Ten children's books have been shortlisted for the 2005 Bisto Book of the Year Awards.
The awards are presented in association with Children's Books of Ireland to authors and/or illustrators.
The total prize fund is €7,000. This year a "shadowing scheme" has been introduced, whereby 14 school classes will choose their own overall winner from the shortlist. Two of the groups, drawn at random, will then attend the awards ceremony.
The shortlisted books in alphabetical order are:
An Bhó Riabhach by author Siobhán Ní Shíthigh and illustrator Seán Seosamh Mac an tSíthigh, publisher An Gúm;
Annan Water by Kate Thompson, publisher The Bodley Head;
Freewill by Chris Lynch, publisher Bloomsbury;
Goimh by Ré Ó Laighléis, publisher Móinín;
How to Catch a Star by author and illustrator Oliver Jeffers, publisher HarperCollins;
Love My Enemy by Kate MacLachlan, publisher Andersen Press;
Something Beginning with P by illustrators Alan Clarke, Corrina Askin, Emma Byrne, publisher O'Brien Press;
The Star Child by illustrator Olwyn Whelan, publisher Chrysalis;
The Gods and Their Machines by Oisín McGann, publisher O'Brien Press;
You're All My Favourites by author Sam McBratney and illustrator Anita Jeram, publisher Walker Books.
The aim of the Bisto awards is to recognise excellence and promote high standards in children's literature by Irish authors, illustrators and publishers. The overall winner of the 15th Bisto Book of the Year Awards will be announced on Thursday, June 2nd 2005 in the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre in Dublin.