Louth author Clara Kumagai nominated for children’s book award

Author Clara Kumagai, who is based in Dundalk has been shortlisted for the 2024 KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards for her book ‘Catfish Rolling.’ 

The shortlist for the 34th annual awards was announced yesterday by RTÉ broadcaster Rick O’Shea at a special event in the Crescent Arts Centre in Belfast.

Clara Kumagai’s debut book ‘Catfish Rolling’, published by Head of Zeus, is a coming-of-age young adult novel which explores the themes of identity, relationships, grief and ecology. 

The novel is set in a world of Japanese myths, folklore and magical realism. Clara was born in Canada, before moving to Ireland as a child. She writes fiction and non-fiction for children and adults.

The shortlisted titles, which include five début writers and three current or former Laureates na nÓg, or Children’s Laureates, will compete for six awards at the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards ceremony, held 22nd May in partnership with the International Literature Festival Dublin. 

These include the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year Award, as well as honours for fiction, illustration and the Junior Juries’ Award which will be decided by young readers across the island of Ireland.

Louth schools invited to join Junior Juries Programme

Children’s Books Ireland is inviting schoolchildren from across Louth to join their nationwide judging panel of young readers. Participating school groups, library groups and book clubs are invited to select suitable titles from the shortlist and collectively vote for their favourite book.

Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland said: “This is the only Irish awards dedicated to celebrating books created for children and it’s the biggest year we’ve had yet! We need readers of all ages to get involved to crown their winner of the KPMG Junior Juries Award.

“This is a great way for schools, libraries and book clubs to get stuck into reading, exploring the shortlist with our free Junior Jury print and digital resource packs. 

“There will even be a chance for some groups to win sets of the shortlisted books, attend the Awards ceremony in May or even welcome one of the shortlisted authors or illustrators along for a visit! It’s a brilliant programme and there’s still time to register on our website.”

The 2024 Awards mark the fifth year of KPMG’s sponsorship. Johnny Hanna, Partner in Charge KPMG Belfast said it’s a great source of pride to support the awards: “Ireland has such a wealth of great writing and illustration talent for readers of all ages. This year’s Junior Jurors will have their work cut out for them but what an enjoyable task it will be!”

The KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards and Junior Juries programme are supported by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Funding.

Damian Smyth, joint Head of Literature and Drama at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said: “These awards recognise some of the most outstanding books of the last year – the picturebooks, stories and novels that have captured the hearts and imaginations of young readers. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland offer our congratulations to all those who have made this year’s shortlist.”