Paddy Donnelly
Paddy Donnelly is an Irish author & illustrator living in Belgium.
His books include Dodos Are Not Extinct, Hom, Here Be Dragonsand The Vanishing Lake. His work has achieved international acclaim as he was nominated for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2022 and shortlisted for The World Illustration Awards in 2018. Paddy’s first book as both author and illustrator, The Vanishing Lake, was awarded the gold medal in the picture book category of the IPPY Awards.
Paddy grew up on the beautiful north coast of Ireland, surrounded by mythical stories of giants, magical creatures and shape-shifting animals. All of this prompted his love for nature, animals, the sea and storytelling.
Paddy Donnelly is represented by Susan Penny — to work with Paddy please email Susan
Reviews
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Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland, speaking about ‘Here Be Dragons’, illustrated by Paddy Donnelly, written by Susannah Lloyd, published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books.
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“When Scúnc finds his missing Teddy, he is dismayed to discover that its special smell has been eradicated by a spell in the washing machine. After much searching and sniffing, Scúnc makes the happy discovery that Teddy’s smell came from his mother’s hugs, so lots of hugging of Teddy will be required for the comforting smell to be regained. It is unusual to feature skunks as main characters in a picturebook and much is made in the illustrations of their comic indifference to the repulsion that their odour arouses in other animal characters trying to give them a wide berth. A warm, humorous and highly engaging celebration of love between mother and child.”
Judges’ comments for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards shortlist 2019.
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‘Illustrator Paddy Donnelly brings life to Skunk’s world with a rich and glossy palette that makes space for individual scents marks for the stinky characters too.’ - The Irish Times review of Scúnc agus Smúirín
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‘The vibrant, full-page illustrations have a dynamic, painterly quality and successfully evoke the wildness and beauty of the coast, bringing the text to life.’ - BookTrust review.
Awards
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Paddy Donelly was nominated for the CILIP/Kate Greenaway Medal 2022 for both ‘Twitch’, written by M.G.Leonard, published by Walker Books and ‘Hom’, written by Jeanne Willis, published by Andersen Press.
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Paddy Donnelly was awarded The White Ravens Award for “Míp”, written by Máire Zepf, published by Futa Fata.
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Selected for The Book Trust’s Great Books Guide 2021 for both ‘Twitch’, written by M. G. Leonard, published by Walker Books and ‘The Lightening Catcher’, written by Clare Weze, published by Bloomsbury.
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Paddy Donnelly won for the Sainsbury’s Children’s Books Awards in the Fiction category for ‘Twitch’, written by M. G. Leonard, published by Walker Books.
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Paddy Donnelly has been awarded The Literary Association of Ireland Biennial Children’s Book Awards for ‘MÍP’ (written by Máire Zepf) and SCÚNC AGUS SMÚIRÍN (written by Muireann Ní Chíobháin), both published by Futa Fata.
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Listed for the Summer Reading 2021 List by Love Reading 4 Kids for ‘The Lightning Catcher’.
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Paddy Donnelly won The Independent Publisher Book Awards Gold Medal Award for their book ‘The Vanishing Lake’, published by Yeehoo Press.
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‘The Vanishing Lake’ was chosen as one of The Best Children’s Books 2020 by The Annual China Children’s Booklist ‘The Vanishing Lake. Author-illustrated by Paddy Donnelly, published by Yeehoo Press.
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Shortlisted for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2021 with “Míp”, written by Máire Zepf, published by Futa Fata.
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Shortlisted for the Gradam Réics Carló Children’s Irish Language Book of the Year with two books; ‘Scúnc Agus Smúirín’ written by Muireann Ni Chiobhain, and ‘Míp’ written by Maire Zepf, both published by Futa Fata.
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Cover art for ‘Wonderscape’ by Jennifer Bell, published by Walker Books selected as the Waterstones’ Children Book of the Month for June
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‘SCÚNC AGUS SMÚIRÍN’, written by Muireann Ní Chíobháinm, published by Futa Fata, shortlisted for the 2019 KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards.
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World Illustration Awards 2018 — Nominated. An award by The Association of Illustrators.

Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Reference Number: #12079595

Paddy Donnelly
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Reference Number: #12079593

Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Reference Number: #12083693

Paddy Donnelly
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Reference Number: #12083692

Paddy Donnelly
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Reference Number: #12083691

Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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Paddy Donnelly
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