Tonight, 17 March 2026, the Books Council of Wales revealed the first of this year’s Tir na n-Og Award shortlists on Heno, S4C – for the Welsh-language Primary category. The awards celebrate the best of stories from Wales and stories about Wales that were published in 2025.
The Tir na n-Og Awards are the oldest awards for children’s literature in Wales and they celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2026. The awards are held every year by the Books Council of Wales, supported by CILIP Cymru Wales. They celebrate the talents and creativity of authors and illustrators who either create original works in Welsh, or who write about authentically Welsh themes or backgrounds through the medium of English.
The awards have three categories: Welsh-language Primary (age 4–11), Welsh-language Secondary (age 11–18) and English-language book with an authentic Welsh dimension (primary or secondary, age 4–18).
Four titles have reached the shortlist in the Welsh-language Primary category this year. They are:
– Cyfri Defaid by Enlli Lewis, illustrated by Gareth Brown (Atebol)
Mostyn, the clever little lamb, has to count the sheep in the flock to make sure that each one is safe. But Mostyn has a problem – he falls asleep every time!
– Gerwyn Gwrthod a’r Llyfr Does Neb yn Cael ei Ddarllen by Siôn Tomos Owen, illustrated by Siôn Tomos Owen (Atebol)
While on holiday, Gerwyn comes across a special book in a very unusual shop. When he opens the book on the sly, he is swallowed into it and wakes up in an unfamiliar land.
– Am Gymro by Medi Jones-Jackson, illustrated by Telor Gwyn (Y Lolfa)
An appealing and fun book about 13 inspiring men from Wales who are experts in their particular fields and come from all parts of Wales.
– Llyfr Sgrap Macs Sion by Mari Lovgreen, illustrated by Cai Tudur (Y Lolfa)
This is Macs Sion’s bonkers scrapbook – a book full of secrets and dreams. We go on a journey with him to the local eisteddfod, to Llangrannog and on his first date…!
Independent panels of judges select the shortlists and decide on the winners for the Welsh and English awards each year. The judges on the Welsh-language panel this year were Rhys Dilwyn Jenkins (Chair), Helen Jones, Malachy Edwards and Loti Glyn.
Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales said: “It is a real pleasure to announce such high‑quality shortlists in this special year. After half a century, the Tir na n‑Og Awards continue to celebrate the very best books for children and young people, and the books that have reached the top this year truly deserve their place – so much so that there are four books shortlisted this year in the primary category instead of the usual three. Huge congratulations to all the authors, illustrators and publishers – I am very much looking forward to seeing who will take home the awards in the summer!”
The shortlist for the English-language category will be announced on Wednesday 18 March at 7pm by Richard Parks, Tir na n-Og Ambassador for 2026, and the Books Council of Wales on Instagram @gwobrautirnanogawards.The shortlist for the Welsh-language Secondary category will be revealed on Thursday evening, 19 March on Heno S4C.
The winners will be announced in the summer, with the English-language category winner to be announced at the CILIP Cymru Wales conference on 9 May and the Welsh-language category winners to be announced at the Urdd Eisteddfod Ynys Môn on Thursday 28 May.
This year, young readers can once again choose the winners in a special category: the Readers’ Choice Award. The winner of this award is chosen by children and young people who take part in the Tir na n-Og shadowing scheme. Schools, libraries and other children’s reading groups can register to take part and be unofficial judges to choose winners from the shortlisted books, with the guidance of the shadowing pack. You can find out how to register on the Books Council’s website: Tir na n-Og Awards | Books Council of Wales
Bookshops and libraries will be holding Tir na n-Og Treasure Hunts over the Easter holidays with the chance for children aged 4–11 to take part. Ask your local bookshop or library for details.
Readers of all ages can join the Tir na n-Og Reading Challenge this year and enjoy a series of fun challenges to take them on a reading adventure to remember. Different versions are available for children, young people and adults, with plenty of challenges to choose from to share with family and friends. Tir na n-Og Reading Challenge leaflets can be collected from your local bookshop or library or can be downloaded from Tir na n-Og Awards | Books Council of Wales. The Books Council of Wales is very grateful to Gwasg Gomer Press for their generous support to print the reading challenges.
The Books Council of Wales is very grateful to our Ambassadors and generous supporters of the Tir na n-Og Awards 2026:
Ambassadors: Richard Parks, Elain Llwyd a Ffion Llwyd.
Sponsors:
- CILIP Cymru, our long-standing sponsor of the awards
- BCCIT
- Folly Farm
- Gwasg Gomer
- Halen Môn
- Welshpool Printing Group
Further information about the awards and the shortlisted titles can be found on the Books Council’s website, Gwobrau Tir na n-Og | Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru
Supporting the National Year of Reading, Go All In, the Tir na n-Og Awards and Reading Challenge are part of a huge programme of activities to celebrate reading across the UK. The main aim of the ‘Go All In’ campaign is to inspire people to develop a lifelong love of reading – to immerse themselves in a book and enjoy reading.