Hodges Figgis Christmas Window!

Absolutely thrilled to have been asked to paint the Hodges Figgis Christmas Window. I have been working away in my new studio. Its a massive undertaking as the illustration is over 8 foot long.  I couldn't of done it with out the help of my sister Emer who gave up her whole weekend and a day from Open Book Company (Thank you Brendan!) She was fantastic gessoing and helping me paint Dinotown. Thank you so much Emer! 

Here's a few images of the work in progress. I will be instore in Dawson Street all day Monday 27th painting the final touches and reading from Santasurus, and making stars to decorate the window with six year olds from Griffeen Valley Educate Together, Lucan.

Emer and Oscar roll out the gesso! 

Sketch up outlines

Niamh painting...

My painting Elf Emer! 

Conor has more info here. 

Walker Books at the RDS craft fair

Go brave the weather and head to the RDS Craft Fair!

Conor Hackett has a great Walker Books stand there, with collectable first editions signed by lots of different Walker Books Authors.

There's new books from four Irish illustrators;Chris Haughton, Kevin Waldron,

PJ Lynch and me, Niamh Sharkey!

As well as signed first editions of Helen Oxenbury and John Burningham's first collaboration 'There's Going To Be A Baby.'

In case you didn't know Helen did the wonderful illustration of the Walker Bear!

The Irish Book Awards!

On The Road with Mavis and Marge won The DAA Children’s Book of the Year!!!! I am thrilled!!!! Thank you so, so much to all my friends and family from all over the world who voted for Mavis and Marge. Thank you especially to Walker Books!!!!!

We had the best night...

at the best table,

with the best Sarah!

The best Mo!

We even had two Bonds...Conor and Chris!

The brilliant Jo!

The lovely Robert Dunbar and my totally rocking deadly designer Deirdre!

We had the wonderful Jane Harris!

The fabulous Susan!

And of course the best rep in the universe! (Conor Hackett!)

And a very, very late night :)

HURRAY!

Owl, Chicken & Cow Book Tour!

The uber talented Walker Books rep Conor Hackett brought myself and Chris Haughton on a whirlwind book signing session to eleven stores yesterday. I am still dizzy!

We had a great day, it was so wonderful to meet all the brilliant booksellers in Dublin who do trojan work all year around. I really appreciate all the support they have given to me over the years. We got a really lovely welcome in all stores.

Here's are some of the highlights...

The Chris, the owl, the giraffe, the Niamh, the chicken, the cow.

Blocking escalators...

ouch Chris may never draw again...

Ahh! Crimbo owl tree...

Yum!

Walker Books window at Hodges Figgis, Dublin!

Take your own picture, post on Facebook or Twitter and Conor Hackett promises to send you a free print from Tiny Little Fly signed by Kavin Waldron!

Irish Book Awards shortlist announcement

Here's some photos from the shortlist announcements for the Bord Gáis Irish Book Awards from last Thursday.

My fellow Walker Books author and friend Sarah Webb is nominated in the Senior category. Here's Sarah and myself with Conor Hackett, 'the best rep in the world!'

It was so great to meet Derek Landy at the shortlist announcement. He just lives down the road from me in Rush, but we hadn't meet before. Megan, my daughter loves the Skulduggery Pleasant series. She is reading book 2 at the moment and loving it. Derek signed a photo for her and she was totally thrilled!

And so lovely to meet Cecelia Ahern too, she lives near my folks in Malahide.

Go, go the northsiders!

However, Paul Howard aka Ross O'Carroll Kelly wasn't so sure about all this northside competition!

Click here to vote.

Conor Hackett

Check out my rep Conor Hackett new blogspot here. Conor looks after all my titles and represents Walker Books in Ireland.
As he mentions that Cinderella will be featured on tomorrows The Afternoon Show on RTE1 Television.

BookFest Photos

As promised some photos of the Bookfest from Saturday, including me showing how to draw a Hugglewug step by step to the kids and myself and PJ Lynch signing in the National Gallery Shop afterwards. Thanks to Conor Hackett for the photos!