Tir na n-Og Award facts for kids
The Tir na n-Og Awards (often called TnaO) are special yearly prizes for children's books in Wales. They started in 1976 and are given out by the Books Council of Wales. These awards celebrate the best books published in the past year. There are three main awards: one for books written in English and two for books written in Welsh. The main goal of these awards is to make children's and young people's books even better and to encourage everyone to buy and read good books. The awards are not just for fiction; they can be for any type of book. Each winner receives £1,000.
The name "Tir na n-Og" comes from Irish mythology. It means "Land of the Young," which is a magical, other-worldly place.
The English-language award is for a book that has a "real Welsh background" and was originally written in English. This award is supported by the British Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP/Wales). It is usually given out at their yearly meeting in May.
The Welsh-language awards are split into two groups: one for books for primary school children and another for books for secondary school children. These awards are usually presented at the annual Urdd National Eisteddfod, which happens around late May or early June. Since 2011, a publisher called Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion helps to sponsor the Welsh-language awards. Before the winners are announced, a shortlist of three or four books for each award is usually shared by the Books Council of Wales.
Recent Award Winners
Let's look at some of the recent books that have won these fantastic awards.
2020 Winners
In 2020, the Welsh-language primary award went to Manon Steffan Ros for her book Pobol Drws Nesaf (which means 'The People Next Door'). The book was illustrated by Jac Jones.
2019 Winners
The 2019 awards were announced in May.
- The Welsh-language primary award was given to Elin Meek and Valériane Leblond for Cymru ar y Map. This is a beautifully illustrated picture atlas of Wales.
- The Welsh-language secondary award went to Manon Steffan Ros for Fi a Joe Allen. This is a football story about a fan following the Welsh team to France.
- The English-language award was won by Catherine Fisher for The Clockwork Crow. This enchanting story uses Welsh folklore and is set in a snowy Welsh landscape.
2016 Winners
The 2016 awards were announced in May and June.
- The Welsh-language primary award went to Sian Lewis and Valériane Leblond for Pedair Cainc y Mabinogi. This book retells parts of the famous Welsh stories, the Four Branches of the Mabinogi.
- The Welsh-language secondary award was won by Llyr Titus for Gwalia, an exciting space travel adventure.
- The English-language award was given to Griff Rowland for The Search For Mister Lloyd. This book is about a Welsh boy looking for his lost racing pigeon.
2015 Winners
The 2015 awards were announced in May.
- The Welsh-language primary award went to Caryl Lewis for Straeon Gorau'r Byd. This is a collection of stories from all over the world.
- The Welsh-language secondary award was won by Gareth F. Williams for Y Gêm. This novel is about football and friendship, set during the Christmas truce of the First World War.
- The English-language award was presented to Giancarlo Gemin for Cowgirl. This story is about two very different girls living in modern-day South Wales.
2014 Winners
The 2014 Welsh-language awards were given out in May at the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire.
- The Welsh-language primary award went to Gareth F. Williams for Cwmwl dros y Cwm. This historical novel is set in Senghenydd in South Wales during the terrible colliery explosion in 1913.
- The Welsh-language secondary award was won by Haf Llewelyn for Diffodd y Sêr. This historical novel tells the story of the family of Welsh poet Hedd Wyn, who died at Passchendaele.
- The English-language award was given to Wendy White for Welsh Cakes and Custard. This book features family stories about two young children in modern Wales.
2013 Winners
The 2013 Welsh-language awards were announced in May at the Urdd National Eisteddfod.
- The Welsh-language primary award went to Iolo Williams and Bethan Wyn Jones for Cynefin yr Ardd. This book is all about garden wildlife.
- The Welsh-language secondary award was won by Alun Wyn Bevan for Y Gêmau Olympaidd a Champau’r Cymry. This book celebrates the Olympic Games and highlights Welsh connections to them.
- The English-language award was presented to Cwmbran-born Daniel Morden for Tree of Leaf and Flame. This book is a collection of stories retelling the Mabinogion, illustrated by Brett Breckon. Daniel Morden also won this award in 2007.
All Winners
The Tir na n-Og Awards have changed a bit over the years. From 1976 to 1986, there was one Welsh-language award. Then, from 1987 to 2005, there were two Welsh awards: one for fiction and one for non-fiction. Since 2006, the Welsh awards have been split into Primary and Secondary school categories. There has always been one English-language award.
Since 1994, all three awards have been given out every year. Before that, some awards were not given if no suitable book was found. In 2023, a new "Readers' Choice Award" was introduced. Children and young people who took part in the Tir na n-Og Shadowing Scheme got to pick their own winners!
Here is a list of all the winners:
2023
- English-language: The Drowned Woods, Emily Lloyd-Jones
- Welsh, Primary: Dwi Eisiau bod yn Ddeinosor, Luned Aaron & Huw Aaron
- Welsh, Secondary: Manawydan Jones: Y Pair Dadeni, Alun Davies
- Readers' Choice Award, Welsh, Primary: Enwogion o Fri: Nye – Bywyd Angerddol Aneurin Bevan, Manon Steffan Ros (her 6th TnO Award), illustrated by Valériane Leblond
- Readers' Choice Award, Welsh, Secondary: Powell, Manon Steffan Ros (her 7th TnO Award)
- Readers' Choice Award, English-language: The Mab, Eloise Williams, Matt Brown, illustrated by Max Low
2022
- English-language: The Valley of the Lost Secrets, Lesley Parr
- Welsh, Primary: Gwag y Nos, Sioned Wyn Roberts
- Welsh, Secondary: Y Pump, Elgan Rhys
2021
- English-language: The Short Knife, Elen Caldecott
- Welsh, Primary: Sw Sara Mai, Casia Wiliam
- Welsh, Secondary: #helynt, Rebecca Roberts
2020
- English-language: Storm Hound, Claire Fayers
- Welsh, Primary: Pobol Drws Nesaf, Manon Steffan Ros (her 5th TnO Award), illustrated by Jac Jones
- Welsh, Secondary: Byw yn fy Nghroen, Sioned Erin Hughes
2019
- English-language: The Clockwork Crow, Catherine Fisher (her 2nd TnO Award)
- Welsh, Primary: Cymru ar y Map, Elin Meek and Valériane Leblond (Leblond's 2nd TnO Award)
- Welsh, Secondary: Fi a Joe Allen, Manon Steffan Ros (her 4th TnO Award)
2018
- English-language: The Nearest Faraway Place, Hayley Long
- Welsh, Primary: Dosbarth Miss Prydderch a'r Carped Hud, Mererid Hopwood (her 2nd TnO Award)
- Welsh, Secondary: Mae'r Lleuad ynGoch, Myrddin ap Dafydd (his 2nd TnO Award)
2017
- English-language: Sweet Pizza, Giancarlo Gemin (his 2nd TnO Award)
- Welsh, Primary: ABC Byd Natur, Luned Aaron
- Welsh, Secondary: Pluen, Manon Steffan Ros (her 3rd TnO Award)
2016
- English-language: The Search for Mister Lloyd, Griff Rowland
- Welsh, Primary: Pedair Cainc Y Mabinogi, Siân Lewis (her 2nd TnO Award), illustrated by Valeriane Leblond
- Welsh, Secondary: Gwalia, Llŷr Titus
2015
- English-language: Cowgirl, Giancarlo Gemin
- Welsh, Primary: Straeon Gorau'r Byd, Caryl Lewis (her 2nd TnO Award)
- Welsh, Secondary: Y Gêm, Gareth F. Williams (his 6th TnO Award)
2014
- English-language: Welsh Cakes and Custard, Wendy White, illustrated by Helen Flook
- Welsh, Primary: Cwmwl dros y Cwm, Gareth F. Williams (his 5th TnO Award)
- Welsh, Secondary: Diffodd y Sêr, Haf Llewelyn
2013
- English-language: Tree of Leaf and Flame, Daniel Morden
- Welsh, Primary: Cynefin yr Ardd, Iolo Williams and Bethan Wyn Jones
- Welsh, Secondary: Y Gêmau Olympaidd a Champau’r Cymry, Alun Wyn Bevan
2012
- English-language: Full Moon, Jenny Sullivan
- Welsh, Primary: Prism, Manon Steffan Ros
- Welsh, Secondary: Yr Alarch Du, Rhiannon Wyn
2011
- English-language: Three Little Sheep, Rob Lewis
- Welsh, Primary: Dirgelwch y Bont, Hywel Griffiths
- Welsh, Secondary: Stwff Guto S. Tomos, Lleucu Roberts
2010
- English-language: Dear Mr Author, Paul Manship
- Welsh, Primary: Trwy’r Tonnau, Manon Steffan Ros
- Welsh, Secondary: Codi Bwganod, Rhiannon Wyn
2009
- English-language: Merlin's Magical Creatures, Graham Howells
- Welsh, Primary: Bownsio, Emily Huws
- Welsh, Secondary: Annwyl Smotyn Bach, Lleucu Roberts
2008
- English-language: Finding Minerva, Frances Thomas
- Welsh, Primary: Y Llyfr Ryseitiau: Gwaed y Tylwyth, Nicholas Daniels
- Welsh, Secondary: Eira Mân, Eira Mawr, Gareth F. Williams
2007
- English-language: Dark Tales from the Woods, Daniel Morden
- Welsh, Primary: Ein Rhyfel Ni, Mair Wynn Hughes
- Welsh, Secondary: Adref Heb Elin, Gareth F. Williams
2006
- English-language: Tirion's Secret Journal, Jenny Sullivan
- Welsh, Primary: Carreg Ateb, Emily Huws
- Welsh, Secondary: Creadyn, Gwion Hallam
2005 (Welsh: Fiction & Nonfiction)
- English-language: The Seal Children, Jackie Morris
- Welsh, Fiction: Eco, Emily Huws
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Byd Llawn Hud, Ceri Wyn Jones, Tudur Dylan, Mererid Hopwood, Sonia Edwards and Elinor Wyn Reynold
2004
- English-language: The Battle of Mametz Wood, 1916, Robert Phillips
- Welsh, Fiction: Iawn Boi?, Caryl Lewis
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Stori Dafydd ap Gwilym, Gwyn Thomas & Margaret Jones
2003
- English-language: Cold Jac, Rob Lewis
- Welsh, Fiction: Sgôr, Bethan Gwanas
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Dewi Sant, Rhiannon Ifans & Margaret Jones
2002
- English-language: Georgie, Malachy Doyle
- Welsh, Fiction: Gwirioni, Shoned Wyn Jones
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Poeth! Cerddi Poeth ac Oer, Non ap Emlyn & Marian Delyth
2001
- English-language: The Seeing Stone, Kevin Crossley-Holland
- Welsh, Fiction: Llinyn Trôns, Bethan Gwanas
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Jam Coch Mewn Pwdin Reis, Myrddin ap Dafydd
2000
- English-language: Artworks On ... Interiors, Jo Dahn & Justine Baldwin
- Welsh, Fiction: Ta Ta-Tryweryn, Gwenno Hughes
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Chwedlau o’r Gwledydd Celtaidd, Rhiannon Ifans & Margaret Jones
1999
- English-language: Rhian’s Song, Gillian Drake
- Welsh, Fiction: Pam Fi Eto, Duw?, John Owen
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Byw a Bod yn y Bàth, Lis Jones
1998
- English-language: Alwena’s Garden, Mary Oldham
- Welsh, Fiction: Dyddiau Cŵn, Gwen Redvers Jones
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Stori Branwen, Tegwyn Jones & Jac Jones
1997
- English-language: Cities in the Sea, Siân Lewis & Jackie Morris
- Welsh, Fiction: Ydy Fe!, John Owen
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Dirgelwch Loch Ness, Gareth F. Williams
1996
- English-language: Who’s Afraid of the Bwgan-wood?, Anne Lewis
- Welsh, Fiction: Coch yw Lliw Hunllef, Mair Wynn Hughes
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Sbectol Inc, Eleri Ellis Jones & Marian Delyth
1995
- English-language: The Candle Man, Catherine Fisher
- Welsh, Fiction: Pam Fi, Duw, Pam Fi?, John Owen
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Geiriadur Gomer i’r Ifanc, D Geraint Lewis
1994
- English-language: Denny and the Magic Pool, Pamela Purnell
- Welsh, Fiction: Sothach a Sglyfath, Angharad Tomos
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Cristion Ydw I, Huw John Hughes & Rheinallt Thomas
1993
- English-language: Award withheld
- Welsh, Fiction: ’Tisio Tchipsan?, Emily Huws
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Chwedl Taliesin, Gwyn Thomas & Margaret Jones
1992
- English-language: Who Stole a Bloater?, Frances Thomas
- Welsh, Fiction: joint winners:
- Wmffra, Emily Huws
- Broc Môr, Gwen Redvers Jones
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Yn y Dechreuad, Robert M. Morris & Catrin Stephens
1991
- English-language: Award withheld
- Welsh, Fiction: O Ddawns i Ddawns, Gareth F. Williams
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Cymru Ddoe a Heddiw, Geraint H. Jenkins
1990
- English-language: Award withheld
- Welsh, Fiction: Llygedyn o Heulwen, Mair Wynn Hughes
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Lleuad yn Olau, T. Llew Jones & Jac Jones
1989
- English-language: Award withheld
- Welsh, Fiction: joint winners:
- Liw, Irma Chilton
- Ben y Garddwr a Storïau Eraill, Jac Jones
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Culhwch ac Olwen, Gwyn Thomas & Margaret Jones —a retelling of Culhwch and Olwen
1988
- English-language: Steel Town Cats, Celia Lucas
- Welsh, Fiction: ’Tydi Bywyd yn Boen!, Gwenno Hywyn
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Yr Atlas Cymraeg, Dafydd Orwig (editor)
1987
- English-language: The Snow Spider, Jenny Nimmo
- Welsh, Fiction: Jabas, Penri Jones
- Welsh, Nonfiction: Gardd o Gerddi, Alun Jones & John Pinion Jones
1986 (One Welsh Award)
- English: Region of the Summer Stars, Frances Thomas
- Welsh: Y Llipryn Llwyd, Angharad Tomos
1985
- Awards withheld
1984
- English: The Prize, Irma Chilton
- Welsh: joint winners:
- Y Llinyn Arian, Mair Wynn Hughes
- Herio’r Cestyll, Malcolm M. Jones, Cyril Jones & Gwen Redvers Jones
1983
- English: Bluestones, Mary John
- Welsh: Croes Bren yn Norwy, J. Selwyn Lloyd
1982
- English: Award withheld
- Welsh: Gaeaf y Cerrig, Gweneth Lilly
1981
- English: The Blindfold Track, Frances Thomas
- Welsh: Y Drudwy Dewr, Gweneth Lilly
1980
- English: Award withheld
- Welsh: Y Llong, Irma Chilton
1979
- English: Time Circles, Bette Meyrick
- Welsh: Y Flwyddyn Honno, Dyddgu Owen
1978
- English: Silver on the Tree, Susan Cooper
- Welsh: Miriam, Jane Edwards
1977
- English: A String in the Harp, Nancy Bond
- Welsh: Trysor Bryniau Caspar, J. Selwyn Lloyd
1976
- English: The Grey King, Susan Cooper
- Welsh: Tân ar y Comin, T. Llew Jones
Authors with Multiple Wins
Many authors have won Tir na n-Og Awards more than once. For example, all three winners in 2012 had won before. The very first winners in 1976, Susan Cooper and T. Llew Jones, also went on to win more awards.
Pont Books, which is the children's publishing part of Gomer Press, has published many English award-winning books. They published the last nine English award winners from 2006 to 2014. Gomer Press also published five Welsh award winners during that time. Another publisher, Y Lolfa, published six of the eight Welsh-language award-winning books between 2009 and 2012.
Susan Cooper's first English Award-winning book, The Grey King (1975), also won the Newbery Medal. This is a very important award in America for children's literature. She won the Tir na n-Og English Award again in 1978 for Silver on the Tree, which was a sequel to The Grey King. In 2012, Susan Cooper also received a special lifetime award from the American Library Association for her long-lasting contribution to young adult literature.
