School children across Wales have been meeting up with popular children’s authors in a series of special workshops held in their local libraries.

The Stars of the Shelves scheme was funded by Welsh Government Culture Division and coordinated by the Books Council of Wales. It was formed as a partnership with libraries and schools to bring young readers together with authors for workshops celebrating books and reading. During the scheme, which took place from January to March 2025, over 5,000 learners from 126 schools across Wales have taken part.

A recent research report from the National Literacy Trust found that: “More children and young people who had experienced an author visit said that they enjoyed reading in their free time compared with their peers who hadn’t had a visit (58.6% vs. 39.3%).”

The scheme was set up for children to meet authors in creative workshops, to spark their imagination and inspire reading. It also aimed to provide more opportunities for schools and libraries to bring children out of the classroom and into their local library. A contribution towards transport costs were also included to enable learners from schools in rural areas to attend the sessions.

Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales said: “We are so pleased that this brilliant partnership has enabled so many children to take part in these special workshops. Author visits have been shown to be powerful ways of helping children connect with literacy, and, thanks to funding from Welsh Government and the commitment of the librarians, over 5,000 children have been able to meet authors in person and enjoy activities and discussions to inspire reading. Thank you to all the schools, libraries and authors who have helped to make these workshops possible.”

Workshops were held at 74 libraries with over 30 authors, including Robin Bennett, author of the Monster Max series, ex-Children’s Laureate Wales Eloise Williams and Tir na n-Og Award winners Claire Fayers and Daniel Morden.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism – Cllr Hazel Evans said: “This project has been absolutely amazing for drawing together authors, libraries and schools in a perfect triangle. The engagement between the authors and children was both positive and exciting, with very inspirational outcomes. It’s a project that ‘joins the dots’ in reading for pleasure and has been very successful, motivating and inspiring.”

Mae’r ddogfen hon hefyd ar gael yn Gymraeg / A Welsh-language version of this document is also available.

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

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

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 

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

In 2025 we are celebrating three years of the New Audiences Fund which was established in 2022 thanks to funding from Welsh Government through Creative Wales. Its purpose was to strengthen and diversify the publishing industry in Wales.

When we launched the fund, we were looking for projects that would be catalysts for lasting change in our sector: creating opportunities, increasing representation, and supporting businesses.

Three years and £1.5million later, our Impact Report can look back on over 100 projects across Wales. But the stories behind these figures are more important still as we see how the grants have created jobs, supported fair pay, facilitated collaboration, mentored new voices and enabled the publication of new cultural materials.

We would like to thank Creative Wales and Welsh Government for their support for this transformative fund, which has the potential to continue to create lasting change in our publishing sector for the benefit of all of Wales.

Find out more about the New Audiences Fund and the projects it supports:

New Audiences Grant Impact Report

New Audiences Projects: Grants | Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru