A Welsh language adaptation of Lee Newbery’s blazing debut novel, The Last Firefox (Y Llwynog Tân Olaf), leads a quartet of titles published this Autumn in a major new move by award-winning Welsh independent publishers Firefly Press. The others are adaptations of Firefly titles The Clockwork Crow (Y Frân Glocwaith) by former Wales Young People’s Laureate Catherine Fisher and non-fiction titles Fantastic Football (Pêl-Droed Penigamp) and Rampaging Rugby (Rygbi Rhempus) by Robin Bennett.
Publisher Penny Thomas said: ‘Following ten years of introducing young readers to quality fiction in English we are now at an exciting stage in our journey in adding Welsh language books to our catalogue with some wonderful titles. We couldn’t ask for better stories to start with than Y Llwynog Tân Olaf and Y Frân Glocwaith, and the crazy humour of Rygbi Rhempus and Pêl-Droed Penigamp. We’re delighted that Lee Newbery has joined our list of authors for the Welsh language edition of his debut title and very much looking forward to publishing four great books in Welsh this autumn!’
‘We’d like to say a big thank you to the adaptors, designers and everyone at the Books Council of Wales who gave wonderful support to these titles.’
Y Llwynog Tân Olaf is an enchanting fantasy adventure of how a boy finds inner strength by helping a magical creature. Heart and humour abound in this fun, fast-paced debut tale by Lee Newbery, illustrated by Laura Catalán, aimed at young readers age nine and upwards. The English version was released by Puffin Books earlier this year to critical acclaim and was a Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month. The Welsh language version has been translated by Siân Northey, capturing the beauty of this heart-warming tale which celebrates diversity and draws inspiration from Newbery’s own experience of going through the adoption process with his husband.
Lee Newbery commented: ‘As a Welsh speaker, it has always been one of my goals to have one of my books available in Welsh, so I’m thrilled that The Last Firefox has found a home at Firefly and found a great translator in Siân Northey. I can’t wait to see Y Llwynog Tân Olaf in bookshops, schools and libraries across the country and be available in both languages.’
The Clockwork Crow by renowned children’s fiction writer and poet Catherine Fisher, won the Tir na n’og Award and was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award. Set in a snowy Victorian mid Wales, it follows the story of orphan Seren and her magical adventures with a talking crow who may or may not be telling the truth. The Welsh adaptation, Y Frân Glocwaith, is by Mared Llwyd.
Fantastic Football (August 2022) and Rampaging Rugby (August 2021) were the first two in Firefly’s Stupendous Sports series by children’s writer and entrepreneur Robin Bennett. These books are packed with interesting facts, quiz questions, rules and tactics about both sports for young fans and players. They have been adapted by Elinor Wyn Reynolds and Ion Thomas respectively and will provide perfect gifts to entertain alongside the major Rugby and Football tournaments taking place this Autumn.
Award winning writer and football fan Manon Steffan Ros says in her introduction to Pêl-Droed Penigamp:
‘This book contains loads of fun facts about football that I didn’t know about at all — and I’m a football nut! Reading this book will make you sound smarter than the presenters of Sgorio and Match of the Day. So enjoy the read — and let’s all shout C’MON CYMRU!!’
