Award-winning Offaly illustrator gives behind-the-scenes look at new book
Award-winning Birr artist Shannon Bergin has given her audience a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of her new project 'Swim Little Otter'.
The childrens' book is a collaboration with authors Tom McCaughren and Erika McGann.
The trio previously won the 2025 Irish Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year (Junior) for 'Run Home, Little Fox'.
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Shannon shared the behind-the-scenes photos on her social media pages.Image 2 of 4
Shannon shared the behind-the-scenes photos on her social media pages.Image 3 of 4
Shannon shared the behind-the-scenes photos on her social media pages.Image 4 of 4
The final cover art for 'Swim Little Otter'.Shannon has been working on 'Swim Little Otter' since February, describing Ollie the Otter as "a wee otter on a journey, meeting friends and discovering just how brave he can be".
"At that stage, he and his world were world on a page, written by the wonderful Tom and Erika. I got to work on researching otters, and sketching," she said.
The description for the book reads: "Poor Little Otter can’t swim. The deep, dark river is just too scary. But he has to learn to swim or he won’t be a real otter. Maybe his new friend Tom Cat can help."
'Swim Little Otter', priced at €14.99, is set to be published in October of this year by O'Brien Press LTD.