A picture can paint a thousand words...

The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal was established in 1955, for distinguished illustration in a book for children. It is named after the popular and highly influential nineteenth century artist known for her fine children's illustrations and designs. Awarded annually, the Medal is the only prize in the UK to solely reward outstanding illustration in a children's book.

Previous winners include Raymond Briggs, Shirley Hughes, Anthony Brown and current Children's Laureate Chris Riddell.

This week we have a look at 3 of the shortlisted titles for this year’s award alongside some personal favourites of ours at Torfaen Libraries.

King of the Sky by Nicola Davies and Laura Carlin (6+) - Starting a new life in a new country, a young boy feels lost and alone – until he meets an old man who keeps racing pigeons. Together they pin their hopes on a race across Europe and the special bird they believe can win it: King of the Sky.

The Song from Somewhere Else by A.F. Harrold and Levi Pinfold (9+) - An atmospheric, quirky novel about two loners who become unlikely friends during one very strange summer holiday. Frank doesn't know how to feel when Nick Underbridge rescues her from bullies one afternoon. No one likes Nick. But there's more to Nick, and to his house, than meets the eye, and soon Frank realises she isn't the only one keeping secrets. Or the only one who needs help 

Town Is by the Sea by Joanne Schwartz (5+) - This beautifully understated and haunting story brings a piece of mining history to life. A young boy spends an idyllic summer day in his small hometown – he heads to the playground with his friends, has lunch and goes to the shops for his mother. In the afternoon he visits his grandfather’s grave and remembers; but his thoughts continually return to his father, hard at work digging for coal under the sea…

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers (3+) - There once was a boy and one day a penguin arrives on his doorstep. The boy decides the penguin must be lost and tries to return him. But no one seems to be missing a penguin. So the boy decides to take the penguin home himself, and they set out in his row boat on a journey to the South Pole.  But when they get there, the boy discovers that maybe home wasn’t what the penguin was looking for after all.

Peace at Last by Jill Murphy (5+) - The hour was late and Mr Bear was tired. But he could not sleep -- however he tried and wherever he tried. SNORE, SNORE went Mrs Bear. TICK-TOCK, TICK-TOCK went the clock. Would he never get to sleep? The familiar noises, repetition and beautiful illustrations make this delightful picture book an all-time favourite with children and adults everywhere.

Sefydlwyd Medal Kate Greenaway CILIP yn 1955, ar gyfer darluniadau neilltuol mewn llyfr i blant. Fe’i henwir ar ôl yr arlunydd poblogaidd a dylanwadol o’r bedwaredd ganrif ar bymtheg a adnabyddir am ei darluniadau a dyluniadau cain i blant, Rhoddir y wobr yn flynyddol - yr unig wobr yn y DU sydd yn unig ar gyfer darluniadau neilltuol mewn llyfr i blant.

Mae’r enillwyr blaenorol yn cynnwys Raymond Briggs, Shirley Hughes, Anthony Brown a’r Bardd Llawryddog presennol i blant, Chris Riddell.

Yr wythnos yma, cawn olwg ar 3 sydd ar y rhestr fer ar gyfer gwobr eleni ochr yn ochr â rhai o’n ffefrynnau ni yn Llyfrgelloedd Torfaen.

King of the Sky gan Nicola Davies a Laura Carlin (6+) - Wrth ddechrau bywyd newydd mewn gwlad newydd, mae bachgen ifanc yn teimlo ei fod ar goll ac yn unig iawn - hyd nes iddo gwrdd â hen ddyn sy’n cadw colomennod rasio. Gyda’i gilydd maen nhw hoelio’u gobeithion ar ras ar draws Ewrop a’r aderyn arbennig y maen nhw’n credu sy’n gallu ennill y ras: King of the Sky.

The Song from Somewhere Else gan A.F. Harrold a Levi Pinfold (9+) - Nofel anghyffredin, llawn awyrgylch am ddau sy’n well ganddyn nhw fod ar eu pennau eu hunain ond sy’n dod yn ffrindiau yn ystod gwyliau haf od iawn.  Dyw Frank ddim yn gwybod sut i deimlo pan fo Nick Underbridge yn ei hachub rhag bwlis un prynhawn.  Does neb yn hoffi Nick. Ond mae yna fwy i Nick, a’i dŷ, nag sy’n amlwg ar yr olwg gyntaf, a chyn bo hir mae Frank yn sylweddoli nad hi yw’r unig un sy’n cadw cyfrinachau. Ac nid hi yw’r unig un sydd angen help.

Town Is by the Sea gan Joanne Schwartz (5+) - Mae’r stori hyfryd o gynnil ac ysgytwol yma’n dod â darn o hanes glofaol yn fyw. Mae bachgen ifanc yn treulio diwrnod delfrydol o haf yn nhref fach ei gartref - mae’n mynd i chwarae gyda’i ffrindiau, yn cael cinio ac yn mynd i siopa gyda’i fam. Yn y prynhawn, mae’n ymweld â bedd ei dad-cu ac yn cofio; ond mae ei feddyliau dychwelyd at ei dad o hyd, wrthi’n gweithio’n galed yn cloddio am lo o dan y môr…

Lost and Found gan Oliver Jeffers (3+) - Unwaith roedd bachgen ac un diwrnod mae pengwin yn cyrraedd ar stepen ei ddrws. Mae’r bachgen yn penderfynu bod y pengwin ar goll, mae’n rhaid, ac mae’n ceisio mynd â’r pengwin yn ôl.  Ond does neb â phengwin ar goll. Felly mae’r bachgen yn penderfynu mynd â’r pengwin adref ei hun, ac maen nhw’n dechrau ar daith i rwyfo i Begwn y De. Ond ar ôl cyrraedd, mae’r bachgen yn canfod nad gartref y mae’r pengwin yn chwilio amdano, wedi’r cyfan.

Peace at Last gan Jill Murphy (5+) - Roedd hi’n hwyr ac roedd Mr Arth wedi blino. Ond doedd e ddim yn gallu cysgu - dim ots faint yr oedd yn ceisio a pha ble bynnag yr oedd yn ceisio. RHOCH, RHOCH aeth Mrs Arth. TIC-TOC, TIC-TOC aeth y cloc.  A fyddai’n cysgu byth? Mae’r synau cyfarwydd a’r darluniadau hyfryd yn gwneud y llyfr yma’n ffefryn i blant ac oedolion ym mhob man.