Celebrating five years of learning Welsh with Amdani

Celebrating five years of learning Welsh with Amdani

Feb 21, 2023

The National Centre for Learning Welsh and the Books Council of Wales are marking a milestone this year as they celebrate five years of the popular Amdani series of Welsh books for learners. During 2023 every title in the series will be made available as an audiobook for the first time.

There are 40 books in the series, from a variety of Welsh publishers, commissioned through Books Council of Wales grant funding.

The books are graded at four levels for learners – Entry, Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced, and the aim is to provide learners with opportunities to enjoy reading about a range of subjects. The series is the result of a successful partnership between the National Centre for Learning Welsh and the Books Council of Wales.

The series is celebrated through the Amdani Festival, which will be held virtually this year between 27 February and 3 March, providing learners with opportunities to enjoy activities and events that are linked to reading in Welsh.

Amdani titles include:

            

Entry Level: Wynne Evans – O Gaerfyrddin i Go Compare by Elin Meek (Atebol)
A biography of the singer and presenter Wynne Evans. A very personal and honest history of Wynne and his family, his experiences as a famous tenor, and his journey to learn Welsh as an adult.


Foundation Level: Yn ei Gwsg by Bethan Gwanas (Atebol)
A lively novel about a mystery hit-and-run car crash. Dafydd, who walks in his sleep, wakes up covered in blood … but who’s to blame?

Intermediate Level: 20 o Arwyr Cymru by J. Richard Williams (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch)
A book celebrating 20 Welsh heroes and their notable contribution. Discover the stories of Betsi Cadwaladr, Ray Gravell, Kate Roberts and others.

Advanced Level: Cawl a Straeon Eraill (Y Lolfa)
A series of short stories by well-known authors, including Sarah Reynolds, Mihangel Morgan and Lleucu Roberts.


Arwel Jones, Head of Publishing Development at the Books Council, said: “Five years ago there were no books for learners that were designed to match the national learning standards. In collaboration with the National Centre, the Books Council decided to commission a range of 20 books for that purpose, and the Amdani series was launched. By now, publishers in Wales are regularly producing books for the series, and there are 40 titles available. Thanks to the New Audiences Grant funding from Creative Wales, we have been able to support the production of an audiobook for every title in the series, so that you can soon enjoy these stories through your headphones as well as on paper.”

Helen Prosser, Director of Teaching and Learning at the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said: “Creating opportunities for our learners to enjoy using their Welsh outside the classroom is a crucial part of our work at the Centre, and the Amdani series is extremely popular.

“The wide selection of entertaining books means that there will be a book for you to enjoy, whether you are just starting to learn, or are a confident speaker.

“The audiobooks will enable our learners to gain confidence by hearing the language, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Books Council to introduce even more titles to the series.”

Titles in the Amdani series are available from bookshops or to borrow from your local library. Digital formats, such as e-books and audiobooks, are available to buy from Ffolio.cymru with new audiobook titles to be added throughout the year. Shoppers are able to choose a bookshop to benefit from their purchase from Ffolio.

.

Celebrating five years of learning Welsh with Amdani

Publishing success for families’ storybook

Feb 7, 2023

Stories of Wales and Africa: Publishing success for families’ storybook

Families and children from the North Wales Africa Society will see their own story in print this year as Y Lolfa prepares to publish The Fish Princess – a story created by the families through workshops with author Casia Wiliam and illustrator Jac Jones.

The project was coordinated by the BLAS programme at Bangor’s Pontio Arts Centre, which has a long-standing relationship with the North Wales Africa Society. It was one of a number of activities which received funding from the Books Council of Wales’ New Audiences Grant in spring 2022.

The Fish Princess was created during a series of workshops with Welsh and African artists, exploring traditional African and Welsh ideas and stories, and different storytelling formats. Children’s author Casia Wiliam then worked with the families to create a brand-new story, taking inspiration from the workshops and weaving African and Welsh traditions and ideas into the narrative. Once the story was complete, illustrator Jac Jones worked with the children and families to explore the characters and how they would look in the finished story.

Welsh publishing house Y Lolfa, with the support of a publishing grant from the Books Council of Wales, will publish the book in both Welsh and English, and it will be available to buy in the spring.

Dr Salamatu J Fada, Director of the North Wales Africa Society, said: “This is one project that brought both the Welsh culture, and some parts of the African cultures of Ghana and Nigeria specifically, together. The families all enjoyed developing the ideas with the guidance of the diverse facilitators who were involved in the project. We are immensely pleased with the process and can’t wait to see the published book. Diolch yn fawr.”

The project also created opportunities for Trainee Tutors to take part and develop their own facilitation skills for community and collaborative projects in the future. Olaitan Olawande and Marie-Pascale were Trainee Tutors as part of the scheme, working with the families to develop their story.

Olaitan said: “It was an amazing experience to see how families worked together to create a story. The input from different generations meant there were some new ideas and concepts that could be created. I think working with families and this process of storytelling allows for open conversations between families; it can provide a space for children and parents to share novel and pre-existing stories whilst also applying them to some real-life challenges. Imagination is limitless and the importance of family can be shown in the story-making process. The published book is one that will go down in history; as the saying goes, ‘it takes a village’ to make something truly amazing.”

Marie-Pascale said: “I’m happy to have been a part of this MARRIAGE OF CULTURES that led to so many smiles and to the cognitive involvement of our children: being tomorrow’s ADULTS that will understand the unifying BEAUTY OF DIVERSITY and uphold it.”

Author Casia Wiliam said: “Together, these families have created a brand-new tale that is full of old magic and fantasy. It weaves together Wales and Ghana, intertwining Welsh and African traditional ideas and narratives. It’s a special story, and I must admit that this has been one of the most fun and exciting projects I have been part of as an author. I can’t wait to hear how the families respond to the book when it is published in Welsh and English in the spring.”

Arwel Jones, Head of Publishing Development at the Books Council of Wales, said: “It’s been wonderful to see this project develop as one of the recipients of the New Audiences Grant. It started as a group of families and children exploring ideas and their imaginations to celebrate and bring together Welsh and African cultures through stories. By the spring there will be a finished book that will be published by Y Lolfa and available in bookshops for families across Wales to enjoy.”

The Books Council of Wales’ New Audiences Grant has awarded funding to 43 different projects to create new opportunities and develop new audiences within the publishing sector in Wales, thanks to support from Creative Wales.

The purpose of the grant is to strengthen and diversify the parts of the publishing industry the Books Council currently supports, and the grants specifically prioritise new publishing ventures, authors and audiences.

Want to read more in 2023?

Jan 25, 2023

Want to read more in 2023, but not really sure where to start?

Here are a few ideas and suggestions that might help

 

Reading Recommendations

Not sure what to read? Looking for recommendations? Try podcasts that discuss books. The Storytellers’s Podcast with Gary Raymond, talks to leading writers about their relationships with the art of storytelling, Graffeg’s Meet The Author podcast, features conversations with a range of their authors and illustrators, while Seren’s Poetry Podcast interviews leading poets and shares recordings of their work.

Or why not call by your local bookshop? Booksellers have a wealth of knowledge. From books by new authors just arrived on the shelves to old favourites by well-known authors, shop staff can advise you. Several shops also host events and readings that will no doubt fuel the desire to start reading a new book. Pop in!

 

Reading together

Reading doesn’t have to be something you do alone. Being a member of a Book Club is an opportunity to discuss specific books in detail, to share tips and exchange ideas – and a chance to put the world to rights over a cup or pint!

Cardiff Feminist Book Club and Swansea Feminist Book Club meet monthly, while book clubs also meet in libraries across Wales. No book club near you? Why not set one up? A chance to read, discuss books and socialise – what better?

 

Join your Local Library

Want to read something completely different but don’t want to buy the book until you’re absolutely sure you’ll enjoy it? Join your local library!  Not only can you borrow an amazing variety of books, both old and new, in Welsh and English, you can also take advantage of a host of other services. Borrow Box is an app for library members for lending e-books and audiobooks in both languages, while Libby gives access to a wide range of magazines electronically, free of charge.

 

Use Ffolio

It’s so easy for us to be sucked in by our phone, tempting us to scroll endlessly and directionlessly. Why not download a book to your phone via ffolio.wales instead? Ffolio sells Welsh e-books in both Welsh and English, while also supporting your choice of bookseller at no extra cost to you. New books such as Luke Upton’s Rugby’s Greatest Mavericks, or Jasmine Donahaye’s Birdsplaining, are available at your fingertips while waiting for the bus or eating your lunch.

 

Your choice

Instead of reading the books everyone claims you should read, read the ones that you want to read, that entice you. And if you don’t enjoy them, don’t feel like you have to read to the end, to the very last page. Life’s too short! This may not be the book for you, or it may not be the time to read this particular title – so try another book. There’s more than enough for everyone on the shelf!

 

 

 

Football World Cup

Jan 3, 2023

The Little Welsh Football Fan

by Mark Williams

The little Welsh fan has a chance to see Wales play in a major tournament! A perfect story 3–5-year-old football fans!

Alun the Bear and the Football Match

by Morgan Tomos

Alun has the opportunity to train with the Wales football team.  But he can’t play very well so he decides to be a referee instead.  But what kind of a referee will Alun be?

First Sticker Book – Football

An entertaining, bilingual sticker book portraying an exciting story about Llewod Llandre in two important football games, and on a hard day on the training field.

Stupendous Sports: Fantastic Football

by Robin Bennett

Hilarious, but factual too, Fantastic Football is as much about the spirit of the beautiful game as the rules. From the origins of football, when matches went on for days, to today’s fasicinating facts and amazing stories. Plus, a spotlight on what makes the greatest players so great.

Welsh Football Colouring Book

by Anne Cakebread

A fun colouring book for all Welsh football fans – children and adults alike! Dynamic outlines of memorable images of 21 key moments in Wales’s recent footballing recent history to colour and bring to life.

On the right track for a good story

Jan 3, 2023

Launching a free books scheme for Cambrian Line train passengers

Passengers traveling on the Cambrian Line will be invited to escape into a good book this autumn as the Books Council of Wales and Cambrian Railway Partnership join forces to offer free books to travellers and help the miles speed by.

This pilot programme with the Cambrian Railway Partnership, which will run throughout autumn and winter, celebrates the Books Council’s Quick Reads scheme, which offers a series of short, engaging books for readers of all tastes and reading abilities. Books will be available to collect at Aberystwyth and Machynlleth stations, for readers to either borrow and return either end of their journey, or to keep and continue reading at home.

Angharad Wyn Sinclair, Project Development Manager at the Books Council of Wales said: ‘We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the Cambrian Railway Partnership on this exciting pilot, introducing the Quick Reads titles to passengers and enriching their journeys with a good read! Taking some time out with a book as you travel is a great way to explore the world from the comfort of your train seat.’

Stuart Williams, Chair of the Cambrian Railway Partnership said: ‘We hope our customers will enjoy the books in the Quick Reads scheme, which can be easily picked up from displays in the ticket halls at both Aberystwyth and Machynlleth train stations, thanks to this new partnership with the Books Council.  Train journeys can provide an opportunity to switch off for a while and we hope that this scheme will help our passengers get more out of their train journeys.’

This year’s four new titles are available through the scheme, as well as titles from previous years.  The two new Welsh language titles are Dau Frawd, Dwy Gem: Stori’r Carabangos by Dylan Ebenezer, and Un Noson, by Llio Elain Madocks. The new English language titles are Return to the Sun by Tom Anderson, and The Replacement Centre by Fflur Dafydd.

The Quick Reads series is perfect for readers who may struggle to find the time for reading or who may be less confident in their reading abilities. Typically less than 100 pages long, the Quick Reads titles are designed to offer readers a short, engaging read – perfect for helping passengers make use of some downtime on their journey. Quick Reads is coordinated in Wales by the Books Council of Wales and supported by the Welsh Government.