TIR NA N-OG AWARDS
The Tir na n-Og Awards were established in 1976 with the intention of raising the standard of children's and young people's books published during the year, and to encourage the buying and reading of good books. Three awards are presented annually, and are sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and the Welsh Books Council.
(i) English-language books
The best English-language book of the year with an authentic Welsh background. Fiction and factual books originally in English are eligible. Translations from Welsh or any other language are not eligible.
Prize: £1,000
(ii) Welsh-language books - Primary Sector
Original Welsh-language books, aimed at the primary sector.
Prize: £1,000
(iii) Welsh-language books - Secondary Sector
Original Welsh-language books, aimed at the secondary sector.
Prize: £1,000
THE 2010 TIR NA N-OG AWARDS
The 2010 English Tir na n-Og Award
The 2010 English Award has been won by Paul Manship for his novel for young people, Dear Mr Author, a gripping and funny story set in Newport. It is an original, clever and fast-paced story. The main character, eleven-year-old Sam Willoughby, always seems to be trying too hard for success, but fails miserably as a result of his blind enthusiasm. Dear Mr Author is published by Pont Books, Gomer Press.
Paul Manship was born in Newport, south Wales but spent a year in South Africa when he was seven. He now teaches in a primary school in Newport and says he gets his ideas for his books from his life as a teacher, through watching a lot of films, and pure imagination. Paul Manship has written two other novels for children – The Cube and Rewind.
Paul Manship said,‘I started writing ten years ago, partly inspired by the books I was reading to my class, notably Jenny Nimmo’s The Snow Spider. It’s thrilling to think that I’ve been awarded something that has been won previously by such fine writers, storytellers and illustrators as Frances Thomas, Graham Howells and Daniel Morden. Winning the Tir na n-Og Award has given me a real boost of encouragement.’
Paul Manship
The award was presented to the author at a special reception held at the CILIP Cymru annual conference at Llandrindod, Powys.
Menna Lloyd Williams, Head of the Children’s Books Department at the Welsh Books Council, said, ‘There was a wealth of books to be considered for this year’s Tir na n-Og Award, reflecting the high standard of books for children. It is with great pleasure that we warmly congratulate the winner and the publisher.’
The 2010 Welsh-language Tir na n-Og Awards
The Welsh Books Council has announced the names of the winners of the Welsh Tir na n-Og Awards 2010 in a special ceremony at the Urdd National Eisteddfod, Ceredigion.
PRIMARY CATEGORY
The winner in the primary category is Trwy’r Tonnau – Manon Steffan Ros (Y Lolfa).
A lively, gripping novel and a sequel to Trwy’r Darlun. Cledwyn, Siân and Gili Dŵ have yet another adventure in the magical land of Crug which is full of different creatures. They unravel more mysteries about their parents and we also meet new characters. There is a moral to this story which will appeal to readers aged 9–13.
Manon Steffan Ros was brought up in Rhiwlas, Dyffryn Ogwen, and now lives in Pennal,
Bro Dysynni, near Machynlleth. She won the Drama Medal at the National Eisteddfod in Eryri and Swansea.
Manon Steffan Ros said, ‘I love writing for children and winning the prestigious Tir na n-Og Award means a lot to me.’
SECONDARY CATEGORY
The winner of the secondary category is Codi Bwganod – Rhiannon Wyn (Y Lolfa).
Codi Bwganod contains the ingredients for a successful novel – the amusing and the serious, the sad and the incredible.
Erin has recently moved into a smart old mansion which is featured on a TV programme. A relationship developes between the presenter Robyn Rici, and Sara, Erin’s mother, but little do they know that Erin also has a friend. The novel flows smoothly and effortless; the dialogue and the freshness of the humour is effective.
Rhiannon Wyn was brought up in Groeslon, Caernarfon. After graduating in Welsh and Politics at the University of Aberystwyth, she took time off to travel the world. She now writes scripts for Rownd a Rownd and Pobol y Cwm. This is her first novel for young people.
Rhiannon Wyn said, ‘Receiving this award has given me confidence to proceed with other projects.’
Manon Steffan Ros and Rhiannon Wyn
Menna Lloyd Williams, Head of Children’s Books Department, Welsh Books Council said, ‘We are very pleased that both the winners of the Tir na n-Og Award this year are new and young authors. This comes as no surprise as the two hail from a literary background – Manon being the daughter of the poet and composer Steve Eaves, and Rhiannon the daughter of the author Eirug Wyn. Things are looking up for the future of the Welsh novel.’
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The 2009 English Tir na n-Og Award
The Welsh Books Council has announced the name of the winner of the prestigious Tir na n-Og English Award which recognises the exceptional quality of books with Welsh background for children and young people.
The 2009 English Award was won by Graham Howells for his book for young people, Merlin's Magical Creatures, published by Pont Books. The volume is a directory of magical creatures which inhabit the otherworld just beyond our own.
The award is sponsored by CILIP Wales (The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals). The award was presented to the author at a special reception held at the CILIP Cymru annual conference at Llandrindod, Powys.
Alan Lee, the Oscar winning concept artist for the Lord of the Rings film trilogy said in a review of the book:
'Merlin would have been proud of this cornucopia of world Welsh wonders.'
Graham Howells was born in Antwerp, Belgium. His father was in the army and the family moved around the world with him. When he was ten, the family moved to Pembroke Dock, where he attended Bush Comprehensive School. He now lives in Llanelli.
He soon discovered that Pembrokeshire was magical and when he went to Art College he found he could take the magic with him.
The first book that he wrote and illustrated was Merlin Awakes, Pont Books, in October 2004.
He has since written and illustrated a number of books including:
Hiding Hopcyn, Captain Dan and the Ruby Ann, Fabulous Celtic Beasts, Rebecca's Daughter, Spellmakers, Stories of the Stones, Fairy Tales from Wales. Many of his books are also available in Welsh.
Graham Howells said, 'It was a privilege just to be short-listed alongside the likes of Simon Weston, and Malachy Doyle, so to find out that I'd won was a bit of a shock to say the least. Magic.'
Menna Lloyd Williams, Head of the Children's Books Department at the Welsh Books Council said, 'There was a wealth of books to be considered, reflecting the high standard of books for children. It is with great pleasure that we warmly congratulate the winner and the publisher.'
The 2009 Welsh Tir na n-Og Award
The Welsh Books Council has announced the names of the winners of the Welsh Tir na n-Og Awards 2009, presented by the Welsh Books Council for the best books for children and young people. Two awards of £1,000 each, sponsored by CILIP Wales (The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals) and the Welsh Books Council, were presented to the authors in a special ceremony at the Urdd National Eisteddfod, Cardiff Bay.
Primary Category
The winner in the primary category is Bownsio, is a novel for 10–11 year-old children about a teenage girl who discovers that her mother is not dead after all. It is a novel which deals with private hope and the harsh reality of life. According to panel members, this is a powerful story which breaks new ground.
Emily Huws is a retired teacher living at Caeathro, Gwynedd. She has won the Tir na n-Og Award four times in the past and also the prestigious Mary Vaughan Jones Award for her contribution to children's books for a considerable period of time.
Secondary Category
The winner of the secondary category is Lleucu Roberts for Annwyl Smotyn Bach (Cyfres y Dderwen), Y Lolfa.
A novel for older teenagers set in the future in which Big Brother keeps an eye on everything; it tells the tale of a pregnant young woman who attempts to escape and break free from the regime. Panel members were of the opinion that this was a powerful and challenging novel which gave us an insight into the fate of our country.
Lleucu Roberts was born at Llandre, Aberystwyth, but lives now at Rhostryfan, Gwynedd, with her husband and four children. This is her third novel, but this is the first one for young adults.
Efa Gruffudd Jones, Urdd Gobaith Cymru's Chief Executive added: 'We are delighted to welcome the winners of the Tir na n-Og Awards on stage at the Urdd National Eisteddfod this year. Children's authors and illustrators make an outstanding contribution to life in Wales and we welcome this opportunity to honour them. We hope that children who visit the Eisteddfod will enjoy reading their books.'
Gwerfyl Pierce Jones, Director of Welsh Books Council added: 'This is the ideal setting to honour the authors of the best Welsh-language books for children and young people, and we are grateful to the Urdd for making it possible to present the awards in the company of so many young readers.'
The 2008 Tir na n-Og Awards
The 2007 Tir na n-Og Awards
The 2006 Tir na n-Og Awards
The 2005 Tir na n-Og Awards
Tir na n-Og Awards - Past Winners