The Summer Reading Challenge will be launched in Wales today by the Education Minister and the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism.
The Summer Reading Challenge will be launched in Wales today by the Education Minister and the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism.
The annual Challenge aims to get children between the ages of 4 and 11 to read six books over the summer holidays.
This year’s Challenge sees a shift to a new bilingual digital platform, supported by library e-lending services, online events and links to existing digital resources. The challenge includes both English and Welsh-medium books.
The theme of the Challenge this year is ‘Silly Squad’ and will celebrate funny books, happiness and laughter. Children taking part in the Challenge will join the Silly Squad, an adventurous team of animals who “love to have a laugh and get stuck into all sorts of funny books!
Last year, more than 37,000 children from across Wales took part in the Challenge. Over 3,000 children joined libraries as new members, and 33,000 children took part in library events.
The Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, said: “As a book lover myself, I know what a great pleasure it is to read over the holidays.
“Each year, thousands of children join libraries because of the Summer Reading Challenge, which is a really good way to develop reading skills, discover new authors and gain a lifelong passion for books.”
The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Dafydd Elis-Thomas, said: “I’m really pleased the Welsh Government can support libraries with this year’s Challenge. The scheme has become an annual event for many children, who look forward to taking part every year.
“I’d like to thank all of the library staff involved in making the Summer Reading Challenge such a success in Wales.”
Nicola Pitman Chair of the Society of Chief Librarians Wales, said: “Libraries in Wales now have their biggest ever range of eBooks, comics and magazines to download, and this year’s Summer Reading Challenge is set to really help young readers and parents maximise opportunities to engage with fun topics and stories.
“Click & Collect services are also coming into place across the country to help access library books safely during this time. With a new-look website offering lots of great resources, ideas and incentives, we love how easy it is to sign up online and get started. We’re looking forward to everyone getting silly and joining the Summer Reading Challenge squad.”
Karen Napier, Chief Executive Officer of The Reading Agency, said: “We’re thrilled to be developing a bilingual Welsh/ English Summer Reading Challenge digital platform, which will be ready for families to enjoy from mid-July.
“The Reading Agency are committed to ensuring the proven power of reading is accessible for all. I’m looking forward to public libraries and families in Wales taking part in the Challenge and having a seriously silly summer!”
Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales, Helgard Krause, said: “Nurturing and encouraging reading is more important at this time than ever before. Research clearly shows that picking up a book is not only good for our mental health and wellbeing – it also helps to strengthen and reinforce children’s language and educational skills. Good luck and enjoyment to everyone involved in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.”
Further information can be found on the Summer Reading Challenge website: https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/
Books tackling some of the big issues of the day have won the 2020 Tir na n-Og Awards for children’s and young people’s literature in Welsh.
Pobol Drws Nesaf (‘The People Next Door’) by author Manon Steffan Ros and illustrator Jac Jones took the prize for the best title in the Welsh-language primary age category. Aimed at readers aged 3–7, this picture book urges us to respect each other and not judge someone who looks or behaves differently to us.
The prize for the best Welsh-language book in the secondary age category was won by Byw yn fy Nghroen (‘Living in my Skin’), edited by Sioned Erin Hughes. The book collates the difficult experiences of twelve young people who have had to struggle with long-term illness and health conditions. Aged between 10 and 26, the contributors discuss their mental and physical illnesses in detail, including cancer, epilepsy, Crohn’s disease, spina bifida, visual impairment, OCD, depression and anxiety.
The chair of the judging panel for the 2020 Tir na n-Og Welsh-language books, Gwawr Maelor Williams from Bangor University’s School of Education and Human Development, said: “The Tir na n-Og Award is not judged solely on the basis of its innovation or uniqueness or because it fills a gap. Byw yn fy Nghroen is also literature, although that may not be its primary intention. Powerful writing and skillful editing are required in order to write with conviction and authenticity, and to draw the reader into the experiences and anguish of others. We have here an important volume in the field of literature for young people.”
Byw yn fy Nghroen (Y Lolfa) was on the shortlist for the 2020 Tir na n-Og Awards in the Welsh-language secondary category with two other books – Tom(Y Lolfa) by Cynan Llwyd and Madi (Atebol) by Dewi Wyn Williams.
The editor of Byw yn fy Nghroen, Sioned Erin Hughes, said: “I am overwhelmed and delighted that the book has achieved what I had hoped it would achieve, namely raising awareness, understanding and empathy around health challenges facing young people.”
The other two books shortlisted with Pobol Drws Nesaf (Y Lolfa) in the Welsh-language primary category this year were Y Ddinas Uchel by Huw Aaron (Atebol) and Genod Gwych a Merched Medrus by Medi Jones-Jackson (Y Lolfa).
Commenting on Pobol Drws Nesaf, Gwawr Maelor said: “This book is a little gem because of the way in which the narrative, the illustrations and the simplicity of the story weave such a natural thread from beginning to end. We see the craft of two people at work in the book. It is a story which is easy to understand at first reading for a young reader, reading alone. Multiculturalism or the Welsh language are not forced in any way, nor is the need to accept everyone as they are, in this concise, authentically Welsh story. But they are there without being expressed and that’s the feat of this partnership between an experienced author and a skilled illustrator in their jewel of a book, Pobol Drws Nesaf.”
It’s the fifth time author Manon Steffan Ros from Tywyn in Gwynedd has won the Tir na n-Og Award: “It’s an honour to win a Tir na n-Og Award for a book as close to my heart as Pobol Drws Nesaf. The story itself is simple and light, and I think that’s important because in reality it carries a big message – that we need to celebrate our differences and respect everyone. It was a huge pleasure to work with Jac once more. He always brings a touch of magic to his illustrations, and draws out what lies between the words.”
Jac Jones said: “When a child opens a book, any book, they begin a journey into the understanding of fun, sadness, fear, joy and the gift of making choices. Manon’s wonderful book, Pobol Drws Nesaf, is a touchstone for all of these. Whatever nature’s palette, colours mix.”
The Tir na n-Og Awards are organised annually by the Books Council of Wales to reward the best books for children and young people in Wales in both Welsh and English. They are sponsored by CILIP Cymru Wales, the library and information association.
The Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales, Helgard Krause, said: “The standard of the winning and the shortlisted books in the Tir na n-Og Awards has been outstanding this year, and I would like to thank everyone for their valuable work and contributions – as authors, editors, illustrators and publishers. Thanks to them, we are able to ensure that the shelves of our bookshops, libraries and schools offer children and young people a rich choice that stimulates, inspires and encourages them to read. Warmest congratulations to everyone involved.”
Amy Staniforth from CILIP Cymru said: “Librarians across Wales will be thrilled to share Pobol Drws Nesaf, Byw yn fy Nghroen and all the other brilliant Tir na n-Og books with their patrons in 2020. It is important that libraries offer Welsh-language content that both reflects and challenges the Wales we see around us, and the Tir na n-Og Awards are a fantastic opportunity to remember and celebrate this. Congratulations to Manon Steffan Ros, Jac Jones and Sioned Erin Hughes. Please keep up the good work!”
The Welsh-language winners of the 2020 Tir na n-Og Awards were announced live on S4C’s Heno programme on Friday, 10 July, with the two winning titles receiving a cheque for £1,000 and a specially commissioned poem, written by Bardd Plant Cymru (the Welsh-language Children’s Laureate) Gruffudd Owen and illustrated by artist Ruth Jên.
Announced on the Radio Wales Arts Show on Friday, 3 July, the winner of the English-language category of the 2020 Tir na n-Og Awards was Claire Fayers from Cardiff for her fantasy adventure story Storm Hound.
Author Claire Fayers has won the 2020 Tir na n-Og English-language award for her fantasy adventure story, steeped in Norse legend and Welsh mythology.
Storm Hound was one of four books with an authentic Welsh background shortlisted for the prestigious award for children’s and young people’s literature, which is organised annually by the Books Council of Wales.
The announcement of the winning title was made live on the Radio Wales Arts Show on Friday 3 July 2020.
Speaking about her win, Cardiff-based Claire Fayers said: “I am thrilled to have won this year’s Tir na n-Og English-language award. I have been reading books from the Tir na n-Og shortlists for as long as I can remember. They represent the best of Welsh literature for children and young people, so to actually win is an immense honour.”
Storm Hound (Macmillan Children’s Books) tells the story of Storm of Odin, the youngest stormhound of the Wild Hunt that haunts lightning-filled skies. He has longed for the time when he will be able to join his brothers and sisters but on his very first hunt he finds he can’t keep up and falls to earth, landing on the A40 just outside Abergavenny. Enter twelve-year-old Jessica Price, who finds and adopts a cute puppy from an animal rescue centre. In an electrifying adventure, she soon starts to see that there’s something different about her beloved dog.
The Chair of the 2020 Tir na n-Og English-language judging panel, Eleri Twynog Davies, said: “Congratulations to Storm Hound – a magical story, with strong themes of friendship and belonging. The characters were wonderfully developed and presented us with moments of humour and poignancy.
“All four books on the shortlist had their stories set against a Welsh background, where a sense of place contributed to the their overall appeal. This is one of the central criteria for this award, and one which we as judges felt was lacking in many of the other entries. It is so important that the children of Wales can see themselves reflected in Welsh literature, and that children outside Wales have a window on another culture.”
The three other titles shortlisted for the 2020 Tir na n-Og English-language award were The Secret Dragon by Ed Clarke (Puffin), Max Kowalski Didn’t Mean It by Susie Day (Puffin) and Where Magic Hides by Cat Weatherill (Gomer).
Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Books Council of Wales, said: “Instilling a love of reading in our children and young people is incredibly important. Not only does it help develop their knowledge and literacy skills, it also supports their mental health and well-being. The Tir na n-Og Awards help celebrate great writing for the younger generation and ensure that stories with a distinctive Welsh setting are represented in the best of our country’s literature. Our sincere thanks and congratulations to all involved in this year’s awards, but particularly today to Claire Fayers.”
Amy Staniforth from CILIP Cymru Wales, which sponsors the Tir na n-Og Awards, said: “After such a difficult few months for everyone, CILIP Cymru Wales are just delighted to congratulate Claire Fayers on winning this year’s Tir na n-Og English-language award. We know that librarians all over Wales will be excited to be able to share Storm Hound with their users via their click and collect services.”
Nicola Heywood Thomas, presenter of the Radio Wales Arts Show, said: “New writing for children and young people is so important to fire their imagination and to get them hooked on books. Great stories have an impact that can stay with readers throughout their lives. This award showcases the brilliant range of talent in Wales. Congratulations to all involved.”
Claire Fayers was presented with a cheque for £1,000 and a specially commissioned poem by Children’s Laureate Wales Eloise Williams.
The winners of the Welsh-language categories of the 2020 Tir na n-Og Awards will be announced on S4C’s Heno programme at 6.30pm on Friday, 10 July.
The Books Council of Wales and Arad Goch theatre company have teamed up to produce readings of the Welsh-language books for children and young people which have been shortlisted for the Tir na n-Og 2020 Awards.
The Books Council of Wales and Arad Goch theatre company have teamed up to produce readings of the Welsh-language books for children and young people which have been shortlisted for the Tir na n-Og 2020 Awards.
As all their theatrical productions have been postponed due to the coronavirus lockdown, Arad Goch actors in Aberystwyth have turned to performing and recording their voices over the internet.
With everyone contributing from their homes and Jeremy Turner directing from a distance, the actors have been reading extracts from the six Welsh-language books to reach this year’s Tir na n-Og shortlist – three from the primary age category and three from the category for secondary schools.
Files of the readings recorded on Zoom are available free of charge from Monday 29 June 2020 on the Books Council’s #lovereading channel on the amam.cymru platform as well as on Hwb, the Welsh Government’s digital learning website.
Helen Jones, Head of Children’s Books and Reading Promotion at the Books Council of Wales, said: “The quality of the Tir na n-Og books has been particularly high once again this year and it’s really important to share this creativity with children and young people. At a time when libraries and schools have been shut, we are extremely grateful to Arad Goch for working with us to create original and unique Welsh-language content that is available digitally and free of charge. We hope that these readings will be a valuable resource for schools and parents now and in the future, and that they will bring pleasure to children and young people across Wales. We would like to thank Arad Goch, the publishers Atebol and y Lolfa, and the authors for their enthusiasm and support.”
Jeremy Turner, Artistic Director of Cwmni Theatr Arad Goch, said: “Arad Goch has a long and successful history of working in partnership and co-production with organisations in Wales and abroad, including with the Books Council on many occasions in the past. We have also created several theatrical productions based on books and their stories. It’s been a pleasure therefore to have the opportunity once again to work with the Books Council during this strange time, to create recordings of the fantastic books which have been nominated for this year’s awards. I enjoyed reading all of them and would like to thank our actors, technicians and editor for their work. Thanks also to the Arts Council for its support during these uncertain times.”
The actors involved include Ffion Wyn Bowen, Lynwen Haf Roberts, Gruffydd Evans and Ioan Gwyn, with Eugene Capper as sound technician and editing by Carwyn Blayney.
The Welsh-language winners of the Tir na n-Og 2020 Awards will be announced on S4C’s Heno programme at 6.30pm on Friday, 10 July, with the winner of the English-language category announced on the Radio Wales Arts Show on Friday, 3 July 2020.
The Books Council of Wales warmly welcomes the First Minister’s announcement that bookshops are among the businesses which will be allowed to reopen from Monday 22 June 2020.
The Books Council of Wales warmly welcomes the First Minister’s announcement that bookshops are among the businesses which will be allowed to reopen from Monday 22 June 2020.
As always, the well-being of staff and customers must come first and we have been working with booksellers as they prepare to reopen safely in line with Covid-19 guidance. Not all shops may choose to open their doors immediately and others will revise their opening hours to the public. Whilst welcome, today’s announcement is another step on the long journey towards a new normality and our role as a Council is to support our sector throughout.
This is an incredibly challenging time for us all and over the last few months we have seen bookshops across Wales finding imaginative ways, in difficult circumstances, to continue to offer a personalised service to their customers. Many have been organising special online events, as well as selling over the internet or by telephone and sending parcels of books by post or delivering locally.
We would like to thank all booksellers for their commitment and resilience, especially at a time when books and reading are more important than ever. We are also grateful to Creative Wales for facilitating additional Welsh Government emergency funding for the book sector, which has helped to sustain shops as well as publishers during this difficult period.
On the eve of Independent Bookshop Week (20–27 June), this is an opportunity for us all to show our support for bookshops and celebrate their important contribution to our economy and our communities.
Details of all bookshops in Wales are available on gwales.com.
A series of short and snappy books by authors from Wales will be available for free download this summer.
A series of short and snappy books by authors from Wales will be available for free download this summer.
From tales of amazing dogs to the challenges of extreme running and from a contemporary love story to a legendary lost world, the Books Council of Wales has made the four latest titles in the popular Quick Reads series available as e-books in association with publishers Y Lolfa and Rily.
And for one month only from 8 June – 8 July 2020, they can be downloaded free of charge from the new amam.cymru digital platform.
This year’s writers include extreme adventurer Huw Jack Brassington, author Cynan Llwyd, journalist and lecturer Ifan Morgan Jones, and author and journalist Alison Stokes.
The aim of the Quick Reads/Stori Sydyn scheme is to get Wales reading with a selection of short, gripping books, which are also available in paperback format from bookshops and online booksellers for £1 each as well as through libraries.
Angharad Wyn Sinclair, Reading Promotions Project Manager at the Books Council of Wales, said: “As a result of the Covid-19 restrictions, we wanted to offer the new e-books free for the first time. These titles lend themselves perfectly to these turbulent times. They capture our imagination and transport us to another world, but they’re short enough to be read in a day or to pick up occasionally and enjoy a chapter at a time. What’s also great about Quick Reads is that they’re suitable for a wide range of readers, including those who may be more reluctant to pick up a book.”
Coordinated by the Books Council of Wales, the Quick Reads/Stori Sydyn scheme is supported by the Welsh Government to ensure that accessible, original material of interest to an audience in Wales is available in both English and Welsh.
Minister for Education, Kirsty Williams said “I’m delighted Books Council of Wales are providing these titles digitally and for free in light of the current pandemic. Whether these are used as a means of supporting learning, or just a means of escaping everyday realities, reading can be powerful, particularly in these strange and unsettling times.
“Part of our National Mission is to provide all learners with high level literacy skills, that form the foundations of all learning and are transferable into everyday life and the world of work. Literacy, numeracy and digital competence, will be mandatory cross-curricular skills within Curriculum for Wales 2022.”
Of the four titles being published this year, two are in Welsh and two in English, with one fiction and one non-fiction book in each language.
Herio i’r Eithaf – Huw Jack Brassington (Y Lolfa). Huw Jack Brassington challenges his mind and body to the limit in incredible races all over the world, such as the 47 Peaks, the Pioneer and the Coast to Coast. His story takes us to the world of triathlon, running and cycling, and he learns some hard lessons along the way.
Pobl Fel Ni – Cynan Llwyd (Y Lolfa). The story takes place over a period of 24 hours in Cardiff sometime in the near future, against a backdrop of racist rhetoric and attitudes, right-wing politics and a fragile economic situation. Lovers Nathan and Sadia attend a concert but are separated following an explosion at the event.
Hidden Depths – Ifan Morgan Jones (Rily). Rees has been running away all his life. But when a tale from his childhood turns out to be fact rather than fiction, he is drawn deeper into a hidden world that reveals a troubled truth – not only about his present, but also his past. The choice is clear: hold on or wait and fight.
Dogs for Life – Alison Stokes (Rily). They’re often our best friends and share a special bond with us. But what if your dog was more than just a pet? This book shares the stories of animals with very important jobs to do and shows how some amazing animals are changing the lives of loved ones.
All four titles will be available for free download from the amam.cymru platform from 8 June – 8 July, with paperback copies also available for purchase for £1 from bookshops across Wales, the Books Council’s gwales.com and other websites.
A wide selection of Quick Reads titles can also be borrowed from libraries, either as e-books or as hard copies, when normal services resume.
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