Niamh Sharkey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Niamh Sharkey
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| Born | (UNKNOWN DATE), 1973 |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Known for | Henry Hugglemonster |
| Awards | Laureate na nÓg (2012) |
Niamh Sharkey is an Irish author and illustrator who creates amazing picture books for children. She is well-known for her creative stories and colorful drawings.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Niamh Sharkey loved reading and drawing from a very young age. This passion for books and art shaped her future career.
After finishing college, where she studied visual communication, Niamh worked as a freelance illustrator and designer in Dublin, Ireland. Being "freelance" means she worked for different companies on various projects instead of being a full-time employee for just one. While living in Hobart, Tasmania, she illustrated her very first full-color picture book.
In 2012, Niamh Sharkey received a special honor: she was named Laureate na nÓg. This is a very important award in Ireland given to a children's writer or illustrator. It means she was chosen to be a champion for children's literature and reading for a period of time.
Her books have become very popular and have been translated into 20 different languages around the world. Niamh is also a member of Illustrators Ireland, a group for professional illustrators. She helped start Towers and Tales, which is a fun festival all about children's books.
From Books to Animation
Niamh Sharkey's book I’m a Happy Hugglewug was turned into an animated TV show for younger kids called Henry Hugglemonster. This show was made by Disney Television Animation.
More recently, Niamh also helped create another Disney animated series called Eureka!, which first aired in 2022. This shows how her creative ideas can come to life in different ways, from books to television.
Recognitions and Awards
Niamh Sharkey has won many awards for her wonderful work in children's literature. These awards celebrate her talent as both an author and an illustrator.
Some of her notable awards include:
- Laureate na nÓg
- Mother Goose Award for best new illustrator
- Irish Book Awards Bisto Book of the Year for her book Tales of Wisdom and Wonder
- Another Irish Book Awards Bisto Book of the Year for The Gigantic Turnip
- The 2010 Irish Book Awards Junior Book of the Year for On The Road With Mavis And Marge
- A special bursary (a type of grant or scholarship) from Children's Books Ireland and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in 2019
