The shortlists for this year’s Tir na n-Og Awards have been announced. The Tir na n-Og Awards are the oldest and most popular awards for children’s literature in Wales. They celebrate the talents of authors and illustrators who either create original works in Welsh, or who write about authentically Welsh themes or backgrounds through the medium of English.

There are three award categories: Welsh Language Primary (ages 4-11); Welsh Language Secondary (ages 11-18); and English Language with an authentic Welsh Dimension (ages 4-18).

The shortlists and winners are chosen by panels of independent judges but young readers in schools and libraries across Wales can have their say by voting for the winner of the Readers’ Choice Award as part of the Tir na n-Og Shadowing Scheme. A shadowing resource pack containing discussion points, author interviews and ideas for creative responses to the texts is available to download and voting is open until 15th May for the English-language category and until 21st May for the Welsh-language category.

Commenting on this year’s awards, Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales, said: ‘Congratulations to the authors and illustrators of all the books on this year’s shortlists. The judging panels really had their work cut out to select the shortlists from many wonderful entries, and the standard this year was very high. Good luck to everyone shortlisted and I look forward to the announcement of the winning books in the summer.

English Language Shortlist

Megs by Meleri Wyn James, illustrated by Shari Llewelyn (Y Lolfa)

Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins by Claire Fayers (Firefly Press)

Cynefin, Wales and the World – Today’s Geography for Future Generations by Dafydd Watcyn Williams (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)

The Twelve by Liz Hyder, illustrated by Tom de Freston (Pushkin Children’s Books)

 

Welsh Language Primary Shortlist

Llanddafad by Gareth Evans-Jones, illustrated by Lleucu Gwenllian (Y Lolfa)

Ni a Nhw by Sioned Wyn Roberts, illustrated by Eric Heyman (Atebol)

Arwana Swtan a’r Sgodyn Od by Angie Roberts and Dyfan Roberts, illustrated by Efa Dyfan (Gwasg y Bwthyn)

 

Welsh Language Secondary Shortlist

Cynefin, Cymru a’r Byd by Dafydd Watcyn Williams (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)

Rhedyn, Merlyn y Mawn by Myrddin ap Dafydd (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)

Cymry. Balch. Ifanc. edited by Llŷr Titus & Megan Angharad Hunter, illustrated by Mari Philips (Riley Publications Ltd)

The winner of each category will be announced in May.