Jul 15, 2019
Get ready to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Summer Reading Challenge with Space Chase, a very special reading mission.
The Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, launched the challenge in Newtown Library on Friday, 12 July 2019, and was joined by popular author and illustrator Max Low.
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is Space Chase, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the moon landings. Endorsed by parents, teachers, the Welsh Books Council and Welsh Government, the Summer Reading Challenge reaches children and young people of all ages, with over 40,000 children taking part last year in Wales.
Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Welsh Books Council, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is an important and exciting initiative encouraging children to make time during the school summer holidays to read their favourite books. What is so fantastic is that you can take part in this challenge wherever you are – on holiday by the pool, in your bedroom or whilst you are sitting in your garden. I can’t wait to hear about what books you choose to read during the holidays and you can post your Summer Reading Challenge pictures on social media using the hashtag #SummerReadingChallenge.”
To take part in the Space Chase challenge, children can sign up for free at their local library, where they will be given their very own Space Chase mission folder to get them started. Those taking part must read at least six library books over the school summer holidays and collect stickers which will help them find aliens and complete the challenge.
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is a key event for the summer holidays and I know libraries, schools and children all over Wales look forward to it every year because we all know how important it is for children to keep reading over the summer holidays. I’m delighted that the Welsh Government can support libraries to run the Challenge and this year’s theme of space chase will certainly capture the imagination of children across Wales and encourage them to join in for an out of this world adventure.”
Children are encouraged to use the Summer Reading Challenge website to create a profile, chat about books, and get information on what books to read next, via the digital Book Sorter, which offers over 600,000 peer-to-peer children’s book recommendations in child-friendly categories.
Helen Jones, Head of Children’s Books and Reading Promotion at the Welsh Books Council and former primary school teacher, said: “We find that when children return to school after the summer holidays, some have taken a step back and have not come into contact with books for six weeks, which can have a detrimental impact on their development. Reading can impact how children discuss their emotions, as well as their ability to share ideas and to understand the world around them. My advice would be to make time every day for reading with your children, whether it be five minutes or an hour, and to make this part of a daily routine. This will have a positive impact all round and I urge families across Wales to take part in this fun Summer Reading Challenge.”
The challenge also offers volunteering opportunities for young people, including placements at libraries to inspire them to think about their futures and gain useful life skills. Last year, 134 young people aged between 12 and 24 chose to take part in volunteering opportunities.
The Summer Reading Challenge is the UK’s biggest annual reading promotion for children aged 4–11. Its aim is to encourage children to visit their local libraries and inspire them to read for pleasure. During last year’s challenge 663,851 children’s books were issued in libraries across Wales and over 3,000 children joined the library as new members.
Jul 1, 2019
On 25 and 26 June, scores of children from 34 schools across Wales took over the Arts Centre in Aberystwyth for two days of keen competition. It was the national round of Darllen Dros Gymru, the Welsh Books Council’s Welsh-language books competition for primary schools.
All pupils were competing for the prestigious title of Darllen Dros Gymru 2019 Champions. The national round is the culmination of reading activities across Wales, with the regional winners making it through to the final in Aberystwyth. The challenge involves discussing books and performing short dramatic presentations based on titles they have read, and this year’s eagle-eyed judges were Mair Heulyn Rees and Rhian Cadwaladr. As part of the day’s activities, the children and teachers had the opportunity to enjoy sessions in the company of actor and author Meilyr Siôn who inspired the avid readers with a presentation based on his latest novel, Hufen Afiach (Atebol). Rob Kenyon, a teacher at Ysgol Sant Baruc, Vale of Glamorgan, said “The pupils really enjoyed the whole experience of discussing and performing the books. It gives us the opportunity to develop literacy in a relevant and fun way. The chance to meet the author was the icing on the cake.” The competition for Years 3 and 4 took place on Tuesday, 25 June, and Ysgol Llannon, Carmarthenshire were crowned national champions as well as taking the trophy for the best presentation with their interpretation of Llanast by Mari Lovgreen (Gomer). Ysgol y Garnedd, Gwynedd, came second and also took home the award for best discussion group, with Ysgol y Wern, Cardiff, in third place. On Wednesday, 26 June, it was the turn of pupils from Years 5 and 6 to compete, with Ysgol Gymraeg Rhydaman, Carmarthenshire as overall champions as well as discussion award winners. Ysgol Pen Barras, Denbighshire, took second place as well as the trophy for best performace for their interpretation of Pren a Chansen by Myrddin ap Dafydd (Carreg Gwalch), with Ysgol Sant Baruc, Vale of Glamorgan in third position. Helen Jones, Head of the Children’s Books and Reading Promotion Department at the Welsh Books Council, said: “Darllen Dros Gymru is a great opportunity for children to reach for a book, read it and really enjoy its content. Children can use their imagination, dissect the book’s themes and discuss what’s happening in the story. Special thanks go to the dedicated organisers for their hard work in the county rounds, and to the teachers and supporters for ensuring the success of this event.” Thanks to the support of Gomer, Carreg Gwalch, Y Lolfa, and Rily Publications, every child who took part was invited to choose a free book to take home.
Jun 27, 2019
From 26 June, health professionals in Wales will be able to prescribe free library books to assist people in managing their mental health or dealing with difficult feelings and experiences in what experts behind the scheme are calling ‘bibliotherapy’.
The Reading Well Books on Prescription for mental health scheme has been developed by The Reading Agency and public libraries, leading health organisations including the Royal College of Psychiatrists, Mind, the Royal College of General Practitioners, the British Psychological Society and the Royal College of Nursing, as well as individuals who have personal experience of mental health needs and their relatives and carers. The scheme is being launched in Wales following its success in England which has seen 931,000 people borrow over 2 million Reading Well books from public libraries. Debbie Hicks, The Reading Agency’s Creative Director, said: “One in four of us will face a mental health issue at some point in our lives. Reading has proven power to help people manage their own mental health and wellbeing. We are delighted to be launching this life-changing programme in Wales, with many of the books available in Welsh for the first time, enabling the scheme to reach even more people.” Free copies of the books will be available to members of the public to borrow from all 22 public library authorities in Wales from 26 June, as well as supporting promotional material including leaflets containing the booklist. The Reading Agency is working with Welsh Books Council to translate most of the books into Welsh and all programme materials are bilingual. The books can be recommended by a health professional and borrowed free of charge from a local library, or users can self-refer and borrow the titles as they would any other library book. Professor Neil Frude, a consultant clinical psychologist and founder of the original Book Prescription Wales initiative, said: “Reading Well Books on Prescription for mental health in Wales is a useful and highly cost-effective additional resource for providing psychological help for many people across the principality. It is estimated that there are currently over 400,000 adults in Wales with a diagnosable mental condition. Thankfully there are several highly effective ways of delivering psychological help, including the use of self-help books written by expert clinicians, otherwise known as ‘bibliotherapy’. “The beauty of this scheme is that it recommends the very best books and delivers them freely through the public library service. In this way the scheme has the added benefit of bringing more people into the library, that precious community asset, where they will find many other resources that can help to boost their wellbeing, to build resilience and to thrive.” The collection of 37 books includes health information, self-help and inspirational personal stories such as Reasons to Stay Alive by award-winning author Matt Haig, which explores his personal experience of coming close to committing suicide at the age of 24, and The Recovery Letters, an anthology of heartfelt letters written by people who have recovered or are recovering from depression. Author Malan Wilkinson from Caernarfon, North Wales, an ambassador for Reading Well Books on Prescription for mental health said: “It’s been a year since I wrote my book about living with a mental health condition and it is true to say that reading and writing about my experiences has been invaluable for my own health. After six years of living with mental health problems, it’s wonderful to see this scheme being launched in Wales. Having this collection of 37 self-help books will be of great assistance to people across the country.” Ainsley Bladon, Mental Health Strategy Lead at Welsh Government, said: “The Reading Well scheme, funded by Welsh Government, presents a wonderful opportunity in Wales – to continue the legacy of our Book Prescription Wales scheme, to empower individuals to manage their own wellbeing using public health approaches, and, uniquely, to offer a full range of Welsh language titles in our libraries, representing one the biggest ever translation projects undertaken in Wales.” Nic Pitman at SCL Cymru said: “Public Libraries are vital community hubs for health and wellbeing support, and this list of expert-endorsed titles is another way we can support public health in Wales. SCL Cymru is enormously excited to work with The Reading Agency to deliver this programme that has been widely endorsed by health professionals as part of our drive to promote good mental health.” The scheme aims to make health information publications more readily available to members of the public. Reading Well Books on Prescription in Wales has been launched by The Reading Agency and Society of Chief Librarians Cymru and is funded by the Welsh Government. For more information about the Reading Well Books on Prescription for mental health visit: https://reading-well.org.uk/wales
Jun 27, 2019
The Welsh Books Council is delighted to announce the publication of the first Welsh-language adaptations of titles dealing with mental health from the Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme. Working with the translation company Testun, we have been able to translate the first four out of 20 selected books into Welsh in time for The Reading Agency’s launch of the scheme in Cardiff on 26 June. The books, published by Y Lolfa, are: Cyflwyniad i Ymdopi â Gorbryder Cyflwyniad i Ymdopi â Galar Cyflwyniad i Ymdopi ag Iselder Canllaw Bach Sheldon i Ffobia a Phanig Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Welsh Books Council, said, “Having books of this nature available in Welsh is of the utmost importance to us. It is a big project to bring into being, one that involves the hard work of many people – translators, editors, designers and publishers. We are thrilled that these first four books will be available in libraries and bookshops across Wales to offer help and support to readers. It is hoped that these books will inspire original work in the Welsh language, as well as offer advice and guidance to those wishing to use self-help reading to understand an array of mental health conditions.” For more information on these titles, please go to http://www.gwales.com/home/?lang=CY&tsid=2
Jun 6, 2019
Pupils from Cyfarthfa Park Primary, Methyr Tydfil, BookSlam 2019 winners. A team of avid readers from Cyfarthfa Park Primary School, Merthyr Tydfil, have been crowned the 2019 Champions of BookSlam, the Welsh Books Council’s annual reading competition for children. The national round, held recently at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, saw hundreds of pupils from primary schools throughout Wales competing for the national championship. Their task was to impress the judges in two rounds, namely a 10-minute discussion and an 8-minute dramatic presentation based on their chosen books. At the end of an exciting day, Cyfarthfa Park Primary School, Merthyr Tydfil, was crowned the overall BookSlam Champions, having impressed the discussion judge with their knowledge of the book Flight by Vanessa Harbour. In the presentation round they performed their own interpretation of Rugby Zombies by Dan Anthony. During the day’s activities, children and teachers also enjoyed a fantastic presentation by author Shoo Rayner. The adjudicators this year were Pam John for the discussions and Anna Sherratt for the presentations. Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Welsh Books Council, said: “The aim of BookSlam is to get children from all over Wales reading. By discussing and performing what they have read, the pupils gain a deeper understanding of some of the wonderful children’s books we have here in Wales. It was a great pleasure to see the youngsters brimming with enthusiasm during the national round of BookSlam, and our thanks go to the dedicated and hard-working county organisers, teachers and other supporters that make these events possible.” The 2019 runners-up were Ysgol Penllwyn, Ceredigion with Christ the King R C, Cardiff and Franksbridge, Powys Primary Schools in joint third position. Thanks to the support of Welsh publishers every child who took part in the competition was invited to choose a free book to take home as a memento of the day.
May 30, 2019
The winners of the 2019 Tir na n-Og Welsh-language awards were announced at this year’s Urdd National Eisteddfod at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, on Thursday, May 30.
The winners of the 2019 Tir na n-Og Welsh-language awards were announced at this year’s Urdd National Eisteddfod at the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, on Thursday, May 30. Winners of the primary category are Elin Meek from Carmarthen and Valériane Leblond from Llangwyryfon for Cymru ar y Map (Rily), a stunning picture atlas that portrays Wales at its best. Winner of the secondary category is Manon Steffan Ros with Fi a Joe Allen (Y Lolfa), a story that recreates the excitement of Euro 2016 as we follow the story of Marc Huws and his father on their unforgettable adventure. Chair of the judging panel, Bethan Mair, said, “We were in no doubt that the primary category prize should go to Cymru ar y Map – the decision was unanimous. Here is a truly original book, innovative, excellent and beautifully illustrated, that combines many aspects of language, history, geography, culture, heritage and art of Wales, suitable not only for primary pupils but for all ages.” She continued, “Bethan Gwanas recently noted in her blog that we as judges didn’t share this year’s shortlisted books into primary and secondary age groups. The truth is that we found it very difficult to do so as many of the titles under consideration could bridge both categories. One thing became obvious – that Fi a Joe Allen was a story that touched us deeply.” Bethan Mair added, “I’m sure that some people will think us mad for not awarding the prize to Llyfr Glas Nebo, considering the praise already heaped upon this captivating book. My response is this: If you have enjoyed any of Manon’s previous books, read Fi a Joe Allen – whatever your age – and make up your own mind!” Earlier this month, the Tir na n-Og English category prize was awarded for the second time to Catherine Fisher, this time for her book The Clockwork Crow, published by Firefly.
May 16, 2019
A magical mystery of snow and stars by a master storyteller.
In a prestigious event held at the School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University on 16 May, as part of the CILIP Wales Conference (Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals), this year’s award was presented to Catherine Fisher for her novel The Clockwork Crow, published by Firefly Press. Since its inception in 1976 the Welsh Books Council has annually celebrated the best English-language title with an authentic Welsh background. The Clockwork Crow is a gripping tale of enchantment and belonging, set in a frost-bound mansion in snowy mid-Wales, When Seren Rhys is given a newspaper parcel by a stranger late at night in a freezing Victorian train station, she has no idea of what trouble it contains. Catherine Fisher is an acclaimed poet and children’s author who lives in Newport. She graduated from the University of Wales with a degree in English and has worked in education and archaeology and as a lecturer in creative writing at the University of Glamorgan. She is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy and in 2013 was appointed the inaugural Young People’s Laureate for Wales. Catherine has won many awards and received much critical acclaim for her work including the 1995 Tir Na n-Og Award for The Candleman. The Clockwork Crow was the winner of Wales Arts Review’s Welsh Books for Young People 2018 and was shortlisted for this year’s Blue Peter Book Awards. Sioned Jacques, Chair of the Tir na n-Og English-language Panel, noted “This novel was considered by the panel to be imaginative, beautifully descriptive, captivating and derivative of many classic titles such as C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia. Yet it is still unique and typical of the high quality expected from an exceptionally talented author such as Catherine Fisher.” She added “The main character is written in such a way as to make the reader want to be her and to feel empathy for her. It is well-edited with beautiful illustrations and contains some wonderfully atmospheric descriptions of the Welsh countryside.” Catherine Fisher said, “I’m delighted to win the Tir na n-Og Prize. The Clockwork Crow is a novel that uses Welsh folklore and is set in a Welsh landscape. But I also hope that, as all imaginative fiction should, it will appeal to all readers everywhere.” According to Helgard Krause, Chief Executive of the Welsh Books Council, “All the titles shortlisted for this year’s Tir na n-Og award were of an exceptionally high standard, reflecting the quality of books available for children and young adults at present. It is with great pleasure that we warmly congratulate Catherine Fisher and Firefly Press on their achievement.” The Tir na n-Og English-language Award – which recognises the exceptional quality of books with a Welsh background for children and young adults – is sponsored annually by CILIP Wales. The event began with an entertaining panel discussion in the company of all shortlisted authors and chaired by broadcaster and author Lucy Owen. A crew of avid young readers were invited to quiz the authors as part of this year’s shadowing scheme. Free resource packs were also available online so that schools could adopt the role of unofficial judges. The winning titles in the primary and secondary Welsh-language categories will be revealed on 30 May at the 2019 Cardiff and the Vale Urdd National Eisteddfod at The Millennium Centre, Cardiff.
May 13, 2019
Full programme details for this year’s Montgomeryshire Literary Festival have been released, featuring a stellar line up of leading authors including Horatio Clare, Sir Simon Jenkins and Clare Mackintosh.
Press Release Now in its second year, the 2019 Monty Lit Fest will take place over the weekend of 14-16th June in the stunning and historic setting of Gregynog Hall, near Newtown. As with last year’s inaugural Festival, the event celebrates authors with personal and literary links with Wales and the Welsh borders:
- • Hear Simon Jenkins’ often controversial views on Welsh architecture.
- • Meet bestselling author, Clare Mackintosh, who will be talking about her work and her brand-new novel, After the End.
- • Find out how mid-Wales has inspired, and continues to inspire, authors as wide ranging as Alan Garner and Tom Bullough.
- • Listen to stories of Horatio Clare’s writing adventures around the world, and how they have influenced his work.
- • Learn from Andrew Green how the history of Wales can be told through 100 of its most significant objects – and see some of them for yourself.
- • Ponder an alternative outcome to the D-Day landings with military historian, Peter Caddick-Adams.
- • Be inspired by the winners of the 2019 New Welsh Review Writing Awards in conversation with author Cynan Jones and NWR editor, Gwen Davies.
…and more. Budding authors can take advantage of two lunchtime sessions, one with top literary agent Cathryn Summerhayes and the second a hands-on working lunch with Gwen Davies and Julia Forster of New Welsh Review. Festival founder, Simon Baynes, said: ‘I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring to this year’s Festival such a range of literary talent. From bestselling thriller writers to writers in Welsh; from Welsh architecture to ‘what if’ military history; from Powys in fiction to the newest Welsh writing talent, this year’s Festival really does have something for everyone. We’re also delighted to be teaming up with Gregynog Hall, a fitting backdrop for a weekend of stories and readings, debate and literary delights.’ The Festival will also shortly release its children’s programme, featuring sessions with authors and illustrators and supervised trails through the Gregynog grounds. Accommodation for the weekend, as well as a fine array of food and drink, is available at Gregynog Hall. And, once again, the Festival bookshop will be run by Oswestry’s Booka Bookshop. How to find out more Online ticket sales and full programme details are available via the Festival’s website: https://montylitfest.wordpress.com/tickets/ . For more information about the programme, interview requests, speaker biographies and photographs, contact: baynes@bodfach.com. Press passes are available for the weekend. Please contact baynes@bodfach.com. About us The Montgomeryshire Literary Festival is run by the Montgomeryshire Literary Festival Trust. It aims to celebrate writing in Wales and the Welsh borders, with an annual festival circulating through key locations in Montgomeryshire. The inaugural 2018 Festival took place at Bodfach Hall, Llanfyllin and, in 2020, the Festival will take place in the town of Montgomery. https://montylitfest.wordpress.com
May 10, 2019
Literature Wales has today announced which titles have been shortlisted for both the English and Welsh-language Wales Book of the Year Awards 2019. Literature Wales has today announced which titles have been shortlisted for both the English and Welsh-language Wales Book of the Year Awards 2019. The Award is presented annually to the best works in the fields of creative writing and literary criticism in three categories: Poetry, Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction. This year’s Short Lists include some of Wales’ leading writers. Collectively they have won a range of literary prizes including: the Somerset Maugham Award, Sunday Times Business Book of the Year, the Orange Prize, Terry Hetherington Young Writers Award, the Costa Poetry Award, the Branford Boase Award, National Eisteddfod Chairs, Crowns and Medals for poetry, prose and drama, and last but not least, the Wales Book of the Year Award. Going head-to-head with established literary giants are some of Wales’ most exciting debut writers. The English-language Short List 2019 titles are: Roland Mathias Poetry Award Insistence, Ailbhe Darcy (Bloodaxe Books Ltd.) Salacia, Mari Ellis Dunning (Parthian Books) Gen, Jonathan Edwards (Seren) Aberystwyth University Fiction Award Arrest Me, for I Have Run Away, Stevie Davies (Parthian Books) West, Carys Davies (Granta Publications) Sal, Mick Kitson (Canongate Books) Creative Non-Fiction Award Moneyland, Oliver Bullough (Profile Books) The light in the dark: A winter journal, Horatio Clare (Elliott & Thompson) Having a go at the Kaiser: A Welsh family at war, Gethin Matthews (University of Wales Press) The English-language judges are: Sandeep Parmar, poet and Professor of English Literature at Liverpool University; Louise Holmwood Marshall, Head of the English and Creative Writing Department of Aberystwyth University; and novelist and Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing at Birkbeck College, University of London Russell Celyn Jones. On behalf of the judging panel, Louise Holmwood-Marshall said: “The range and quality of the entries demonstrates, yet again, the incredible talent of Welsh writers and the cultural contribution that authors from and of Wales make to the country’s long-established literary heritage. The 2019 shortlist illustrates not only an incredible breadth and variety of writing but also the significance of the stories of Wales to a global readership.” The Welsh-language judging panel for Wales Book of the Year 2019 are: poet and 2017 Wales Book of the Year winner, Idris Reynolds for his memoir of Dic Jones, Darn o Haul Draw yn Rhywle: Cofio Dic (Gwasg Gomer); popular broadcaster and sports author, Dylan Ebenezer; and the Aberystwyth University’s Head of Welsh and Celtic Studies Cathryn Charnell-White. The Welsh-language Short List titles are: Gwobr Farddoniaeth Twt Lol, Emyr Lewis (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch) Cyrraedd a cherddi eraill, Alan Llwyd (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas) Stafell fy Haul, Manon Rhys (Cyhoeddiadau Barddas) Gwobr Ffuglen Prifysgol Aberystwyth Ynys Fadog, Jerry Hunter (Y Lolfa) Llyfr Glas Nebo, Manon Steffan Ros (Y Lolfa) Esgyrn, Heiddwen Tomos (Y Lolfa) Gwobr Ffeithiol- Greadigol Cymru mewn 100 Gwrthrych, Andrew Green (Gwasg Gomer) Cymru Ddu a’r Ddalen Wen, Lisa Sheppard (Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru) Rhyddhau’r Cranc, Malan Wilkinson (Y Lolfa) Lleucu Siencyn, Chief Executive of Literature Wales said: “These exceptional titles encourage readers to explore and consider some of life’s biggest questions. Mental health and identity – both personal and national – flow through these selections. This is contemporary Welsh writing at its very finest.” To read more about the shortlisted titles and their authors, visit www.literaturewales.org. The winners of this prestigious award will be announced at an Award Ceremony held at Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Thursday 20 June, where a total prize fund of £12,000 will be distributed to the winning writers. Each category winner will receive a prize of £1,000, and the main award winners in each language will receive an additional £3,000. Each winner will also receive a specially commissioned trophy created by the artist Angharad Pearce Jones. Tickets for the Award Ceremony are £7.50 (£5 concessions) and can be purchased via the Aberystwyth Arts Centre website. At the Award Ceremony both the People’s Choice Award and Gwobr Barn y Bobl (the Welsh-language people’s prize) will also be presented to the reading public’s favourite title from the Short List. Visit the Wales Arts Review website to vote for your favourite English-language title: www.walesartsreview.org. The Welsh-language poll is hosted by Golwg360: www.golwg360.com For further information on the Wales Book of the Year Award visit: www.literaturewales.org/wales-book-year
