The Children's Books Ireland Bisto Book of the Year award is the most prestigious award given to Irish Illustrators and authors whose work is for young readers. A panel of judges nominate a shortlist of titles chosen from all books published in Ireland in a given year and from this one title is chosen as CBI Bisto Book of The Year. They also award the Eilis Dillon Award to a first time writer for children's books as well as three Honour Award.

In 2004, CBI piloted a shadowing scheme to involve young readers in the CBI Bisto Book of the Year Awards. Teachers and/or librarians are invited to sign up a school or library group. Since then, the number of reading groups involved has increased year on year, with 140 groups taking part in 2007. The unprecedented growth in participants has indicated the success of the scheme. As shadowing groups are focused on the shortlist we can ensure it is a rich and diverse guided reading experience. 

How it works

• Groups register and are sent relevant materials by CBI during February - including examples of past shadowing activites, general book activities and a detailed plan for the scheme.
• When the shortlist is announced in mid March, the groups are sent more materials to guide them. Each short listed book has dedicated activities developed for it. These activities include, summaries, commentary and suggested activities focused on the each book, including photocopiable work sheets.
• Groups are invited to nominate their winning book ahead of the offical judges decision at the end of May.
• Selected groups are invited to the presentation ceremony
• Feedback is gathered to better inform the following year's activities

Feedback from participants

What some participating group leaders have told us about the scheme:

• "Enthusiasm grew as more books were read and discussed in class. A few really enthusiastic readers encouraged wider participation. Children were queuing up to get the next book!"
• 90% of respondents said they would participate in shadowing again next year
• All of the groups said enthusiasm was maintained for the programme despite any constraints like time and book availability
• "Children were very enthusiastic throughout. The visit from the author also greatly helped and suggested activities helped children to engage with the books."
• All of the groups found some elements of the support materials useful
• "This was our first year to be involved and the children and I really enjoyed the whole experience. I am looking forward to next year"

CBI Materials and Support

CBI develops the materials for shadowing schools in consultation with teachers who have participated in the scheme. This is a time intensive activity as each book is examined and re-examined by the team. Each set of activites are developed to be adapted for a range of readers and abilities.

CBI supports the programme by actively encouraging short listed authors and illustrators to participate in events with the shadowing groups although this is subject to their availability in the shadowing window.

CBI works with the School Library Association to actively promote the scheme to second level schools. CBI also encourages regional public library authorities to partcipate by hosting local library shadowing groups.

Through particpating in the scheme young reader's are encouraged to engage in critical analysis of a range of high quality books. Ownership and participation in the Awards process is an important right for the young readers. Equally for some young readers, the notion that their reading has a 'purpose' or 'goal' will encourage them to read more during the sheme and in turn may develop their reading habits beyond the shadowing project. Shadowing will inspire children to try new authors, new types of books and look closely at design and illustration as well as providing teachers and librarians with a tool to encourage quality reading.

To download a registristration form for the 2008 scheme pleas click here.