Tir na n-Og 2025 – Welsh-language Secondary category announced

Tir na n-Og 2025 – Welsh-language Secondary category announced

Mar 13, 2025

Welsh-language Secondary age category

This week, the Books Council of Wales is revealing the shortlists for the Tir na n-Og Awards 2025. The awards celebrate the very best of stories from Wales and about Wales that were published in 2024.

Today, Thursday 13 March the shortlist for the Welsh-language Secondary age category was announced on S4C’s programme, Heno at 7pm.

The Tir na n-Og Awards are the oldest awards for children’s literature in Wales and are held every year by the Books Council of Wales, supported by CILIP Cymru Wales. They celebrate the talents 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 awards have three categories: Welsh-language Primary (age 4–11), Welsh-language Secondary (age 11–18) and English-language book with an authentic Welsh dimension (primary or secondary, age 4–18).

The Welsh-language Secondary category shortlist is:

  • Cynefin, Cymru a’r Byd by Dafydd Watcyn Williams (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)
    The aim of this geographical book is to start at our feet and broaden horizons to all corners of the earth. It extends to include other subjects such as history, literature, identity and art. The cynefin is the starting point. From there, we can extend to see the whole of Wales and all its diversity. Then, we find our country’s place on the face of the earth and in the future of the world.
  • Rhedyn, Merlyn y Mawn by Myrddin ap Dafydd (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)
    A novel about the coal mines of the Mold area set during the Riots of 1869, following the story of a pony that is taken from Hiraethog mountain to work underground, and Ifan, a boy who has to look for work as the small farmstead where he lives isn’t big enough to keep him. The story follows the ups and downs of their lives as they both mature and extend their horizons.
  • Cymry. Balch. Ifanc by various authors. Edited by Llŷr Titus and Megan Angharad Hunter, illustrated by Mari Philips (Rily)
    An honest and deeply personal anthology collecting real-life stories from 14 young LGBTQIA+ contributors, with factual information about Welsh Pride. Edited by award-winning authors Llŷr Titus and Megan Angharad Hunter, Cymry. Balch. Ifanc. aims to increase understanding and empathy towards people in the LGBTQIA+ community by sharing personal experiences.

Independent panels of judges select the shortlists and decide on the winners for the Welsh and English awards each year. This year’s judges on the Welsh-language panel were Sioned Dafydd (Chair), Rhys Dilwyn Jenkins and Lleucu Non.

Sioned Dafydd, Chair of the Welsh panel, said: “A wonderful selection of books was submitted in both Welsh-language categories again this year – books that reflect children and young people in Wales in all their diversity. I hope that children are able to recognise themselves through identifying with some of the characters and authors, and as a result, that they find reading children’s books becomes much more than just a homework task.”

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive, 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.”

The shortlist for the Welsh-language Primary category was announced on Tuesday 11 March on Heno, S4C.

The English-language category was announced earlier today, Thursday 13 March by presenter Melanie Owen and the Books Council of Wales on their social media channels: Instagram @melowencomedy / @books.wales

The winning titles in all three categories will be announced in the summer.

This year, young readers can once again choose the winners in a special category: the Readers’ Choice Award. The winner of this award is chosen by children and young people who take part in the Tir na n-Og shadowing scheme. Schools, libraries and other children’s reading groups can register to take part and be unofficial judges to choose winners from the shortlisted books, with the guidance of the shadowing pack. You can find out how to register on the Books Council’s website, books.wales 

Bookshops and libraries will be holding Tir na n-Og Treasure Hunts over the Easter holidays with the chance for children aged 4–11 to take part. Ask your local bookshop or library for details.

Further information about the awards and the shortlisted titles can be found on the Books Council’s website, books.wales 

 

 

Mae’r datganiad newyddion hwn hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg / A Welsh-language version of this news release is also available

Tir na n-Og 2025 – Welsh-language Secondary category announced

Tir na n-Og 2025 – English-language category shortlist announced

Mar 13, 2025

 

English-language category shortlist

 

This week, the Books Council of Wales is revealing the shortlists for the Tir na n-Og Awards 2025. The awards celebrate the very best of stories from Wales and about Wales that were published in 2024.

Today, Thursday 13 March, at 10:00am, the shortlist for the English-language category was announced by presenter Melanie Owen and the Books Council of Wales on their social media channels: Instagram @melowencomedy / @books.wales.

The Tir na n-Og Awards are the oldest awards for children’s literature in Wales and are held every year by the Books Council of Wales, supported by CILIP Cymru Wales. They celebrate the talents 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 awards have three categories: Welsh-language Primary (age 4–11), Welsh-language Secondary (age 11–18) and English-language book with an authentic Welsh dimension (primary or secondary, age 4–18).

The English-language category shortlist is:

Welsh Giants, Ghosts and Goblins by Claire Fayers (Firefly)
A mix of giant, ghost and goblin stories from all parts of Wales, collected, retold and reimagined by Claire Fayers, with the character of Idris the giant weaving through the book as he collects stories on his adventure.

Cynefin, Wales and the World – Today’s Geography for Future Generations by Dafydd Watcyn Williams (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)
The aim of this geographical book is to start at our feet and broaden horizons to all corners of the earth. It extends to include other subjects such as history, literature, identity and art. The cynefin is the starting point. From there, we can extend to see the whole of Wales and all its diversity. Then, we find our country’s place on the face of the earth and in the future of the world.

The Twelve by Liz Hyder, Illustrated by Tom De Freston (Pushkin Children’s Books)
It’s supposed to be a treat for Kit, a winter holiday by the coast with her sister Libby and their mum. But when Libby vanishes into thin air, and no one else remembers her, Kit is faced with a new reality – one in which her sister never existed. Then she meets Story, a local boy who remembers Libby perfectly. Together they embark on a journey beyond their wildest imagination into a world steeped in ancient folklore.

Megs by Meleri Wyn James, Illustrated by Shari Llewelyn (Y Lolfa)
Megs is a neuro-diverse, 10-year-old girl, who lives with her mother and Mr Barker, the cockapoo, in the town of Aberystwyth. She doesn’t have many friends but she and Gwilym, who lives next door, have formed an unusual friendship. But Gwilym disappears and Megs is afraid that it is all her fault. A story about friendship, loyalty, tolerance and having the confidence to persevere, one step at a time.

Independent panels of judges select the shortlists and decide on the winners for the Welsh and English awards each year. This year’s judges on the English-language panel were Liz Kennedy (Chair), Karen Gemma Brewer, Kate Wynne and Imogen Davies.

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive, 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.”

 

The shortlist for the Welsh-language Secondary category will be announced tonight, Thursday 13 March at 7pm on Heno, S4C.

The Welsh-language Primary category shortlist was announced on Tuesday 11 March on Heno, S4C.

The winning titles in all three categories will be announced in the summer.

This year, young readers can once again choose the winners in a special category: the Readers’ Choice Award. The winner of this award is chosen by children and young people who take part in the Tir na n-Og shadowing scheme. Schools, libraries and other children’s reading groups can register to take part and be unofficial judges to choose winners from the shortlisted books, with the guidance of the shadowing pack. You can find out how to register on the Books Council’s website, books.wales 

Bookshops and libraries will be holding Tir na n-Og Treasure Hunts over the Easter holidays with the chance for children aged 4–11 to take part. Ask your local bookshop or library for details.

Further information about the awards and the shortlisted titles can be found on the Books Council’s website, books.wales 

 

Mae’r datganiad newyddion hwn hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg / A Welsh-language version of this news release is also available

Tir na n-Og 2025 – Welsh-language Secondary category announced

Tir na n-Og Awards 2025 – Shortlists revealed for 2025

Mar 11, 2025

Shortlists revealed for Wales’ oldest children’s book award

This week, the Books Council of Wales will reveal the shortlists for the Tir na n-Og Awards 2025. The awards celebrate the very best of stories from Wales and about Wales that were published in 2024.

Today, Tuesday 11 March, the shortlist for the Welsh-language Primary age category will be announced on S4C’s programme, Heno at 7pm.

The Tir na n-Og Awards are the oldest awards for children’s literature in Wales and are held every year by the Books Council of Wales, supported by CILIP Cymru Wales. They celebrate the talents 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 awards have three categories: Welsh-language Primary (age 4–11), Welsh-language Secondary (age 11–18) and English-language book with an authentic Welsh dimension (primary or secondary, age 4–18).

 

The Welsh-language Primary category shortlist is:

Ni a Nhw by Sioned Wyn Roberts, illustrated by Eric Heyman (Atebol)A humorous story-and-picture book about two tribes who have been afraid of each other since the dawn of time. But the little mole and the young squirrel are determined to find out the truth about the ‘others’…

The story of the mole starts from one end of the book and the story of the squirrel from the other, both upside-down, reading from left to right. And in the middle, the two stories meet …

Arwana Swtan a’r Sgodyn Od by Angie Roberts and Dyfan Roberts, illustrated by Efa Dyfan (Gwasg y Bwthyn)
A short and funny novel from an author who knows how to entertain and delight children. When Arwana Swtan arrives in the town of Caernarfon to stay with her grandad, Taidi, things are looking very bleak for the town. But once the inimitable mermaid Swigi Dwgong makes an appearance, things start to look up.

Llanddafad by Gareth Evans-Jones, illustrated by Lleucu Gwenllian (Y Lolfa)
Meet Bet, queen of the sheep; Enfys, the multi-coloured sheep; Seren the stylish sheep; Tomos Tatws, Mari fach, and many others! There are 12 stories in this book, each one focused on a particular month, with a variety of themes taking the reader through a year on the sheep farm.

 

Independent panels of judges select the shortlists and decide on the winners for the Welsh and English awards each year. This year’s judges on the Welsh-language panel were Sioned Dafydd (Chair), Rhys Dilwyn Jenkins and Lleucu Non.

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive, 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.”

 

The shortlist for the Welsh-language Secondary category will be announced on Thursday 13 March on Heno, S4C. The English-language category shortlist will be announced on Thursday 13 March by presenter Mel Owen and the Books Council of Wales on their social media channels: Instagram @melowencomedy / @books.wales. The winning titles in all three categories will be announced in the summer.

This year, young readers can once again choose the winners in a special category: the Readers’ Choice Award. The winner of this award is chosen by children and young people who take part in the Tir na n-Og shadowing scheme. Schools, libraries and other children’s reading groups can register to take part and be unofficial judges to choose winners from the shortlisted books, with the guidance of the shadowing pack. You can find out how to register on the Books Council’s website, books.wales 

Bookshops and libraries will be holding Tir na n-Og Treasure Hunts over the Easter holidays with the chance for children aged 4–11 to take part. Ask your local bookshop or library for details.

Further information about the awards and the shortlisted titles can be found on the Books Council’s website, books.wales 

Three book covers of the TNNO primary Welsh-language shortlist

Mae’r datganiad newyddion hwn hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg / A Welsh-language version of this news release is also available

 

 

Call for comfy clothes for World Book Day® in Wales

Call for comfy clothes for World Book Day® in Wales

Mar 4, 2025

Gwahoddir plant ledled Cymru i ddewis gwisgo dillad cyfforddus i ddarllen, gan swatio’n glyd ac ymgolli mewn llyfr da ar Ddiwrnod y Llyfr® eleni, sy’n cael ei ddathlu ddydd Iau 6 Mawrth.

Fel rhan o’i neges i annog mwy o blant i brofi manteision darllen er pleser sy’n gallu newid bywydau, mae elusen Diwrnod y Llyfr yn darparu tocynnau llyfr gwerth £1 i blant ledled Cymru. Gallwch ddewis llyfr am £1 o blith nifer o lyfrau £1, neu ei roi tuag at gost llyfr arall o’ch dewis.

Mae detholiad newydd o lyfrau gwerth £1 wedi eu cyhoeddi ar gyfer Diwrnod y Llyfr 2025. Y llyfr Cymraeg eleni yw Gwyrdd Ein Byd gan yr arbenigwr natur Duncan Brown, wedi ei ddarlunio gan Helen Flook a’i gyhoeddi gan Rily.

Gall darllenwyr ddarganfod ffeithiau diddorol am fyd natur a’r bywyd gwyllt anhygoel sydd o’n cwmpas, o bysgod hynafol yn Llyn Tegid i’r aderyn sy’n nythu mewn tyllau cwningod ar Ynys Sgomer, a’r coedwigoedd glaw sydd gennym yma yng Nghymru.

Eleni, mae Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru yn annog darllenwyr ifanc i ddewis dillad cyfforddus i ddarllen ac ymgolli mewn llyfr gwych, boed hwnnw’n llyfr newydd am £1, yn hen ffefryn, neu’n llyfr y maen nhw wedi bwriadu ei ddarllen ers oesoedd.

Dywedodd Helgard Krause, Prif Weithredwr Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru: “Mae Diwrnod y Llyfr yn ymwneud â dathlu darllen, ac eleni neges Diwrnod y Llyfr i ddarllenwyr o bob oed yw ‘Darllen dy Ffordd dy Hunan’. Rydyn ni’n credu bod hynny’n rheswm gwych dros ddewis pa lyfr bynnag rydych chi’n meddwl y byddwch chi’n ei garu, cael eich hun yn gyfforddus, a mwynhau! Mae cymaint o lyfrau gwych ar gael, naill ai i’w prynu gyda thocyn llyfr gwerth £1, neu i’w benthyg o’ch llyfrgell leol.”

Ychwanegodd Cassie Chadderton, Prif Weithredwr Ddiwrnod y Llyfr®: “Mae Diwrnod y Llyfr yn ymwneud â gwneud darllen yn hwyl ac yn hygyrch i bob plentyn. Rydym yn gwybod pan fydd plant yn mwynhau darllen, y bydd hyn yn cael effaith barhaol ar eu dyfodol. Mae’r neges ‘Darllen Dy Ffordd dy Hunan’ eleni yn ymwneud â grymuso plant i ddod o hyd i’r hyn maen nhw’n ei garu a mwynhau ei ddarllen yn eu ffordd eu hunain, mewn ffordd sy’n teimlo’n gyfforddus iddyn nhw.”

Mae cwmni dillad Cymraeg, ani-bendod, wedi dylunio crys-T arbennig i ddarllenwyr i’w gwisgo er mwyn mwynhau darllen yn gyfforddus trwy’r flwyddyn. Rhoddir £1 o werthiant pob crys-T i gronfa arbennig a ddarperir gan y Cyngor Llyfrau i gefnogi’r ddarpariaeth o lyfrau i blant ar gyfer banciau bwyd yng Nghymru.

Rhwng 13 Chwefror a 23 Mawrth, mae modd i blant gyfnewid eu tocyn llyfr £1 am un o’r 15 llyfr sydd wedi’u creu yn benodol ar gyfer Diwrnod y Llyfr, yn eu siop lyfrau leol, llyfrgelloedd a manwerthwyr y stryd fawr, neu ei ddefnyddio fel cyfraniad o £1 tuag at unrhyw lyfr pris llawn neu lyfr llafar sydd ar gael gan y manwerthwyr sy’n rhan o’r cynllun.