An overview of bookish news and stories relevant to the Children’s Book Community in Wales
Award Winning Invertebrates
Invertebrates are Cool by Nicola Davies and Abbie Cameron (published by Graffeg) has won the English 4-11 Picture Book Award for non-fiction age 4-7.
The 4-11 Picture Book Awards are presented by the English Association to the best children’s picture books of the year. The winning books are chosen by the English Association and the United Kingdom Literary Association, from a shortlist selected by a panel of teachers and Primary specialists.
“A stunning book that encourages interest in the natural world and inspires children to explore their surroundings.” More details here. The book has also been shortlisted for the School Library Association’s Information Book Award.
Graffeg Announces Middle Grade from Wales Imprint
Graffeg recently announced plans for a new imprint focusing on Middle Grade books in English with uniquely Welsh content. The Cardiff-based publisher confirmed they are looking to identify high quality literary texts (both fiction and creative non-fiction) either set in Wales or involving characters from Wales, and which are preferably written by authors with strong connections to Wales.
‘Middle Grade is one of the most crowded areas of publishing’, commented Graffeg’s Publishing Director, Matthew Howard, ‘and there are already some tremendous books out there for readers in the 7-12 age group. But what we’d like to do is establish Wales as the true home of good writing and great storytelling, a place that children can see every day in the very best books they read.’
Graffeg aims to consider around 12 titles per year for publication and will begin the process of identifying suitable texts from May 2023, with the first publications planned for Spring 2024.
Firefly to Publish Exciting New Fiction from Wales
Three titles in a new series of contemporary fiction for children is forthcoming from Firefly Press. The titles include new stories set in Wales from Patience Agbabi, Zillah Bethell and Emma-Jane Smith-Barton. The books will publish from autumn 2024 onwards, and it is hoped that there will be at least another three in the series.
‘We felt there was a lack of children’s and YA stories that reflect what it is like to live in or grow up in Wales in recent times,’ said Thomas. ‘When we approached established authors about this, we were thrilled with the hugely positive reaction from writers who may never have been asked to write about this part of their experience before! We are also looking at publishing them simultaneously in Welsh, to ensure as wide a reach as possible. All this has been made possible by New Audiences Fund from Creative Wales and the Books Council of Wales, and we can’t wait to read the results!
Patience Agbabi said, ‘I’m delighted to be working on a young adult novel with Firefly. I first got into literature and popular culture at school in north Wales so I can’t wait to recreate that setting through my fictional protagonists.’
Emma-Jane Smith-Barton will be writing an illustrated story for 7-9 year olds. ‘As a Welsh-Pakistani woman I would have loved a book like this when I was growing up, to help me navigate the difficulties (and discover the beauty) of belonging to more than one culture, and I hope it will help children in a similar position to feel seen and less alone in that challenge.’
The first title will be by Zillah Bethell and centres on 17 year old Apricot Jones from Port Talbot. Zillah describes it as ‘a darkly comic tale of what it means to be alive’. Full story here.
Wales Book of the Year Shortlist Announced
Literature Wales recently revealed the books reaching the Wales Book of the Year 2023 shortlist.
The Wales Book of the Year Award is an annual prize celebrating outstanding literary talent from Wales across many genres and in both English and Welsh. There are four categories in each language – Poetry, Fiction, Creative Non-fiction, and Children & Young People, with one of the four category winners announced as the Overall Winner, and claiming the title Wales Book of the Year 2023.
The titles shortlisted in the Children & Young People category are:
The Mab, edited by Matt Brown and Eloise Williams, published by Unbound
The Last Firefox, written by Lee Newbery, illustrated by Laura Catalan, published by Puffin
When The War Came Home, written by Lesley Parr, published by Bloomsbury
There is one award decided by public vote – The People’s Choice Award 2023. You can place your vote here.
New Books Published in May
Grandads are the Greatest by Ben Faulks is illustrated by Swansea’s Nia Tudor and published by Bloomsbury. A joyous celebration of wonderful grandads and the love they have for their grandchildren – this is the perfect gift from grandparent to young grandchild.
Miracles, is the debut volume of poetry for children from Children’s Laureate Wales, Connor Allen. Published by Lucent Dreaming and illustrated by Amy Moody.
Bookworms Charts for May 2023
Coming in June 2023
