The 2005 Tir Na n-Og Awards
The Welsh Books Council announced the winners of the 2005 Tir na n-Og awards.
The winner in the category Best English-language Book with an authentic Welsh background is JACKIE MORRIS for the picture book for readers aged 7-9 years The Seal Children (Frances Lincoln), a version of the legend of the Selkie counter pointed the grim reality of life on the Welsh coast where the poor are subservient to the landowners. The lyrical text and stunning illustrations work together both to tell the story and to create an evocative mood. This the second time that Jackie Morris has won the Tir na n-Og Award.
Also Highly Commended was the novel In Chatter Wood, Jac Jones (Gomer/Pont Books).
The winner in the Best Welsh-language Fiction category is EMILY HUWS for Eco (published by Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion), a novel for 9-12 year olds portraying the tensions in the life of a 9 year old girl whose mother is an enthusiastic and active eco-warrior.
Also Highly Commended was I’r Tir Tywyll, Elgan Philip Davies (published by Cymdeithas Lyfrau Ceredigion).
The book that wins the Best Welsh-language Non-Fiction category is Byd Llawn Hud (published by Gwasg Gomer), an appealing volume of twenty new poems by contemporary Welsh poets – TUDUR DYLAN, SONIA EDWARDS, CERI WYN JONES, MERERID HOPWOOD, ELINOR WYN REYNOLDS and illustrated by CHRIS GLYNN, exploring the themes of nature, friends and family. It was published under the auspices of the WJEC.
‘The Selection Panel faced a difficult task again this year,’ said Menna Lloyd Williams, Head of the Children’s Books Department at the Welsh Books Council. ‘There was a wealth of books to be considered, reflecting the high standards of books for children in Wales. It is with great pleasure that we warmly congratulate the winners and the publishers.’
The Tir na n-Og Awards are presented annually by the Welsh Books Council and CILIP Wales to honour the work of authors and designers of books for children. The awards will be presented in the autumn.