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Llyfr hyfryd sy'n trafod heneiddio a dementia.
Beautiful book discussing growing old and dementia.
Gwasg/publisher: Gwasg y Bwthyn
Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019
Pris: £5.95
ISBN: 978-1-91212730-3
Themau dwys ond yn cael eu trafod yn sensetif.
Sensitive approach to at times, difficult topics.
☆ ☆ Cymraeg Gwreiddiol - Welsh Original ☆ ☆
Llyfr hyfryd yw hwn sy’n trafod cyfeillgarwch, heneiddio a dementia mewn ffordd sensitif ac annwyl. Mae yna ‘chydig o hiwmor yn y llyfr sy’n helpu i gyfleu’r neges (sy’n gallu bod yn un dwys) ond mewn ffordd gain ag effeithiol iawn.
Dwi’n licio fod gan Nedw (fel mae’r teitl yn awgrymu) dair Nain. Lwcus ‘ynte! Yn lle’r syniad traddodiadol o ddwy set o neiniau a theidiau, mae’r stori yn gwneud pethau mymryn yn wahanol ac yn teimlo’n fwy modern o ganlyniad. Bechod fod Nain Dre heb gael mwy o airtime, achos roedd hi’n edrych fel dynes ddiddorol iawn ac yn dipyn o gymeriad. (Yn fy atgoffa o Vera o Gwlad yr Astra Gwyn. Yr high heels ma’ raid!)
Mae’r stori yn canolbwyntio ar Nain Llan, sef Nain Nedw (mam ei Dad) a Hen Nain Elsi (Nain ei Dad). Wedi drysu eto? Wel, mae Nedw’n lwcus iawn o gael y cyfle i ddod i nabod ei hen nain, ac mae’n dipyn o ffrindiau â hi. Dyma Nain sy’n llawer hŷn ac yn fwy fel Nain ‘draddodiadol’. Dwi’n licio’r ffordd tydi Mam Nedw byth yn cymeradwyo hwyl Nedw a’i hen Nain - yn bennaf, gan iddi boeni am ei ddannedd ar ôl y brechdanau siwgr! Yum!
Mae o’n lyfli sut mae Nedw a’i hen Nain yn gymaint o fêts, er ei bod hi’n perthyn i genhedlaeth hollol wahanol. Wrth i’r stori fynd yn ei flaen, cawn wybod bod Nain Elsi yn gwneud pethau gwirion weithiau, ac mae hyn yn gyfle gwych i gyflwyno plant ifanc i’r syniad o ddementia. Peth da fod y llyfr yn cadw pethau’n light hearted dwi’n meddwl, ac mae’r teulu yn gwneud y gorau o’r sefyllfa. Dwi’m yn meddwl fod angen bod yn rhy ‘deep’ yn yr achos yma, ac mae’r llyfr yn taro balans dda. Wrth gwrs, mae 'na ddarnau trist, sy’n dangos y problemau sy’n dod gyda chyflwr meddwl o’r fath a’i effaith ar y teulu.
Er bod rhaid i Nain Elsi fynd i gartref, rydym ni’n gweld mai hyn oedd y penderfyniad iawn ac mae’r llun olaf (arlunwaith ffantastig Jac Jones unwaith eto) yn crisialu’r cyfan. Tydi’r ffaith fod hi wedi symud i’r cartref yn newid dim, ac mae’r teulu yn dal i allu mynd yno i’w gweld.
Dwi’n meddwl fod llinell ola’r llyfr yn hynod o bwerus, ac yn ddigon i ddod a deigryn i lygad.
Os oes rhywun yn eich teulu yn dioddef o’r cyflwr creulon yma, neu sy’n awyddus i drafod perthnasau’n newid wrth iddynt heneiddio, dyma lyfr gwych er mwyn sbarduno trafodaeth gyda phlant ifanc. Dwi’n meddwl fod y llyfr yn gweithio’n dda er mwyn agor y drws ar gyfer nifer o gwestiynau eraill gan feddyliau chwilfrydig, ifanc.
Athrawon, llyfr perffaith os mai chi sy’n gwneud y gwasanaeth boreol. Beth am ddefnyddio’r llyfr mewn uned o waith? Gellir trefnu taith i gartref henoed i’w diddanu gydag adloniant ysgafn…
This is a lovely, heartfelt book that discusses friendship, ageing and dementia in a sensitive and sympathetic manner. It has a sense of humour which helps to convey the message (which can be rather intense) but in a highly effective way.
I like that Nedw (as the title suggests) has three Nains. What a lucky lad! Instead of the traditional idea of two sets of grandparents, the story does things a little different and feels more modern as a result. It’s a shame that Nain Dre didn't get more airtime, because she looked like a very interesting character. (She reminds me of Vera from S4C’s Gwlad yr Astra Gwyn. Must be the heels!) Anyway, no time for that; the book is here to discuss something more meaningful…
The story focuses on Nain Llan, who is Nedw’s Nain (his father's mother) and his Great Nain Elsi (his father's grandmother). Confused yet? Well, as I said, Nedw is very lucky to have the chance to get to know his Great Gran, and they are good friends. This Nain is much older as is more akin to the ' traditional ' idea of Nain. I find it amusing that Nedw’s Mum never condones their antics- especially the sugar sandwiches!! Yum!
It's lovely to see that Nedw and Nain Elsi are such good mates, despite the huge age gap and that she belongs to a completely different generation. As the story progresses, we find out that Nain Elsi sometimes does silly things, and this is a great opportunity to introduce young children to the idea of dementia. It's good that the book keeps things light hearted I think, and the family makes the most of the situation without being too gloomy. I don’t think it’s necessary to make things too 'deep' in this instance, and the book strikes a good balance. Of course, there are sad bits, which highlights some of the not-so-good days that come with such a condition; particularly it’s impact on the rest of the family.
Although Nain Elsi has to go to a home, we can see this was the right decision and the last picture (once again the fantastic work of illustrator, Jac Jones) perfectly encapsulates the ‘feel’ of the whole novel. Despite the fact that she has moved into the home; it changes nothing and the family continue to visit her and have fun.
I think the last line of the book is immensely powerful, and brings a tear to the eye!
If someone in your family suffers from this cruel condition, this is a fantastic book to stimulate discussion with young children. I think the book works well to open the door to more questions from children’s inquisitive young minds.
Teachers, this is a perfect book if you are in charge of the daily assembly. Why not use the book in class for an unit of work? Perhaps a follow up visit to a care home can be arranged… you could do an afternoon of light entertainment for the elderly…