The Tir na n-Og Awards established in Wales

Wales

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...

 in 1976, are annual children's literary awards

Children's literature

Children's literature is for readers and listeners up to about age twelve; it is often defined in four different ways: books written by children, books written for children, books chosen by children, or books chosen for children. It is often illustrated. The term is used in senses which sometimes...

. There are currently three awards, presented to the best English-language book of the year with a Welsh background, and the best Welsh-language books for the primary and secondary sectors. Both fiction and non-fiction are eligible. Each prize is worth £1,000. The sponsors of the Awards are the Welsh Books Council and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

Notable winners include Kevin Crossley-Holland

Kevin Crossley-Holland

Kevin John William Crossley-Holland is an English translator, children's author and poet.-Life and career:Born in Mursley, north Buckinghamshire, Holland grew up in Whiteleaf, a small village in the Chilterns...

, Catherine Fisher

Catherine Fisher

Catherine Fisher is an author, broadcaster and adjudicator who lives in Newport. Her former jobs include working as a primary school teacher and archaeologist. She also taught Writing for Children at the University of Glamorgan....

, Susan Cooper

Susan Cooper

Susan Mary Cooper is an English author best known for The Dark Is Rising, an award-winning five-volume saga set in and around England and Wales. The books incorporate traditional British mythology, such as Arthurian and other Welsh elements with original material ; these books were adapted into a...

 and Jenny Nimmo

Jenny Nimmo

Jenny Nimmo is a British author of numerous books for children, including many fantasy and adventure novels, beginning reader books, and picture books....

.

The awards are named after Tír na nÓg

Tír na nÓg

Tír na nÓg is the most popular of the Otherworlds in Irish mythology. It is perhaps best known from the story of Oisín, one of the few mortals who lived there, who was said to have been brought there by Niamh of the Golden Hair. It was where the Tuatha Dé Danann settled when they left Ireland's...

, an otherworldly realm in Irish mythology

Irish mythology

The mythology of pre-Christian Ireland did not entirely survive the conversion to Christianity, but much of it was preserved, shorn of its religious meanings, in medieval Irish literature, which represents the most extensive and best preserved of all the branch and the Historical Cycle. There are...

.

List of Prize Winners

• 2011:
  • Best English-Language Book: Three Little Sheep, Rob Lewis
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Primary Sector): Dirgelwch y Bont, Hywel Griffiths
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Secondary Sector): Stwff Guto S. Tomos, Lleucu Roberts
• 2010:
  • Best English-Language Book: Dear Mr Author, Paul Manship
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Primary Sector): Trwy’r Tonnau, Manon Steffan Ros
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Secondary Sector): Codi Bwganod, Rhiannon Wyn
• 2009:
  • Best English-Language Book: Merlin's Magical Creatures, Graham Howells
    Graham Howells
    Graham Howells is a Welsh illustrator and children's author. Howells was born in Antwerp, Belgium, before moving to Pembroke Dock at the age of ten. He attended Bush Comprehensive School in Pembroke....
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Primary Sector): Bownsio, Emily Huws
    Emily Huws
    Emily Huws is a renowned Welsh language children's author. She was born in Tyddyn Llwyni, Caeathro, Caernarfon, where she still lives today. Huws was educated at Ysgol Gynradd Waunfawr, Caernarfon Grammar School and Bangor University....
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Secondary Sector): Annwyl Smotyn Bach, Lleucu Roberts
• 2008:
  • Best English-Language Book: Finding Minerva, Frances Thomas
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Primary Sector): Y Llyfr Ryseitiau: Gwaed y Tylwyth, Nicholas Daniels
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Secondary Sector): Eira Mân, Eira Mawr, Gareth F. Williams
• 2007:
  • Best English-Language Book: Dark Tales from the Woods, Daniel Morden
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Primary Sector): Ein Rhyfel Ni, Mair Wynn Hughes
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Secondary Sector): Adref Heb Elin, Gareth F. Williams
• 2006:
  • Best English-Language Book: Tirion's Secret Journal, Jenny Sullivan
    Jennifer Sullivan
    Jennifer Sullivan , often credited as Jenny Sullivan, is a Welsh children's author and former literary critic.Sullivan was born in Cardiff in 1945 to Londoner Frederick Anderson , an electrician and Phyllis a short story writer.Sullivan worked as a book critic for a few years when her children...
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Primary Sector): Carreg Ateb, Emily Huws
    Emily Huws
    Emily Huws is a renowned Welsh language children's author. She was born in Tyddyn Llwyni, Caeathro, Caernarfon, where she still lives today. Huws was educated at Ysgol Gynradd Waunfawr, Caernarfon Grammar School and Bangor University....
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Secondary Sector): Creadyn, Gwion Hallam
    Gwion Hallam
    Gwion Hallam is an author and television presenter from Ammanford , Carmarthenshire. He now lives with his family in Y Felinheli, North Wales.His book, Creadyn, won the 2006 Best Welsh-Language Book in the Tir na n-Og awards....
    
    
• 2005:
  • Best English-Language Book: The Seal Children, Jackie Morris
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Eco, Emily Huws
    Emily Huws
    Emily Huws is a renowned Welsh language children's author. She was born in Tyddyn Llwyni, Caeathro, Caernarfon, where she still lives today. Huws was educated at Ysgol Gynradd Waunfawr, Caernarfon Grammar School and Bangor University....
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Byd Llawn Hud, Ceri Wyn Jones, Tudur Dylan, Mererid Hopwood
    Mererid Hopwood
    Mererid Hopwood is a Welsh poet who made history in 2001 by becoming the first woman ever to win the bardic Chair at the National Eisteddfod of Wales....
    
    , Sonia Edwards and Elinor Wyn Reynold
• 2004:
  • Best English-Language Book: The Battle of Mametz Wood, 1916, Robert Phillips
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Iawn Boi?, Caryl Lewis
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Stori Dafydd ap Gwilym, Gwyn Thomas
    Gwyn Thomas (poet)
    Professor Gwyn Thomas , is a Welsh poet, academic and a former National Poet for Wales.Raised in Tanygrisiau and Blaenau Ffestiniog, Thomas was educated at Ysgol Sir Ffestiniog, University of Wales, Bangor and Jesus College, Oxford; Prof Thomas is presently Emeritus Professor of Welsh at the...
    
     & Margaret Jones
• 2003:
  • Best English-Language Book: Cold Jac, Rob Lewis
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Sgôr, Bethan Gwanas
    Bethan Gwanas
    Bethan Gwanas is a popular contemporary Welsh author, who publishes exclusively in the Welsh language. A prolific writer, she has had 17 titles published in the last decade...
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Dewi Sant
    Saint David
    Saint David was a Welsh Bishop during the 6th century; he was later regarded as a saint and as the patron saint of Wales. David was a native of Wales, and a relatively large amount of information is known about his life. However, his birth date is still uncertain, as suggestions range from 462 to...
    
    , Rhiannon Ifans & Margaret Jones
• 2002:
  • Best English-Language Book: Georgie, Malachy Doyle
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Gwirioni, Shoned Wyn Jones
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Poeth! Cerddi Poeth ac Oer, Non ap Emlyn & Marian Delyth
• 2001:
  • Best English-Language Book: The Seeing Stone
    The Seeing Stone
    The Seeing Stone is a novel written by Kevin Crossley and published in hardcover in August 2000, along with an audio tape version. This was followed by a paperback version in June 2001 and an audio CD in July 2003...
    
    , Kevin Crossley-Holland
    Kevin Crossley-Holland
    Kevin John William Crossley-Holland is an English translator, children's author and poet.-Life and career:Born in Mursley, north Buckinghamshire, Holland grew up in Whiteleaf, a small village in the Chilterns...
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Llinyn Trôns, Bethan Gwanas
    Bethan Gwanas
    Bethan Gwanas is a popular contemporary Welsh author, who publishes exclusively in the Welsh language. A prolific writer, she has had 17 titles published in the last decade...
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Jam Coch Mewn Pwdin Reis, Myrddin ap Dafydd
• 2000:
  • Best English-Language Book: Artworks On ... Interiors, Jo Dahn & Justine Baldwin
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Ta Ta-Tryweryn, Gwenno Hughes
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Chwedlau o’r Gwledydd Celtaidd, Rhiannon Ifans & Margaret Jones

• 1999:
  • Best English-Language Book: Rhian’s Song, Gillian Drake
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Pam Fi Eto, Duw?, John Owen
    John Owen (author)
    John Owen was a children's author and director and is best known for his Welsh teen television drama “Pam fi Duw” , a series of books and TV programs which he wrote and directed...
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Byw a Bod yn y Bàth, Lis Jones
• 1998:
  • Best English-Language Book: Alwena’s Garden, Mary Oldham
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Dyddiau Cŵn, Gwen Redvers Jones
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Stori Branwen, Tegwyn Jones & Jac Jones
    Jac Jones
    Jac Jones is a Welsh children's book illustrator.He was born in Gwalchmai, Anglesey and raised in Bristol until the age of 7, before returning to Gwalchmai. He was educated at Ysgol Gynradd Gwalchmai and Ysgol Uwchradd Llangefni....
    
    
• 1997:
  • Best English-Language Book: Cities in the Sea, Siân Lewis & Jackie Morris
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Ydy Fe!, John Owen
    John Owen (author)
    John Owen was a children's author and director and is best known for his Welsh teen television drama “Pam fi Duw” , a series of books and TV programs which he wrote and directed...
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Dirgelwch Loch Ness, Gareth F. Williams
• 1996:
  • Best English-Language Book: Who’s Afraid of the Bwgan-wood?, Anne Lewis
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Coch yw Lliw Hunllef, Mair Wynn Hughes
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Sbectol Inc, Eleri Ellis Jones & Marian Delyth
• 1995:
  • Best English-Language Book: The Candle Man, Catherine Fisher
    Catherine Fisher
    Catherine Fisher is an author, broadcaster and adjudicator who lives in Newport. Her former jobs include working as a primary school teacher and archaeologist. She also taught Writing for Children at the University of Glamorgan....
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Pam Fi, Duw, Pam Fi?, John Owen
    John Owen (author)
    John Owen was a children's author and director and is best known for his Welsh teen television drama “Pam fi Duw” , a series of books and TV programs which he wrote and directed...
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Geiriadur Gomer i’r Ifanc, D Geraint Lewis
• 1994:
  • Best English-Language Book: Denny and the Magic Pool, Pamela Purnell
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Sothach a Sglyfath, Angharad Tomos
    Angharad Tomos
    Angharad Tomos is a Welsh author and prominent language activist.-Biography:Tomos was born in Bangor, Gwynedd, in 1958, and raised with her five sisters in Llanwnda near Caernarfon. She attended Ysgol Gynradd Bontnewydd and Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle...
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Cristion Ydw I, Huw John Hughes & Rheinallt Thomas
• 1993:
  • Best English-Language Book: Award withheld
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): ’Tisio Tshipsan?, Emily Huws
    Emily Huws
    Emily Huws is a renowned Welsh language children's author. She was born in Tyddyn Llwyni, Caeathro, Caernarfon, where she still lives today. Huws was educated at Ysgol Gynradd Waunfawr, Caernarfon Grammar School and Bangor University....
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Chwedl Taliesin, Gwyn Thomas
    Gwyn Thomas (poet)
    Professor Gwyn Thomas , is a Welsh poet, academic and a former National Poet for Wales.Raised in Tanygrisiau and Blaenau Ffestiniog, Thomas was educated at Ysgol Sir Ffestiniog, University of Wales, Bangor and Jesus College, Oxford; Prof Thomas is presently Emeritus Professor of Welsh at the...
    
     & Margaret Jones
• 1992:
  • Best English-Language Book: Who Stole a Bloater?, Frances Thomas
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction) Joint Winners:
    • Wmffra, Emily Huws
      Emily Huws
      Emily Huws is a renowned Welsh language children's author. She was born in Tyddyn Llwyni, Caeathro, Caernarfon, where she still lives today. Huws was educated at Ysgol Gynradd Waunfawr, Caernarfon Grammar School and Bangor University....
      
      
    • Broc Môr, Gwen Redvers Jones
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Yn y Dechreuad, Robert M. Morris & Catrin Stephens
• 1991:
  • Best English-Language Book: Award withheld
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): O Ddawns i Ddawns, Gareth F. Williams
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Cymru Ddoe a Heddiw, Geraint H. Jenkins
• 1990:
  • Best English-Language Book: Award withheld
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Llygedyn o Heulwen, Mair Wynn Hughes
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Lleuad yn Olau, T. Llew Jones
    T. Llew Jones
    Thomas Llewelyn Jones was a Welsh language writer who, over a writing career of more than 50 years, was one of the most prolific and popular authors of children's books in Welsh. He wrote, and was generally known, as T. Llew Jones.- Biography :T. Llew Jones was born at 1 Bwlch Melyn, Pentrecwrt,...
    
     & Jac Jones
    Jac Jones
    Jac Jones is a Welsh children's book illustrator.He was born in Gwalchmai, Anglesey and raised in Bristol until the age of 7, before returning to Gwalchmai. He was educated at Ysgol Gynradd Gwalchmai and Ysgol Uwchradd Llangefni....
    
    
• 1989:
  • Best English-Language Book: Award withheld
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction) Joint Winners:
    • Liw, Irma Chilton
    • Ben y Garddwr a Storïau Eraill, Jac Jones
      Jac Jones
      Jac Jones is a Welsh children's book illustrator.He was born in Gwalchmai, Anglesey and raised in Bristol until the age of 7, before returning to Gwalchmai. He was educated at Ysgol Gynradd Gwalchmai and Ysgol Uwchradd Llangefni....
      
      
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Culhwch ac Olwen, Gwyn Thomas
    Gwyn Thomas (poet)
    Professor Gwyn Thomas , is a Welsh poet, academic and a former National Poet for Wales.Raised in Tanygrisiau and Blaenau Ffestiniog, Thomas was educated at Ysgol Sir Ffestiniog, University of Wales, Bangor and Jesus College, Oxford; Prof Thomas is presently Emeritus Professor of Welsh at the...
    
     & Margaret Jones
• 1988:
  • Best English-Language Book: Steel Town Cats, Celia Lucas
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): ’Tydi Bywyd yn Boen!, Gwenno Hywyn
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Yr Atlas Cymraeg, Dafydd Orwig (editor)
• 1987:
  • Best English-Language Book: The Snow Spider
    The Magician Trilogy
    The Magician Trilogy, also published in an omnibus edition as The Snow Spider Trilogy, is a trilogy of children's fantasy novels by Jenny Nimmo, author of the Children of the Red King series...
    
    , Jenny Nimmo
    Jenny Nimmo
    Jenny Nimmo is a British author of numerous books for children, including many fantasy and adventure novels, beginning reader books, and picture books....
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Fiction): Jabas, Penri Jones
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Non-Fiction): Gardd o Gerddi, Alun Jones & John Pinion Jones
• 1986:
  • Best English-Language Book: Region of the Summer Stars, Frances Thomas
  • Best Welsh-Language Book: Y Llipryn Llwyd, Angharad Tomos
    Angharad Tomos
    Angharad Tomos is a Welsh author and prominent language activist.-Biography:Tomos was born in Bangor, Gwynedd, in 1958, and raised with her five sisters in Llanwnda near Caernarfon. She attended Ysgol Gynradd Bontnewydd and Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle...
    
    
• 1985:
  • Awards withheld
• 1984:
  • Best English-Language Book: The Prize, Irma Chilton
  • Best Welsh-Language Book (Joint Winners):
    • Y Llinyn Arian, Mair Wynn Hughes
    • Herio’r Cestyll, Malcolm M. Jones, Cyril Jones & Gwen Redvers Jones
• 1983:
  • Best English-Language Book: Bluestones, Mary John
  • Best Welsh-Language Book: Croes Bren yn Norwy, J. Selwyn Lloyd
• 1982
  • Best English-Language Book: Award withheld
  • Best Welsh-Language Book: Gaeaf y Cerrig, Gweneth Lilly
• 1981:
  • Best English-Language Book: The Blindfold Track, Frances Thomas
  • Best Welsh-Language Book: Y Drudwy Dewr, Gweneth Lilly
• 1980:
  • Best English-Language Book: Award withheld
  • Best Welsh-Language Book: Y Llong, Irma Chilton
• 1979:
  • Best English-Language Book: Time Circles, Bette Meyrick
  • Best Welsh-Language Book: Y Flwyddyn Honno, Dyddgu Owen
• 1978:
  • Best English-Language Book: Silver on the Tree, Susan Cooper
    Susan Cooper
    Susan Mary Cooper is an English author best known for The Dark Is Rising, an award-winning five-volume saga set in and around England and Wales. The books incorporate traditional British mythology, such as Arthurian and other Welsh elements with original material ; these books were adapted into a...
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book: Miriam, Jane Edwards
• 1977:
  • Best English-Language Book: A String in the Harp, Nancy Bond
    Nancy Bond
    Nancy Bond is an American author of children's literature.Bond was born in Maryland and was raised in the United Kingdom and Massachusetts. She received her B.A. in English Literature from Mount Holyoke College in 1966 and a graduate degree from the College of Librarianship in Wales in 1972...
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book: Trysor Bryniau Caspar, J. Selwyn Lloyd
• 1976:
  • Best English-Language Book: The Grey King
    The Grey King
    The Grey King is a children's fantasy novel by British author Susan Cooper, which was awarded the Newbery Medal for excellence in U.S. children's literature in 1976. It is the fourth of five stories in her young adult Arthurian fantasy cycle, The Dark Is Rising...
    
    , Susan Cooper
    Susan Cooper
    Susan Mary Cooper is an English author best known for The Dark Is Rising, an award-winning five-volume saga set in and around England and Wales. The books incorporate traditional British mythology, such as Arthurian and other Welsh elements with original material ; these books were adapted into a...
    
    
  • Best Welsh-Language Book: Tân ar y Comin, T. Llew Jones
    T. Llew Jones
    Thomas Llewelyn Jones was a Welsh language writer who, over a writing career of more than 50 years, was one of the most prolific and popular authors of children's books in Welsh. He wrote, and was generally known, as T. Llew Jones.- Biography :T. Llew Jones was born at 1 Bwlch Melyn, Pentrecwrt,...