Announcing the 2018 Tir na n-Og Awards Shortlist
The Welsh Books Council has announced the titles on the shortlist of the prestigious Tir na n-Og Awards 2018, presented annually by the Council to honour original work by authors and illustrators of children's books in Welsh and English.
From picture book to YA – something for everyone on this year’s list
The Welsh Books Council has announced the titles on the shortlist of the prestigious Tir na n-Og Awards 2018, presented annually by the Council to honour original work by authors and illustrators of children's books in Welsh and English.
The prizes are sponsored by CILIP Wales (The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) and the Welsh Books Council.
According to Llinos Davies, Chair of the Welsh-language Books Panel, "This year's standard was exceptionally high across the board, with no weaker titles among the contenders. The publishers are to be congratulated on such a varied programme." She added, "It was great to see a growing number of novels aimed at the young adult category."
Gordon Bell, Chair of the English Books Panel, noted that the variety and overall standard of the six titles under consideration this year were a cause for celebration.
Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council, added: "The titles that have reached the shortlist this year reflect the high standard of books for children and young people in Wales. I am so pleased to see the great variety of themes included in the shortlist."
The Welsh-language winners (primary and secondary categories) will be announced at this year’s Urdd National Eisteddfod in Builth Wells on 31 May 2018.
The English-language winner will be announced at the Welsh CILIP annual conference in Aberystwyth on Wednesday, 9 May.
English-language shortlist:
Santa’s Greatest Gift – Tudur Dylan Jones (Gomer)
A Christmas story written in rhyming verse with beautiful colour illustrations. Santa sets out to deliver Christmas presents and everything is going as expected until he discovers that he has made a mistake, and poor Gwydion's name is not on the list.
King of the Sky – Nicola Davies (Walker)
A beautiful, moving story about a young boy starting a new life in a new country who feels alone and unsure about his new surroundings until he forms a friendship with an old man, Mr Evans, who keeps racing pigeons.
St. David’s Day is Cancelled! – Wendy White (Gomer)
An engaging and enjoyable story about how a school's newspaper editorial team save their school's St David's Day celebrations with the help of teachers and fellow pupils.
Gaslight – Eloise Williams (Firefly)
A historical mystery story set in Victorian Cardiff which follows the adventures of Nansi, a determined heroine, as she attempts to find her missing mother.
The Jewelled Jaguar – Sharon Tregenza (Firefly)
An exciting mystery story with a dramatic opening when a hole in the ground swallows Griffin's home and leaves his mum in a coma.
The Nearest Faraway Place – Hayley Long (Hot Key)
A young adult novel about two boys, Dylan and Griff, and their attempts to overcome a tragic accident that changes their lives forever.
Welsh-language shortlist:
Cyfres Yma: Yr Ynys – Lleucu Roberts, Y Lolfa
Merch y Mêl – Caryl Lewis, Y Lolfa
Gethin Nyth Brân – Gareth Evans, Carreg Gwalch
Mae’r Lleuad yn Goch – Myrddin ap Dafydd, Carreg Gwalch
Cyfres Y Melanai: Efa – Bethan Gwanas, Y Lolfa
Dosbarth Miss Prydderch a’r Carped Hud – Mererid Hopwood, Gomer
