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Bethan Gwanas has been awarded the highest honour in the field of children’s books in Wales, the 2024 Mary Vaughan Jones Award, in celebration of her exceptional contribution to children’s and young people’s literature.

The award is presented every three years by the Books Council of Wales in memory of Mary Vaughan Jones, who died in 1983.

It is awarded to a person who has made a special contribution to the field of children’s literature in Wales.

Over her career as an author, Bethan Gwanas has published 51 books for children, young people and adults – for both fluent Welsh speakers and learners.

She has made a wide and valuable contribution to children’s and young people’s literature, and her stories often feature strong and determined female characters, such as Efa in the series Y Melanai.

Classics

Bethan Gwanas has won the Tir na n-Og Award twice – with Llinyn Trôns in 2001 and Sgôr in