Celebrating 50 years of showcasing the talent and creativity 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, the shortlists for the Tir na n-Og Awards 2026 have been announced.

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. To celebrate 50 years of the awards, there is also a Tir na n-Og Reading Challenge available to download.

Commenting on this year’s awards, Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales, said: ‘It is a real pleasure to announce such high‑quality shortlists in this special year. After half a century, the Tir na n‑Og Awards continue to celebrate the very best books for children and young people, and the books that have reached the top this year truly deserve their place – so much so that there are four books shortlisted this year in the primary category instead of the usual three. Huge congratulations to all the authors, illustrators and publishers – I am very much looking forward to seeing who will take home the awards in the summer!’

Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors and illustrators!

Welsh Language Primary Shortlist

Gerwyn Gwrthod a’r Llyfr Does Neb yn Cael ei Ddarllen by Siôn Tomos Owen, illustrated by Siôn Tomos Owen (Atebol)

Cyfri Defaid by Enlli Lewis, illustrated by Gareth Brown (Atebol)

Am Gymro by Medi Jones-Jackson, illustrated by Telor Gwyn (Y Lolfa)

Llyfr Sgrap Macs Sion by Mari Lovgreen, illustrated by Cai Tudur (Y Lolfa)

Welsh Language Secondary Shortlist

Y Cae Ras by Manon Steffan Ros (Y Lolfa)

Anfarwol by Rebecca Roberts (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)

Y Garthen by Sioned Wyn Roberts (Atebol)

Gwen ac Arianrhod by Lleucu Gwenllian, illustrated by Lleucu Gwenllian (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)

English Language Shortlist

Major and Mynah: Project Puffin by Karen Owen, illustrated by Louise Forshaw (Firefly)

The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire by Anna Fiteni (Electric Monkey)

10 Fascinating Stories from Welsh History (that you’ll want to talk about) by Siân Lewis and Charlotte Williams, illustrated by Kyle Legall (Rily)

The winners of the English Language category will be announced on 9th May and the winners of the two Welsh categories will be announced at the Urdd Eisteddfod Ynys Môn on 28 May.