Awards

‘Lost and Found’ by Oliver Jeffers (Harper Collins)

‘A Horse called Eldorado’ by Kevin Kiely (O’Brien Press)

‘Penny the Pencil by Eileen O’Hely and Nicky Phelan (Mercier press)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘Artemis Fowl and the Opal Deception’ by Eoin Colfer (Puffin)

‘Fancy That!’ illustrated by Adrienne Geoghegan (Frances Lincoln)

‘Under Fragile Stone’ by Oisín McGann (O’Brien Press)

‘Bríona ag Brionglóideach’ le Dairíne Ni Dhonnchu agus Maria Murray (An Gúm)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

2004/2005 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘Annan Water’ by Kate Thompson (The Bodley Head)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘An Bhó Riabhach’ le Siobhán Ní Shíthigh agus Seosamh Mac an tSíthigh (An Gúm)

 

The Bisto Merit Awards

‘Something Beginning with ‘P’’ illustrated by Corrinna Askin, Alan Clarke and Emma Byrne (O’Brien Press)

‘How to Catch a Star’ by Oliver Jeffers (Harper Collins)

‘The Gods and Their Machines’ by Oisín McGann (O’Brien Press)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘Goimh agus Scéalta Eile’ le Ré Ó Laighléis (Móinín)

‘Love My Enemy’ by Kate McLachlan (Andersen Press)

‘The Star Child’ by Olwyn Whelan (Chrysalis

‘You’re All My Favourites’ by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram (Walker Books)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

2003/2004 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘Wings Over Delft’ by Aubrey Flegg (The O’Brien Press)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘Amach’ le Alan Titley (An Gúm)

 

The Bisto Merit Awards

‘Origins’ by Kate Thompson (The Bodley Head)

‘You Can do it Sam’ by Anita Jeram (Walker books)

‘The Ravenous Beast’ by Niamh Sharkey (Walker Books)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘August ‘44’ by Carlo Gebler (Egmont Books Ltd)

‘The Bee Man of Orn’ illustrated by P.J. Lynch (Walker Books)

‘I Kissed the Baby’ by Mary Murphy (Walker Books)

‘Kathleen and the Celtic Knot’ by Siobhán Parkinson (Pleasant Company Publications)

‘Little Owl and the Star’ by Mary Murphy (Walker Books)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

2002/2003 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year – Joint Winners

‘You, Me and the Big Blue Sea’ by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (Gullane)

 

 

 

‘The Alchemist’s Apprentice’ by Kate Thompson (The Bodley Head)

 

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘Gyrfalcon’ by Grace Wells (O’Brien Press)

 

The Bisto Merit Awards

‘Fox’ by Matthew Sweeney and Colmán Ó Raghallaigh (Bloomsbury

‘An Tóraíocht’ maisithe le The Cartoon Saloon (Cló Mhaigh Eo)

‘War Children’ by Gerard Whelan (O’Brien Press)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘Artemis Fowl, The Arctic Incident’ by Eoin Colfer (Puffin)

‘Who is Jesse Flood?’ by Malachy Doyle (Bloomsbury)

‘The Love Bean’ by Siobhán Parkinson (O’Brien Press)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

2001/2002 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘The Beguilers’ by Kate Thompson (The Bodley Head)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘Adam’s Starling’ by Gillian Perdue (O’Brien Press)

 

The Bisto Merit Awards

‘Artemis Fowl’ by Eoin Colfer (Puffin)

‘Caught on a Train’ by Carlo Gébler (Egmont)

‘An Sclábhaí’ le Comlán Ó Raghallaigh agus The Cartoon Saloon (Cló Mhaigh Eo

 

Also Shortlisted

‘The Stretford Enders Away’ by Trevor J. Colgan (Red Fox)

‘I’m a Tiger Too’ by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (Wolfhound Press)

‘Ignis’ illustrated by P.J. Lynch (Walker Books)

‘This Will Take Forever’ by Austin McQuinn (Zero to Ten)

‘Give it to Joe!’ by Martin Waddell (Walker Books)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

2000/2001 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘Izzy and Skunk’ by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (Blackwater Press)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘The Lost Orchard’ by Patrick Deeley (O’Brien Press)

 

The Bisto Merit Awards

‘The Wish List’ by Eoin Colfer (O’Brien Press)

‘Dirt Tracks’ by Martina Murphy (Poolbeg Press)

‘The Orchard Book of Ghostly Stories’ (Orchard Press)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘Tales from Old Ireland’ by Malachy Doyle and Niamh Sharkey (Barefoot Books)

‘Fowl Deeds’ by Jim Halligan and John Newman (Wolfhound Press)

‘This is the Tree’ illustrated by Adrienne Kennaway (Frances Lincoln)

‘An Bóthar Fada’ le Michael Mullen (Coiscéim)

‘Call of the Whales’ by Siobhán Parkinson (O’Brien Press)

 

 Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

1999/2000 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘Faraway Home’ by Marilyn Taylor (O’Brien Press)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘Fierce Milly’ by Marilyn McLaughlin (Mammoth/Egmont)

 

The Bisto Merit Awards

‘Siúlóid Bhreá’ le Mary Arrigan (An Gúm)

‘Fierce Milly’ by Marilyn McLaughlin (Mammoth/Egmont)

‘Silent Stones’ by Mark O’Sullivan (Wolfhound Press)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘Benny and Babe’ by Eoin Colfer (O’Brien Press)

‘The Crowlings’ by Louise Lawrence (Collins)

‘Is Anybody Listening?’ by Larry O’Loughlin (Wolfhound Press)

‘Paidín Mháire Mhuigín’ le Gabriel Rosenstock agus Piet Sluis (An Gúm)

‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ by Niamh Sharkey (Barefoot Books)

‘The Boy Who Met Hitler’ by Bill Wall (Mercier Press)

‘Out of Nowhere’ by Gerard Whelan (O’Brien Press)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

1998/1999 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘Tales of Wisdom and Wonder’ by Niamh Sharkey (Barefoot Books)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘Dea-Scéala’ le Caitríona Hastings (Cló Iar-Chonnachta)

 

The Bisto Merit Awards

‘The Long March’ by Marie-Lousie Fitzpatrick (Wolfhound Press)

‘The Moon King’ by Siobhán Parkinson (O’Brien Press)

‘An Rógaire agus a Scáil’ le Gabriel Rosenstock agus Piet Sluis (An Gúm)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘All the Way from China’ by Pat Boran and Stewart Curry (Poolbeg Press)

‘Bert’s Wonderful News’ by Sam McBratney (Walker Books)

‘Ride a Pale Horse’ by Tom McCaughren (Anvil Press)

‘Please Be Quiet’ by Mary Murphy (Methuen)

‘The Gigantic Turnip’ illustrated by Niamh Sharkey (Barefoot Books)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

1997/1998 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘Dream Invader’ by Gerard Whelan (O’Brien Press)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘It’s a Jungle Out There’ by Ed Milliano (Wolfhound Press

 

The Bisto Merit Awards

‘The Hungry Wind’ by Soinbhe Lally (Poolbeg Press)

‘When Jessie Came Across the Sea’ by P.J. Lynch (Poolbeg Press)

‘Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (maybe)’ by Siobhán Parkinson (O’Brien Press)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘The World of Colmcille, also known as Columba’ by Mairéad Ashe FitzGerald and Stephen Hall (O’Brien Press)

‘Jimmy’s Leprechaun Trap’ by Dan Kissane and Angela Clarke (O’Brien Press)

‘The Eagle Tree’ by Dan Kissane and Angela Clarke (O’Brien Press)

‘The Gobán Saor’ by Larry O’Loughlin and John Leonard (Blackwater Press)

‘Angels Without Wings’ by Mark O’Sullivan (Wolfhound Press)

‘White lies’ by Mark O’Sullivan (Wolfhound Press)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

1996/1997 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘Sisters…No Way!’ by Siobhán Parkinson (O’Brien Press)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘The Guns of Easter’ by Gerard Whelan (O’Brien Press)

 

The Bisto Merit Awards

‘An Eala Dubh’ le Clíodhna Cussen agus Cormac Ó Snodaigh (Coiscéim)

‘The Lantern Moon’ by Maeve Friel (Poolbeg Press)

‘The Guns of Easter’ by Gerard Whelan (O’Brien Press)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘The Eagle tree’ by Dan Kissane and Aileen Johnston (O’Brien Press)

‘The King of Ireland’s Son’ illustrated by P.J. Lynch (Poolbeg Press)

‘Gafa’ le Ré Ó Laighléis (Comhar)

‘Drochlá Ruairí’ le Colmán Ó Raghallaigh (Cló Mhaigh Eo)

‘Róisín ar Strae’ le Colmán Ó Raghallaigh (An Gúm)

‘More than a Match’ by Mark O’Sullivan (Wolfhound Press)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

1995/1996 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey’ by P.J. Lynch (Poolbeg Press)

 

 

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘Lockie and Dadge’ by Frank Murphy (O’Brien Press)

 

The Bisto Merit Awards

‘Hannah or Pink Balloons’ by Mary Beckett (Marino Books)

‘Sceoin sa Bhoireann’ le Ré Ó Laighléis (Cló Iar-Chonnachta)

‘Lockie and Dadge’ by Frank Murphy (O’Brien Press)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘Safe Harbour’ by Marita Conlon McKenna (O’Brien Press)

‘The Trout in the Turnhole’ by Benedict Kiely (Wolfhound Press)

‘The Last Thesaurus’ by Paul Muldoon (Faber and Faber)

‘All Shining in the Spring’ by Siobhán Parkinson (O’Brien Press)

‘Naomh Pádraig agus Crom Dubh’ le Gabriel Rosenstock agus Piet Sluis (An Gúm)

‘John Joe and the Big Hen’ by Martin Waddell (An Gúm)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

1994/1995 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘Blaeberry Sunday’ by Elizabeth O’Hara (Poolbeg Press)

 

Eilís Dillon Award

‘Melody for Nora’ by Mark O’Sullivan (Wolfhound Press)

 

The Bisto Merit Awards

‘Goodbye Summer, Goodbye’ by Rose Doyle (Attic Press)

‘Catkin’ by P.J. Lynch (Poolbeg Press)

‘Ecstasy agus Scéalta Eile’ le Ré Ó’Laighléis (Cló Iar-Chonnachta)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘Distant Voices’ by Maeve Friel (Poolbeg Press)

‘In Search of the Liberty Tree’ by Tom McCaughren (Children’s Press)

‘Switchers’ by Kate Thompson (Aran)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

1993/1994 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘When Stars Stop Spinning’ by Jane Mitchell (Poolbeg Press)

 

 

 

The Bisto Merit Awards

‘The Chieftain’s Daughter’ by Sam McBratney (O’Brien Press)

‘The Hiring Fair’ by Elizabeth O’Hara (Poolbeg Press)

‘The Pony Express’ by Máirín Johnston (Attic Press)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘Lá le Mamó’ le Mary Arrigan (O’Brien Press)

‘Amelia’ by Siobhán Parkinson (O’Brien Press)

‘Searching for a Friend’ by Maria Quirke-Walshe (Attic Press)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

1992/1993 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘The Blue Horse’ by Marita Conlon-McKenna (O’Brien Press)

 

 

 

Information Book

‘Tamall sa Chistin’ le Mairin Uí Chomain, Derry agus Bébhinn Ó Meadhra (An Gúm)

 

Teenage Fiction

‘Put a Saddle on the Pig’ by Sam McBratney (Methuen)

 

Historical Fiction

‘Strongbow’ by Morgan Llywelyn (O’Brien Press)

 

Also Shortlisted

‘View from a Blind Bridge’ by June Considine (Poolbeg Press)

‘A Monster Called Charlie’ by Margrit Cruikshank (Poolbeg Press)

‘The Deerstone’ by Maeve Friel (Poolbeg Press)

‘Cois Trá’ le Mairéad Ní Nuadháin (An Gúm)

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Year Award Winners and Shortlist

1991/1992 Cycle

 

The Bisto Book of the Year

‘The Summer of Lily and Esme’ by John Quinn (Poolbeg Press)

 

 

 

Historical Fiction

‘’Wildflower Girl’ by Marita Conlon-McKenna

 

Picture Book

‘The Sleeping Giant’ by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick (Brandon Books)

 

First Children’s Novel

‘The Secret of the Ruby Ring’ by Yvonne MacGrory (Children’s Press)

 

 

Bisto Children’s Book of the Decade Award 1980 – 1990

 

Fiction Category

‘Run with the Wind’, ‘Run to Earth’, ‘Run Swift’, ‘Run Free’ by Tom McCaughren, Jeanette Dunne (Wolfhound Press)

 

 

 

Information Books Category

‘Exploring the Book of Kells; Brendan the Navigator’ by George Otto Simms and David Rooney (O’Brien Press)

 

Book for Young Readers

‘Grandma’s Bill’ by Martin Waddell (Simon and Schuster)

 

 

 

Irish Language Category

‘An Chanáil’ le Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick agus Bernadine Nic Ghiolla Phádraig (translator) (An Gúm)