Ashwin scoops Senior Children’s Award for images

A LOCAL illustrator saw success at the An Post Irish Book Awards last week, when he scooped up the Senior Children’s Book of the Year Award.

Ashwin Chacko, who lives in Belgard, created the vibrant images for the book ‘I Am the Wind: Irish Poems for Children Everywhere’ by Lucinda Jacob and Sarah Webb.

All three won the accolade, and Ashwin praised the sense of community and support among the children’s book authors at the awards ceremony last Wednesday night, November 22.

“The atmosphere at the ceremony was electric,” he told The Echo.

“There were so many amazing authors, illustrators, publishers and booksellers all gathered together in giddy anticipation.

“What I adore about the children’s book world is that everyone is so excited for each other and, rather than rivalry, there is a great sense of camaraderie.”

The night marked a highpoint in Ashwin’s career as an illustrator and writer, as his book ‘Wild City’, published by O’Brien Press, was also shortlisted in the Junior Children’s Book of the Year Award.

“I never dreamed that two of my books would be shortlisted in the senior and junior children’s categories,” said Ashwin, who is originally from India.

“With ‘I Am the Wind’, I had a strong sense that it had the potential to win awards because of the amazing calibre of work put in by Sarah and Lucinda, curating the contemporary and classic children’s poems together.

“Working on it, it felt like it had the potential for longevity and legacy.

“Even with that sixth sense, I was still surprised to hear it was shortlisted.”

Ashwin said his heart was pounding in his chest when the book was announced as the winner, and that it has helped to solidify his pivot into creating children’s books.

“Though I’ve been working in the creative industry for over a decade, I am still quite new to the world of children’s publishing,” he said.

“Pivoting into any new industry is tough, you have to prove yourself all over again.

“Winning this award means the world to me. It signals that I can do it and am fully rooted in the industry.

“Hopefully, it will open new doors and opportunities.”

For now, Ashwin plans to celebrate his award win by relaxing with his family, and he added that he recently learned the book had been shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book of the Year Award.

‘I Am the Wind’ is one of six titles that have been shortlisted for the award, and the winner will be announced on RTÉ One at 10.35pm on Wednesday, December 6.

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