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RT @RilyBooks: 🎉 Llongyfarchiadau enfawr i'r holl awduron a darlunwyr talentog sydd wedi cyrraedd rhestr fer y gwobrau Tir na n-Og eleni! 📚…Darllen mwy...
RT @sioptytawe: Llongyfarchiadau i bawb sydd wedi cyrraedd rhestr fer Gymraeg Gwobrau Tir na n-Og 2023! Pob llyfr ar gael nawr trwy Siop Tŷ…Darllen mwy...
RT @TheatrGenCymru: 📚'Ni'n edrych 'mlaen i gael @PalasPrint gyda ni ar gyfer #PijinPigeon yn @_GALERI_ penwythnos 'ma! Ewch draw i ddweud h…Darllen mwy...
RT @ChepstowBooks: https://t.co/GPZkAxnvsyDarllen mwy...
Welsh-language shorlist for the Tir na n-Og Award 2023 revealed

Welsh-language shorlist for the Tir na n-Og Award 2023 revealed

Welsh-language shortlist revealed for Wales’ oldest children’s book awards – the Tir na n-Og Awards 2023 The Books Council of Wales revealed the Welsh-language shortlists for this year’s Tir na n-Og Awards on S4C’s progamme, Heno, on Thursday, 23 March. The awards celebrate the very best of stories from Wales and stories of Wales published in 2022. This year’s shortlist celebrates the wide range of different formats published over the last year to inspire young readers. Including story and...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023 Working in partnership to help more children than ever discover a love of books and reading The charity World Book Day® is holding its annual celebration on Thursday, 2 March 2023, a day dedicated to ensuring all children can develop a love of reading. World Book Day will give families and children a huge number of opportunities to mark the day in fun and affordable ways that are meaningful to them – in 2023, it’s YOUR World Book Day! With reading for...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Celebrating five years of learning Welsh with Amdani

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,...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Publishing success for families’ storybook

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...

Want to read more in 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...

Football World Cup

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!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?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.by Robin...

On the right track for a good story

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...

Season’s Greetings 2022

Season’s Greetings 2022

The Books Council and the Distribution Centre will be closed from Thursday afternoon, 22 December 2022 and will re-open after the holidays on Tuesday, 3 January 2023. We wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas.  

Reading Well for Teens

Reading Well for Teens

Reading Well for teens supports the mental health and wellbeing of young people between 13 and 18 years old, providing information, advice, and support to help them manage their feelings and cope with tough times. The books have been chosen and recommended by leading health professionals and co-produced with young people. The Reading Well scheme has been developed by The Reading Agency in partnership with public libraries across England and Wales, with the Books Council of Wales making a...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Newsquest and Books Council of Wales joint statement

Newsquest and Books Council of Wales joint statement – Corgi Cymru The Books Council of Wales and Newsquest have agreed to end the funding and provision of Welsh-language digital news service Corgi Cymru. Both parties came to a mutual agreement to propose to close Corgi Cymru’s digital channels at the end of October and allow the service to be wound down over the following month. One full-time and one part-time role are now at risk and a consultation will be held with affected Newsquest staff,...

Sporting Stories – Wales in the World Cup 2022

Sporting Stories – Wales in the World Cup 2022

Books Council of Wales joins Welsh Government campaign to ‘take Wales to the World’ As part of Welsh Government’s World Cup Partner Support Fund, the Books Council of Wales is one of 19 organisations getting behind the Wales team as they head for Qatar in November. Economy Minister Vaughan Gething has announced the projects that will promote and celebrate Wales at the tournament. A total of £1.8 million will be shared among 19 projects which aim to project our nation’s values and work to...

Exploring the world

by Ian Brown Albert the pet tortoise has a problem: trying to reach a tasty treat, he has ended up on his shell, upside down and stuck! Can the other garden creatures overcome their rivalry, team up and help him get back on his feet?by Valériane Leblond A beautifully illustrated story about migration and homesickness. Around 1900, a family leaves Wales in search of a better life in the USA, where their homemade quilt proves a great comfort.by Zeb Soanes  Fred, a young girl, and her Grandpa...

Exploring your Imagination

by Aidan Saunders A graphic representation of the second branch of the Mabinogion - Branwen, daughter of Llŷr. The aim of the book is to present the Mabinogion tales to young people, and to retell these highly visual and emotional stories to today's audience using art work originating from truly historical artefacts.by Huw Aaron A colourful 32 page, A4 book for children and adults. Packed with lively double-page illustrations of amusing Welsh scenes, the task is to find the little dragon...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Congratulating Helgard as she joins Gorsedd of the Bards

Congratulations to our Chief Executive, Helgard Krause, as she joins the Gorsedd of the Bards for services to the arts in Wales. Originally from Pfalz in Germany and multilingual, Helgard has a wealth of experience in publishing both in the UK and internationally. She came to Wales in 2005 when she started working for the Books Council of Wales as International Sales Officer. She learnt Welsh in order to become the Council’s Head of Sales & Marketing and became fluent within a few months....

Linda Tomos CBE Appointed as Chair, Books Council of Wales

Linda Tomos CBE Appointed as Chair, Books Council of Wales

Linda Tomos CBE appointed as Chair, Books Council of Wales Linda Tomos has been appointed as the Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Books Council of Wales at the Council’s AGM, held on Monday, 25 July. Linda succeeds Professor M. Wynn Thomas, who is retiring after leading the Council for 20 years. Members also confirmed Rona Aldrich to continue in her role as Vice-Chair of the Books Council, a role she has held since 2015. Upon her appointment, Linda Tomos said: ‘I look forward to working...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

A day of celebrations for young readers from all over Wales

A DAY OF CELEBRATION FOR YOUNG READERS FROM ALL OVER WALES Aberystwyth Arts Centre was full to the rafters with children from all over Wales on 21–23 June when they came to take part in the national rounds of Darllen Dros Gymru and BookSlam, reading competitions organised by the Books Council of Wales for primary school pupils in Wales. The national rounds are the culmination of months of work and activity on a county level, with the winners of the county rounds progressing to the finals in...

Announcing the winner of the 2022 Tir na n-Og Award

Announcing the winner of the 2022 Tir na n-Og Award

Strong characters lead the way to win the Tir na n-Og 2022 Welsh-language children’s book awards This year’s winners of the Welsh-language Tir na n-Og children’s book awards were announced today, Thursday, 2 June, in a special celebration at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Denbighshire. Although very different in setting and theme, memorable characters who readers will care about are at the centre of the winning novels – Gwag y Nos by Sioned Wyn Roberts and Y Pump, edited by Elgan Rhys. Established in...

Winner of children’s picture book illustration competition announced

Winner of children’s picture book illustration competition announced

Winner of children’s picture book illustration competition announced The Books Council of Wales is delighted to announce the winner of a special competition organised with Urdd Gobaith Cymru to find new talent in the field of children’s book illustration. The prize is awarded to 21-year-old Naomi Bennet for her ‘exceptionally executed’ artworks and her ‘command of narrative illustration’. The task for entrants aged 18 to 25 was to create original artwork illustrating a short children’s story...

Schools Love Reading Programme is launched

Schools Love Reading Programme is launched

Igniting a love of reading: a book for each pupil to keep as the Schools Love Reading programme is launched All pupils aged 3–16 in state schools in Wales will be receiving a book of their own to keep as the Books Council of Wales and the Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, launch the Schools Love Reading programme today, Thursday, 26 May. Pupils from Ysgol Hamadryad in Butetown, Cardiff were amongst the first to receive their new books. Around 70 pupils celebrated the...

Announcing the winner of the 2022 Tir na n-Og Award

Announcing the winner of the 2022 Tir na n-Og Award

Heartfelt wartime novel wins 2022 Tir na n-Og English-language Children’s Book Award   The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr (published by Bloomsbury) is this year’s winner of the 2022 Tir na n-Og English-language award for children’s and young people’s literature. The winning book was announced on the Radio Wales Arts Show at 18:30 on Friday 20 May, with the author receiving a cash prize of £1,000 sponsored by CILIP Cymru Wales, as well as a specially commissioned award created by...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Announcing recipients of New Audiences Grant

New opportunities for publishing across Wales as Books Council of Wales announces recipients of New Audiences Grant The Books Council of Wales, alongside Creative Wales, has today announced the recipients of £186,000 of grant funding to create new opportunities and develop new audiences within the publishing sector in Wales. The New Audiences Grant will fund thirteen projects initially, with projects ranging from setting up new publishing houses owned and run by editors and authors from Black,...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Supporting foodbanks and local community groups with book-gifting

Welsh Government supporting foodbanks and local community groups with book-gifting for children and young people   Community groups and foodbanks across Wales have added children’s books to the list of resources and support they are able to provide for families from this spring. As part of their delivery of Welsh Government’s book-gifting campaign, the Books Council of Wales have supplied over 40,000 books to foodbanks, community organisations and other local groups to make books...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Two Welsh-language digital news services from April 2022

Books Council of Wales to fund two Welsh-language digital news services from April 2022 Wales will have more dedicated Welsh-language digital news channels from April 2022 as the Books Council of Wales announces the recipients of the digital news service funding for the next 4 years. Golwg 360 and Corgi Cymru will each receive annual funding of £100,000 under the new agreement, which will run from April 2022 until March 2026. The grants were awarded following an open tender process, which...

Announcing the winner of the 2022 Tir na n-Og Award

Tir na n-Og 2022 English-language Shortlist Revealed

English-language shortlist revealed for Wales’ oldest children’s book award – Tir na n-Og 2022 Gripping wartime drama… a retelling of ancient legends… a reflective tale of the healing power of nature, and a colourful cast of characters from Welsh history. The Books Council of Wales will reveal the English-language shortlist for this year’s Tir na n-Og Awards on the Radio Wales Arts Show on Friday, 11 March at 18:30pm. This year’s awards are an eclectic mix of the very best of stories from...

Announcing the winner of the 2022 Tir na n-Og Award

Tir na n-Og 2022 Welsh-language Shortlist Revealed

Welsh-language shortlist revealed for Wales’ oldest children’s book award – the Tir na n-Og Awards 2022 Exciting mysteries and comic book capers… a fresh look at the history and people of Wales… and powerful and empowering stories of growing up in Wales today. The Books Council of Wales will reveal the Welsh-language shortlists for this year’s Tir na n-Og Awards on S4C’s progamme, Heno, on Thursday, 10 March. This year’s awards are an eclectic mix of the very best of stories from Wales and...

Celebrating 25 years of World Book Day

Celebrating 25 years of World Book Day

https://llyfrau.cymru/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Poster-Diwrnod-y-Llyfr-2022-A2.pdf Celebrating 25 years of World Book Day This year’s packed programme will help more children than ever to discover a love for reading. The charity World Book Day turns 25 on Thursday 3rd March 2022 and is inviting everyone to its party celebrating the past, present and future of children’s reading. Reading for pleasure is the biggest indicator of a child’s future success – more than their family circumstances,...

Annual Stock Take 2022

Annual Stock Take 2022

Please note that staff at the Distribution Centre will be undertaking their annual stocktake from Monday 24th of January until Wednesday the 26th of January, during which time orders will not be processed

Annual Stock Take 2022

Season’s Greetings

The Books Council will be closed from Thursday, 23 December 2021 until after the holidays and will return on Tuesday, 4 January 2022.

Required Maintenance on Gwales.com Wednesday 15/12/2021

Required Maintenance on Gwales.com Wednesday 15/12/2021

Gwales.com will not be available on Wednesday the 15th of December between 9am – 4pm due to important maintenance of the website. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We will continue to send books via second class mail until 2pm on Wednesday, 22 December, with normal services resuming on Tuesday, 4 January 2022.

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Stori i Bawb: Creating diverse stories for children and young people at Tŷ Newydd

Gwahodd ceisiadau ar gyfer Stori i Bawb: Cwrs Creu Straeon Amrywiol i Blant a Phobl Ifanc yng Nghanolfan Ysgrifennu Tŷ Newydd Mae Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru ar y cyd â Llenyddiaeth Cymru yn gwahodd ceisiadau gan awduron sydd â phrofiadau bywyd sy’n cael eu tangynrychioli, yn benodol o fewn y byd llenyddiaeth a chyhoeddi yn y Gymraeg, i ymgeisio am le ar gwrs preswyl yng Nghanolfan Ysgrifennu Tŷ Newydd. Hwylusydd: Elgan Rhys Siaradwyr gwadd/tiwtoriaidar gyfer gweithdai unigol: Cyd-awduron Y Pump, Nia...

Annual Stock Take 2022

£5M Investment in Reading and book-gifting for Children and Young People

Welsh Government announces £5m investment in reading engagement and book-gifting for children and young people across Wales The Books Council of Wales warmly welcomes the announcement of the significant additional funding from Welsh Government which will deliver the #SchoolsLoveReading book-gifting campaign starting in spring 2022. As part of this multi-million-pound investment in reading engagement, a selection of 50 books will be sent to every state school in Wales, in addition to an...

Annual Stock Take 2022

Our story – publishing voices today

Our Story – publishing voices today To mark our 60th anniversary, two short films have been commissioned, Our Story – publishing voices today and Ein Stori – Lleisiau cyhoeddi heddiw, celebrating the publishing industry in Wales. Through the voices of Richard Davies, Jannat Ahmed, Lynda Tunnicliffe and others, Our Story – publishing voices today explores the contribution of the Books Council of Wales over the past 60 years and looks forward towards future challenges and opportunities....

Annual Stock Take 2022

Wales: A Reading Nation – Launching BCW’s 5-year Strategic Plan

Wales: A Reading Nation – Launching the Books Council of Wales’s 5-year Strategic Plan For 60 years the Books Council of Wales has advanced its purpose to support the publishing industry in Wales and to promote reading for pleasure. As we mark our anniversary, we are proud to share our new strategy that sets out our ambitions and vision for the next 5 years. It outlines how we will progress with our mission to support the publishing industry and promote reading in the context of a Covid...

Annual Stock Take 2022

Two Rivers from a Common Spring: The Books Council of Wales at 60 published 01/11/21

Two Rivers from a Common Spring: The Books Council of Wales at 60 published today Two Rivers from a Common Spring: The Books Council of Wales at 60 is published today to mark the organisation’s anniversary. The beautiful volume tells the story of the Books Council over the last 60 years, from its origins in the 1960s to the present day. The volume is edited by Gwen Davies, with original linocuts by artist Molly Brown. It is presented in memory of Alun Creunant, the first Director of the Books...

Annual Stock Take 2022

Books Council of Wales celebrates 60 years of supporting Wales’ publishing industry

Hooked on books… Books Council of Wales turns 60 The Books Council of Wales celebrates 60 years of supporting Wales’s publishing industry and celebrating reading with a week of activities from 1–5 November 2021. From looking back to its origins as a charity set up to promote the Welsh publishing industry in 1961, to announcing its vision for the future with the launch of its new 5-year Strategic Plan, Wales: A Reading Nation, the Council will be exploring all aspects of the sector in Wales...

HONOURING CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIELD OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS

HONOURING CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIELD OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS

HONOURING CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIELD OF CHILDREN’S BOOKS – MARY VAUGHAN JONES 2021 AWARD Menna Lloyd Williams is the recipient of the 2021 Mary Vaughan Jones Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented every three years by the Books Council of Wales in memory of Mary Vaughan Jones, who died in 1983, to a person who has made a special contribution to the field of children’s literature in Wales. Born in Llanfaethlu, Menna Lloyd Williams was educated at Ysgol Ffrwd Win and Ysgol Syr Thomas...

KEYNOTE SPEECH BY PROFESSOR CHARLOTTE WILLIAMS OBE

KEYNOTE SPEECH BY PROFESSOR CHARLOTTE WILLIAMS OBE

https://youtu.be/FFnOoUaqD8s This is the keynote speech by Professor Charlotte Williams OBE on Harnessing ‘book power’ for race equality in Wales that was delivered at the Books Council’s Annual Meeting, July 2021.

BOOKS COUNCIL OF WALES APPOINTS NEW TREASURER, ALFRED OYEKOYA

BOOKS COUNCIL OF WALES APPOINTS NEW TREASURER, ALFRED OYEKOYA

The Books Council of Wales has today announced the appointment of its new Treasurer, Alfred O. Oyekoya, to the Board of Trustees. This important role on the Board will be instrumental in leading the Council as it supports the book industry in Wales through Covid recovery and looks towards its new strategy for 2022 and beyond. Alfred Oyekoya is an MSc Finance graduate from Swansea University and a Chartered Accountant, with many years’ leadership and business development experience. He has...

Gorau’r Goreuon: Introducing three stories from the past to young audiences in 2021

Gorau’r Goreuon: Introducing three stories from the past to young audiences in 2021

Gorau’r Goreuon: Introducing three stories from the past to young audiences in 2021 The Books Council of Wales is launching the first three titles of Gorau’r Goreuon (The Best of the Best), a selection of books for children and young people. Gorau’r Goreuon aims to introduce a selection of books that are considered classics in children and young people’s literature to a new generation of readers. The titles that will be appearing in the first selection are Dirgelwch y Dieithryn (Elgan Philip...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Remembering Roger Boore 1938–2021

On 30 July, Wales lost one of its great benefactors of children literature following the death of Roger Boore at the age of 82. Roger Boore was born in Cardiff in 1938. He had a degree in Classics from Oxford, a PhD in History from the University of Wales Swansea, and was a Chartered Accountant. He returned to Wales and was a life-long enthusiast of the Welsh language, which he began learning in his teens, and raised his family in Cardiff. In 1969 Roger and his wife Anne founded the publishing...

Well-being packs for your carers in Ceredigion this summer

Well-being packs for your carers in Ceredigion this summer

Well-being packs for young carers in Ceredigion this summer 80 packs of books are being sent to young carers across Ceredigion to support their well-being and encourage their reading journeys this summer. Young carers face the difficulty of balancing and juggling their caring responsibilities with those of everyday life, including their own education. These well-being packs will be a boost for them and a recognition of the excellent work they are doing every day. These packs have been provided...

Books Council of Wales Annual Meeting

Books Council of Wales Annual Meeting

ANNUAL MEETING The Books Council of Wales’ Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, 26 July at 12.00pm on Zoom Keynote speech will be given by Professor Charlotte Williams OBE on Harnessing ‘book power’ for race equality in Wales. Send us an email on castellbrychan@books.wales for the link to the meeting. Further information: Charlotte Williams OBE, academic and writer, is Honorary Professor in the School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences at Bangor University and holds honorary...

Darllen Dros Gymru 2021 Winners

Darllen Dros Gymru 2021 Winners

This year’s Darllen Dros Gymru competition was held in a very different way to usual. The tasks set for the readers remained the same; to discuss a book of their choice from a set list and to present a short performance advertising another book. Llinos Penfold adjudicated the discussions, and Mari Lovgreen the performances. Given the current circumstances this year’s competition was held on-line. Year 3 and 4 pupils were the first to take part. Ysgol y Felinheli came first with their...

Wild World Heroes Summer Reading Challenge 2021

Wild World Heroes Summer Reading Challenge 2021

Go wild for reading with the Summer Reading Challenge 2021 Wild World Heroes – online or at your local library Summer Reading Challenge launching in libraries across Wales and England 10 July 2021 (launched in Scotland and N. Ireland on 19 June) ‘Wild World Heroes’ theme, in partnership with WWF, to encourage children across the country to engage in fun reading activity focused on environmental issues Online Challenge platform offers digital rewards for reading, supporting reading catch-up...

Winner of children’s picture book illustration competition announced

Winner of children’s picture book illustration competition announced

The Books Council of Wales is delighted to announce the winner of a special competition organised with Urdd Gobaith Cymru to find new talent in the field of children’s book illustration. The prize is awarded to 24-year-old Lily Mŷrennyn from the Rhondda for her ‘exceptionally executed’ artworks and her ‘command of narrative illustration’. The task for entrants aged 18 to 25 was to create original artwork illustrating a short children’s story by one of Wales’ leading writers, Manon Steffan Ros....

Historical YA novel exploring Welsh language and identity wins 2021 Tir na n-Og Award

Historical YA novel exploring Welsh language and identity wins 2021 Tir na n-Og Award

The Short Knife by Elen Caldecott (Andersen Press, 2020), a powerful and exciting YA novel set during the early Middle Ages, has triumphed in the English-language category of the prestigious Tir na n-Og Awards 2021 for children’s and young people’s literature. The Short Knife was written as part of the author’s PhD in Creative Writing which explored the creative opportunities of bilingual writing, and this is the first time Elen has won a Tir na n-Og Award. The winning book was announced...

Contemporary stories about the courage of two girls win 2021 Tir na n-Og Awards

Contemporary stories about the courage of two girls win 2021 Tir na n-Og Awards

Modern-day stories about the bravery of two girls who find themselves in very challenging but very different situations have triumphed in the Welsh-language categories of the prestigious Tir na n-Og Awards 2021 for children’s and young people’s literature. The winner in the primary school age category was Casia Wiliam for her novel Sw Sara Mai (‘Sara Mai’s Zoo’, published by Y Lolfa), with #helynt (‘#trouble’) by Rebecca Roberts (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch) taking the top prize in the secondary...

New video released to mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

New video released to mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2021

https://youtu.be/JT0FyUdb4jI  To mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 we are pleased to release a new video introducing the Reading Well Books on Prescription for children scheme. Reading Well Books on Prescription for children provides helpful reading to support children’s mental health and well-being. The books provide quality-assured information, stories and advice. Books have been chosen and recommended by health professionals and co-produced with children and families. The Reading Well...

New Trustees appointed to Books Council of Wales

New Trustees appointed to Books Council of Wales

The Books Council of Wales has appointed seven new Trustees to lead the national charity in its work of supporting the publishing industry and promoting reading. Rajvi Glasbrook Griffiths, Alwena Hughes Moakes, Lowri Ifor, Professor Carwyn Jones, Linda Tomos, Professor Gerwyn Wiliams and Dr Caroline Owen Wintersgill will take up their positions on the new Board of Trustees on 1 April 2021. The Board will be responsible for the governance of the Books Council and will oversee the direction and...

Tir na n-Og Children’s Book Awards 2021 English-language shortlist

Tir na n-Og Children’s Book Awards 2021 English-language shortlist

Three stories exploring Wales at different times through history feature in the English-language books shortlisted for the Tir na n-Og Children’s Book Awards 2021 announced today (12 March 2021) on the Radio Wales Arts Show. The periods of history range from the early Middle Ages when Welsh national identity was gathering strength in The Short Knife by Elen Caldecott, to a family emigrating from Wales to the USA at the turn of the twentieth century in The Quilt by Valériane Leblond, and a...

Tir na n-Og Awards 2021 Welsh-language shortlist revealed

Tir na n-Og Awards 2021 Welsh-language shortlist revealed

The Books Council of Wales is delighted to announce the six Welsh-language books shortlisted for the 2021 Tir na n-Og Awards, which celebrate the best books from Wales for children and young people. The primary age category includes Ble Mae Boc – Ar Goll yn y Chwedlau by Huw Aaron (Y Lolfa), Mae’r Cyfan i Ti by Luned Aaron (Atebol) and Sw Sara Mai by Casia Wiliam (Y Lolfa). The books reaching the shortlist in the secondary age category are Y Castell Siwgr by Angharad Tomos (Gwasg Carreg...

#shareastory #worldbookdaywales 2021 competition

Sharing stories is a great way to celebrate reading together on World Book Day 2021. So, we are inviting everyone to join in our story sharing competition. Post a picture of you sharing a story with your family, your cat or reading at your favourite location! Remember to tag @Books_Wales and include  #ShareaStory #WorldBookDayWales #lovereading If you prefer, you can also email the photo to us – cllc.plant@books.wales Sharing a story could be reading at home with your family, reading in...

Celebrating books on the digital stage

Celebrating books on the digital stage

Books from Wales will be celebrated on the digital stage on World Book Day this year, Thursday 4 March 2021. In a partnership between the Books Council of Wales and multimedia culture platform AM, a 12-hour celebration of reading will be held on amam.cymru from 9am on World Book Day. Throughout the day the platform will showcase author readings, book reviews, reading recommendations and more, with publishers, booksellers and other organisations across Wales contributing new Welsh and...

Share a story on World Book Day 2021

Share a story on World Book Day 2021

The Books Council of Wales is encouraging people across Wales to share a story in celebration of World Book Day 2021 on Thursday 4 March. Sharing a story could include reading at home with the family, sharing a story with your pet, reading in your favourite place, reading in an unusual location and more! With only a week to go before the big day, the Books Council is also asking people to share their reading photos on social media during March, using the...

Copyright permissions temporarily increased to support schools during lockdown 

Copyright permissions temporarily increased to support schools during lockdown 

Copyright permissions on re-using published material in schools and colleges have been temporarily increased during lockdown, following efforts by the Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA), the Books Council of Wales and the publishing industry. The CLA announced on 9 February 2021 that, following consultation with their members, there will be a temporary increase in the copying limit in the Education Licence from the current 5% to 20% until 31 March 2021. And the Books Council of Wales has made...

Iechyd Da books scheme to support children’s health and well-being

Iechyd Da books scheme to support children’s health and well-being

The Welsh Government’s Education Minister has launched a new scheme to ensure that all primary schools receive a special pack of books supporting children’s health and well-being. The Iechyd Da (‘Good Health’) scheme was launched on Wednesday 3 February 2021 during Children’s Mental Health Week. Working with the Books Council of Wales, the Welsh Government’s Education Department is funding a package of 41 books for every primary school, to help children understand and discuss issues around...

Launch of Wales’ first bilingual platform for e-books

Launch of Wales’ first bilingual platform for e-books

A brand-new digital platform to showcase e-books from Wales has been launched by the Books Council of Wales. ffolio.wales will be the first-ever bilingual platform to focus on selling e-books from Wales to the wider world. The not-for-profit site launches with more than 800 fiction and non-fiction titles for children and adults, as well as educational books for children in both Welsh and English. More than 500 of the Welsh-language books on the website are available as e-books for the first...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Local bookshops arrangements – UPDATE – January 2021

Independent booksellers across Wales continue to take orders online, over the phone or click-and-collect. If you just want to curl up with a good book, our booksellers have got a fabulous selection of titles to choose from. They also offer a unique personal service and great advice on what to buy. We’ve listed below the contact details for independent bookshops across Wales or you can click on our interactive map to find your local bookshop: llyfrau.cymru/en/bookshops-of-wales If you’re a...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Books Council offices and Distribution Centre

Our offices and Distribution Centre will close its doors on Wednesday afternoon, 23 December and will re-open on Monday, 4 January 2021. We would like to wish you a peaceful and safe Christmas and thank you for your support under challenging circumstances this year. Onwards we go to 2021!

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023

Children’s Story Writing Contest

The Books Council of Wales is delighted to support a story writing competition for Welsh primary school pupils organised by BBC Radio Cymru. As part of World Book Day 2021 events, the station’s morning presenter Aled Hughes is calling on children to write a Welsh-language story of up to 500 words on the theme of "Y Llwybr Hud" (‘The Magic Path"). There are three categories for different ages, namely: Foundation Phase, 5-7 years Key stage 2a, 7-9 years Key stage 2b, ages 9-11 Aled Hughes will...

Huw Aaron’s cartoons to raise a smile on World Book Day 2021

Huw Aaron’s cartoons to raise a smile on World Book Day 2021

The Books Council of Wales is delighted to announce that Huw Aaron is the author of the new £1 Welsh-language book being published for World Book Day 2021. In his own distinctive style, the talented cartoonist and illustrator from Cardiff is creating Ha Ha Cnec for children young and old to enjoy on the next World Book Day, 4 March 2021. As the title suggests, the volume will be packed with jokes and cartoons along with some of Huw's unique characters. To celebrate the announcement of the...

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Remembering Jan Morris 1926–2020

On 20 November 2020, Wales lost one of its great literary figures following the death of Jan Morris at the age of 94. A journalist, novelist, travel writer and historian, she wrote more than 40 books during her lifetime, including Pax Britannica (Faber, 1968, 1973, 1978), a trilogy on the history of the British Empire; The Matter of Wales: Epic Views of a Small Country (Oxford University Press, 1984) and Conundrum (Faber & Faber, 2002), a memoir recording her transition from man to woman,...

Turning the page on support for children’s mental health

A new scheme is being launched in Wales to help children understand and manage their mental health and wellbeing through reading. The programme, which has been developed by leading health professionals alongside children and their families is being brought to Wales by UK charity, The Reading Agency in partnership with Welsh Government and public libraries. For World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10 October, The Reading Agency and public libraries rolled out Reading Well Books on...

New book titles published following writing and illustration courses at Tŷ Newydd

New book titles published following writing and illustration courses at Tŷ Newydd

Courses to develop new authors and illustrators, arranged by the Books Council of Wales and Literature Wales, are starting to bear fruit. During the past 12 months, a variety of books have been published or are due to be published by authors and illustrators who attended the courses held at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre in Llanystumdwy, Gwynedd. A course on Writing and Illustrating for Children was held during February 2019, and another on Writing for Young Adults in February 2020, with a total of...

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Local Bookshops that are Open and/or Selling Online – UPDATED

As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, bookshops in Wales have started to reopen their doors since Monday 22 June 2020. Many continue to sell online too, offering click and collect, postal or local delivery services. As lockdown restrictions begin to ease, bookshops in Wales have started to reopen their doors since Monday 22 June 2020. Many continue to sell online too, offering click and collect, postal or local delivery services. We’ve been pulling together information about the arrangements...

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Tribute to Emyr Humphreys 2019–2020

One of Wales’ literary greats, the author and poet Emyr Humphreys, died on Wednesday, 30 September 2020. Aged 101, his writing career spanned seven decades. Emyr Humphreys was an Honorary President of the Friends of the Books Council of Wales and a close friend of the Chair of the Books Council, Professor M. Wynn Thomas, who wrote this tribute. One of Wales’ literary greats, the author and poet Emyr Humphreys, died on Wednesday, 30 September 2020. Aged 101, his writing career spanned seven...

Seran Dolma’s idea for a novel for young adults takes first prize in Friends’ competition

Seran Dolma’s idea for a novel for young adults takes first prize in Friends’ competition

Seran Dolma from Penrhyndeudraeth is the winner of a competition organised by the Friends of the Books Council of Wales to find new ideas for Welsh-language novels for young adults. The news was announced on the Aled Hughes programme on BBC Radio Cymru on Tuesday, 29 September 2020. Seran, who has two children aged 8 and 3, receives a cash prize of £1,000 from the Friends, as well as the opportunity for advice on turning her idea into a published novel. The response to the competition was...

Summer of Reading for Children and Young People in Ceredigion

Summer of Reading for Children and Young People in Ceredigion

The first in a hundred packs of free books have been delivered to families across Ceredigion this week. In a new partnership between Ceredigion County Council, the Cambrian Rail Partnership and the Books Council of Wales, a selection of six books is being sent to 100 children and young people who receive support services through the local authority. The packs include reading books for different ages and interests, as well as coloured pencils and a range of activity sheets. The aim of the...

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Summer Reading Challenge 2020 launches today

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...

Tir na n-Og Awards for Byw yn fy Nghroen and Pobol Drws Nesaf

Tir na n-Og Awards for Byw yn fy Nghroen and Pobol Drws Nesaf

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...

Storm Hound scoops 2020 Tir na n-Og Award

Storm Hound scoops 2020 Tir na n-Og Award

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,...

Arad Goch actors bring Tir na n-Og books to life

Arad Goch actors bring Tir na n-Og books to life

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...

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Books Council of Wales Statement – 19 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. 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...

Quick Reads Released as Free Downloads

Quick Reads Released as Free Downloads

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...

Tir na n-Og Book Award Winners to be Announced in July

Tir na n-Og Book Award Winners to be Announced in July

The winners of the prestigious 2020 Tir Na n-Og Awards for children and young people’s literature are to be announced in July 2020. The winners of the prestigious 2020 Tir Na n-Og Awards for children and young people’s literature are to be announced in July 2020. The judges’ choice for the best book written in English with an authentic Welsh background will be revealed on the BBC Radio Wales Arts Show programme at 6.30pm on Friday 3 July 2020. The winning titles in the Welsh-language primary...

More Books on Mental Health Available in Welsh

More Books on Mental Health Available in Welsh

Award-winning author Matt Haig's memoir of living with depression has been translated into Welsh as part of the groundbreaking Reading Well Books on Prescription for mental health scheme. Award-winning author Matt Haig's memoir of living with depression has been translated into Welsh as part of the groundbreaking Reading Well Books on Prescription for mental health scheme. Regularly featured on best-seller lists, Matt Haig's Reasons to Stay Alive is among the latest collection of self-help...

Online Welsh Art Lessons for Children Attract Thousands of Views

Online Welsh Art Lessons for Children Attract Thousands of Views

A series of online art sessions for children by one of Wales’ leading cartoonists has been viewed more than 30,000 times since it was launched at the start of the school closures due to Coronavirus. A series of online art sessions for children by one of Wales’ leading cartoonists has been viewed more than 30,000 times since it was launched at the start of the school closures due to Coronavirus. Criw Celf is a partnership between Welsh children's magazines Cip and Mellten, illustrator Huw...

University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Books Council of Wales award PhD Scholarship in Children’s Literature

University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Books Council of Wales award PhD Scholarship in Children’s Literature

On International Children’s Books Day (April 2nd), the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) in partnership with the Books Council of Wales are delighted to announce that they have awarded a PhD scholarship in the internationalisation of children's literature to Megan Farr from Penarth. On International Children’s Books Day (April 2nd), the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) in partnership with the Books Council of Wales are delighted to announce that they have awarded a...

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Local Bookshops Selling Online

During these days of social distancing and self-isolation, many of us will be reaching for a good read. And while independent bookshops across Wales may have temporarily closed their doors in line with official guidelines, the good news is that many are still offering postal and online services. During these days of social distancing and self-isolation, many of us will be reaching for a good read. And while independent bookshops across Wales may have temporarily closed their doors in line with...

Make it YOUR World Book Day in 2023