Chwilio

*Scroll down for English* Ffordd hwyl, lliwgar o drafod pryderon â phlant ifanc. A fun, colourful way of discussing worries and stress with children. Dyma fideo o'r e-lyfr yn cael ei ddarllen i chi gael blas. Diolch Rily! Here's a video of the e-book being read for you to get a peak. Thanks Rily! ‘Da ni’n byw mewn cyfnod ansicr iawn. Yn wir, cyfnod na welwyd ei fath o’r blaen. Mewn mater o wythnosau aeth bywyd o fod yn weddol ‘normal’ i gael ei droi wyneb i waered. Aeth y routines sefydledig (pethau ’da ni’n dibynnu arnyn nhw) allan drwy’r ffenest. Dwi’n cofio meddwl nôl ym mis Mawrth 2020, “Duwcs, fydd hyn ddim rhy ddrwg – mi fydd petha nôl fel oedden nhw cyn pen dim.” Pa mor naïf o’n i?! Un o sgil effeithiau’r pandemig yw’r niwed mae’r cyfnod clo wedi’i gael ar ein hiechyd meddwl yn gyffredinol, ac mae wedi bod yn gyfnod anodd iawn i blant a phobl ifanc yn enwedig. Heb sôn am y diflastod o fod yn gaeth i’r tŷ am fisoedd, mae peidio cael mynd i’r ysgol a gweld ffrindiau wedi bod yn anodd tu hwnt. Gyda straeon am Covid-19 ar y cyfryngau pob awr o’r dydd, a newid mawr i’r drefn arferol, nid yw’n syndod fod nifer o blant yn bryderus iawn am y sefyllfa. Amserol iawn felly, yw addasiad hynod o liwgar Llinos Dafydd o Everybody Worries gan Jon Burgerman. I blant ifanc, mae’n bur debyg fod y sefyllfa’n ddryslyd iawn. Pam na cha i fynd allan i chwarae Mam? Pam ga i ddim parti pen-blwydd? Pryd dwi’n cael gweld Nain? Dwi’n siŵr fod nifer o rieni ac athrawon wedi derbyn sawl cwestiwn tebyg gan blant dros y misoedd diwethaf. Mae plant ifanc yn gallu cael trafferth esbonio eu teimladau ar lafar, a’r gobaith yw y bydd y llyfr hwn yn adnodd gwerthfawr i’w helpu i brosesu’r hyn sy’n digwydd yn y byd o’u cwmpas. Does yna ’run llyfr yn mynd i guro sgwrs iawn efo mam, dad neu aelod o’r teulu, ond gall y llyfr hwn agor y drws i drafodaethau a chwestiynau pellach - sy’n gorfod bod yn beth da. Dyma adnodd defnyddiol sydd ar gael i roi cychwyn ar sgwrs rhwng oedolyn a phlentyn, neu i annog sgwrs bellach. Yn hytrach na dweud fod poeni yn beth drwg ac yn rhywbeth i’w guddio, mae’r llyfr yn annog bod yn agored ac yn cymryd camau tuag at normaleiddio’r teimladau dryslyd yma. Mae pawb yn yr un cwch - weithiau fe gawn ni ddyddiau da, a thro arall cawn ddyddiau sydd ddim cystal. Dwi’n falch fod y llyfr hefyd yn cynnig strategaethau ar gyfer delio â theimladau o ofid a’i fod yn tynnu sylw at y ffaith fod rhwydwaith o gymorth ar gael i’n helpu pan mae’r felan arnom ni. Mae’n hollbwysig lledaenu’r neges fod rhannu problem yn llawer gwell na’i guddio. “Down drwyddi gyda’n gilydd,” meddai llinell ola’r llyfr. Amen i hynny. We’re living in very uncertain times, people. The likes of which we have never seen before. In a matter of weeks life went from being fairly 'normal’ to being turned upside down. The established routines (things we rely on deeply) went out the window. I remember thinking back in March 2020, "This won't be too bad – won’t be too long now." How naïve of me! One of the effects of the pandemic is the toll that lockdown’s taken on our mental health in general, and it's been a very difficult time for children and young people in particular. Not only the boredom of being house-bound for months, but not being allowed to go to school and see friends has been extremely challenging. With stories about Covid-19 on our screens constantly, and the major disruption to routines, its hardly surprising that many children are very concerned about the situation. This book, a colourful adaptation by Llinos Dafydd of Jon Burgerman’s Everybody Worries, is a timely arrival to our bookshelves. For young children, the situation is probably very confusing. Why can't I go out to play Mum? Why can't I have a birthday party? When can I see Nain? I'm sure that a number of parents and teachers have received several similar questions from children over the last few months. Young children can struggle to explain their feelings sometimes, and this book will be a valuable resource to help them process what’s happening in the world around them. No book could ever replace a valuable conversation with Mum, Dad or another family member, but this book can open the door to further discussions and questions - which must be a good thing. This is an useful resource available to start a conversation between adult and child. Instead of saying that worrying is a bad thing and something to hide, the book encourages openness and takes steps towards normalising these confusing feelings. We’re all in the same boat - sometimes we have good days, and other days not so good. I’m pleased that the book also offers some strategies for dealing with feelings of stress and anxiety and that it highlights the network of support available to help us when we’re a bit down. It’s vital to spread the message that a problem shared is a problem solved (hopefully!) "We can overcome anything when we’re there for each other.” Couldn’t have said it better myself. Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Rily Cyhoeddwyd/published: 2021 Pris: £6.99 ISBN: 9781849675192

*Scroll down for English* Genre: #ffuglen #ffantasi #gwreiddiol #arddegau / #fiction #fantasy #original #teen Negeseuon positif/positive messages: ◉◉◉◎◎ Themau trist,anodd/upsetting, tough themes: ◎◎◎◎◎ Trais, ofn/violence, scary: ◎◎◎◎◎ Iaith gref/language: ◎◎◎◎◎ Rhyw/sex: ◎◎◎◎◎ Hiwmor/humour: ◉◉◎◎◎ Her darllen/reading difficulty: ◉◉◉◎◎ Gwaith celf/illustrations: Jac Jones Wrthi’n sortio’r silff lyfra Cymraeg yn y dosbarth oeddwn i, pan ddes i ar draws un o glasuron Cyfres Corryn doeddwn i heb weld ers pan o’n i yn yr ysgol fy hun - Cyfrinach Betsan Morgan gan Gwenno Hywyn. Mae’n gywilydd gen i ddeud fy mod i wedi cysidro ei daflu am amrantiad, ond mi ddes i at fy nghoed reit handi, ac mi gafodd o aros, a diolch byth am hynny. Efallai fod y clawr braidd yn hen ffasiwn, ond mae’r stori lawn cystal heddiw ag oedd hi ym 1986! A dweud y gwir, yr unig beth sy’n dyddio’r llyfr ydi’r mullets sydd gan yr oedolion (a ma heina’n due am comeback meddan nhw!) Dyma stori ddirgel gyda dipyn o dwist ffantasiol dda iawn gan y diweddar Gwenno Hywyn, ac er y dywedir ei fod ar gyfer yr arddegau, dwi’n meddwl ei fod o’n champion i’r grŵp oedran 9-11. Yn y stori, dydi Betsan ddim yn edrych ymlaen at fynd ar drip preswyl i Blas yr Hydd. Mae ei ffrind gorau, Lowri, wedi jibio, sy’n golygu fod rhaid iddi fynd ar ei phen ei hun i ganol llwyth o blant dieithr. OMB alla i ddim dychmygu dim byd gwaeth! Yn fuan ar ôl iddi gyrraedd Plas yr Hydd, mae pethau go ryfedd yn dechrau digwydd, ac mae fel petai Betsan yn gallu teithio’n ôl drwy amser, neu weld ôl-fflachiau o’r gorffennol. Sut mae hyn i gyd yn cysylltu â’r gadwyn arbennig gafodd hi gan ei Mam? Beth yw arwyddocâd y llythrennau E.W. arni? A tybed fydd Betsan yn gallu datrys dirgelwch trysor coll Plas yr Hydd? Bydd rhaid i chi fynd i chwilio am gopi o’r llyfr i gael gwybod y gyfrinach. Mi ges innau brofiad o deithio’n ôl trwy amser wrth ddarllen y llyfr. Roedd y stori’n fy atgoffa o fynd ar drip ysgol i Glan Llyn - y cyffro mawr ar noson y disgo, y genod yn glamio a’r bechgyn yn dangos eu hunain gyda’u moves ar y dancefloor. Dyma stori sy’n symud ar garlam, ac mae’r dirgelwch yn cynnal ein diddordeb drwy'r nofel. Roedd yr elfennau ffantasi yn cryfhau’r stori ac yn ychwanegu elfen o antur. Mae’r iaith a ddefnyddir yn hawdd i’w darllen ac yn grêt os am fwynhau stori heb orfod poeni am eiriau anodd. Mae'n amlwg fod yr awdur yn feistr ar sgwennu stori sy’n cydio heb or-gymhlethu’r plot. Fel trysor coll Plas yr Hydd, mae’n chwith gen i feddwl am gopïau o’r llyfr yma’n cuddio mewn hen gypyrddau, a neb yn cofio amdanyn nhw. Ewch da chi i chwilota am gopi! Yn anffodus, mae’r nofel wedi bod allan o brint ers blynyddoedd, ond gyda’r prinder presennol o lyfrau da ar gyfer yr oedran 7-11, tybed a fyddai modd iddi gael ei hail-gyhoeddi? It was just by pure chance that I spotted this book whilst I was sorting out the Welsh bookshelf in the classroom one evening. This classic, which was part of the Cyfres Corryn book series was one I had not laid eyes on since I was at school myself - Cyfrinach Betsan Morgan by the late Gwenno Hywyn. I'm ashamed to come that for a split second, I almost got rid of it, but thankfully, I came to my senses and kept hold of it. The cover might be a tad plain and old-fashioned by today’s standards, but the story inside is just as good today as it was in 1986! In fact, the only thing that dates the book at all really is the mullets that the adults have on them (and even they’re due a comeback any day now!) This is a bit of a mystery story with some fantasy twists thrown in for good measure. Although the novel is listed on some websites as a teens book, it’s definitely ok for the 9-11 age group. Betsan really isn’t looking forward to going on a residential trip to Plas yr Hydd. Her best friend, Lowri, has bailed on her, which means that she’s the only one going from her school, and she’ll have to spend the time with loads of new people she’s never met. Personally, I can’t think of anything worse! Shortly after she arrives at Plas yr Hydd, strange things begin to happen, and it’s as if Betsan can travel back through time, or at the very least starts to see flashbacks from a bygone era. How does it all link to the special necklace she just got from her Mother? What is the significance of the initials E.W? Will Betsan be able to solve the mystery of Plas yr Hydd's lost treasure? You’ll have to try and find a copy if you’re ever going to know her secret! To be fair, I did a bit of time travel myself whilst reading, as it took me back to those halcyon days going to Glan Llyn on school trips. I remember there was always a big buzz when it came to the night of the disco- the girls glamming up, and the lads trying to impress with their best efforts on the dancefloor… Good memories. This is a fast-moving story, and the mystery sustains our interest throughout. The fantasy element strengthened the story and added a bit of adventure and gave us a satisfying conclusion. This is a relatively short novel with language that is easy to read - perfect if you want to enjoy a story without having to worry about difficult words. It’s clear that the author is a master of crafting a catchy story without resorting to over-complicated plotlines. Similar to the lost treasure of Plas yr Hydd, I hate to think of old copies of this book stuck in cupboards in schools across Wales, with no one to enjoy them. Go on, go and have a look to see if there’s a copy lurking on your bookshelf. Unfortunately, the novel has been out of print for years, but with a current shortage of juicy books for the 7-11 age group, I reckon now’s a good time for this one to be re-published so it can be enjoyed by another generation… Gwasg/publisher: Gomer Cyhoeddwyd/released: 1986, 1993 Pris: DIM AR GAEL/ OUT OF PRINT *os ydych yn awyddus i ddarllen y llyfr - holwch eich llyfrgell leol If you're keen to read it - enquire in your local library, they may have a copy

*Scroll down for English* “Dylai hwn ddod yn glasur modern. Beiddgar, difyr a doniol.” EOIN COLFER Addasiad Cymraeg/Welsh adaptation: Mari Lisa Oed diddordeb/interest age: 5-9 Oed darllen/reading age: 6-9 Os ddarllenoch chi fy adolygiad o’r llyfr cyntaf [yma] mi fyddwch chi’n gwybod pa mor impressed o’n i gyda'r gyfrol gyntaf, ac wrth reswm felly, roedd gen i obeithion mawr am yr ail lyfr, Y Gwningen a’r Arth: Beth yn y Byd? Be ti’n feddwl o’r llyfr ’llu? Mae’r gyfres, sy’n bartneriaeth dda rhwng yr awdur, Julian Gough, a’r arlunydd, Jim Field, yn pontio rhwng llyfrau llun a llyfrau pennod - perffaith ar gyfer darllenwyr newydd (6-8 oed). Er ei fod yn fach o ran maint, dyma lyfr sylweddol gyda bron i 100 o dudalennau felly oes, mae ’na dipyn go lew o waith darllen yma! Mae’r ffont yn fras ac yn hawdd i’w ddarllen, ac mae’r tudalennau’n drwchus ac o ansawdd da; dydi inc y dudalen flaenorol ddim yn dangos drwy’r papur (pethau bach, ond pwysig, credwch chi fi!). Welsoch chi ’rioed lyfr plant gyda gwaith celf mor anhygoel a thrawiadol? Er mod i’n gwybod y nesa peth at ddim am dynnu llun (dim clem pa ddulliau mae o’n eu defnyddio, sori) dwi’n gwybod digon i ddweud: os faswn i’n ’sgwennu llyfr i blant, faswn i’n gofyn i Jim Field wneud y lluniau! Be sy’n digwydd yn y stori ’ta? Tydi Cwningen ddim wedi newid llawer ers y llyfr cyntaf, ac unwaith eto mae’n deffro mewn hwyliau drwg. Ar ôl ffeindio uninvited guest yn ei gartref, mae sŵn byddarol cnocell y coed yn ei wylltio’n fwy. Diolch byth fod Arth, ei ffrind doeth, o gwmpas i helpu i dawelu’r dyfroedd. I fyny yng nghanghennau'r coed, llwydda Arth i ddangos i Cwningen sut i weld pethau mewn ffordd wahanol ac i sylweddoli fod y byd yn fwy na fo a’i broblemau. A fydd o’n gwrando ar gyngor ei ffrind...?! Be oeddet ti’n licio am y stori? Mae’n amlwg fod Cwningen yn cael trafferth rheoli ei deimladau, ac mae ganddo broblem â’i dymer sy’n achosi iddo geisio brifo pobl eraill ar brydiau. Gyda help ei ffrindiau, daw i sylweddoli nad yw bod yn flin yn gwneud iddo deimlo’n well. Un o brif negeseuon y llyfr yw y daw pethau’n well wrth edrych ar y byd o bersbectif gwahanol ac y dylid ceisio derbyn pethau fel maen nhw weithiau yn lle brwydro yn eu herbyn - cyngor da i ni gyd! Fedrwch chi ddim rheoli a newid y byd mawr sydd o’n cwmpas, ond mi fedrwch chi wneud newidiadau bach i’ch bywyd eich hun. Be fasa’n gallu bod yn well? Y gwir ydi, roedd y llyfr cyntaf MOR dda, mae’n anodd iawn ei guro. Rhaid i mi gyfaddef na wnes i fwynhau’r llyfr yma gymaint â’r un cyntaf. Ydi, mae o’n dal i wneud i chi wenu, ond ella bod elfen o hwyl a chyffro’r cyntaf ar goll y tro yma. Mi fasa rhai o’r negeseuon (sy’n eithaf cymhleth a profound) wedi gallu bod yn gliriach. Dyfarniad? Er bod y llyfr braidd yn hir, un peth sy’n sicr - mae o’n llawn negeseuon hynod o bwysig i bawb, (plant ac oedolion!) ond yn enwedig i’r rheiny sy’n bryderus neu sy'n cael trafferthion rheoli eu teimladau. Cyfle gwerthfawr i sgwrsio am deimladau a strategaethau dygymod. Dyma pam dwi’n meddwl fod cyd-ddarllen y stori ag oedolyn yn well yn yr achos yma. If you read my review of the first book [here] you’ll know how impressed I was with the first book, so naturally, I had high hopes for the second book, Y Gwningen a’r Arth: Beth yn y Byd? What do you think of it then? The series is a great partnership between the author, Julian Gough, and artist, Jim Field, the books act as a sort of bridge between picture books and chapter books - perfect for emergingindependent readers (aged 6-8ish). Despite being small in size, make no mistake, this is quite a substantial book clocking in at almost a100 pages! The font is large, clear and easy to read, and the pages feel of high quality – what gives it away is the fact that you can’t see the previous page showing through. (little things, yes, but important, believe me!) Have you seen a children's book with such incredibly impressive artwork? Now, I’ll admit I don’t know the first thing about art, so I can’t tell you which techniques were used, but what I do know is, if I was writing a children’s book – I’d be asking Jim Field to draw the pictures! So what happens? Rabbit hasn't changed much since the first book, and yet again he wakes up in a foul mood. After discovering an uninvited guest in his rabbit-hole, the loud drilling noise of a woodpecker winds him up even more. Thankfully, his wise friend, Arth, is around to help to cool things down. High up in the branches, Bear shows Rabbit how to see things in a different way and makes him realise the world is vast - much bigger than him and his problems (Rabbit is a little self-obsessed isn’t he?) Will he listen to the advice of his friends...?! What did you like about the story? Rabbit clearly struggles to control his emotions, and has a problem with his temper which causes him to lash out sometimes. With the help of his friends, he comes to realise that being angry doesn't make him feel any better. One of the book's main messages is that things can be better when you learn to see the world from a different perspective. Sometimes, accepting things as they are is preferable to fighting against them (a good bit of advice for us all, I’d say) You can’t always control others and change the world, but you can make small changes to your own life. What could be better? The thing is, the first book was SO good, it really is a tough act to follow. I must admit that I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first one. Yes, it still makes you smile, but I can’t help but feel that some of the fun and excitement of the original is missing. Some of the messages were quite complex and rather profound, and perhaps could have been clearer. Final verdict? Although the book felt a tad long, one thing is certain - it is full of extremely important messages for everyone, but especially for those who are struggling with their anger, and it does offer a valuable opportunity to chat about emotions and coping strategies. It is for this reason that I think reading the story with an adult is more beneficial. Gwasg/cyhoeddwr: Atebol Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £6.99 ISBN: 9781913245290

*Scroll down for English* Addasiad/adaptation: Elin Meek Oed diddordeb/interest age: 2-5 Mae’r defaid i gyd wedi gwirioni gyda Blodwen. A dweud y gwir, maen nhw’n meddwl mai hi yw’r ddafad orau maen nhw erioed wedi gweld... does ‘na ond un broblem... Mae gan y ddafad yma gynffon hir a dannedd miniog... O diar. Mae’r awdur, Morag Hood, wedi creu llyfr doniol iawn wedi’i seilio ar yr hen ddywediad Beiblaidd ‘A Wolf in sheep’s clothing.’ Er bod y defaid yn meddwl y byd o Blods, mae ganddi hi syniadau eraill- sef gweithio ar rysáit arbennig sy’n defnyddio saws mintys! Dwi’n meddwl ein bod ni gyd yn gwybod be sydd ganddi dan sylw ac mae gennym ni berffaith hawl i fod yn ddrwgdybus o Brenda a’i chynlluniau. Gan ein bod ni fel darllenwyr yn gwybod rhywbeth dydi’r cymeriadau ddim (nad dafad yw Blodwen go iawn), mae gan y stori elfen o hwyl y pantomeim - fel y darn ‘na lle mae pawb yn gweiddi “Oh no he isn’t!... oh yes he is!!” Dyma stori glyfar gyda thipyn o grim humour fydd yn siŵr o apelio at ddarllenwyr ifanc a’u rhieni fel ei gilydd. Sgwn i os fydd y defaid yn gallu perswadio Blodwen i droi’n llysieuwr cyn bod hi’n rhy hwyr...!? Yn ogystal â stori sy’n cydio, mae arlunwaith Morag yn effeithiol iawn, ac yn reit wahanol i lyfrau mwy traddodiadol, gyda’r defnydd o oren a gwyrdd llachar. Gallwch fwynhau’r stori ar lefel syml, ond mae sawl thema a neges yn cuddio yno hefyd megis mistaken identity, twyll, cynhwysiad, y gadwyn fwyd a’r ffaith fod gan bobl yr hawl i uniaethu fel unrhyw beth maen nhw’n dymuno. Roedd ‘na hyd yn oed ddiweddglo hapus sy’n dangos cyfeillgarwch annisgwyl ond annwyl iawn rhwng dau anifail go wahanol. Ar ôl menthyg y llyfr o’r llyfrgell, mi wnes i ei fwynhau cymaint, mae o wedi cyrraedd fy rhestr ‘best of’ personol i, (sydd ddim yn digwydd mor aml â hynny!) ac mi fyddai’n prynu copi i roi’n anrheg Nadolig. Debyg y bydda i hefyd yn mynd i chwilota am fwy o deitlau gan Morag Hood. All the sheep are thrilled with Blodwen. In fact, they think she's probably the best sheep they've ever seen... there’s just one teeny tiny problem... This sheep has a long tail and sharp teeth... Oh dear. The author, Morag Hood, has created a very funny book based on the old Biblical saying 'A Wolf in sheep's clothing.' Although the sheep adore Blods, she, on the other hand has other ideas – working on a special recipe using mint sauce! Have you guessed it yet? I think we all know what she’s got in mind for the big feast, and we’re quite rightly suspicious of Brenda and her motives. As we as readers know something the characters don't (that Blodwen isn’t really a sheep), the story has an element of pantomime fun - like those bits where everyone shouts "Oh no he isn't!... oh yes he is!!" This is a clever story with a bit of grim humour that will surely appeal to young readers and their parents alike. I only hope the sheep can persuade Blodwen to become a vegetarian before it’s too late! In addition to a good little story with a wicked sense of humour, Morag's artwork is very effective, and rather different from your usual traditional books, making use of lots of bright neon orange and green. You can enjoy the story on a simple level, but there are also several themes and messages hiding in it such as mistaken identity, deception, inclusion, friendship - not to mention the food chain! It’s also worth noting that we as individuals have the right to identify as we choose. There was even a happy ending that shows an unexpected yet endearing friendship between two quite different animals. After borrowing the book from the library, I enjoyed it so much, it has made it onto my ‘best of' list, (which doesn’t actually happen that often) and I will be buying a copy to give to my cousin as a Birthday present. I’ll certainly be keeping my eye out for more titles by Morag Hood. Gwasg/publisher: Dref Wen Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £5.99 ISBN: 978-1784231590

*Scroll down for English* Nofel am euogrwydd sy'n codi ias A chilling short novel about guilt. Genre: #ffuglenbyr #arddegau #llofruddiaeth #dirgel / #shortfiction #teens #murder Negeseuon positif/positive messages: ◉◎◎◎◎ Themau trist,anodd/upsetting, tough themes: ◉◉◉◉◎ Trais, ofn/violence, scary: ◉◉◉◎◎ Iaith gref/language: ◉◉◎◎◎ Rhyw/sex: ◉◉◎◎◎ Hiwmor/humour: ◉◎◎◎◎ Cyfres/series: COPA Contains some content that sensitive/younger readers may find disturbing Dwi’m yn siŵr o dan ba graig dwi ‘di bod, ond dim ond ryw flwyddyn neu ddwy yn ôl nes i ddarganfod llyfrau y diweddar Gareth F. Williams am y tro cyntaf. OMB! Ers y foment honno, dwi’n cysidro fy hun yn superfan o’i waith. Ond mewn gwirionedd, alla i ddim bod yn superfan go iawn nes fy mod i wedi darllen ei lyfrau i gyd, felly dyma wneud addewid mod i am drio darllen ei holl nofelau yn ystod 2021. Challenge accepted. So, dyma ni, mis Ionawr. A dyma gychwyn ar yr un cynta’ o’r flwyddyn - un bach gweddol hawdd i ddechrau - Anji. Llyfr byr yw hwn sy’n perthyn i gyfres Copa, sef 5 nofel fachog ar gyfer yr arddegau hŷn. (ond dwi’n meddwl basa tua bl.9 yn iawn) Gyda llai na 100 o dudalennau a phlot oedd yn symud ar garlam, mi orffennais y nofel mewn un eisteddiad. Daliodd y broliant fy sylw’n syth, er ei fod o’n sboilar go sylweddol: “Ar ôl lladd ei mam, aeth Anji allan i’r ardd gefn am smoc.” As you do ‘llu. Heb ddatgelu llawer mwy o’r plot na sydd wedi cael ei wneud yn barod, ar ôl lladd ei Mam, fe aiff Anji ar drip i’r Rhyl gyda’i ffrind, ac er ei bod hi’n trio mwynhau ei hun, mae cadw’r gyfrinach dywyll yn pwyso arni. Ella bod angen dipyn bach o suspension of belief yma, achos, tra mod i’n medru derbyn ei bod hi wedi cael casual smoke ar ôl lladd ei Mam (sioc, debyg) dwi ddim mor siŵr amdani’n mynd ar holidês bach i’r Rhyl yn syth wedyn. Fasa rhywun yn gwneud hynny? Erm, not sure about that one. Ta waeth, ro’n i’n licio sut gafodd stori Ruth Ellis [y ddynes ola’ i gael ei chrogi yn y DU] ei blethu mewn i stori Anji, ac mi ddysgish i ffaith newydd - ei bod hi wedi cael ei geni yn Rhyl! Dyma lyfr y gallwch fwynhau adref neu yn yr ysgol, ac yn sicr does 'na’m prinder o destunau trafod yn y nofel, sy’n cynnwys themâu fel euogrwydd, y gosb eithaf, dial, cenfigen, perthnasau iach/afiach a bwlio emosiynol. Fel darllenwyr, rydym ni gyd ar ‘team Anji’ er ei bod hi ‘technically’ wedi lladd rhywun, ac fe ddown i gydymdeimlo â hi ar ôl dod i ddeall beth sydd wedi arwain at y foment yma. Ok, felly, dydi darllen y llyfr ddim wedi newid fy mywyd, ond mi wnes i ei fwynhau. Mae’r print bras a’r paragraffau byrion yn ideal i rywun sy’n chwilio am lyfr sydyn, ond sy’n ddiddorol hefyd. Anji. Done. Ymlaen at Cwmwl Dros y Cwm nesa... I'm not sure under which rock I’ve been hiding under, but it was only about a year or two ago that I discovered the late Gareth F. Williams's books for the first time. What can I say? Since then, I regard myself as a complete superfan of his work. But I can't really consider myself a true superfan until I've read all his books, so I made a New Year’s resolution to try and read all his novels by the end of 2021. Challenge accepted. So, here we are, January. I’ll start off the challenge with a fairly easy one to start - Anji. This short book belongs to the Copa series -5 catchy novels for older teens. (but I think mid-teens would be fine) With fewer than 100 pages and a fast-moving plot, I finished the novel in one sitting. The blurb immediately caught my attention, although it contains a pretty significant spoiler: "After killing her mother, Anji went out to the back garden for a smoke." As you do like. Without revealing much more of the plot, after killing her Mother, Anji goes on a trip to Rhyl with her friend, and although she tries to enjoy herself, the dark secret weighs heavily on her mind. I think a little suspension of belief is required here, because, whilst I can accept that she had a casual smoke right after killing her Mother (shock, probably), I'm not so sure about her going on a little holiday to Rhyl immediately afterwards. Especially as her mum’s decomposing body lays on the kitchen floor. Would someone really do that? Erm, not sure about that one. Anyway, I liked how the grisly story of Ruth Ellis [the last woman to be hanged in the UK] was woven into Anji's story, and I never knew she was born in Rhyl of all places! This is a book you can enjoy at home or at school, and there’s certainly no shortage of discussion points stemming from the novel, which includes themes such as guilt, death penalty, revenge, jealousy, healthy/unhealthy relationships and emotional abuse. As readers, we’re all rooting for ‘team Anji’ despite the fact she is ‘technically’ a murderer. We come to sympathize with her after learning about her upbringing and what drove her to kill. Ok, so, reading the book hasn't changed my life, but I did enjoy it. The large print and short paragraphs are ideal for someone looking for a quick read, but a captivating and interesting one too. Anji. Done. On to Cwmwl Dros y Cwm next... Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Y Lolfa Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2014 Pris: £2.95 "Mae Gareth F Williams wedi ei gwneud hi eto. Mi wnes i fwynhau hon yn arw. Dim ond 90 tudalen ond pob gair yn haeddu ei le. Mi fydd stori Anji a'i hen jaden o fam yn eich cyffwrdd. Mae golygfeydd y 'Mochyn Mawr' yn arbennig o bwerus, ac fe ddylai hon gydio yn nychymyg yr arddegau ac oedolion. Fel gyda cymaint o lyfrau Gareth F, byddai'n gwneud ffilm wych hefyd." - Bethan Gwanas

*Scroll down for English* Mae o'n ei ôl - ac yn dal i ddwrdio! He's back - and he's still cranky! ♥Llyfr y Mis Ionawr 2021 ♥ ♥Book of the Month January 2021 ♥ Genre: #hiwmor #ffuglen #plant #teimladau / #funny #fiction #children #feelings Negeseuon positif/positive messages: ◉◉◉◎◎ Themau trist,anodd/upsetting, tough themes: ◎◎◎◎◎ Trais, ofn/violence, scary: ◎◎◎◎◎ Iaith gref/language: ◎◎◎◎◎ Rhyw/sex: ◎◎◎◎◎ Hiwmor/humour: ◉◉◉◉◎ Her darllen/reading difficulty:: ◉◉◉◎◎ Lluniau/illustrations: Gwen Millward Dwi wirioneddol yn licio’r gyfres fach light-hearted yma. Mi oeddwn i’n falch o weld fod ’na ail lyfr ar y gweill a bod Lleucu a Gwen wedi bod yn brysur yn sgwennu ac yn darlunio er mwyn creu Y Dyn Dweud Drefn Yn Yr Ardd. Mae’r llyfr wedi cychwyn 2021 mewn steil ac wedi’i ddewis fel Llyfr y Mis i blant ar gyfer mis Ionawr. Mae’r llyfr pocket-sized yn faint bach handi ar gyfer mynd â fo efo chi, a gyda 68 o dudalennau, mae o’n llyfr reit sylweddol, felly mi ydach chi’n cael value for money yn sicr. Wrth ddarllen am y Dyn Dweud Drefn, caf fy atgoffa o gymeriad surbwch tebyg o lyfr cerddi o’r gyfres Llyfrau Lloerig, Briwsion yn y Clustiau – llyfr roeddwn i’n mwynhau ei ddarllen pan oeddwn i’n yr ysgol gynradd. Yn debyg iawn i’r Dyn Dweud Drefn, roedd Mistar Byrbwyll hefyd yn cael trafferth gyda’i dymer weithiau! Yndi, mae’r Dyn Dweud Drefn yn ei ôl, ac er ei fod o reit fodlon ei fyd ar ddiwedd y llyfr cyntaf, mae’n amlwg fod rhywbeth wedi cynhyrfu’r dyfroedd – mae o’n dwrdio’n dragwyddol unwaith eto! Tro yma, mae o wedi mentro i’r ardd. Does yna neb arall o gwbl yn cael mynd i’r ardd, dim ond y Dyn Dweud Drefn. Dydi o ddim yn cael llawer o lwc yn yr ardd a dweud y gwir, ac ar ôl clywed yr holl ddwrdio, daw ei gyfaill ffyddlon a hynod hoffus - Ci Bach – i weld beth ydi achos yr holl weiddi. Chware teg i Ci Bach, mae o’n profi ei fod yn un handi iawn i’w gael yn yr ardd – ac mae o’n gallach na’i berchennog yn aml iawn! Ond er gwaetha’r ffaith fod y Ci Bach yn helpu i ddyfrio’r blodau, cael ffrae mae o gan y Dyn Dweud Drefn, a chael ei hel yn ôl i’r tŷ. Bechod. Jest sbïwch ar y llygaid mawr trist ’na ar dudalen 26! Mae tantro’r Dyn Dweud Drefn yn ddoniol iawn, yn enwedig am mai fo blannodd y blodau’n rhy bell, fo benderfynodd blannu tatws, a fo aeth i gysgu o dan goeden afalau. Mi welwch chi hynny’n aml efo pobl flin – does yna fyth fai arnyn nhw! Mae ’na dipyn o’r Dyn Dweud Drefn ynon ni gyd weithia, ’does? Unwaith eto, mae lluniau Gwen Millward yn rhai hoffus, annwyl ac yn hynod o ddel. Sbïwch lliwgar ydi’r blodau! Mae’r llyfr hefyd wedi’i osod yn dda iawn – mae’r testun wedi’i rannu’n gyfartal, sy’n golygu nad oes gormod o sgwennu ar y tudalennau. Ar ôl diwrnod hir o ddweud y drefn (ew, mae bod yn flin yn ymdrech dydi) mae o’n pendwmpian yn ei gadair gyda gwên ar ei wyneb o’r diwedd – ond am ba hyd tybed? Since it first appeared last year, I’ve really taken to this light-hearted series. I was pleased to see a second book and that Lleucu and Gwen had been busy writing and drawing to produce Y Dyn Dweud Drefn yn yr Ardd [In the Garden]. It started 2021 in style and has already been chosen as the Book Council For Wales’s Children’s Book of the Month for January. The pocket-sized book is a small handy size for taking it with you, and at 68 pages long, it's a significant little thing, so I certainly think you get value for money. Whilst reading about the Dyn Dweud Drefn, I am reminded of another surly character from a collection of funny poems I used to like when I was in school – Briwsion yn y Clustiau. Mistar Byrbwyll, a similar character, also had some trouble with his temper! Yup, he’s back, and although we left him smiling away in the last book, obviously the magic’s worn off and he’s back to his old ways… telling people off as usual. This time though, he’s ventured into the garden. No one else is allowed into the garden, apart from him. He’s not having much luck there to be honest, and upon hearing the commotion, his loyal and extremely likeable friend - Ci Bach - comes to see what the fuss is about. Fair play to Ci Bach for lending a hand – he’s very handy in the garden and quite often makes better calls than his owner! But despite all his efforts, eventually he is told off yet again and sent back to the house… poor thing. Just look at those sad little eyes on page 26! Dyn Dweud Drefn’s temper tantrums are very amusing, and are especially funny because its actually he who planted the flowers too far, he who decided to grow potatoes, and it was he who went to sleep under the apple tree. You often see that with angry, shouty people – it’s always someone else’s fault! There's a bit of the Dyn Dweud Drefn in all of us sometimes, isn’t there? Once again, Gwen Millward’s pictures are affectionate, likeable and very pretty. Just look at those flowers – I wish my garden looked like that! The book is also very well set out IMO with the text evenly distributed across the book, which means that there isn’t too much writing on the pages. After a long day of shouting and being a general grump (being angry is hard work y’know) he’s finally sitting in his chair with a big smile on his face – but how long will that last I wonder…? Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Gwasg Carreg Gwalch Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £4.95 ISBN: 978-184527-734-5 A dyma beth sydd gan Bethan Gwanas i ddweud am y llyfr yn ei blog... https://gwanas.wordpress.com/2020/12/10/y-dyn-dweud-drefn-yn-y-ardd/

*Scroll down for English* Mwnci bach sy'n cael ei garu mwy a mwy bob dydd. A monkey who is loved more and more each day. Dyma addasiad Eurig Salisbury o You... gan Emma Dodd. Dwi’n falch o weld fod Ti… wedi cael ei gyhoeddi fel llyfr dwyieithog sy’n golygu fod ganddo fwy o apêl i deuluoedd iaith gymysg. O ran llyfrau i blant ifanc, mae Atebol yn cyhoeddi mwy a mwy o lyfrau sydd unai yn llyfrau dwyieithog neu sy’n cynnwys y geiriau Saesneg yng nghefn y llyfr. Syniad da. Llyfr cynnes, llawn cariad yw hwn sy’n darllen fel rhiant yn siarad â phlentyn gan ddweud wrtho gymaint mae hi’n ei garu. Am ryw reswm fe wnes i gymryd yn ganiataol mai mam oedd yn siarad yma, ond wrth gwrs fe all fod yn dad, yn nain, yn daid, yn warcheidwad neu'n unrhyw aelod o’r teulu mewn gwirionedd. Mae’n gallu bod yn anodd cyfieithu llyfrau sy’n odli, ond dwi’n meddwl fod Eurig Salisbury wedi gwneud job dda yma. Fe welwch fod y testun Cymraeg yn adlewyrchu’r gwreiddiol ond yn sefyll ar ei draed ei hun hefyd. O ran edrychiad y llyfr, mae’r lluniau yn drawiadol iawn, ac mae eu symlrwydd yn golygu y bydd hyd yn oed y plant lleiaf yn mwynhau edrych ar y lluniau, hyd yn oed os ydyn nhw’n trio cnoi’r tudalennau o dro i dro! Touch bach neis oedd y gold leaf ar ambell dudalen sy’n gwneud i’r lluniau sefyll allan ac yn gwneud y llyfr ’chydig bach yn fwy arbennig na’r arfer. Edrycha’r tudalennau rheiny’n drawiadol iawn pan gawn nhw eu hadlewyrchu mewn golau ac mae hyn yn ychwanegu at brofiad gweledol a synhwyraidd y llyfr. Dyma lyfr da i ddarllen gyda’ch plentyn amser gwely i rannu neges o gariad. Mae’n bosib y bydd rhai yn meddwl nad oes digon o ‘blot’ i’r stori a’i fod braidd yn schmaltzy (ddim yn siŵr sut i esbonio hyn yn Gymraeg... cyfoglyd ella?) ond ar y cyfan, dyma stori sy’n dathlu holl agweddau’r unigolyn, a bod cariad rhwng rhiant a phlentyn yn rhywbeth cwbl ddiamod. This is Eurig Salisbury's adaptation of You... by Emma Dodd. I am pleased to see that Ti/You... has been published as a bilingual book which means that it has greater appeal to mixed language families. In terms of books for young children, Atebol seems to be publishing more books that are either bilingual or contain the English text in the back, which has got to be a good idea. This is a warm, loving book that reads like a parent talking to a child telling them how much they are loved. For some reason I assumed that it was a mother talking here, but of course it could be a father, grandparent or guardian. It can be difficult to translate rhyming books, but I think Eurig Salisbury has done a good job here. You will see that the Welsh text reflects the original but also stands on its own two feet. In terms of its appearance, the book contains bold illustrations and their simplicity means that even the youngest toddlers will enjoy looking at the pictures, even if they do try to chew the pages from time to time! The gold leaf on a few pages was a nice little touch that makes the pictures stand out and gives the book that special vibe. Those pages look good when reflected in light and this adds to the visual/sensory experience of the book. This is a good book to read with your child at bedtime to share a message of love. Some may think there’s not enough 'plot' to the story and it is rather schmaltzy at times, but on the whole, this is a story that celebrates all the aspects of the individual, and shows that the love between parent and child is unconditional. Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Atebol Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £6.99 ISBN: 9781913245092

*Scroll down for English* Y ci mwyaf pwdlyd yn y dre... The grumpiest dog in town... Oed darllen/reading age: 6+ Oed diddordeb/interest age: 2+ Addasiad Cymraeg/Welsh adaptation: Elin Meek Sam, I know how you feel... A hithau’n agosáu at fy mhen-blwydd yn 30, dwi’n dallt yn iawn sut mae Sam y ci’n teimlo! Dyna’n union sut fydda i’n edrych fory pan fyddai’n gorfod chwythu’r canhwyllau a sylweddoli fod fy twenties wedi mynd a dod! Y clawr gloss a matt wnaeth dynnu fy sylw at y llyfr yn gyntaf. Ella mai’r gwynab deadpan ydi o, ond mi oni’n ei weld o’n debyg i Gromit, o Wallace & Gromit ond fersiwn mwy blin ella... ac yn sicr mae ei wyneb yn diffinio be dwi’n feddwl o 2020 yn reit dda! Da chi’n nabod rhywun fatha Sam? Hen gi blin ydi Sam a does ‘na ddim byd yn plesio. Dydi o ddim yn licio mynd am dro, dio’m yn licio gwneud ffrindiau, a dio’n sicr ddim yn hoffi pen-blwyddi! Pan mae ci bach newydd yn cyrraedd y tŷ (sef adroddwr y stori), yn ôl hwnnw mae ‘na newid yn Sam, ond wnes i ddim sylwi ar hynny fy hun chwaith! Yr un gwyneb pwdlyd a welwn ni dro ar ôl tro... tan i Sam ddod ar draws ei hoff beth yn y byd mawr crwn... Selsig!! Er bod ‘na ddim llawer iawn o ‘sgwennu, dyma stori wnaeth i mi wenu - y lluniau sy’n cario’r stori mewn gwirionedd. Faswn i ddim yn dweud mod i’n morio chwerthin, ond roedd hiwmor sych yr awdur e.e. y defnydd o’r un llun pwdlyd yn gweithio’n dda. Anodd iawn yw dweud sut mae Sam yn ymateb i unrhyw beth (heblaw am sosijis!) ac mae jest yn dangos dydi, pa mor anodd yw darllen ystumiau gwyneb rhai. Mae ‘na hefyd le i sôn am rannu, cyfeillgarwch a dysgu sut i gyfaddawdu. Dyma lyfr dwyieithog sy’n gwerthu’n dda (wedi cyrraedd rhif 4 yn siart gwerthwyr gorau CLLC Mis Rhagfyr) ac mae’n boblogaidd dros ben gyda darllenwyr ifanc. Efallai bod rhai yn meddwl nad oes 'na ddigon o ‘gig ar yr asgwrn’ (lol) o ran y stori, ond os na’r cwbl 'da chi isio ydi llyfr i’w fwynhau, efo lluniau effeithiol sy’n debygol iawn o ‘neud i chi wenu, mae Dyma Sam yn aidial. I know how you feel, Sam... As I approach my 30th, I know exactly how Sam the dog feels! [It’s Gus in the original English version] That's exactly the face I’ll have on me tomorrow when I'll be blowing out those candles and realizing that my twenties have been and gone! It was the gloss/matt cover that first drew my attention to the book. Maybe it’s the deadpan face, but I see some similarities with Gromit, from Wallace & Gromit, albeit an angrier version. His face certainly defines how I feel about 2020 alright! Do you know a grump like Sam? Sam is a grumpy old dog and there’s absolutely nothing that makes him smile. He doesn’t like going for a walk, he doesn’t like making friends, and he certainly doesn’t like birthdays! According to the new puppy that arrives at the house (also revealed to be the narrator) we see a change in Sam, but I didn't see it myself, mind. We just get Sam’s frowny face again and again until he comes across the thing he loves most of all…. wait for it…. Sausages! Although there’s not a huge deal of text, this is a story that made me smile – and it’s the illustrations that actually carry the story. I wouldn't say I was laughing out loud, but the author's dry, deadpan humour certainly made me chuckle. It’s hard to say how Sam responds to anything really (other than a pile of sausages) and it just goes to show how difficult it is to read some people’s facial expressions and feelings. Some of the themes are sharing, friendship and learning how to compromise. This is a bilingual book that sells well (reaching no. 4 in the December best-seller chart) and is extremely popular with young readers. Some may think that there’s isn’t enough substance in terms of story, but if you’re just after a book to enjoy, with engaging pictures that will surely make you smile, then Dyma Sam/This is Sam is ideal. Gwasg/publisher: Dref Wen Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £5.99

*Scroll down for English* “Delightful. Charming. Lovely. Timeless.” Genre: #ffuglen #swreal #teigr #dwyieithog / #fiction #surreal #bilingual Oed diddordeb/interest age: 2+ Oed darllen/reading age: 6+ Addasiad Cymraeg: Roger Boore https://www.tigerwhocametotea.com/ Nid pob llyfr sy’n cael ei wefan ei hun, ond mae The Tiger who came to tea yn llyfr eiconig a gafodd ei gyhoeddi gyntaf yn 1968, ac sydd newydd ddathlu ei ben-blwydd yn hanner cant. Mae’r ffaith ei fod yn dal i werthu miloedd o gopïau ar ôl cymaint o amser yn destament i’w lwyddiant a’i apêl. Mae’r llyfr yn dal i gael ei brynu’n rheolaidd i blant, gan rieni a neiniau a theidiau sy’n cofio darllen y llyfr eu hunain. Ydi Y Teigr a ddaeth i de wedi dyddio erbyn hyn? Wrth gwrs ei fod o! Mae’r ffaith fod y dyn llefrith a bachgen y groser yn galw heibio’r tŷ yn dangos fod hwn yn perthyn i oes a fu, heb sôn am y ffaith mai ‘Dadi’ sy’n mynd i’r gwaith gan adael y fam adref i ofalu am y tŷ. Bydd, mi fydd rhai pethau yn anghyfarwydd bellach, ac mi fydd angen sgwrs i esbonio sut mae pethau wedi newid, ond dwi’n meddwl fod hynny’n beth da gan ei fod o’n ysgogi trafodaeth yn ei hun am gender roles ac ati. Dwi’n siŵr y bydd rhai yn dweud fod y llyfr yn twee, yn ystrydebol ac yn hen ffasiwn, ond, ydi hyn yn effeithio ar fwynhad y darllen yn 2021? Nac ydi wir. Dyma stori annwyl, quirky, sy’n hynod o syml mewn gwirionedd. Gallwch esbonio’r ‘plot’ mewn ychydig eiriau: mam a merch yn cael te yn y gegin un prynhawn, ac mae teigr yn canu’r gloch ac yn gofyn os caiff o ymuno â nhw. A dyna ni fwy neu lai. Mae’r teigr gosgeiddig yn beth digon clên, er ei fod o braidd yn farus, ac yn llwyddo i fwyta’r holl fwyd ac yfed yr holl ddŵr (ia, yr holl ddŵr yn y tap – oedolion, peidiwch â gor-feddwl) nes does dim byd ar ôl. Ac ar ôl iddo lowcio’r bwyd i gyd, mae’n ffarwelio’n reit handi a welwn ni byth mohono eto. Digywilydd ynte! Dwi’n synnu fod Dad heb fynd yn wallgof ar ôl sylwi bod y teigr wedi yfed ei duniau cwrw... Cawn ein gadael gyda nifer o gwestiynau ar ddiwedd y stori. O ble ddaeth y teigr, ac i ble’r aeth o? Cwestiynau da i sbarduno sgwrs. Unwaith, mi welais i gyfweliad â’r awdur, lle dywedodd yr holwr ei bod hi wedi dehongli themâu cudd y llyfr fel ‘sexual awakening and ethnic difference in Suburbia.’ BE??! Dwi’n meddwl mai’r peth hawsaf yw mwynhau symlrwydd ac absẃrdrwydd y stori a pheidio gor-ddehongli. Athrawon - dyma lyfr perffaith ar gyfer dipyn bach o actio neu chwarae rôl yn y dosbarth... Oedd ’na deigr go iawn? Ai dychmygu’r cyfan wnaeth y teulu? Pwy a ŵyr? A pha ots achos mae’r stori wedi llwyddo i swyno darllenwyr ifanc ers hanner canrif, a dwi’n siŵr y bydd yn parhau i wneud hynny am hanner canrif eto! https://www.tigerwhocametotea.com/ It’s not every book that gets its own website, but The Tiger who came to tea is an iconic book that was first published in 1968, and has just celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. The fact that it continues to sell thousands of copies after such a long time is a testament to its success and enduring appeal. The book is still regularly purchased for children, by parents and grandparents who remember reading the book themselves. Is Y Teigr a ddaeth i de dated? Of course it is! The Formica tables, trilby hats, milkmen and grocer boys all tell you that this book belongs to a bygone era, not to mention the fact that dad is the only one who goes to work, leaving mum to look after the house. Some things will be unfamiliar to today’s children, and would probably benefit from a conversation to explain how things have changed, but I think that's a good thing because it starts a discussion about gender roles etc. I'm sure some will say that the book is twee, stereotypical and old-fashioned, but does this affect the enjoyment of the reading it in 2021? Not really, no. This is a sweet, quirky story, which is actually very simple. You can explain the 'plot' in a few words: Mother and daughter having tea in the kitchen, when a tiger rings the bell and asks if he can join them. And that's pretty much it. The graceful and majestic tiger is actually very pleasant, if not a little greedy. He succeeds in eating all the food and drinking all the water in the tap (yes, all the water! Adults- don’t over-think it) until there’s nothing left. And once he's guzzled down all the food, he swiftly makes his exit and we never see or hear from him again. What a cheeky tiger! Although I am surprised Dad didn't go crazy after finding out that the tiger had drank all his tins of beer… We are left with a number of questions at the end of the story. Where did the tiger come from? Where did he go? Good questions to spark a conversation. Once, I saw an interview with the author, in which the interviewer said that she had interpreted the book's hidden themes as 'sexual awakening and ethnic differences in Suburbia.’ WHAT? I think the easiest thing is to just enjoy the simplicity and absurdness of the story and not to over-interpret things. Teachers - this is a perfect book for a bit of role play or improv in class... Was there a real Tiger? Did the family imagine it all? Who knows? And who cares really, because the story has succeeded in charming young readers for half a century, and I am sure that it will continue to do so for another fifty years… Wrth hunan ynysu gartref dros y Nadolig, roedd gen i fwy na digon o amser i wylio’r teledu. Sylwais fod ‘na animeiddiad o’r stori’n cael ei ddarlledu ‘lenni, gyda’r arwyddgân yn cael ei ganu gan Robbie Williams. Gwyliwch y trailer yma: Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Dref Wen Rhyddhawyd/released: 1968 [1998, 2010, 2020] Pris: £5.99

*Scroll down for English* Antur hud ym myd y Bwbach! A magical adventure in the land of the Bwbach! Genre: #ffuglen #hud #Cymru / #fiction #magic #Wales Negeseuon positif/positive messages: ◉◉◉◎◎ Themau trist,anodd/upsetting, tough themes: ◎◎◎◎◎ Trais, ofn/violence, scary: ◉◎◎◎◎ Iaith gref/language: ◎◎◎◎◎ Rhyw/sex: ◎◎◎◎◎ Hiwmor/humour: ◉◎◎◎◎ Her darllen/reading difficulty: ◉◉◉◉◎ Oed diddordeb/interest age: 8+ Oed darllen/reading age: 9-11 Digon chwerwfelys yw achos cyhoeddi Dewin y Gaeaf gan Graham Howells. Ar un llaw, mae’n wych cael y cyfle i fentro unwaith eto i fyd hudol y Bwbach, a hynny yn rhan olaf y drioleg. Ond, ar y llaw arall, dyma un o gyhoeddiadau Cymraeg olaf Gwasg Gomer cyn iddynt roi’r gorau i gyhoeddi a throsglwyddo i fod yn gwmni argraffu yn unig, sy’n dod â degau o flynyddoedd o draddodiad cyhoeddi i ben yng Nghymru. Diolch Gomer am bopeth a phob dymuniad da i’r rheiny fu’n rhan o’r daith. Mi fydd ’na chwith ar eich hôl yn sicr. Ymlaen at y llyfr... Waw! – jest sbïwch ar waith celf Graham Howells – tydi o’n osym?! Blas yn unig mae’r clawr yn ei roi o’r lluniau anhygoel sy’n britho’r tudalennau. Fel Huw Aaron, mae o jest yn deall yn union sut i greu angenfilod, bwbachod, corachod a dewinod sy’n llawn rhyfeddod, a dwi’n siŵr y bydd y darllenwyr wrth eu boddau yn astudio’r creaduriaid hudolus yn fanwl. Mi faswn i wrth fy modd yn cael poster anferth o holl gymeriadau’r llyfrau i’w rhoi ar y wal yn y Man Cave... Dewin y Gaeaf yw trydydd llyfr (a’r olaf dwi’n meddwl) mewn cyfres sy’n troi o amgylch creadur bach digri a direidus – Y Bwbach. Cafodd yr awdur y syniad am fyd y Bwbach ar ôl ymweld ag Amgueddfa San Ffagan yng Nghaerdydd. Er bod y Bwbach yn ymddangos unwaith eto, rhan llai sydd ganddo erbyn hyn, gan mai’r Dewin a'r Coblyn sy’n mynd am antur y tro hwn. Heb ddatgelu gormod, mae’r byd mewn trwbl gan fod y tir a’r awyr wedi eu llygru ac mae’n rhaid i’r Dewin a’i gyfaill, y Coblyn, adael y tŵr gwydr i fynd i chwilio am yr unig obaith i achub y byd – y pedwerydd trysor ar ddeg! Fe synnwch pan welwch beth yw’r trysor. (clyfar iawn) Mi fydd rhaid i’r Dewin a’i ffrind deithio’n bell iawn iawn i nôl y wobr, drwy ofod ac amser, dim llai. Digon o antur! Bethan Gwanas sydd wedi ymgymryd â’r gwaith addasu, fel y gwnaeth ar gyfer y llyfrau blaenorol, felly ’da chi’n gwybod eich bod chi mewn dwylo saff. Mae hi wedi gwneud joban dda iawn o drosi’r stori i’r Gymraeg. Dwi’n falch nad fi oedd yn gorfod cyfieithu’r stori yma – mae’r gwreiddiol yn llawn geiriau anghyfarwydd sy’n ymwneud â hud a lledrith ac yn defnyddio iaith grand a blodeuog. Dwi’n meddwl fod Bethan wedi llwyddo i wneud y stori’n fwy dealladwy yn y Gymraeg, ond mae ’na dal le i fynd dwi’n meddwl. Efallai fod yr iaith yn rhy flodeuog ar brydiau a gall hynny amharu ar lif y naratif. Tydw i ddim yn dallt rhyw lawer am addasu cofiwch, felly does gen i ddim syniad faint mae rhywun yn cael ei newid ar y gwreiddiol. Dim ond rhywbeth i’w ystyried – mi all y lluniau wneud i’r llyfr ymddangos fel cyfrol i blant ifanc, ond mae’r iaith yn fwy heriol nag y mae rhywun yn ei ddisgwyl – yn reit anos i blant 7-9 oed; yn fwy addas i ddarllenwyr da 9-11 oed yn fy marn i. Wrth gwrs, os oes oedolyn wrth law i helpu, yna mae cynnwys y stori’n hen ddigon addas. Gallwch fwynhau’r stori yma ar ei phen ei hun, neu fel rhan o’r drioleg. Os ydach chi’n mwynhau hud a ffantasi gyda sbin Gymraeg, ewch i chwilio am lyfrau eraill y gyfres – chewch chi mo’ch siomi. Oeddech chi’n gwybod? Yn ôl y chwedl, mae Bwbachod yn greaduriaid digon cyfeillgar a chlên, Unwaith maen nhw’n setlo mewn tŷ, maen nhw’n bethau bach hynod o ffyddlon sy’n gofalu am y cartref ac yn gwneud troeon da am ddim byd mwy na phowlen o hufen! Oes ’na Fwbach yn trigo’n eich tŷ chi? Mae’n bechod mawr nad oes ’na un yn byw yma achos mae ’na bentwr o lestri tebyg iawn i dŵr Pisa angen eu golchi ac fedra i ddim cofio’r tro diwethaf i mi ddystio... The publication of the Midwinter Wizard by Graham Howells is a rather bittersweet affair. On the one hand, it’s great to once again delve into the magical world of the Bwbach (a type of hobgoblin) for the final part of the trilogy. But, on the other hand, this is one of Gomer Press's last Welsh-language publications before they stop publishing and move to becoming a print-only company, which brings an end to decades of publishing expertise in Wales. Losing a publisher such as Gomer sent shockwaves through the industry. Diolch Gomer for everything and best of luck to staff who are moving on. Right, the book... Wow! – just look at Graham Howells's artwork – isn’t it awesome?! The cover gives a taste of the incredible pictures scattered throughout the book. Like Huw Aaron, he just ‘gets it’ when it comes to creating wonderous monsters, Bwbachs, goblins, you name it…. I’d just love to have a huge poster of all the characters from his books to put on the wall in the Man Cave... The Midwinter Wizard is the third book (and the last I think) in a series that revolves around a small and mischievous creature – Y Bwbach. The author came up with the idea for the world of the Bwbach after visiting St Fagan’s Museum in Cardiff. Although he appears once again, I would say he has more of a supporting role as this book focuses on a mysterious wizard and his Goblin assistant. Without revealing too much, the world’s in trouble as the land and air have been poisoned and it’s up to the Wizard and his friend, the Coblyn to go in search of the fourteenth treasure to save the day. It all makes a lot of sense when you realize what the treasure actually is! (very clever) The Wizard and his accomplice will have to travel far and wide to fetch the prize, through space and time, no less. Bethan Gwanas has undertaken the translating work, as she did on the previous books, so you know you’re in safe hands. She has done a good job of adapting the story for the Welsh language. I'm glad that it wasn’t my job to do this – the original is full of unfamiliar words related to magic, myths and legends with sometimes grandiose and ‘flowery’ language. I think Bethan has managed to make the story as understandable as possible in Welsh, but there’s still a way to go, probably. Perhaps the language is too complicated at times which could disrupt the flow of the narrative. Mind you, I don’t know a thing about adapting books, so I have no idea how much one can change the original. I think what I’m trying to say is, just be aware that the pictures and overall look of the book can make it seem like it’s for younger children, but the language is more challenging than first meets the eye. It's better suited to able readers aged 9-11 – just my opinion. Of course, if there’s an adult on hand to help, then the content is quite suitable. You can enjoy this story on its own, or as part of the trilogy – if you enjoyed this, go and look for the other books in the series – you won’t be disappointed if you like magic and fantasy with a Welsh twist. Did you know? According to legend, Bwbachs are quite friendly creatures and once they settle in a house, they are extremely loyal little things that look after the home and do good deeds for nothing more than a bowl of cream! Have you got one in your house? It is a shame that we haven’t got one living here because there’s a pile of dishes like the tower of Pisa here, just waiting to be cleaned… Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Gomer Cyhoeddwyd / released: 2020 Pris: £5.99 ISBN: 9781785623226 Am wybod mwy? Want to know more? Os am wybod mwy am yr awdur, mae gwefan blogio arall o Gymru, Family Book Worms, wedi holi’r awdur yn barod... Family Book Worms, another great website blogging about Welsh books have done a Q&A with the author. Click to find out more.. http://familybookworms.wales/2019/02/25/author-q-and-a-graham-howells/

*Scroll down for English* Dyma lyfr hardd a chain sy’n ffrwyth y bartneriaeth wych rhwng Nicola Davies a Cathy Fisher. Mae lluniau prydferth Cathy yn ychwanegu at stori hyfryd Nicola i greu llyfr sydd â neges bwysig iawn am gynhwysiad, caredigrwydd a chyfeillgarwch. Stori yw hon am ferch newydd Japaneaidd sy’n symud i’r ysgol ac yn cael ei hanwybyddu gan y plant eraill yn ei dosbarth. Mae’r ferch yn profi tristwch ac unigedd, ac mae hi’n gwbl anweledig i’r disgyblion eraill. Ond, yn wahanol i’r ymateb disgwyliedig, nid yw’r ferch yn digio, yn hytrach mae hi’n ymateb trwy gyflawni gweithred o garedigrwydd tuag at y plant eraill. Nid oes angen geiriau ar y ferch i ddangos caredigrwydd at eraill, ac mae hyn yn wir i ni gyd. Yn raddol, mae cyfeillgarwch yn datblygu rhyngddi hi a merch arall (adroddwr cudd y stori) ac yna, gyda phawb arall yn y dosbarth. Dyma i chi stori sydd mor syml, ond eto mor effeithiol. Dwi’n gwybod y bydd y stori yma’n hynod o ddefnyddiol yn y Cyfnod Sylfaen neu mewn gwasanaethau boreol sy’n ymwneud â chyfeillgarwch a/neu amrywiaeth. Dyma lyfr sy’n gyflwyniad da ar gyfer trafod teimladau ac emosiynau gyda phlant ifanc, yn ogystal â dysgu sut i ddangos empathi tuag at eraill. Un o’r prif negeson i mi oedd byddwch garedig. Hyd yn oed os yw rhywun yn gas gyda chi, peidiwch â gadael i hynny eich troi chi’n gas - byddwch yn glên gyda nhw. Mae’r cyswllt gyda Siapan yn gyfle da i ddysgu mwy am ddiwylliant a thraddodiadau gwahanol. Un enghraifft o hyn yw’r siapiau papur origami sy’n rhan o’r stori. Roeddwn i’n hoffi sut roedd y plant eraill yn dangos cymaint o ddiddordeb a chwilfrydedd yn nhraddodiadau’r ferch – unwaith y gwnaethon nhw beidio ofni’r anghyfarwydd a’i derbyn fel rhan o’r criw. Un o’r plant sy’n anwybyddu’r ferch i ddechrau yw adroddwr y stori, ac fe welwn newid ynddi hi a’i hagwedd wrth i’r stori fynd yn ei flaen. Person anhysbys oedd ‘Y Ferch Newydd’ iddi i ddechrau, ond datblygodd i fod yn berson go iawn, ac erbyn y diwedd cyfeiria ati fel ‘fy ffrind Kiku’. Mae’r lluniau hefyd yn gweithio law yn llaw â’r stori i gyfleu unigrwydd y ferch yn effeithiol ar y cychwyn. Wrth i gyfeillgarwch ddatblygu, defnyddir lliwiau mwy cynnes i gyfleu hynny trwy’r lluniau. Roedd y ffont syml, plentyn-gyfeillgar a ddewiswyd ar gyfer y stori yn gweddu’r llyfr yn dda hefyd. Roedd hi’n ddiddorol darllen mwy am yr awdur a’r arlunydd yng nghefn y llyfr. Cyflwynir y llyfr i “bob plentyn sy’n brwydro i gael ei weld”. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth i ni oedolion ystyried, yn enwedig yr athrawon yn ein plith. Dwi’n gwybod o brofiad fod rhai plant tawel yn gallu llithro drwy’r rhwyd weithiau pan mae nhw’n cystadlu yn erbyn cymeriadau cryf – rhaid i ninnau gofio bod yn fwy sylwgar. This beautiful and delicate book is the result of the wonderful partnership between Nicola Davies and Cathy Fisher. Cathy's beautiful pictures compliment Nicola’s heart-warming story to create a book that has a very important message about inclusion, kindness and friendship. This is a story about a Japanese girl who joins the school and is subsequently ignored by the other children. The girl experiences loneliness and isolation and is all but invisible to other pupils. But, instead of the expected response to this behaviour, the girl does not show anger and feelings of revenge, but instead, displays an act of kindness towards the other children. She doesn’t need words to express her kindness either, and I’d say this is true for all of us. Gradually, friendships develop between her and another girl (the hidden narrator of the story) and then, eventually with the rest of the class. This story is so simple, yet effective. I know that this book will be extremely useful in the Foundation Phase or in morning assemblies relating to friendship and diversity. This book is a good introduction for discussing feelings and emotions with young children, as well as learning how to show empathy towards others. One of the main messages I took from it was ‘be kind’. Even if someone is nasty with you, don’t be like that back -show kindness to them regardless. The link with Japan is a good opportunity to learn more about different cultures and traditions. One example of this is the origami paper shapes that are a fundamental part of the story. I liked how the other children showed so much interest and curiosity in the girl's traditions – once they stopped being afraid of the unknown and accepted her into the fold. One of the children that initially ignored the girl is the unseen narrator of the story, and we see a change in her and her attitude as the story progresses. 'The New Girl' was initially an unknown person, but throughout the story she started to be viewed as a real person, and by the end, the narrator refers to her as 'my friend Kiku'. The pictures work hand in hand with the story to convey the girl’s loneliness effectively at the start. As the friendship blossoms, warm and softer colours are used to convey that through the pictures. The simple, child-friendly font chosen for the story also suited the book. It was interesting to read more about the author and artist at the back of the book. The book is presented to "every child who fights to be seen". This is something for us adults to bear in mind, particularly the teachers amongst us. I know from experience that some quiet children can sometimes slip through the net when they are competing against stronger and louder characters – we must remember to be more observant. Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Graffeg Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £7.99 ADNABOD YR AWDUR A'R ARLUNYDD Mae’r awdur Nicola Davies wedi ennill nifer o wobrau, ac ymhlith ei llyfrau i blant mae The Promise (Gwobr Llyfrau Green Earth 2015, Rhestr Fer Greenaway 2015), Tiny (Gwobr AAAS Subaru 2015), A First Book of Nature, a Whale Boy (Rhestr Fer Gwobr Blue Peter 2014). Ymhlith ei llyfrau ar gyfer Graffeg mae Perfect (Rhestr Hir Greenaway 2017), The Pond, Animal Surprises (Rhestr Hir Klaus Flugge 2017), a chyfresi Shadow & Light a Country Tales. Graddiodd mewn swoleg o Goleg yr Iesu, Caergrawnt, gan astudio gwyddau, morfilod ac ystlumod cyn dod yn gyflwynydd ar The Really Wild Show a gweithio yn Uned Hanes Natur y BBC. Bu’n ysgrifennu llyfrau i blant am dros ugain mlynedd, a sylfaen holl weithiau Nicola yw ei chred fod perthynas â natur yn hanfodol i bawb, a bod angen inni adnewyddu’r berthynas honno yn awr yn fwy nag erioed. Roedd gan Cathy Fisher wyth o frodyr a chwiorydd, a byddai’r plant i gyd yn chwarae yn y caeau’n edrych allan dros ddinas Caerfaddon. Mae wedi bod yn athrawes ac arlunydd drwy ei hoes, yn byw ac yn gweithio ar Ynysoedd y Seychelle ac Awstralia am flynyddoedd maith. Celf yw iaith frodorol Cathy. Pan oedd yn blentyn byddai’n tynnu lluniau ar waliau ei stafell wely, a byth ers hynny mae wedi teimlo bod rhaid iddi beintio a thynnu lluniau o storïau a theimladau am ei bod yn credu bod angen iddynt gael eu clywed. Perfect (Rhestr Hir CILIP Kate Greenaway 2017) oedd llyfr cyntaf Cathy i gael ei gyhoeddi, wedi ei ddilyn gan The Pond a chyfres Country Tales. Gwybodaeth o Graffeg.com CHECK OUT A BRILLIANT Q&A WITH THE AUTHOR FROM FELLOW LOVERS OF WELSH BOOKS, FAMILY BOOK WORMS... http://familybookworms.wales/2020/11/22/cathy-fisher/ Family Bookworms is a family of bookworms based on the Wrexham/Shropshire borders. Their aim with familybookworms is to encourage their own children with their reading and to spread the enjoyment from sharing stories, engaging with authors and discovering new books.

*Scroll down for English* Genre: #ffuglen #arddegau / #fiction #teens Negeseuon positif/positive messages: ◉◉◉◎◎ Themau trist,anodd/upsetting, tough themes: ◉◉◉◎◎ Trais, ofn/violence, scary: ◉◉◉◎◎ Iaith gref/language: ◉◉◉◎◎ Rhyw/sex: ◉◉◎◎◎ Hiwmor/humour:◉◉◉◎◎ Barn disgyblion Ysgol Glan Clwyd Pwy well i sôn am eu profiadau o ddarllen y nofel, na'r pobl ifanc eu hunain?! Cynulleidfa: Arddegau (14+) (themau o drais a chamdrin domestig) Audience: Teens (14+) (themes of domestic violence) Er fod yr awdur wedi bod yn brysur yn hyrwyddo’r llyfr dros y cyfryngau cymdeithasol, dwi’n teimlo fod #Helynt wedi llithro allan o’r wasg yn ddistaw braidd, (cymaint o rei newydd yn dod allan ar y funud mai'n anodd cadw i fyny!) felly dwi isio tynnu sylw ato, achos mae o’n blydi gwd stori! Mae’n gwneud chenj cael llyfr Cymraeg sydd wedi cael ei osod mewn ardal fwy Seisnigaidd, sydd tu allan i’r ‘Fro Gymraeg’. Mae ’na blant a phobl ifanc yn tyfu i fyny mewn Cymru sy’n bell i ffwrdd o fyd dosbarth canol yr Eisteddfodau, y capeli a chorau cerdd dant a dwi’n meddwl fod y nofel yma’n adlewyrchu hynny. Dwi’n falch fod yr awdur wedi gadael pytiau o ddeialog Saesneg yn y nofel sy’n adlewyrchu realiti ieithyddol y Cymry sy’n byw yn y Gogledd Ddwyrain mor agos at y ffin. Ni chawn ddarlun rhamantaidd o’r lle, ond un sy’n teimlo’n authentic iawn – un sydd ddim yn osgoi trafod y tlodi, y cyffuriau, y trais a’r back alleys drewllyd. (tydi Rhyl ddim yn ddrwg i gyd, gyda llaw! Gallu bod yn le neis deu gwir!) Merch ysgol uwchradd yw Rachel, y prif gymeriad- goth sydd â thipyn ar ei phlât. Oherwydd diffyg arian mae sefyllfa ansefydlog gartref. Mae ei thad yn gweithio oriau hir er mwyn crafu byw ond dydi hyn byth yn ddigon, mae ei mam yn byw ag iselder ac mae Rachel yn gorfod gofalu am ei chwaer fach heb sôn am ei gwaith ysgol. Ar ben hyn oll, dysgwn fod Rachel yn amputee a bod ganddi goes brosthetig sy’n gwneud pethau’n anoddach fyth yn yr ysgol, ond dydi hi ddim yn un am gwyno. Mae’r ffordd y mae hi wedi dod i arfer â hyn ac yn dyfalbarhau yn destament i’w chryfder fel person. Dwi wrth fy modd efo hi fel cymeriad achos mae hi’n straight-talking, no messing, os nad braidd yn fyrbwyll. Shoot first, ask questions later - ffordd dda o amddiffyn dy hun, efallai, ond un sy’n gallu creu helynt... (teitl mor addas!) Heb law am gymeriad Dalian, o drioleg Y Melanai gan Bethan Gwanas, dwi ddim wedi dod ar draws cymeriad heb goes mewn llyfrau Cymraeg, ac roedd yn dipyn o agoriad llygaid #parch. Dwi ‘di deud hyn o’r blaen, ond mi dduda i eto – dwi’n hynod falch fod ‘na fwy o amrywiaeth yn dechrau ymddangos yn ein llenyddiaeth. Heb ddatgelu gormod, mae antur Rachel yn cychwyn ar ôl iddi benderfynu sgeifio o’r ysgol gyda ffrind ar ôl methu’r bws. Yn dilyn dodgy encounter gyda dynion digon amheus mewn clwb nos, mae Rachel yn cyfarfod dyn sy’n gwybod lot mwy amdani hi nag y mae hi’n ei wybod amdano fo. Bydd yr hyn sydd ganddo i’w ddweud yn newid ei bywyd am byth! Roeddwn i’n ffeindio fy hun yn methu rhoi’r llyfr i lawr. Mi ddaeth y boi DPD delivery at y drws fel o’n i ar fin cyrraedd un o uchafbwyntiau’r llyfr a chafodd o fawr o groeso, bechod, gan fy mod i ar dân isio ffeindio allan pwy oedd- (ha – no way dwi’n rhoi sboilars!) Roedd siwrne Rachel drwy'r nofel yn hynod o ddifyr, ac er bod ei sylwadau ffraeth yn amusing ac yn ddoniol, mae darnau o’r llyfr yn anodd i’w darllen ar brydiau. Ydi, mae’r gamdriniaeth ddomestig yn insidious ac yn shocking, ond beth sy’n drist yw mai dyma yw realiti bywyd i lawer. Roedd y cymeriadau a’u gweithredoedd yn gredadwy iawn. Un enghraifft o hyn oedd tad Rachel, Jason, sy’n gymeriad cymhleth. Ar rai adegau dangosodd ei fod yn gefnogol, ac yn gyffredinol roedd yn amddiffynnol o Rachel. Ond, roedd ochr arall, dywyll i’w gymeriad, gan gynnwys ei dymer. Roedd yn dda iawn am guddio’r ochr hon o’i gymeriad oddi wrth bobl eraill. Buan iawn y gwelwn ei true colours fodd bynnag, ac er nad ydw i’n esgusodi nac yn cyfiawnhau ei ymddygiad gwarthus, down i ddechrau deall fod ei broblemau ariannol a’i rwystredigaeth gyda’i sefyllfa yn achosi iddo ymddwyn yn y fath fodd. Gallwn hefyd weld rhai o’r rhesymau pam fod Mam Rachel wedi byw o dan ei gysgod cyhyd yn hytrach na’i adael. Tydi pethau byth mor syml neu du a gwyn! Dyma nofel ffraeth a chyfoes sy’n berthnasol iawn heddiw. Mae hi’n nofel wahanol ac yn ychwanegiad pwysig i’r amrywiaeth o lyfrau Cymraeg fydd yn apelio at bobl ifanc. Er mai’r arddegau yw’r gynulleidfa darged, mi fydd oedolion yn sicr o fwynhau #Helynt hefyd. Dwi’n ffyddiog y bydd y llyfr yn denu unigolion sydd fel arfer ddim yn darllen llyfrau Cymraeg, a dwi’n annog athrawon i’w darllen hi er mwyn ei chyflwyno i’r disgyblion hynny. Even though the author’s been busy promoting the book over social media, I still feel that #Helynt slipped out rather quietly (so many books coming out right about now it’s hard to keep track), so I wanted to draw attention to it, because it’s a cracking story! It makes quite a nice change having a Welsh book that has been set outside the ‘Fro Gymraeg’ (Welsh strongholds). There are children and young people growing up in a Wales that’s a far cry from the relatively middle-class world of Eisteddfodau, Chapels and Cerdd dant choirs and I think this novel reflects that. I’m glad that the author has left bits of English dialogue in the novel that reflect the linguistic nature of living in Welsh so close to the border. We don't get a romanticized picture of the place, but one that feels very authentic - one that doesn't shy away from discussing the poverty, the drugs, violence and dark alleys. Rachel, the main character, is a high school goth with quite a lot on her plate. Lack of money fuels an unstable home situation. Her dad works long hours (but it’s never enough) and her mum lives with depression which means that Rachel ends up raising her little sister as well as keeping on top of schoolwork. We also learn that Rachel is an amputee with a prosthetic leg which makes things difficult at school, but she’s not one for complaining. The way she just deals with it and gets on with things is testament to her strength as a person. I love her as a character because of her straight-talking, no messing attitude. Her shoot first, ask questions later mentality may very well keep her from harm, but it can certainly attract some #helynt (trouble). Apart from Dalian from Bethan Gwanas’s Y Melanai trilogy, I haven’t come across many characters without a leg in Welsh books, and it was an eye opener. #respect. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, it’s good to see a bit more diversity coming into Welsh literature. Without revealing too much, Rachel's adventure begins after she decides to skive from school with a friend after missing the bus. Following a dodgy encounter with some suspicious men in a nightclub, Rachel meets a man who knows a lot more about her than she does about him. What he has to say will have life-changing consequences! I found it hard to put this book down. A DPD driver came to the door as I was getting to a good bit and well, safe to say he didn’t get much of a reception as I was desperate to get back to the book! Rachel's journey throughout the novel was engrossing, and although her witty comments are both amusing and funny, parts of the book were quite hard-hitting. Yes, the domestic abuse is insidious and shocking - but what is truly sad is that this is the reality of life for many. The characters and their actions were very credible. One example of this was Rachel's father, Jason. A complicated character, on some occasions he showed that he could be supportive, and was generally protective of Rachel. But there was another, darker side to his personality. A well-hidden side that his wife often bore the brunt of. We soon see his true colours, and although I don’t condone or justify his disgraceful behaviour, we can see the many things that add up in his life that have driven him to this. We also see some of the reasons why Rachel’s mother has put up with his controlling, degrading behaviour for so long. Things are never simple or black and white! This is a witty and contemporary novel that feels very relevant today. It’s quite a different Welsh-language novel and an important addition to the range of Welsh books that will appeal to young people. Although teens are the target audience, adults will certainly enjoy #Helynt as well. I’m confident that the book will appeal to those who don’t usually read in Welsh and I encourage teachers to read it so they can introduce it to those pupils. Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Gwasg Carreg Gwalch Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £8.50 ISBN: 9781845277765 https://gov.wales/live-fear-free