Kayleigh books place among artistic elite

Kayleigh O’Mara . . . one of only a handful of winners among 300 entrants

ARTISTIC talent and imagination have earned a young Royton woman special recognition in this year’s Macmillan Prize competition.

Kayleigh O’Mara (21), of Ravenstonedale Drive, studies illustration at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and has received a “highly commended” honour for her children’s book, “This Is Owl”, which features in an exhibition at Foyle’s Gallery, London.

Second-year student Kayleigh was one of only a handful of winners selected from almost 300 entrants in the Macmillan publishing group’s annual search for Britain’s best up-and-coming illustrators.

She said: “When I got the e-mail from Macmillan, I was just really surprised. I didn’t expect it at all. Looking at how good everyone else’s work was, it was just very surprising — in a nice way.”

The book, which Kayleigh wrote and illustrated, tells the tale of Owl, a brave bird of the night who leaves his suburban home in search of a more exciting city life, only to learn that friends were all he really needed in his surroundings.

The young author said: “It’s quite a simple story that I think children would like. There’s a lot of fun repetition in it, and it’s got a nice happy ending.”

Her mother, Jane O’Mara, deputy manager of a nursery, said: “We’re all really proud, and because I work in childcare, I know that it’s a really good book and I think children would really enjoy it.”

Despite having always demonstrated enthusiasm and skill for the creative arts, Kayleigh admits that it has only become a definite career aim in recent years.

She said: “I love drawing — it’s always been my favourite thing to do — but until I was leaving school I didn’t know I could end up in a job doing it.

“After this, I think children’s books are what I’d definitely like to be doing in a few years’ time.”

A former pupil of North Chadderton School, where she will assume the role of artist in residence for a series of visual arts days in July, Kayleigh looks set to follow in the footsteps of previous Macmillan Prize winners Lucy Cousins and Selina Young.

Steve Wilkin, course leader for BA(Hons) illustration at UCLan, said: “I’ve always thought of her as one of our better students. She’s always been a hard worker and she always has an interesting view on narrative.

“If she continues to improve at this rate I don’t see why she couldn’t be a children’s illustrator in the future.”