Fia and the Last Snow Deer by Eilish Fisher (author) and Dermot Flynn (illustrator)

WINNER Children’s Book of the Year Senior, Irish Book Awards 2024
WINNER Book of the Year, Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2025
WINNER Ellis Dillon Debut Award *
WINNER Children’s Book of the Year: Poetry, The Week Junior Book Awards 2025
LONGLISTED for Carnegie Medal for Writing 2026
LONGLISTED for Carnegie Medal for Illustrations 2026

Fia and her snow deer Solas have always had a powerful and unbreakable connection. But as Fia’s village face a seemingly eternal winter, they turn their sights to Solas and an ancient prophecy that promises the return of sunlight and life, if the ultimate sacrifice is made . . .

Refusing to allow the worst to happen, Fia and her cousin Mish run from the village with Solas, seeking out the Deer Mother – the mythical being who wakes the sun at the winter solstice and who might be their only hope.

But the wilderness is harsh and shadows lurk at every turn. Can they make it to the Deer Mother? And, if they do, what choices will Fia face to bring back the sun and save her village?

A powerful and beautiful tale set in snowy pre-historic Ireland, about hope, kindness and the power of friendship, from exceptional new writing talent, Eilish Fisher, brought to life with stunning illustrations from Dermot Flynn.

Praise for Fia and the Last Snow Deer

‘Tender, hopeful and thrillingly wild’ Abi Elphinstone, bestselling author of Sky Song

‘A beautiful, lyrical read full of love, hardship and hope . . . I cannot recommend this book highly enough.’ Reading Zone, five star review

‘Visually delicious and lyrically lovely’ Oliver Callen, RTE Radio One

‘A stunning debut, which should become a classic, with immediate appeal for fans of writers like Michelle Paver and Abi Elphinstone.’ The Irish Times

‘An otherworldly debut’ Image Magazine

‘Writing and illustration of equal beauty’ Sara Keating, Best Books of 2024 selection, The Irish Times