The Welsh Books Council has announced the titles on the shortlist of the prestigious Tir na n-Og Awards 2018, presented annually by the Council to honour original work by authors and illustrators of children's books in Welsh and English.

The Tir na n-Og awards were established in 1976 to reflect the high standards of books for children and teenagers in Wales. Over the years, they have been presented to some of Wales’s leading authors of children’s books.

CILIP Cymru Wales are proud to sponsor this long established award recognising the literary talent within Wales in both Welsh and English. Librarians play a key role in the dissemination of new literature and it gives us great pleasure to include the English award ceremony at the National Library of Wales as part of our conference this year in Aberystwyth.

English-language shortlist:

Santa’s Greatest Gift – Tudur Dylan Jones (Gomer)

A Christmas story written in rhyming verse with beautiful colour illustrations. Santa sets out to deliver Christmas presents and everything is going as expected until he discovers that he has made a mistake, and poor Gwydion's name is not on the list.

King of the Sky – Nicola Davies (Walker)

A beautiful, moving story about a young boy starting a new life in a new country who feels alone and unsure about his new surroundings until he forms a friendship with an old man, Mr Evans, who keeps racing pigeons.

St. David’s Day is Cancelled! – Wendy White (Gomer)

An engaging and enjoyable story about how a school's newspaper editorial team save their school's St David's Day celebrations with the help of teachers and fellow pupils.

Gaslight – Eloise Williams (Firefly)

A historical mystery story set in Victorian Cardiff which follows the adventures of Nansi, a determined heroine, as she attempts to find her missing mother.

The Jewelled Jaguar – Sharon Tregenza (Firefly)

An exciting mystery story with a dramatic opening when a hole in the ground swallows Griffin's home and leaves his mum in a coma.

The Nearest Far Away Place – Hayley Long (Hot Key)

A young adult novel about two boys, Dylan and Griff, and their attempts to overcome a tragic accident that changes their lives forever.

Welsh-language shortlist:

Cyfres Yma: Yr Ynys – Lleucu Roberts, Y Lolfa

Merch y Mêl – Caryl Lewis, Y Lolfa

Gethin Nyth Brân – Gareth Evans, Carreg Gwalch

Mae’r Lleuad yn Goch – Myrddin ap Dafydd, Carreg Gwalch

Cyfres Y Melanai: Efa – Bethan Gwanas, Y Lolfa

Dosbarth Miss Prydderch a’r Carped Hud – Mererid Hopwood, Gomer

Last years winner Deliciously Sweet Pizza