Tir na n-Og winners: Welsh language and culture in children’s books
The winners of this year’s Tir na n-Og Awards have been revealed, as the children’s book awards celebrate their 50th anniversary.
I
N the Welsh language section Am Gymro! by Medi Jones-Jackson, illustrated by Telor Gwyn, won the primary category,
while Gwen ac Arianrhod by Lleucu Gwenllian, picked up the award for the secondary category. The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire by Anna Fiteni won the English Language Category.
Both Welsh language winners were announced at the Eisteddfod yr Urdd and winning author in the primary Category Medi Jones-Jackson said: “It’s difficult to convey the feeling of winning this award without using the word ‘honour’. I can’t believe it! I’d like to thank the panel, Y Lolfa and the Books Council of Wales for their support, but my greatest thanks goes to young readers in Wales.” Am Gymro highlights the lives of 13 inspirational men from Wales who are experts in their particular fields, and Medi adds that she hopes her own work can also inspire a new generation, saying: “I love visiting schools across the country and seeing their excitement grow as they learn a little about our history as a nation, and hope that I’ve inspired the next Richard Burton or Dafydd Iwan.” Gwen ac Arianrhod is a graphic
novel that tells the story of Gwen who has to cope with moving to a new a school in a new town, where she feels she doesn’t fit in. To make matters worse her best friend drowned, leaving Gwen feeling even more alone and with a phobia of swimming. Author and illustrator Lleucu Gwenllian said: “I couldn’t believe that Gwen ac Arianrhod had been chosen to be on the Tir na n-Og shortlist this year, so to find out
that the book had won was a surreal feeling. So many of the authors and illustrators I admire have won the award, I just can’t believe it! Writing and illustrating Gwen ac Arianrhod was a labour of love and the process really stretched me as an artist, so it is such an honour that the book has been recognised in this way.” The Tir na n-Og Awards, run by Books Council of Wales, are held annually and recognise Welsh- language books for children as well as those written in English, and with a focus on Wales and its culture. This year’s English Language winner is a dark romantasy for teenage readers, inspired by Welsh mythology and with Welsh myths and traditions woven throughout. It focuses on Sabrina Parry, whose father is in prison. Her life is hard enough as it is, but when her sister Ceridwen vanishes into the eerie woods leaving only an iron ring behind, and Sabrina is drawn into a beautiful but decaying world of fairies and monsters of old. Author Anna Fiteni said: “I’m incredibly proud to win the Tir na n-Og this year for a novel in the English language. My main ambition when I wrote The Wicked Lies of Habren Faire was to share my love for Wales, my memories of my childhood growing up here, and my hopes for our future. Winning any award is far beyond anything I expected; winning this award in particular is an honour and an absolute delight. I’m very grateful for the chance to be considered alongside the other excellent authors nominated this year, and for the judges and everyone involved with the Tir na n-Og for all their work promoting and championing excellent
Rob Green.
works for young people written in Wales.”
Judges across both awards were full of praise for all winners. Chair of the English-language judging panel, Karen Gemma Brewer said: “From its bilingual chapter titles and drawings from folklore, to the title of the mythical land where Sabrina’s quest to save her sister Ceridwen takes place, this is a book imbibed in Welsh culture. But rather than tick-box tropes, author Anna Fiteni delves into Welsh mythology and mining history in a new and unique way, to produce a hard-edged fairyland fantasy with strong female characters, a duplicitous fae prince, and a fresh twist to established staples of Welsh folklore.” In the Welsh categories Rhys Dilwyn Jenkins, chair of the judging panel said: “As we celebrate the Tir na n-Og Awards’ 50th birthday this year, the panel all felt that choosing Am Gymro! and its focus on well-known Welsh figures was a good way to celebrate. The information in the book highlights Wales’ heroes – not just sports stars or singers, but also artists, scientists, actors and poets. The content and illustrations are entertaining and capture the imagination, whatever your age, and there’s certainly something to
Spring-Summer 2026
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