O'Brien Press Titles - Award Winners


For many years The O'Brien Press has been winning awards, underlining the emphasis on quality in our books. Our children's books have been particularly successful over recent years, both in Ireland and abroad.

In addition to awards for individual titles, we are extremely proud that the company has won awards too:

The O'Brien Press has been singled out for exceptional recognition in the field of children's publishing by the Reading Association of Ireland. The RAI Special Merit Award 1997 was presented to publisher Michael O'Brien with a citation which read "for exceptional care, skill and professionalism in publishing, resulting in a consistently high standard in all of the children's books published by The O'Brien Press". This was the first time ever that the prestigious award has gone to a publisher rather than to a specific book and it recognises the overall quality of the children's books produced by The O'Brien Press over the years.

Our publisher, Michael O'Brien, also a founder member of both iBbY Ireland and Children’s Books Ireland, won the CBI Award of the Decade for Services to Children’s Literature in 2006.

In 2021 The O'Brien Press received an NCBI Vision Award "In Recognition of Outstanding Leadership towards an Inclusive Society" for our work with their Bookshare platform, which enables reading disabled people throughout Ireland have access to millions of books, in whatever form is required for them to be able to read.


Here is a selection of awards for individual O'Brien Press titles:

2023

The Book of Secrets

Written by Alex Dunne, Cover illustration by Shona Shirley Macdonald
Eilís Dillon Award for best Debut
KPMG Children's Book Ireland Awards
Winner

Freya Harte is not a Puzzle

Great Reads Awards
Library Association of Ireland School Libraries Group
Long-listed

What Walks These Halls

Great Reads Awards
Library Association of Ireland School Libraries Group
Long-listed

2022

Tabitha Plimtock and the Edge of the World

Written by Erika McGann, Illustrated by Phillip Cullen
White Ravens 2022
International Youth Library
Winner
White Ravens 2022

Our Big Day

Written by Bob Johnston, Illustrated by Michael Emberley
Children's Book of the Year (Junior)
Irish Book Awards
Winner
IBA2022-Shortlist-Kids-Junior

The Vanishing Lake

World Illustration Awards: Children's Publishing
Association of Illustrators
Short-listed

Puffling and the Egg

Written by Gerry Daly and Erika McGann
Teach Primary Book Awards: Reception
Short-listed

Fox & Son Tailers

Children's Book of the Year (Junior)
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed
IBA2022-Shortlist-Kids-Junior

Point to Point

The Heart of Irish Horse Racing
Written by Healy Racing and Richard Pugh
Sports Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed
IBA2022-Shortlist-Sports

2021

The Vanishing Lake

Gold Medal Winner
Independent Publisher Book Award
Winner

The Story of Croke Park

Written by Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Illustrated by Graham Corcoran
Children's Book Award: Age 10-13
Literature Association of Ireland
Winner

The Pooka Party

The World Through Picture Books
IFLA
Commended

Where Are You, Puffling?

An Irish Adventure
Written by Gerry Daly and Erika McGann
The World Through Picture Books
IFLA
Commended

The Sleeping Giant

The World Through Picture Books
IFLA
Commended

Eva and the Perfect Rain

A Rainy Irish Tale
The World Through Picture Books
IFLA
Commended

Puffling and the Egg

Written by Gerry Daly and Erika McGann
Children's Book of the Year (Junior)
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

Have You Seen the Dublin Vampire?

Children's Book Award: Age 6-9
Literature Association of Ireland
Short-listed

All to Play For

Children's Book Award: Age 10-13
Literature Association of Ireland
Short-listed

Go To Sleep, Hoglet

Written by and Illustrated by Bex Sheridan
Children's Book Award: Age 0-5
Literature Association of Ireland
Short-listed

The Little Bee Charmer of Henrietta Street

Written by Sarah Webb, Illustrated by Rachel Corcoran
Children's Book of the Year (Senior)
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

Dark Blue

The Despair Behind the Glory – My Journey Back from the Edge
Sports Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

Tea for One

A Celebration of Little Things
Written by Alice Taylor, Photographs by Emma Byrne
Best Irish Published Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

The Boldness of Betty

A 1913 Dublin Lockout Novel
Written by Anna Carey, Cover illustration by Lauren O'Neill
Children's Book of the Year
KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards
Short-listed

What Love Looks Like

Sometimes love turns up where you least expect it
Teen and Young Adult Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

Lily's Dream

A Lissadell Story
Written by Judi Curtin, Cover illustration by Rachel Corcoran
Childen's Book of the Year (Senior)
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

Tomi

Tomi Reichental's Holocaust Story
Quiz Writer's Choice: Primary Non-Fiction Award
Renaissance Learning Quiz Writers
Short-listed

Wee Donkey's Treasure Hunt

An adventure around Ireland
Written by Erika McGann, Illustrated by Gerry Daly
Children's Book Award: Age 6-9
Literature Association of Ireland
Short-listed

Barney Goose

A Wild Atlantic Way Adventure
Written by and Illustrated by Carol Ann Treacy
Quiz Writer's Choice: Primary Fiction Award
Renaissance Learning Quiz Writers
Long-listed
Summer Reading Challenge
The Reading Agency
Long-listed

The Children of Lir

Ireland's Favourite Legend
Written by Laura Ruth Maher, Illustrated by Conor Busuttil
Kate Greenaway Medal
CILIP
Nominated

2020

The Pooka Party

Honour List
IbBy
Winner
Hans Christian Andersen Honour List - Illustration
IbBy
Short-listed

Blazing a Trail

Irish Women Who Changed the World
Written by Sarah Webb, Illustrated by Lauren O'Neill
Quiz Writers’ Choice Award: Secondary Non-Fiction
Renaissance Learning
Winner

The Boldness of Betty

A 1913 Dublin Lockout Novel
Written by Anna Carey, Cover illustration by Lauren O'Neill
Children's Book of the Year (Senior)
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed
IBA2020 Shortlist

The Story of Croke Park

Written by Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, Illustrated by Graham Corcoran
Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year (Senior)
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed
IBA2020 Shortlist

Socks for Mr Wolf

A Woolly Adventure Around Ireland
Hans Christian Andersen Honour List - Illustration
IbBy
Short-listed

Queen of Coin and Whispers

A kingdom of secrets and a game of lies
Teen/Young Adult Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed
IBA2020 Shortlist

2019

Bright Sparks

Amazing Discoveries, Inventions and Designs by Women
Literacy Association of Ireland Award: Age 10-13
Literacy Association of Ireland
Winner

Shooting for the Stars

My Journey to Become Ireland’s First Astronaut
Written by Dr. Norah Patten, Illustrated by Jennifer Farley
Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year (Senior)
Irish Book Awards
Winner
APIBA 2019 Senior Kids Winner

The Great Big Book of Irish Wildlife

Through the Seasons
Written by Juanita Browne, Illustrated by Barry Reynolds
LAI Book Award: Age 6-9
Literacy Association of Ireland
Winner

Brian McDermott's Donegal Table

Delicious Everyday Cooking
Written by Brian McDermott, Photographs by Fox in the Kitchen, Foreword by Neven Maguire
Best Cookbook written by Chef
Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Winner

The Dublin Marathon

Celebrating 40 Years
Written by Sean McGoldrick, Foreword by Dick Hooper
Bord Gáis Energy Sports Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

The Pooka Party

Junior Book Award
Literacy Association of Ireland
Short-listed

Pawns

Ireland's War of Independence
Book Award: Age 10-13
Literacy Association of Ireland
Short-listed

Dare to Dream

Irish People Who Took on the World (and Won!)
Written by Sarah Webb, Illustrated by Graham Corcoran
TheJournal.ie Best Irish Published Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

Lily at Lissadell

Written by Judi Curtin, Cover illustration by Rachel Corcoran
Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year (Senior)
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

2018

A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea

Favourite Rhymes from an Irish Childhood
Written by Sarah Webb, Illustrated by Steve McCarthy
White Raven
International Youth Library
Winner
WhiteRavens2018

Blazing a Trail

Irish Women Who Changed the World
Written by Sarah Webb, Illustrated by Lauren O'Neill
Children's Book of the Year (senior)
Irish Book Awards
Winner
IBA2018-KidsSeniorWinner
Best Irish-Published Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed
IBA2018-IrishPubShortlist

The Pooka Party

Children's Book of the Year (Junior)
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed
IBA2018-KidsJuniorShortlist

Dingle Dinners

From the Chefs of Ireland's #1 Foodie Town
Written by Trevis Gleason, Foreword by Neven Maguire, Photographs by Elaine Kennedy and Joanne Murphy
Culinary Travel Award
Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Long-listed

2017

Stand By Me

Children's Book of the Year (Senior)
Irish Book Awards
Winner
IBA-Kids-Senior-2017

A Cage of Roots

Book 1 in the Ayla Trilogy
Written by and Illustrated by Matt Griffin
LAI Award 9-11 Years
Literacy Association of Ireland
Winner

A Dublin Fairytale

LAI Awards 0-4 Years Category
Literacy Association of Ireland
Winner

A Sailor Went to Sea, Sea, Sea

Favourite Rhymes from an Irish Childhood
Written by Sarah Webb, Illustrated by Steve McCarthy
Children's Book of the Year (Junior)
Irish Book Awards
Winner
IBA-Kids-Junior-2017

All In The Food

75 Years of Cathal Brugha Street
Best Cooking School Book
Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Winner
SportelAwardLogo

The Woodcutter and his Family

Best Irish-Published Book
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

Kings of the Boyne

LAI Awards 9-11 Category
Literacy Association of Ireland
Short-listed

The Butterfly Shell

LAI Awards Young Adult Category
Literacy Association of Ireland
Short-listed

Socks for Mr Wolf

A Woolly Adventure Around Ireland
Children's Book of the Year (Junior)
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

2016

Irish Bread Baking for Today

Written by and Photographed by Valerie O'Connor
Best Bread Book - Ireland
Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Winner
GourmandAwardLogo

Gulliver

Written by Jonathan Swift, Retold by Mary Webb, Illustrated by Lauren O'Neill
CBI Book of the Year: Merit Award for Illustrations
Winner

A Dublin Fairytale

White Raven
International Youth Library
Winner

2015

A Crack in Everything

Welcome to the other side
Best creator of children’s Science Fiction or fantasy books
European Science Fiction Society
Winner

Finding A Voice

Friendship is a Two-Way Street ...
White Raven
International Youth Library
Winner
The YA Book Prize
Short-listed
YAAward_Shortlist.png
Literacy Association of Ireland Book Award
Joint winner

The Bloodied Field

Croke Park. Sunday 21 November 1920
Best GAA Publication
GAA MacNamee Awards
Winner

White Feathers

Historical Romantic Novel
Romantic Novelists' Association
Short-listed

A Dublin Fairytale

Children's Book of the Year: Junior
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

Who's Feckin' Who in Irish History

Written by Colin Murphy, Illustrated by Brendan O'Reilly
Political Humour and Satire Book of the Year
politicalbookawards.com
Short-listed

Marooned in Manhattan

Literacy Association of Ireland Book Award
Short-listed

Blood Brother, Swan Sister

1014 Clontarf; A Battle Begins
Literacy Association of Ireland Book Award
Joint winner

2014

The Demon Notebook

Waverton Good Read Children’s Award
Winner

On the Brinks

Trophée 813 de Meilleur Roman Etranger
Winner

Brian and the Vikings

Written by Chris Judge, By (artist) Mark Wickham
Children's Book of the Year (Junior)
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

Hell or Some Worse Place: Kinsale 1601

Non-Fiction Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

Into the Grey

Sakura Medal
Short-listed

Arimathea

Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award
Short-listed

Rugby Spirit

A new school, a new sport, an old mystery...
Sakura Medal
Short-listed

Arkle

The Legend of 'Himself'
Written by Anne Holland, Foreword by Jim Dreaper
Horse Racing Book of the Year
British Sports Book Awards
Short-listed

Secrets and Shadows

Two friends in a world at war
Sakura Medal
Short-listed

City of Fate

Warwickshire School Library Service Award
Short-listed

The Rising of Bella Casey

International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
Long-listed

2013

Into the Grey

Reading Association of Ireland Award
Winner

Eva and the Hidden Diary

Written by Judi Curtin, Illustrated by Woody Fox
Children's Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

Arimathea

Irish Book Awards - Eason Novel of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

Epic

Prix Farniente
Short-listed

2012

Into the Grey

CBI Book of the Year Award
Winner
CBI_BOTY_2012.gif
CBI Children's Choice Award
Winner

James Joyce

Portrait of a Dubliner
Written by and Illustrated by Alfonso Zapico, Translated by David Prendergast
National Comic Prize
Winner

And Time Stood Still

Irish Book Awards: Best Irish-Published Book
Irish Literary Academy
Short-listed

Leave it to Eva

Irish Book Awards: Best Children's Book (Senior)
Irish Literary Academy
Short-listed

Rebecca's Rules

Irish Book Awards: Best Children's Book (Senior)
Irish Literary Academy
Short-listed

2011

The Real Rebecca

Irish Children's Book of the Year (senior)
Irish Book Awards
Winner
IBA2011_winner.gif

Dancing in the Dark

White Raven Selection
Winner
Bisto Book of the Year
Short-listed

Sally Go Round The Stars

Favourite Rhymes from an Irish Childhood
Written by Sarah Webb and Claire Ranson, Illustrated by Steve McCarthy
Irish Children's Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed
IBA2010_logo.gif

Marco Moves In

Written by Gerry Boland, Illustrated by Áine McGuinness
Irish Children's Book of the Year (Junior)
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed
IBA2010_logo.gif

2010

A Coward if I Return, A Hero if I Fall

Stories of Irishmen in World War I
Irish Book Awards: Non-fiction
Irish Literary Academy
Winner

Alfie Green and the Chocolate Cosmos

Written by Joe O'Brien, Illustrated by Jean Texier
Best Chocolate Book in Ireland
Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Winner
Irish Book Awards: Children's Award (Junior)
Irish Literary Academy
Short-listed
IBA2010_logo.gif

Alice & Megan's Cookbook

Written by Judi Curtin, Illustrated by Woody Fox
Best Children/Family Cookbook
Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Winner

A Coward if I Return, A Hero if I Fall

Stories of Irishmen in World War I
Irish Book Awards: Non-fiction
Irish Literary Academy
Winner
IBA2010_Winner.gif

Lansdowne Road

The Stadium; the matches; the greatest days
William Hill Irish Sports Book of the Year
Short-listed
Irish Book Awards: Sport category
Irish Literary Academy
Short-listed
IBA2010_logo.gif

The Stolen Village

Baltimore and the Barbary Pirates
Irish Book of the Decade
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

2009

The Poison Throne

Written by and Illustrated by Celine Kiernan, Illustrated by Finbarr O'Connor
Reading Association of Ireland Award
Winner
RAI_Book_Award_2010.gif
Irish Book Awards: DAA Irish Children's Book of the Year
Short-listed
IrishBookAwards.gif
Irish Book Awards: IES Newcomer of the Year
Short-listed
IrishBookAwards.gif
White Ravens
International Youth Library
Short-listed

Move

Reading Association of Ireland Special Merit Award
Winner
RAI_Merit_Award_2010.gif

The Parish

Irish-Published Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Winner

The Guinness Story

The Family, The Business and The Black Stuff
Best Food/Drink History Book
Gourmand Awards
Winner
GourmandAward.gif

Epic

International Reading Association Young Adult Choice
Commended

The Story of Ireland

Written by Brendan O'Brien, Illustrated by Cartoon Saloon
Reading Association of Ireland Award
Short-listed

Alice & Megan Forever

Written by Judi Curtin, Illustrated by Woody Fox, Cover illustration by Nicola Colton
DAA Children’s Book of the Year (Senior)
Irish Book Awards
Short-listed

2008

The Story of Ireland

Written by Brendan O'Brien, Illustrated by Cartoon Saloon
White Raven selection 2008
Winner
Children's Book of the Year
Irish Book Awards
Winner
IBA_Winner_2008.gif

2007

Kings of September

The Day Offaly Denied Kerry Five in a Row
BoyleSports Sports Book of Year 2007
Winner
BoylesportsBookOfTheYear.gif

The Feckin' Book of Everything Irish

that'll have ye effin' an' blindin' wojus slang - blatherin' deadly quotations - beltin' out ballads while scuttered - cookin' an Irish Mammy's recipe
Written by Colin Murphy and Donal O'Dea
Best Humour Book 2007 Benjamin Franklin Awards
Winner

2006

Epic

IBbY Honour List 2006
Winner
Lancashire Children's Book Award
Short-listed

A Horse Called El Dorado

Bisto Honour Award 2006
Winner
Bisto_Honour_Sticker.gif

2005

The Wish List

Premio Cassa di Risparmio di Cento - Letteratura per Ragazzi
Winner

Wings over Delft

Reading Association of Ireland Award 2005
Winner
RAIBookAward.gif

The Gods and their Machines

Bisto Merit Award 2005
Winner
BistoMerit2001.gif

2004

Wings over Delft

Bisto Book of the Year Award 2004
Winner
BistoAward2000.gif
White Ravens
International Youth Library
Winner

2003

Wings over Delft

Bisto Book of the Year
Winner
BistoAward2000.gif

War Children

Stories from Ireland's War of Independence
Bisto Book of the Year -- Merit Award 2003
Winner
BistoMerit2001.gif
Reading Association of Ireland Award 2003
Winner
RAIBookAward.gif

Dublin

The Making of a Medieval City
Best Museum Publication
Heritage Council/Northern Ireland Museums Council
Winner

2002

Adam's Starling

Written by Gillian Perdue, Illustrated by Barry Reynolds
Bisto Book of the Year - Eilís Dillon Award 2002
Winner
EilisDillon2001.gif

Benny and Omar

IBbY Honour List 2002
Winner

2001

The Wish List

Bisto Merit Award 2001
Winner
BistoMerit2001.gif

2000

The Moon King

IBbY Honour List 2000
Winner

Faraway Home

Bisto Book of the Year (2000)
Winner
BistoAward2000.gif

1999

Katie's War

Peter Pan Award (IBBY Sweden)
Winner

The Moon King

Bisto Book of the Year Merit Award (1999)
Winner
BistoMerit2001.gif

1998

Four Kids, Three Cats, Two Cows, One Witch (maybe)

Bisto Book of the Year Merit Award 1998
Winner
BistoMeritAward.gif

Red Hugh

The Kidnap of Hugh O'Donnell
Western Australia Premier’s Award 1998 for a Young Adult Book
Winner

1997

Sisters ... No Way!

Bisto Book of the Year Award 1997
Winner
BistoOverall1998.gif

Just Joshua

Vlag en Wimpel award (Netherlands)
Winner

The Guns of Easter

Bisto Book of the Year Award 1997 - Eilís Dillon award
Winner
EilisDillon2001.gif
Bisto Book of the Year Award 1997 - Historical Novel category
Winner

1993

The Blue Horse

Written by Marita Conlon-McKenna, Illustrated by Donald Teskey
Bisto Book of the Year Award - Overall Winner (1993)
Winner
BistoBookoftheYear.gif

Strongbow

The Story of Richard and Aoife
Reading Association of Ireland Book Award (1993)
Winner
Bisto Book of the Year - Historical Fiction (1993)
Winner

Under the Hawthorn Tree

Children of the Famine
Written by Marita Conlon-McKenna, Illustrated by Donald Teskey, Cover illustration by PJ Lynch
Osterreichischer Kinder- und Jugendbuchpreis (1993)
Short-listed

1992

Wildflower Girl

Written by Marita Conlon-McKenna, Illustrated by Donald Teskey, Cover illustration by PJ Lynch
Bisto Book of the Year - Historical Novel (1992)
Winner
BistoBookoftheYear.gif

The Story of Creation

Smarties Award (6-8 years)
Winner

1991

Exploring the Book of Kells

Written by George Otto Simms, Illustrated by David Rooney and Eoin O'Brien
Bisto Book of the Decade
Winner

Brendan the Navigator

Exploring the Ancient World
Written by George Otto Simms, Illustrated by David Rooney
Bisto Book of the Decade
Winner

À La Découverte du Livre de Kells

Written by George Otto Simms, Illustrated by David Rooney and Eoin O'Brien, Translated by Svetlana Pironko
CBI Book of the Decade
Winner

Brian Boru

Emperor of the Irish
Bisto Book of the Year - Best emerging children's writer (1991)
Winner

Exploring the Book of Kells (Japanese)

Written by George Otto Simms, Illustrated by David Rooney and Eoin O'Brien, Translated with commentary by Ms Terumi
Bisto Book of the Decade
Winner

Under the Hawthorn Tree

Children of the Famine
Written by Marita Conlon-McKenna, Illustrated by Donald Teskey, Cover illustration by PJ Lynch
Reading Association of Ireland - Premier Award (1991)
Winner
RAIBookAward.gif
International Reading Association Award
Winner
InternationalReadingAssociation.gif
Reading Association of Ireland Award
Winner
RAIBookAward.gif

1990

Run with the Wind

Written by Tom McCaughren, Illustrated by Bex Sheridan
Bisto Book of the Decade
Irish Children's Book Trust
Winner

1989

Exploring the Book of Kells

Written by George Otto Simms, Illustrated by David Rooney and Eoin O'Brien
RAI Awards - Special Merit
Winner

Exploring the Book of Kells (Japanese)

Written by George Otto Simms, Illustrated by David Rooney and Eoin O'Brien, Translated with commentary by Ms Terumi
RAI Awards - Special Merit (1989)
Winner

À La Découverte du Livre de Kells

Written by George Otto Simms, Illustrated by David Rooney and Eoin O'Brien, Translated by Svetlana Pironko
RAI Awards - Special Merit
Winner

1985

Run with the Wind

Written by Tom McCaughren, Illustrated by Bex Sheridan
Book Award
Reading Association of Ireland
Winner

Fox & Son Tailers

Children's Picture Book Awards
The English Association
Short-listed