Specsavers Children’s Short Story Competition 2025
As part of the Specsavers Children’s Short Story Competition at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2025, I was delighted to be invited back to illustrate the winning entries from both the Junior and Senior categories. Each young writer began with the same prompt:
“I looked around my new classroom, at the letters, the map, and numbers on the wall — then I saw it, the teacher’s secret cupboard tucked away behind my desk. There was a weird noise coming from it, so I slipped off my chair and went to investigate…”
From that single starting point, completely different and imaginative stories emerged. As part of their prize, the winners saw their ideas transformed into fully illustrated books — their characters and worlds brought to life on the page. It’s always such a special process, stepping into someone else’s imagination and creating something they can hold onto.
Junior Winner
“The Puca’s Eyes” written by Charles Dominic Gallagher
Senior Winner
“No Turning Back” written by Esme Hadlow Davison
Specsavers Children’s Short Story Competition 2025 winners Charles and Esme receiving their illustrated books
The Specsavers Children’s Short Story Competition 2025 celebrates young imaginations, and it was such a joy to see the winners Charles and Esme’s, receive their illustrated storybooks. It’s a lovely part of the process — seeing those ideas turned into something tangible, and knowing they’ll be kept and looked back on for years to come.
Have I sparked a sense of wonder?
If you’d love to bring a little whimsy to your next project, I’d love to collaborate.