Alan Nolan wins the annual Children’s Books Ireland Award for his outstanding contribution to children’s books
Alan Nolan is the 2024 recipient of the annual Children’s Books Ireland Award for his outstanding contribution to children’s books. The announcement was made at the Children’s Books Ireland International Conference this weekend.
Nominated by several of his fellow artists, the Dublin born author-illustrator was presented with the prestigious award by Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde who described him as one of the most hard-working and generous writers working in Ireland: ‘The world of children’s books in Ireland is a warmer and happier place whenever Alan is around. He is a champion of reading and illustrating and a natural leader of young people.’
Alan is the creator of over 20 children’s books, including Fintan’s Fifteen, Conor’s Caveman and the Sam Hannigan series for The O’Brien Press, among many others. His novella, Sam Hannigan’s Rock Star Granny was the World Book Day Book for Ireland in 2019.
During the announcement, Alan was surprised to be joined by his family and friends who had been told of the award in previous weeks, and had all gathered together to be with him and celebrate his achievement. Alan expressed his delight and gratitude to the audience at the conference: “I am in love with children’s books and am a huge lover of books. I have always been an enthusiastic reader and I just love to pass on the joy of books and creativity as best I can to kids.”
Outside of writing and illustrating, Alan’s love for children’s literature has led him to delivering engaging workshops in schools, libraries and festivals across Ireland where he shares his enthusiasm for reading and creating to children and young people. Commended by his peers, author Eve McDonnell said that Alan “is 100% committed to promoting reading for joy, always positive and relentlessly hard working. He is without doubt a national treasure!”
His latest book, The Riddle of the Disappearing Dickens is part of his Molly Malone and Bram Stoker book series and was published by The O’Brien Press earlier this month with a launch event in children’s bookshop Halfway Up The Stairs in Greystones, Co. Wicklow. Speaking about the series, owner of the bookshop, Trish Hennessy said that Alan’s Molly & Bram books have brought Irish history to children in a really accessible, fun manner. “His cheery disposition and his brilliant sense of humour brighten our days regularly.”
