Join our Judging Panel for the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards 2026-2027

*PLEASE NOTE: Applications are now closed*

Are you an adult who is interested in books and reading for children and young people? Children’s Books Ireland is currently looking for expert readers to help select the next KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards shortlist, longlist and winners for 2027.

Each year Children’s Books Ireland selects a Chair for the awards, and in conjunction with them, assembles a panel of judges who have considerable expertise and interest in books for children. 

The panel is composed of experts in various fields, and they are given absolute authority to judge, longlist, shortlist and choose winners from the submitted books. The panel should be not less than seven judges and not more than twelve, to include four with an appropriate level of Irish, three with expertise in fiction and three with expertise in illustration/picturebooks. The panel also has two young judges (age 16–24), one of whom must be fluent in Irish. 

Adult judges should fulfil some of the following requirements:

• Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the field of children’s literature,
• Hold a recognised qualification in the field of children’s literature,
• Display awareness of illustration techniques and media, visual literacy, design, writing styles and editing as they relate to children’s literature.

We are especially looking for judges with expertise in the areas of illustration and the Irish language.

Successful applicants must be able to read a wide volume of books, from picturebooks to young adult texts, including poetry and non-fiction, in English and preferably also in Irish. The books will be sent in batches of approximately 20–30 books at a time and must be read by agreed deadlines. 

For the 2025–2026 cycle, judges read a total of 151 books, but in previous year’s read up to 169 books. Judges are not required to be expert in all areas, but (with the exception of those judges who cannot read books in Irish and contribute to a discussion of same), all judges will be expected to read all titles. 

Reading starts in April 2026 with judging meeting’s taking place online and/or in-person between August/September 2026 and January 2027. 

This is a ten-month commitment. 

We would particularly like to hear from people from underrepresented backgrounds or communities.

To apply, please fill in an application form by 12 noon on Friday 10th April 2026. 

The full KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards Policy is available to view below - this policy incudes further notes on judges and judging.

If you have any questions, please contact our Deputy CEO, Jenny Murray