Beloved children’s book author Martin Waddell has been announced as the recipient of the 2024 An Post Irish Book Awards’ ‘Bob Hughes Lifetime Achievement Award’.

Martin is the first children’s writer to receive the award, and is one of the most popular and beloved authors in the genre. With more than one hundred books to his credit and 25 million books sold worldwide, he is one of the most prolific and successful children’s writers. He is best known for Owl Babies, illustrated by Patrick Benson, and the Little Bear books, illustrated by Barbara Firth.

As the 2024 Lifetime Achievement honouree, Martin Waddell will join a host of other distinguished recipients including Sebastian Barry, Colm Tóibín, Maeve Binchy, Edna O’Brien, Anne Enright and Professor Roy Foster. The award was presented on 27th November at the 2024 awards ceremony in The Convention Centre, Dublin.