Hat-trick of Awards for John and Fatti Burke’s Runaway Bestseller 'Irelandopedia'

The biggest-selling children’s picture book of 2015 Irelandopedia won two awards at yesterday’s 2016 CBI Book of the Year Awards in Dublin. John and Fatti Burke were named winners of the Eilís Dillon Award for first children’s book and the Judges’ Special Award.

The awards add to last year’s win at the Irish Book Awards where Irelandopedia won the Ryan Tubridy Show Listeners’ Choice Award.

The CBI Awards judges said: ‘This compendium of maps, facts and knowledge about Ireland and Irish life by father and daughter team, John Burke and Fatti Burke, has infectious appeal for all the family. Each county’s double-spread is vividly evoked with witty and detailed illustrations, which work perfectly in counterpart with the accessible, engaging text and an endless treasure trove of facts. This absorbing book will immerse even the most reluctant reader and will spark curiosity, pleasure and pride about local environments, history, culture and the richness of modern and ancient Ireland.’

The school children from the Award Shadowers Committee said: ‘I liked it because it was full of facts and really cool illustrations and I learned loads of facts I didn’t even know about Ireland and my county as well’, ‘This is my favourite book and I gave it 10 out of 10’ and ‘I would think tourists from all around the world should get this book and read all about the different counties.’

Speaking about her win, Fatti (Kathi) Burke said: ‘It has been such an incredible year for my dad and I, and we have been blown away by the reaction to Irelandopedia. To win these awards from Children’s Books Ireland is such an honour, and it was made even more special when we got to hear the reviews from kids around the country who took part in the awards.’

Director of Gill Books, Nicki Howard, also commented: ‘Kathi and John created something very special with Irelandopedia. We are so delighted to see their hard work and creativity embraced by families across the country, and honoured with these awards. We can’t wait for you to see what they have in store next!’

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