that the children of Wales can see themselves reflected in Welsh literature.” The Secret Dragon by Ed Clarke (Puffin 2019) is a magical middle grade adventure story about science, dragons and friendship with a strong sense of setting on the Welsh coast. Ed is an author and TV and film producer and lives in London. Max Kowalski Didn’t Mean It by Susie Day (Puffin 2019) is a middle grade contemporary story about families, being a boy and coping with loss, full of empathy and a strong sense of setting and place in Snowdonia. Susie Day grew up in Penarth and now lives in Coventry. Stormhound by Claire Fayers (Macmillan Children’s Books 2019) is a middle grade fantasy adventure set in the Welsh mountains, combining Norse legend with Welsh myth. This is Claire’s fifth book but her first to be shortlisted for the awards. Claire is from south Wales and lives in Cardiff. Where Magic Hides by Cat Weatherill (Gomer 2019) is a diverse collection of short stories set in different parts of Wales where characters encounter kings and trolls, wild horses and rainbow-coloured sheep as they learn to find the magic in the stories all around them. Cat is a performer, storyteller and author based in Warwickshire.
Welsh-language shortlists 2020 The judging panel for the Welsh- language awards includes Gwawr Maelor Williams (Chair of Judges and Lecturer in Education at the School of Education and Human Development, Bangor University), T. Hywel James (Ex-Chief Librarian, Gwynedd), Alun Horan (TV Producer, Tinopolis Group), Eleri Roberts (M.A. Student, Cardiff University) and Carwyn Hawkins (M.A. Student, Cardiff University).
Gwawr Maelor Williams said of the shortlisted books: “We have heard the voices of new, exciting and unique writers this year. Books by young people for young people. In the midst of adventure and fantasy, there’s a voice for children’s well-being, a voice for Welsh women, a voice for mental resilience and mental health, and a voice for young people with physical ailments and conditions. In more than one of the books for young adults, turning the page was harrowing.”
Primary school age
Y Ddinas Uchel/The High City by Huw Aaron (Atebol 2019) is a picture book looking at the materialism of society in a lighthearted and indirect way. Genod Gwych a Merched Medrus/Great
Girls and Skilled Women by Medi Jones- Jackson (Y Lolfa 2019) is a picture book about 14 inspirational women from Wales including Tori James, Laura Ashley, Eileen Beasley, Amy Dillwyn and Haley Gomez.
34 PEN&INC.
Tir na n-Og 2019 English-language award winner and awards team. From left to right, Lorna Herbert Egan (Chair of the Children’s Literature and Reading Promotion Panel of the Books Council of Wales), Lucy Owen (BBC Wales presenter and author), Helgard Krause (CEO Books Council of Wales), Catherine Fisher (author), Sioned Jacques (Welsh and Children’s Librarian for Cardiff Hubs and Libraries), Alan Hughes (CILIP). Photo © Sioned Birchall
Pobol Drws Nesa/The People Next
Door by Manon Steffan Ros and Jac Jones (Y Lolfa 2019) is a picture book about the importance of not judging people who look and behave differently to us, and that we should respect everyone.
Secondary school age
Byw yn fy Nghroen/Living in my Skin edited by Sioned Erin Hughes (Y Lolfa 2019) is a collection of autobiographical short stories about the experiences of 12 young people who have fought against long-term conditions including cancer, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, spina bifida, blindness, OCD, depression and anxiety. Tom by Cynan Llwyd (Y Lolfa 2019) is a YA novel from a debut author about 15-year-old Tom who lives in a block of flats with his mother and who befriends an 81-year-old neighbour. Themes cover bullying, fighting, migrants, violence and illness. Madi by Dewi Wyn Williams (Atebol 2019) is a powerful YA novel about a
teenage girl living with anorexia and bulimia who tries to hide the illness.
Tir na n-Og Shadowing Scheme Children that are participating in the shadowing scheme will be able to select their favourite books from the shortlist independently of the judges’ winning books. Helen Jones, Head of Children’s Book Promotions at the Books Council of Wales said: “We felt it was in keeping with themes of diversity that children shadowing the awards should also have a say. For the past few years children have enjoyed reading the shortlisted titles and discussing the books with their peers. It will be interesting to see if the books they select are the same as the judges.”
Winners announcements The English-language winner will be announced on the BBC Radio Wales Arts Show on 3 July and the Welsh- language winners will be announced on S4C’s Heno show on 10 July. Find out more at
www.cllc.org.uk. PEN&INC.
Children at the Tir na n-Og 2019 award ceremony. Photo © Sioned Birchall Spring-Summer 2020
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