Chwilio

*Scroll down for English* 'Cofiwch y gwenyn' yw'r neges fawr! 'Remember the bees' is the take-home message! Genre: #lluniau #natur #ffuglen #helpu #gwenyn #amgylchedd / #pictures #nature #fiction #helping #bees #environment Gwerth addysgiadol/educational value: ◉◉◉◉◎ 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/pictures: Ruth Jên GWYLIWCH CARYS YN RAPIO YN Y GOEDWIG! Watch Carys rapping from the book! Wedi bod yn Nhŷ Newydd fy hun ar gwrs ‘sgwennu preswyl, dwi’n gwybod pa mor bwysig yw cyrsiau o’r fath ar gyfer datblygu awduron newydd. Mae’n brofiad bythgofiadwy a gwerthfawr iawn i bawb sy’n mynychu, ac mae’r buddsoddiad yn talu ar ei ganfed pan mae partneriaethau a llyfrau newydd yn deillio ohono. Dyma oedd stori Carys Glyn, yr awdures a’r artist Ruth Jên wnaeth benderfynu cydweithio yn dilyn cwrs yn 2019. Yno, datblygwyd y syniad o gyfuno rhai o anifeiliaid y Mabinogi a phroblem amgylcheddol gyfoes i greu llyfr hyfryd newydd gyffrous i blant ifanc - Criw’r Coed a’r Gwenyn Coll. O afael yn y llyfr am y tro cyntaf, mae safon yr argraffu yn amlwg. Braf yw cael llyfr clawr caled weithiau, ac yn enwedig un sy’n byrlymu â lliwiau llachar fel hyn. Bydd y gwenyn yn siŵr o heidio at hwn! Beth yw’r stori? Mae’r giang o anifeiliaid y goedwig (Criw’r Coed) fel rhyw fath o elders doeth sy’n byw yn y goedwig. Fel rheol, mae anifeiliaid eraill yn mynd atynt am gyngor, ond yn rhyfedd iawn, yn ddiweddar does neb wedi dod atynt i chwilio am help. Wedi disgwyl a disgwyl, yn sydyn iawn, daw gwenynen unig a thrist i’r golwg, sy’n cwyno nad oes ganddi ffrindiau ar ôl. Cyfeiriad yw hyn wrth gwrs, at un o broblemau mawr ein hoes sydd yn aml yn cael ei wthio o’r neilltu – mae ein gwenyn yn diflannu. Dyma ffaith hynod frawychus. Dyw hi ddim yn syndod pam ei fod yn digwydd chwaith - achos bod eu cynefin a’u bwyd yn lleihau, o’n herwydd ni, y bobl. Mae’r criw yn cael rhyw fath o ‘Avengers Assemble’ moment, a drwy bŵer y ‘rap’ fe ddyfeisiant gynllun clyfar i achub y gwenyn, sef plannu hadau wrth gwrs! Dwi’n meddwl fod cynnwys elfen ryngweithiol fel rap yn sicrhau bod y llyfr yn fwy modern ac yn siŵr o apelio at y plant lleiaf wrth iddyn nhw ymuno yn yr hwyl. Top Marks i Carys Glyn am wneud y fideo rapio yn y goedwig hefyd. Gwych! Dyma lyfr hynod o addas ar gyfer y Cyfnod Sylfaen gan ei fod yn cyflwyno problem amgylcheddol gymhleth mewn ffordd sy’n ddealladwy ac heb ddychryn. Agora’r llyfr y drws ar gyfer trafodaethau defnyddiol a phwysig gyda phlant ifanc am anifeiliaid gwyllt, cadwraeth, bioamrywiaeth, ecosystemau, blodau a mwy! Rhaid cyfleu’r syniad fod rhywbeth mor fach â gwenyn, yn chware rhan mor fawr yn ein byd bregus a dwi’n teimlo fod y llyfr yn cyflawni hyn. I’r perwyl hwnnw felly, efallai byddai’r llyfr wedi gallu sôn mwy (ar lefel syml) am SUT mae’r gwenyn yn helpu e.e. peillio. Ond mae digon o gyfle i astudio hynny wedyn does? Gallwch ddefnyddio’r llyfr fel sbardun ar gyfer amrywiaeth o weithgareddau hefyd, yn y dosbarth a rhai ymarferol yn yr ardaloedd tu allan. Cryfder y llyfr yw ei fod yn tynnu sylw plant at faterion amgylcheddol sy’n berthnasol i’w milltir sgwâr. Ac ar ôl darllen a rapio, beth am roi’r cyfle i’r plant gael bod yn rhan o ‘griw’r coed’ a mynd allan i blannu blodau gwyllt? Byddent yn cael blas ar arddio a chael cyfrannu at yr achos amgylcheddol yr un pryd. Result! Mae mor bwysig cynnal sgyrsiau fel hyn gyda phlant ifanc, a gallwn ond obeithio y bydden nhw’n gwarchod a pharchu’r byd yn well na wnaeth ein cenhedlaeth ni. Mae’n taro ar sawl egwyddor o’r Cwricwlwm Newydd, gan gynnwys y pedwar diben newydd sydd wrth graidd y cyfan: “ddinasyddion egwyddorol, gwybodus yng Nghymru a’r byd.” Fel y mae’r cerdyn busnes ar y diwedd yn awgrymu, “does dim problem yn rhy fawr..” i Griw’r Coed! Sgwn i beth fydd y ‘broblem’ nesaf i’r criw mentrus ei daclo! Brexit efallai? Having been in Tŷ Newydd myself on a residential writing course, I know how important such courses are for developing the next generation of writers. It’s an unforgettable experience and very valuable for all those who attend. The success of such courses speaks for itself when new partnerships, collaborations and ultimately books result from it. This was how Carys Glyn, the author, and Ruth Jên, the artist, decided to work together following a course there in 2019. They decided to combine some of the legendary animals from the Mabinogi and link them to a contemporary environmental problem - Criw'r Coed a’r Gwenyn Coll was born. As soon as I get hold of the book, the high standard is evident. I like a good hardback book, and especially one bursting with bright and vibrant colours like this. The bees will no doubt go crazy for this one! What’s the story? The animals of the forest are like wise old elders that the other animals turn to for advice. Strangely enough, no-one seems to be in need of any assistance. That is, until all of a sudden, a sad, lonely bee emerges, complaining that she has no friends left. This is of course a reference to a big problem of our times which is often forgotten – our bees are disappearing. This fact, though shocking is not surprising – their habitats and food sources are being diminished because of us. If it’s green, we pave over it with concrete… The crew then get a sort of ‘Avengers Assemble’ moment, and through the power of rap they devise a clever plan to save the bees – planting seeds! I think the inclusion of an interactive element such as the rap ensures that the book feels modern and will surely appeal to young children as they join in with the fun. Hats off to Carys Glyn for giving the rap a go in the forest! Great! This is a very appropriate book for the Foundation Phase as it presents a complex environmental problem in a way that is understandable. The book opens the door for important discussions with young children about a whole host of environmental topics such as wild animals, conservation, biodiversity, ecosystems, flowers and more. The idea is that something as small as bees, play such a large part in our fragile world. To that end, the book could have mentioned (only in passing on a simple level) about HOW the bees help e.g. pollination. But there are plenty of opportunities to take a closer look at that following the reading. You can use the book as a springboard for a variety of activities, both in class and on a practical level in the outside areas. The strength of the book is that it draws children's attention to environmental issues that are relevant to their lives and in their immediate locality – not a problem far away. After the reading and rapping, what better follow-up activity than going out to plant some seeds and wildflowers? They’d get a taste of gardening and would be contributing to the cause at the same time! It’s vitally important to have conversations like this with young children, and we can only hope that they will protect and respect the earth more than our generation did. The book aligns with several principles of the new curriculum for Wales, including the four purposes at the heart of it all: "principled, informed citizens in Wales and the world." As the business card suggests, "no problem is too great” for this lot! I wonder what they’ll tackle next?! Brexit perhaps? Only kidding! Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Y Lolfa Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £6.99 Erthygl am y llyfr ar Lleol.cymru https://www.lleol.cymru/blog/cofiwch-y-gwenyn-neges-llyfr-newydd-i-blant.html Read an article about the book on Lleol.Cymru

*Scroll down for English* Y cof. Un o’n doniau mwyaf pwerus fel pobl yw’r gallu i gofio. Fel unigolion, defnyddiwn ein cof i gyflawni ein bywyd beunyddiol. Ond mae’r cof hefyd yn creu cymdeithas. Y cof-ar-y-cyd sy’n caniatáu i ni berthyn i’n gilydd, ac mae cydgofio geiriau cerddi yn rhan bwysig o’r perthyn hwnnw. Mae Ar Gof yn gasgliad sydd â’r nod o’n cynorthwyo i gofio cofio. Three books that will encourage readers to remember a complete poem. Each book opens with a familiar verse, with each following page showing some of the words missing. With a visual 'nudge', readers will be encouraged to remember the lost words. Adolygiad gan Llio Mai Hughes Mae cerddi a barddoniaeth yn bethau a ddylid eu hadrodd ar lafar, eu dweud allan yn uchel a’u perfformio. Dyna sut y mae sawl hen gerdd wedi llwyddo i’n cyrraedd heddiw – am eu bod wedi eu hadrodd ar lafar a’u pasio o genhedlaeth i genhedlaeth nes cael eu cofnodi ar bapur. Dw i’n siŵr fod sawl un ohonoch chi wedi gorfod dysgu cerdd neu ddarn o gerdd ar gyfer cystadlu mewn eisteddfod neu ar gyfer arholiad yn yr ysgol. Mae hyn yn ffordd dda o sicrhau bod y genhedlaeth nesaf yn cael eu cyflwyno i waith ein beirdd, ond efallai bod eu dysgu ar gyfer parti llefaru neu i basio arholiad yn tynnu peth o’r mwynhad o’r arfer. Efallai fy mod yn anghywir, ond dw i’n credu fod y traddodiad o gofio ac adrodd cerddi er mwynhad wedi dirywio, a’n bod mewn perygl o golli’r hen arfer o’u perfformio a’u rhannu ymsyg ein gilydd. Mae’n bosib iawn mai dyma sydd y tu ôl i’r adnodd hwn gan Atebol gan i Mererid Hopwood nodi mai pwrpas casgliad Ar Gof yw ein ‘cynorthwyo i gofio cofio’. Yn ‘Y lloer a’r sêr’ ceir tri phennill, dau draddodiadol sef ‘Pan fo seren’ a ‘Tri pheth’ ac ‘Atgo’ gan Hedd Wyn, gyda’r cwbl yn cyfeirio at naill ai’r lloer neu’r sêr. Dyma syniad gwych, yn fy marn i, a ffordd syml ond effeithiol iawn o’n helpu i gofio cerddi ar ein cof. Mae dyluniad y llyfrynnau yn arbennig - gyda’r ysgrifen a’r lluniau metalig yn drawiadol iawn yn erbyn y cefndir du. Ceir y pennill cyfan ar dudalen cyntaf pob llyfryn, a fesul tudalen mae rhai o eiriau’r llinellau’n diflannu. Mae’r dull yn syml iawn, ond wir yn gweithio, ac roedd yn syndod imi pa mor gyflym y gwnes i gofio’r penillion. Yn glyfar iawn, mae’r lluniau sydd wedi’u cynnwys yn y llyfrynnau yno i’n cynorthwyo hefyd, gan eu bod yn darlunio’r hyn sy’n digwydd yn y penillion ac yn rhoi proc i’r cof os na fydd rhan o linell yn dod yn rhwydd. Dw i wir yn credu fod yma adnodd defnyddiol iawn i bobl o bob oedran a dull effeithiol iawn i sicrhau bod rhai o drysorau llenyddol y genedl yn cael eu cadw ar gof ac ar flaenau ein tafod unwaith yn rhagor. Byddai’n adnodd hynod ddefnyddiol i’r disgyblion sy’n astudio cerddi ar gyfer arholiadau TGAU neu Lefel A, neu hyn yn oed i fyfyrwyr prifysgol, gan fod modd efelychu’r dull yn hawdd iawn. Dw i’n mawr obeithio y bydd pecyn arall yn cael ei ryddhau yn fuan er mwyn i mi gael ychwanegu at fy repertoire. Poems and poetry in general are things that should be told, said out loud and performed in my opinion. Several older, traditional poems have managed to reach us today through this method – orally recounted and passed from generation to generation until they were finally recorded on paper. I’m sure that many of you have had to learn a poem or part of one for school assembly, for an exam or perhaps whilst competing in the Eisteddfod. The fact that they are part of our curriculum is a good way of ensuring that the next generation is introduced to the work of our forefathers, but perhaps teaching them derives some of the enjoyment from them. After all, when some of these were written hundreds of years ago, I doubt the bard expected that they would be used in this way – for exams and such. I may be wrong, but I think the tradition of remembering and re-counting poetry for enjoyment has diminished somewhat, and we are almost in danger of losing the old traditions of performing them out loud and sharing them with each other. Ask yourself, when was the last time you committed a poem to memory? And now, perhaps when we need it most, Mererid Hopwood has come up with a novel way of helping us ‘remember how to remember’ with her unique collection Ar Gof. In ‘Y lloer a’r sêr’ we get three verses, two of which are traditional and the third is ‘Atgo’ by Hedd Wyn – all of which refer to the moon or the stars in some way. This is a great idea, in my opinion, and a simple yet effective way of helping us to commit poems to memory. The design of the booklets is unique, and unlike anything else I’ve seen in Welsh- with the writing and metallic pictures looking very impressive and magical against the black background. The whole verse is to be found on the first page of each booklet, and on each subsequent page some of the words disappear. The method is very simple, but it really works, and I was surprised at how quickly I remembered the verses. Cleverly, the pictures included in the booklets are also there to assist us, as they depict what is happening in the poem and give a little prompt if we forget which line comes next. I really believe that this is a very useful resource for people of all ages and a very effective method to learn lines, whether that be poetry or something else. Indeed, the ‘cover and repeat’ method could easily adapted for other activities. Those pupils studying poetry for GCSEs, A Levels, or at University could make use of this. Perhaps they could even be used with older people as a form of complimentary brain-training, to keep that memory sharp – think of it as a poetic version of sudoku. More importantly, they serve to make sure that some of our nation’s literary treasures are being heard once again. I very much hope that we will get another collection on a different topic. Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Atebol Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £12.99 Learn more about the design process here @ Clout Branding: https://www.cloutbranding.com/work/atebol/

*Scroll down for English* ♥Llyfr y Mis i Blant: Hydref 2020♥ ♥Children's Book of the Month: October 2020♥ Casgliad gwerthfawr ac unigryw o englynion i blant gan wahanol feirdd - gyda nodiadau defnyddiol i gyd-fynd. A treasure-trove of unique 'Englynion' for children by different poets - with explanatory notes. Addas i oed: 7-11 Suitable for ages 7-11 Hyd yn oed fel oedolyn, mae englynion yn fy nychryn. Dwi ’rioed wedi teimlo’n ddigon ‘clyfar’ neu ‘llenyddol’ i allu mwynhau englyn. Bron y buaswn yn dweud mod i’n teimlo nad oedd gen i ‘hawl’ i wneud. Maen debyg fod na sawl un wedi teimlo’r un fath â mi – fod englynion ar gyfer pobl ‘glyfar’ a’r rheiny sy’n dda yn y Gymraeg yn unig. Gobeithio, y bydd y llyfr yma’n llwyddo i’ch darbwyllo fel arall... Mae englynion i bawb. Wedi i mi ddarllen Fy Llyfr Englynion ddwywaith o glawr i glawr, rwy’n falch iawn o allu dweud nad ydw i’n ofni’r englyn bellach, ac o’i ddarllen fy mod i wedi cael syniad llawer gwell o un o drysorau Cymru. Dydw i ddim yn hollol siŵr eto os fydda i’n gallu ’sgwennu fy englyn fy hun, ond dwi’n mynd i drio herio fy hun i wneud erbyn diwedd y flwyddyn! Mae’r llyfr yn llai nac oeddwn i wedi ei ddychmygu, ond, wedi meddwl, dyma faint perffaith ar gyfer ei ffitio mewn poced neu fag – ni ddylai’r llyfr yma fod yn casglu llwch ar silff, ond yn cael ei ddefnyddio a’i fwynhau gan y genhedlaeth nesaf o feirdd. Bach ydi englyn hefyd wrth gwrs, ac ni ddylid barnu ar sail maint yn unig. Mae cymaint o gyfoeth mewn englyn, sy’n golygu bod llond trol yn perthyn i’r gyfrol hon. O ran y llyfr ei hun, clawr caled sydd iddo ac mae ’na lyfrnod rhuban del ar gyfer cadw’r dudalen – touch bach neis. Dwi’n reit embarrassed i ddweud nad oeddwn i’n llawn ddeall beth oedd englyn cyn heddiw. Dwi wedi clywed amdanyn nhw, do, ond doeddwn i ’rioed wedi mynd ‘o dan y bonet’ fel petai er mwyn gweld yr injan! Diddorol iawn oedd dysgu am y rheolau sy’n gwneud englynion mor swynol ac unigryw. Am syniad gwych oedd creu cyfrol liwgar, sy’n cyflwyno plant ifanc i ran bwysig iawn o’n diwylliant a’n traddodiad ni yng Nghymru. Mae’n drysorfa o englynion hyfryd, rhai yn hen ffefrynnau gan feirdd megis Dic Jones a Thomas Richards, ac eraill yn fwy cyfoes gan feirdd megis Karen Owen a Tudur Dylan Jones. Mae’r llyfr hefyd yn dipyn o ‘how to guide’ ar yr un pryd. Dyma yw cryfder y llyfr – yn hytrach na chyflwyno’r englynion yn unig, fe â’r llyfr gam ymhellach a chynnig esboniad o’r geiriau anghyfarwydd gyda nodiadau manwl sy’n egluro ystyr y penillion. Dwi’n hoff iawn o’r ffaith fod y llyfr yn esbonio ac yn gwneud hynny heb fod yn patronising. Mae’r golygydd, Mererid Hopwood, wedi sôn sawl gwaith am bwysigrwydd y cof, a dwi’n mawr obeithio y bydd plant yn rhoi cynnig ar geisio cofio rhai o’u hoff englynion, am mai pethau i’w hadrodd ar lafar a’u trosglwyddo o genhedlaeth i genhedlaeth ydi englynion. Pŵer englyn yw cymryd peth, teimlad neu ddigwyddiad go gyffredin ac amlygu’r hyn sy’n hynod amdano – tynnu ein sylw at fawredd a hud yr hyn yr ydym ni’n ei gymryd yn ganiataol neu’n eu diystyrru. Dyma deitlau rhai o englynion y gyfrol: ‘Afal’, ‘Y Gwely’, ‘Cwestiwn’ ac ‘Y Pry Cop’. Mae’r rhain i gyd yn bethau sy’n rhan o’n bywydau beunyddiol, ond mae’r englynion hyn yn edrych arnynt o bersbectif gwahanol, gan wneud inni eu gweld mewn golau newydd. Nid yr englynion yw unig elfennau hyfryd y gyfrol hon ychwaith. Ceir llun lliwgar gan Alice Samuel i gyd-fynd â phob englyn, sydd wir yn eu cyfoethogi ac yn ychwanegu at greu naws a theimlad yr englynion. Trowch at ‘Y Gorwel’ gan Dewi Emrys neu ‘Nyth’ gan Roger Jones, i enwi dim ond rhai o fy hoff gyfuniadau o lên a llun. Llongyfarchiadau i’r wasg newydd, Beirdd Bach, ar eu cyhoeddiad cyntaf. O ystyried safon y gyfrol gyntaf, rwy’n rhagweld dyfodol llewyrchus i’r fenter ac rwy’n edrych ymlaen yn eiddgar at y cyhoeddiad nesaf. Mwy o wybodaeth am y wasg newydd yma: https://www.barddas.cymru/newyddion-barddas/cyhoeddi-gwasg-beirdd-bach/ Even as an adult, ‘englynion’ scare me. I've never felt 'clever' or 'literary' enough to be able to enjoy them. I'd almost go as far as saying I never felt like I had a right to. Many of your everyday average Welsh speakers probably feel the same– that poetry is for 'clever' people and the Welsh literati. I hope this book will succeed in persuading you otherwise... After I read Fy Llyfr Englynion twice from cover to cover, I’m pleased to be able to say that I am no longer afraid of ‘englynion’, and that having done so, I now have a much better idea about one of Wales's best kept secrets. I'm not quite sure yet if I’ll be able to write my own but I'm going to challenge myself to do so by the end of the year! The book is smaller than I had imagined, but, having thought about it, this is the perfect size for a pocket or a bag – this book shouldn’t be collecting dust on a shelf, but be used and enjoyed by the next generation of poets. An englyn itself is small and short, and should not be judged on its size alone. The sounds of the words flow like music and this volume if full of treasures. In terms of the book itself, it has a hard cover and you also get a ribbon bookmark– a nice little touch. I'm quite embarrassed to say that I didn't fully understand what an ‘englyn’ was before today. I've heard of them, yes, but never really ‘looked under the bonnet’ about how they are put together. It was very interesting to learn about the rules that make such unique bits of poetry, where every word counts. They are almost like a Welsh version o the Haiku, but I get the feeling I'm oversimplifying here! What a great idea it was to create a colourful volume, which introduces young children to a very important part of our culture and traditions in Wales and ensures it's survival. It’s a treasure trove of lovely short poems, some old favourites by poets such as Dic Jones and Thomas Richards, and other, more contemporary ones by poets such as Karen Owen and Tudur Dylan Jones. The book also works as a bit of a 'how-to guide’ at the same time. This is one of the book’s strengths– rather than just presenting the englynion as they are, the book goes a step further and offers explanations for the unfamiliar words with detailed notes explaining the meaning of the poem. I love the fact that the book takes the time to explain and does so without being patronising. The editor, Mererid Hopwood, has mentioned several times the importance of memory, and I very much hope that children will try to commit some of their favourite englynion to memory because they are things that can, and should be passed from generation to generation by the power of the spoken word. The power of an englyn is that it takes a real thing, feeling or event and highlights the remarkable little details – it draws our attention to things we might take for granted. Many of the poems are about things in our everyday lives, but the englyn looks at them from a different perspective, making us see them in a new light. The englynion themselves are complemented by Alice Samuel’s colourful and delicate illustrations. The pictures really add to their beauty. ‘Y Gorwel’ by Dewi Emrys and ‘Nyth’ by Roger Jones are some of our favourites. Congratulations to Beirdd Bach, a new children’s publishing division of Barddas, on their first publication. Given the standard of their first book, I anticipate a prosperous future for them and I look forward to the next publication. Right, now I'm off to try and write my own englyn... I'll let you know how I get on! Englyn (pronounced [ˈɛŋ. lɪn]; plural englynion) is a traditional Welsh and Cornish short poem form. Gwyliwch y lansiad! Watch the Book Launch! Ymunwch â Mererid Hopwodd a'r beirdd bach, Liwsi Glwys a Sisial Karadog ar Ddiwrnod Cenedlaethol Barddoniaeth ar gyfer lansiad rhithol 'Fy Llyfr Englynion'. http://www.amam.cymru/barddas/3676?fbclid=IwAR2BXXzNl_dB1_co8gx-8Q5Ujf9ZwYh2PGbigUg9BbKE9RpooVpoC-FT6eI [click on link not picture] Gwasg/publisher: Beirdd Bach (rhan o Barddas) Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £6.95

*Scroll down for English* Mae 'na ferched o bob math - a gallen nhw wneud unrhywbeth! There are all kind of girls- and they can do anything! ♥Llyfr y Mis i blant Awst 2018♥ ♥Book of the Month for Children Aug 2018♥ Ydych chi erioed wedi clywed eich merch ifanc yn dweud ‘fedra i ddim gwneud hynny siŵr’ neu ‘thing bechgyn ydi hwnna?’ Wel, dyna ddiwedd ar siarad fel ‘na! Gobeithio bydd y llyfr yma’n troi’r hen syniad yna ar ei ben, a phwysleisio neges glir - gall merched wneud UNRHYW BETH! #girlpower Beth sydd yn y llyfr? Dyma lyfr lliwgar a llachar sy’n dangos genod o bob lliw a llun yn gwneud pob math o weithgareddau difyr a chyffrous. Mae’r hen syniadau traddodiadol o be ‘ddylia’ merched fod yn gwneud, a sut dylen nhw ymddwyn wedi mynd allan drwy’r ffenestr, diolch byth! Yn y llyfr yma, mae’r gennod yn dilyn pob math o ddiddordebau amrywiol ac yn ymfalchïo yn hynny. Mae rhai yn hoffi crefftau, eraill yn hoffi gwyddoniaeth. Mae rhai yn hoffi chwaraeon tra bod well gan eraill ddarllen a ‘sgwennu. Y peth yw, mae gan bawb ddiddordebau, sgiliau a thalentau gwahanol ac mae hynny’n hollol fine! Be oedd yn dda am y llyfr? Ar lawes fewnol y clawr, fe gychwynna’r llyfr gyda nifer o swyddi gwahanol i ferched, sy’n dangos y cyfleoedd posib. Syniad da oedd cynnwys rhestr o swyddi gwych, sy’n agor llygaid ein plant i’r hyn sydd o’u blaen, ac i ystyried swyddi mwy uchelgeisiol a chyffrous. Gall ferched fod yn beirianwyr, yn filfeddygon, yn anturwyr neu beth bynnag maen nhw eisiau - does ‘na ddim limits yw’r neges. Mae’r ysgrifen wedi ei leoli o amgylch y lluniau mewn patrymau difyr ac mae’r brawddegau yn odli hefyd. Roeddwn i’n falch iawn o weld cyfeiriad at rhai o ferched arloesol y gorffennol – byddai modd gwneud lot o waith ymchwil yma. Biti nad oedd lle i gynnwys Amelia Earhart, ond ta waeth, mae ‘na ddigonedd o ferched ysbrydoledig eraill wedi eu cynnwys. Un o fy hoff ddarnau oedd y dudalen gyda’r bws melyn. Da oedd gweld fod yr awdur yn gwrthdroi’r syniad fod merched yn gorfod bod yn dainty ac yn daclus a dim ond y bechgyn sy’n gallu bod yn ddrewllyd neu’n flêr! Mae’r dudalen olaf hefyd yn annog y darllenwyr i ddilyn eu breuddwydion. Dyfarniad Peidiwch da chi a gwneud y camgymeriad o feddwl fod y llyfr yma ar gyfer merched yn unig. Bydd y llyfr yn siŵr o fod yn sbardun ar gyfer trafodaethau ystyrlon gyda bechgyn a merched am gyfleoedd cyfartal. Os ydym ni am gael cymdeithas lle mae bechgyn a merched yn parchu ei gilydd, mae angen dechrau’r sgyrsiau hyn mor fuan â phosib - a does unlle gwell nac amser stori ar y mat! Byddai’r llyfr yn gwneud anrheg Nadolig gwych i unrhyw ferch, ac a gobeithio y bydd yn ysbrydoli merched mentrus y dyfodol i anelu am y sêr! Dyma lyfr hollol empowering! (sori, do’n i ddim yn gallu meddwl am y gair cyfatebol perffaith Gymraeg i gyfleu hynna!) Have you ever heard your little girl say things like ‘oh, I can’t do that’ or 'no, that's a boy thing?' Well, it’s time to put an end to talk like that and turn that ‘can’t’ into a CAN-DO attitude! I think this book successfully gets across it’s core message - girls, you can do absolutely ANYTHING! #girlpower What’s the book about? This bright and colourful picture book shows lots of girls of all shapes, colours and sizes doing all kinds of exciting activities. The old traditional ideas of what girls should be doing and how they should behave has gone out the window, and it’s about time! All the girls have diverse hobbies and interests and they take pride in that. We shouldn’t all be the same – that would be super boring! Some like crafts, others like science. Some go for the sports while others prefer to read and write. The thing is, everyone has different interests, skills and talents and that's absolutely fine! What did you like about it? On the inner sleeve, the book starts with a gallery of girls doing different jobs, showing the potential career opportunities. It was a good idea to include a list of cool jobs, which opens their eyes to the types of things they’ll be able to do in the future. It’s about inspiring them to think big and dream of ambitious, exciting things to come. Women can be engineers, vets, adventurers or whatever they want to be – no limits is the general message. The writing is placed around the pictures in funky patterns and the sentences also rhyme. Lots of history’s great women are also featured – this could open the door for lots of classroom research work. It’s a shame that there was no room to include Amelia Earhart, but never mind, there’s plenty to be getting on with. Another book, 'Genod gwych a Merched Medrus' by Medi Jones-Jackson has also been published, and that has even more inspirational women but also has a Welsh slant to it. Check out our review of that one too. https://en.sonamlyfra.cymru/post/genod-gwych-a-merched-medrus-medi-jones-jackson One of my favourite bits was the page with the yellow bus. It was good to see that the author has flipped the idea that girls have to be dainty whilst the boys get to be smelly and messy on it’s head! The final page is inspirational as it encourages readers to follow their dreams and think about what they can do. Verdict Don't make the mistake of thinking that this book is just for girls. The book will no doubt act as a springboard for meaningful discussions with boys and girls alike about equal opportunities. If we want a future society where boys and girls truly respect each other, and are treated as absolute equals, then these conversations need to be started as soon as possible – there’s no better time/place than on the mat! The book would make a great Christmas present for young girls, say aged between 5-8, and I hope that it will inspire them to aim for the stars! What an empowering book. Gwasg/publisher: Rily Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2018 Pris: £5.99

*Scroll down for English* ★Enillydd gwobr Tir na n-Og 2012★ ★Tir na n-Og Award winner 2012.★ Dyma bedwaredd nofel Manon Steffan Ros yng nghyfres yr Onnen. Enillodd Trwy'r Tonnau (dilyniant i Trwy'r Darlun) wobr Tir na n-Og 2010. Mae Prism yn dilyn hynt a helynt Twm a Math sy'n dianc o'u cartref ac yn mynd i deithio o amgylch Cymru, gan aros ym Mhwllheli, Aberdaron, Porthmadog, Aberystwyth, Llangrannog a Thyddewi. Twm and Math are due to visit their father in his Cardiff flat during the summer holidays. Math is disabled and the father is unable to come to terms with that. The father sends his ex-wife an e-mail to eplain that he can't have the children, after all. Twm accidentally finds the message and deletes it before his mother reads it. Crynodeb o’r Cynnwys Dilynwn antur Twm a Math ar draws Gymru. Mae hanes y ddau frawd yn drist I’w darllen ac o ganlyniad maent eisiau rhoi saib I’w mam iddi gael fynd ar wyliau gyda’i ffrindiau. Mae’r celwyddau yn troi mewn i boen ac yna mewn i reswm i alw’r heddlu. Mae Math yn wahanol i fechgyn eraill ei oedran, yn nadu ac yn llefen ac yn sgrechen nerth ei ben sydd yn cyflwyno her ychwanegol I’w frawd ar ei helynt. Y Darn Gorau Fy hoff ran yw pan gwrddodd y bechgyn ffrind ffyddlon yn un o’i cartrefi Newydd yng nghefn gwlad Cymru. Roedd gweld agwedd y bechgyn tuag at y crwt yma yn arbennig oherwydd roedd e’n rhoi amrywiaeth dwfn i’r nofel yma. Mae Llew yn chwarae rhan pwysig yn y nofel ac yn allweddol I ran mwyaf anturus y bechgyn ar eu taith trwy Gymru. Cymeriadau Twm yw’r brawd hynaf sydd yn gofalu ar ô lei frawd ac yn cadw llygaid barcud arno. Math yw’r brawd sydd yn denu llawer o sylw atynt ond sydd yn darganfod rhywbeth ar ddiwedd y nofel sydd fel blanced cysur iddo. I bwy fyddet ti’n argymell y llyfr? Pam? Os ydych chi yn hoff o antur a drygioni (felly, pob un!) mae’r stori yma i chi. Ac os yw Cymru o ddiddor i chi, darllenwch Prism. Summary We follow the adventures of Twm and Math across Wales. The histories of both brothers is sad to read about and as a result they want to give their mother a break so she can go on holiday with her friends. The lies turn into pain and then into a reason to call the police. Math is different from the other boys his age, crying and screaming his head off which presents his brother with an additional challenge on their journey. Best Bit My favourite part is when the boys met a loyal friend in one of their new homes in rural Wales. Seeing the boys' attitude towards this lad was special because it gave depth to this novel. Llew plays an important role in the novel and is key to the most adventurous part of the boys’ journey through Wales. Characters Twm is the eldest brother who cares for his little brother and keeps a watchful eye on him. Math is the one who attracts a lot of attention to them but discovers something at the end of the novel that is like a comfort blanket to him. Who would you recommend the book to? Why? If you like adventure and mischief (and more) this is the story for you. If you find Wales interesting, then read Prism. NOFEL NEWYDD I FACHU DYCHYMYG BECHGYN oddi ar Gwales.com Mae nofel newydd Manon Steffan Ros, Prism, yn un a ysgrifennwyd mewn ymdrech arbennig i ddenu mwy o fechgyn ifanc i ddarllen nofelau Cymraeg. “’Dwi’n meddwl ei bod hi'n bwysig i lenyddiaeth Cymraeg gael ei ’sgwennu i hogia' yn eu harddegau,” eglura’r awdures boblogaidd, “oherwydd does ’na ddim llawer o nofelau ar eu cyfer.” Mae’r nofel yn ymgymryd â phwnc heriol, sef y berthynas unigryw a fodolai rhwng bachgen o Gaernarfon, Twm, a’i frawd ieuengaf, Math, sy’n dioddef o anabledd emosiynol difrifol. Yn dilyn anallu tad y brodyr i ddelio ag anabledd Math, mae Twm yn penderfynu rhoi hoe i’w fam sengl, sydd am fynd i Lerpwl yn ystod gwyliau’r haf, drwy ei thwyllo a dianc â’i frawd i wersylla i gorneli Cymru. Nid oes gan Manon brofiad personol uniongyrchol o blant sy’n dioddef o anabledd emosiynol. Fe wyddai cyn ymchwilio ar gyfer y nofel, serch hynny, pa mor wahanol gall dau frawd fod, a’r elfen amddiffynnol sydd gan bob brawd a chwaer tuag at yr ieuaf yn y nyth. Credai Manon y bydd y nofel yn apelio at oedolion yn ogystal â phlant a phobl ifanc, o ganlyniad i’r amryw haenau sy’n bodoli ym mywyd teuluol y prif gymeriadau yn sgil cyflwr emosiynol y mab ieuengaf. Fe’i hysbrydolwyd i ysgrifennu’r nofel wrth weld y datblygiad ym mherthynas ei meibion ifanc ei hunan, ac o gofio’r berthynas glos a fodolai rhyngddi hi a’i chwaer, y gantores Lleuwen Steffan, ers yn ifanc. Meddai Manon: “Yn amlwg, mae'r ffaith mai dau o feibion sydd gen i yn ddylanwad ar y nofel… a phan o'n i'n tyfu, roedd fy chwaer a minnau yn agos iawn – ’da ni’n dal i fod, a dweud y gwir - ac mae o'n ddifyr i mi sut ma' gwaed yn clymu pobol wrth ei gilydd. Mae fy chwaer a ’mrawd a minnau yn wahanol iawn i’n gilydd, ac eto ’da ni'n agos iawn.” Yn deillio o hoffter yr awdures o deithio, ysgogwyd hi i ysgrifennu am ambell un o’i hoff leoliadau yng Nghymru wrth anfon y brodyr ar daith o dros 200 milltir i lawr arfordir gorllewinol Cymru. O Gaernarfon i Bwllheli, Aberdaron i Borthmadog, traeth Tonfannau i Aberystwyth, ac yna i Langrannog cyn cyrraedd Tyddewi. Ymhelaetha’r awdures: “Ro’n i’n awyddus i ’sgwennu rhywbeth Cymreig yn ogystal â Chymraeg - rhywbeth sy'n gysylltiedig efo’r wlad ei hun. Dyna pam ’dwi'n eu hanfon nhw i rai o’r llefydd ’dwi'n eu caru yn y wlad... Ni fydd llawer o'r bobl ifanc sy'n darllen y llyfr wedi bod yn y llefydd yma, a gall hynny eu hysgogi i ymweld â’r lleoliadau.” Dyma bedwaredd nofel yr awdures boblogaidd ar gyfer yr arddegau – a’r nofel gorau hyd yma, yn ei thyb hi. Mae’r awdures ifanc o Bennal, ger Machynlleth, eisoes wedi ennill Gwobr Tir na n’Og 2010 am ‘Trwy’r Tonnau’, nofel arall i blant a phobl ifanc, yn ogystal â Gwobr Barn y Bobl 2010 am ei nofel gyntaf i oedolion, ‘Fel Aderyn’. Gwasg/publisher: Y Lolfa Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019 Cyfres/series: Yr Onnen Pris: £5.95

Scroll down for English Y llyfr lluniau prydfertha i mi weld erioed! The most beautiful picture book I've ever seen! ‘In this beautiful book children describe their own fantastical dragons, from the tiny, rainbow winged variety that whispers in ears to the dragon as big as a village with a tail as long as a river.’ Daily Telegraph ‘A breathtaking picture book that will fire the imagination of all who read it… Be inspired by this magical book to tell your own dragon stories.’ TBK Mag Reit, cardia’ ar y bwrdd – hwn ydi’r llyfr plant prydfertha dwi ERIOED wedi ei weld!! YFMI (Yn fy marn i) mae o’n curo unrhyw beth arall dwi wedi dod ar ei draws! Mae o fwy fel darn o gelf na dim arall a dweud y gwir! Mae ei faint (anferthol o 365x270 mm) a’r cloriau caled yn bleser i’w ddal a’i drin. Ok, mae o’n edrych yn anhygoel, ond ydi’r stori yn dal dŵr? Wel, mi fasa fo, petai ‘na stori yna yn y lle cyntaf. Rhywsut, gyda’r llyfr yma, fe allwch ei ddarllen o glawr i glawr, ond does dim byd yn ‘digwydd’. Er nad oes plot a naratif, fel y cyfryw, fe gawn ddatganiadau disgrifiadol ar ffurf brawddegau sy’n llifo fel cerdd. Mae geiriau Jackie Morris, wedi eu cyfieithu gan Mererid Hopwood, fel petai nhw’n canu o un dudalen i’r llall. Gellir trafod rhai o’r ansoddeiriau difyr fel “igam-igamog” neu’r geiriau cyfansawdd fel “gwyrddloyw” a “melyngoch.” Teimla rhai, fod y diffyg ‘stori’ yn gadael y llyfr i lawr mymryn, ond dwi ddim yn meddwl y bydd plant yn poeni am hynny – mi fyddan nhw ar goll yn y lluniau... Mae’r brawddegau yn disgrifio amryw o ddreigiau rhyfeddol. Fe gawn ein cyflwyno i ddreigiau o bob lliw a llun, rhai’n fawr a rhai’n fach. Fy hoff ddraig ohonynt i gyd oedd draig y dŵr – am ei fod o’n anghyffredin efallai. Mae plant (ac oedolion) yn rhyfeddu ar ddreigiau, a finnau hefyd! Mae ‘na rywbeth hudolus am ddreigiau, sy’n symbolau o bŵer a nerth - creaduriaid bonheddig a mawreddog. Rydym yn dod ar eu traws ymhobman, mewn straeon, chwedlau, ffilmiau ac mae gan Gymru ddraig fabwysiedig ei hun! Mae’r ddraig goch bellach yn rhan o’n hunaniaeth fel cenedl. Dwi’m yn meddwl mod i erioed wedi dod ar draws person sydd ddim yn hoffi dreigiau! Ar ôl ein tywys o amgylch y byd a thu hwnt yn gweld dreigiau a lleoedd rhyfeddol, fe gawn neges gan yr awdur fod 'na ddraig gan bob un ohonom ni, tybed sut ddraig fyddwch chi? Fel unigolion, mae pob draig yn wahanol iawn, ac mae gan bawb ddiddordebau a thalentau amrywiol, ac mae hynny’n rhywbeth i’w ddathlu. Dwi wedi clywed am athrawon sydd wedi defnyddio’r llyfr yma gyda’ phlant ifanc iawn ac maen nhw wedi gwirioni’n lan gyda’r llyfr. Digon hawdd yw defnyddio’r llyfr gyda phlant hŷn hefyd achos mae 'na jest rywbeth am ddreigiau sy’n tanio’r dychymyg, dim ots beth yw eich oedran. Credwch fi, mae ‘na bosibiliadau lu yn deillio o’r llyfr yma, gan gynnwys efelychu gwaith celf, ysgrifennu barddoniaeth neu ‘sgwennu straeon am ddreigiau. Fe allwch ddefnyddio’r llyfr fel sbardun i fynd i ymchwilio diwylliannau’r byd sy’n ystyried dreigiau’n uchel iawn eu parch, fel Tsieina. Gwahodda’r frawddeg olaf y darllenydd i feddwl am ddraig eu hunain: “A nawr ga i hanes dy ddraig di?” Mae maint y llyfr yn berffaith ar gyfer cyd-ddarllen ac mae’r lluniau dyfrlliw yn hynod o weladwy a thrawiadol – mae defnydd yr awdur o liwiau yn fendigedig. Gallwch dreulio oriau yn astudio’r lluniau’n fanwl ac yn sylwi ar yr holl fanylion bach. Pwy sydd angen geiriau pan mae lluniau yn siarad cyfrolau? Am bris o £20, fydd y llyfr ddim yn siwtio pawb, ond cofiwch, mae copi ohono ar gael ym mhob llyfrgell i’r rhai sy’n awyddus i gael sbec. Yn bersonol, mi faswn i’n talu i gael copi fy hun er mwyn cael edrych arno dro ar ôl tro – mae’r lluniau jest mor fendigedig. Right, cards on the table – this is the most beautiful children's book I've EVER seen!! IMO it beats anything else I've come across so far. It’s more like a piece of art than a book if I’m being honest! Its massive size (365x270 mm), good quality paper and hardback covers make it a pleasure to have and to hold. OK, it looks amazing, but does the story work? Well, it would – if there was one! Somehow, with this book you can read it from cover to cover, and at the end, nothing has actually ‘happened’ as such. Although there’s no plot and narrative, in the traditional sense, what we do get is highly elaborate, elegant descriptive statement sentences that flow like poetry. Jackie Morris’s words have been translated by Mererid Hopwood, and the words seem to sing from one page to another. Some feel that the lack of a 'story' is what lets the book down slightly, but I don't think children will worry about that – they will be lost in the pictures… The sentences describe various remarkable dragons. We come across dragons of all shapes and sizes, some large, some small. My personal favourite was the water dragon – perhaps because it’s more unusual. Children (and adults) have always been fascinated by dragons, myself included! There’s something magical about dragons, which are not only symbols of power and strength, but can be gentle, noble and majestic creatures. We encounter them everywhere, in stories, legends, films and Wales even has a dragon of its own! The red dragon is now part of our identity as a nation. I don’t think I’ve ever come across a person who doesn't like dragons! After taking us around the world and beyond to see Dragons of all sorts, the author shares with us the message that we all have a dragon. Which one would you be? Like individuals, each dragon is different, with diverse interests and talents, and that is something to celebrate. I've heard of teachers who have used this book with very young children and they're been thrilled with the book. It’s also easy to adapt the book for use with older children because there’s just something about dragons that fires the imagination, regardless of age. Believe me, there are many possibilities stemming from this book, including recreating artwork, writing poetry or tales about dragons. You could use the book as a springboard for the exploration of world cultures who hold the dragon in high regard, like China. The final sentence invites the reader to think of their own dragon… The size of the book is perfect for reading to a class and the watercolour pictures are extremely visible and impressive – the author's use of colours is wonderful. You could spend hours studying the pictures in detail and noticing all the little details. Who needs words when pictures speak a thousand of them? At £20, the book will not be to everyone’s taste, but remember, a copy will be available in most libraries for those who want a peek. Personally, I would pay for my own copy so that I could look at it again and again. Gwasg/publisher: Graffeg Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019 Pris: £20

*Scroll down for English* Llyfr sy'n cyflwyno ymwybyddiaeth ofalgar i blant bach. A books that introduces mindfulness to young children. Genre: #lles #iechyd / #wellbeing #health Gwerth addysgiadol/educational value: ◉◉◉◉◎ 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:: ◉◎◎◎◎ Arlunwaith/artwork: Sïan Angharad Addas i oed: 4-7 Suitable for ages: 4-7 S4C CYW CYMRAEG: https://www.s4c.cymru/cy/ysgol-cyw/ ENGLISH: https://www.s4c.cymru/en/learn-and-play/ Ydych chi wedi clywed y geiriau ‘ymwybyddiaeth ofalgar’ [YO] neu ‘mindfulness’ o’r blaen? Efallai eich bod chi’n gyfarwydd â nhw, ond mae nifer o bobl yn clywed y geiriau yn aml, ond ddim wir yn deall eu hystyr. Na, dydi o ddim jest ar gyfer oedolion a dydi o ddim yn golygu plygu’ch corff yn bob siâp dan haul a mynd ‘ooooommm...’ Hwn yw fy nehongliad i o beth yw ‘ymwybyddiaeth ofalgar’ (dwi’m yn gado ei fod yn hollol gywir, chwaith!) I mi, mae YO yn golygu cymryd ‘chydig o amser allan o brysurdeb bywyd diddiwedd, a chymryd munud neu ddau i dalu sylw i’r foment bresennol er mwyn ymlacio. Hynny yw, bod yn ymwybodol o’n cyrff, ein meddyliau a’r byd o’n cwmpas. Hwnna yw’r diffiniad mwyaf syml ohono ond mae’n llawer mwy ‘na hynny mewn gwirionedd. Mae ymchwil yn dangos fod ymarfer YO yn fuddiol iawn, ac yn help mawr i’n lles meddyliol. Yn ôl sôn, rydych yn gallu ail-wifro eich ymennydd i fod yn fwy positif drwy ei wneud yn rheolaidd ac mi all lleihau stress a helpu gydag iselder ac ADHD. Mae’n sicr yn rhywbeth braf i’w wneud a dwi’n argymell unrhyw un i fynd i ddarganfod mwy amdano (Mi wna i atodi ambell i wefan ar ddiwedd yr adolygiad). Mae’r llyfr Shwshaswyn newydd yn cyflwyno’r syniad yma i blant ifanc iawn, a’u galluogi nhw i gymryd rhan a manteisio ar YO. Rydym yn ffodus fod y Ganolfan Ymwybyddiaeth Ofalgar ym Mhrifysgol Bangor – reit ar ein stepen ddrws, ac mae’r awdur, Nia Jewell, wedi trafod cynnwys ac ymarferion y llyfr gyda’r arbenigwyr yno. Mae amseriad y llyfr, yn sgil covid-19 yn berffaith! Chwalwyd trefn arferol pawb yn ystod y pandemig a'r cyfnod clo, ac mae’n parhau i fod yn adeg bryderus, yn enwedig i blant. Pa adeg well felly, i wneud ‘chydig o ymarferion YO? Drwy gydweithio â Cwmni Da, roedd yn bosib defnyddio ‘brand’ Shwshaswyn sy’n debygol o fod yn gyfarwydd i nifer o blant ifanc. Er, cofiwch, mae’n bosib mwynhau’r llyfr heb fod wedi gwylio’r rhaglen o’r blaen. (os dio’n newydd i chi, ewch i Cyw i weld mwy). “Holl bwrpas creu byd Shwshaswyn yw i’n hysbrydoli’n dawel i blethu’r cyfnodau byr o feddylgarwch i mewn i’n bywydau prysur,” meddai Nia. Mae gweithgareddau i gyd-fynd â’r llyfr ar wefan Cyw S4C, a bydd hyn yn gyfle ychwanegol i fireinio sgiliau canolbwyntio, hunanreolaeth ac ymdrin ag emosiynau. Garddio sydd dan sylw yn y llyfr, ac mae’r Capten, Seren a Fflwff wrthi’n plannu hadau. Wrth wneud hyn, fe sylwant ar y byd o’u cwmpas. Dyma gyfle gwych i ymarfer anadlu, arafu a thawelu gyda'u hoff gymeriadau. Mae garddio ei hun yn weithgaredd llesol, hamddenol sy’n wych ar gyfer ymlacio - cyfle i roi’r ffôn neu’r tabled i lawr a chysylltu â natur. O ran y llyfr ei hun, yn debyg i’r rhaglen deledu, mae’r gwaith celf yn lliwgar ac yn gwneud defnydd o wahanol batrymau a gweadau sy’n ddymunol. Dwi’n meddwl mai’r gweithgareddau rhyngweithiol yw un o gryfderau’r llyfr, ond efallai byddai’r llyfr wedi elwa o gael mwy o ymarferion fel hyn? Mae ‘na ddigonedd o ymarferion byrion ar ffurf clipiau fideo ar wefan Cyw i gyd-fynd a’r llyfr. Mewn byd sy’n llawn cyffro a phrysurdeb, rhaid i ni wneud amser i ymdawelu a thalu sylw i’r pethau bychain sy’n gallu mynd yn angof. Dyma gyflwyniad da i YO i blant ifanc. Have you heard of ‘mindfulness' before? You may be familiar with it, but many people often hear about it, but don't really have a full understanding of it’s meaning. No, it's not a just for adults and it doesn't mean bending your body in every shape under a sun and going 'ooooommm...' This is my interpretation of what ‘mindfulness’ is (Can’t promise it’ll be absolutely right mind you!) For me, mindfulness means taking a bit of time out of the hustle and bustle of everyday life, to pay attention to the present moment in order to relax. That is, to be become really aware of our bodies, our minds and the world around us. That is probably and overly-simplistic definition of it as it’s much more than that really. Research shows that mindfulness exercise is very beneficial, and a great boost to our mental wellbeing. Apparently, you can re-wire your brain to have more positive thoughts by doing it regularly and it can reduce stress, help with depression and ADHD. It's certainly a pleasant activity to do and I recommend you do some further research to find out more about it (I'll attach a few links at the end) The new Shwshaswyn book introduces this idea to very young children, and enables them to participate and take advantage the benefits of mindfulness. We are fortunate that the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice is located here at Bangor University right on our doorstep, and the author, Nia Jewell, has discussed the content and exercises of the book with the experts there. The timing of the book, in the wake of covid-19 is perfect! Everyone's routines went to pot during the lockdown, and it remains a worrying time, particularly for children. What better time then, to introduce mindfulness exercises? By working with Cwmni Da, it was possible to use the Shwshaswyn 'brand' to produce a book with characters likely to be familiar to a number of young children. Although, it is possible to enjoy the book without having watched the programme before. (if you are new to Shwshaswyn, go to Cyw S4C to see more). "The whole purpose of creating a Shwshaswyn world is to inspire us to weave the short periods of thoughtfulness into our busy lives," says Nia. There are activities to accompany the book on S4C's Cyw website, and this will be an additional opportunity to refine concentration and self-control skills whilst learning how to deal with emotions. Gardening is the main focus of the book, and the Captain, Seren and Flwff are in the process of planting seeds. In doing this, they notice the world around them. This is a great opportunity for readers to practice breathing and calming down with their favourite characters. Gardening itself is a beneficial, relaxing activity that is great for tranquility of mind and thought - an opportunity to put down the phone or tablet and connect with nature. As for the book itself, similarly to the television programme, the artwork is colourful and makes use of various patterns and textures that are pleasing to the eye. I think the interactive activities are one of the strengths of the book, but perhaps the book would have benefited from more exercises like this? There are however plenty of short exercises in the form of video clips on the Cyw website to accompany the book. In our mad and hectic world, we must make time to ‘chill out’ and pay attention to the little things that can often be overlooked. This is a good introduction to mindfulness. Gwasg/publisher: Y Lolfa Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £4.99

*Scroll down for English* Stori am gyfeillgarwch, gobaith a phwysigrwydd caredigrwydd. A story of friendship, hope and the importance of kindness. Genre: #ffuglen #ffoaduriaid #antur #amrywiaeth / #fiction #refugees #aventure #diversity Gwerth addysgiadol/educational value: ◉◉◉◉◎ 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: Pippa Curnick Addasiad/adaptation: Bethan Mair Oed diddordeb/interest age: 7-11 Oed darllen/reading age: 10+ I’r rhai sy’n ymwneud â byd llenyddiaeth plant a phobl ifanc Cymraeg, mae’r ddadl rhwng llyfrau gwreiddiol ac addasiadau’n un cyfarwydd. Mae dylanwad y diwydiant llyfrau Prydeinig yn gryf yng Nghymru, ac mae’n anochel y bydd plant eisiau darllen rhai o’u hoff lyfrau gan awduron byd enwog -eich David Walliams’ a’r J.K.Rowlings. Rhaid felly, sicrhau darpariaeth i fodloni’r gofyn hyn, fel y gellir o leiaf mwynhau’r rhain yn y Gymraeg. Fodd bynnag, mae nifer yn teimlo na ddylai’r nifer o addasiadau sy’n cael eu cyhoeddi mewn blwyddyn fod yn uwch na’r nifer o lyfrau gwreiddiol. Dyma ddadl sy’n mynd i barhau, tybiwn i. Nid wyf am fentro cynnig ateb chwaith, ond be dwi yn deimlo, yw bod rhaid cael cydbwysedd - mae isio dipyn bach o bopeth da yn y diet llenyddol... Dwi’n reit falch, felly, fod teitlau llwyddiannus yn cael eu cyfieithu er mwyn i blant Cymru gael eu mwynhau yn y Gymraeg. Yn amlwg mae ’na rywun yn Rily yn gwneud penderfyniadau da iawn ynglŷn â pha deitlau i’w haddasu. Bethan Mair sydd wedi bod wrthi’n cyfieithu The Boy at The Back of The Class gan Onjali Q. Raúf a dwi’n meddwl ei bod hi wedi gwneud joban dda iawn, chwarae teg (mae addasu’n llwyddiannus yn grefft, ac yn llawer anoddach nac y mae’n ymddangos!). Dyma stori annwyl a theimladwy iawn, sy’n defnyddio peth hiwmor i drafod pwnc sy’n reit ddwys, i fod yn onest. Wrth drafod pwnc sydd efallai yn ddwys neu’n sensitif, dwi’n meddwl fod gwneud defnydd o hiwmor yn beth call, neu mi fasa ’na beryg i’r nofel droi’n rhy serious. Nid yw hyn yn wir yn yr achos yma a dwi’n meddwl fod cydbwysedd da. Gyda Y Crwt yn y Cefn, cawn weld ‘argyfwng y ffoaduriaid’ drwy lygaid plentyn ifanc, o bosib tua 9 oed, felly disgybl ym mlwyddyn 5. Persbectif yr adroddwr y cawn ni drwy’r llyfr i gyd, a gwelwn y byd a’i anghyfiawnderau a’i ddryswch drwy ei lygaid ef/hi. Rhaid i mi gyfaddef, doeddwn i ddim yn siŵr tan y diwedd un os mai bachgen neu ferch oedd yn adrodd y stori (wnâi ddim dweud!). Dechreua’r stori wrth i fachgen newydd ddod i’r ysgol, sydd wastad yn ennyn dipyn o gyffro. Mae cryn dipyn o ddirgelwch o gylch y bachgen a does neb yn gwybod fawr ddim amdano. Mae’r adroddwr yn chwilfrydig iawn ac yn awyddus i ddod i’w nabod yn well. Wrth i’r nofel fynd yn ei blaen, down i wybod mai ffoadur yw Ahmet, sy’n byw gyda mam faeth gan ei fod wedi cael ei wahanu oddi wrth gweddill ei deulu wrth iddynt geisio dianc rhag y bomiau a’r trais yn Syria. Drwy’r nofel, mae cyfeillgarwch yn blaguro ac yn datblygu rhwng Ahmet, yr adroddwr a’r criw o ffrindiau, Josie, Michael a Tom. Yn anffodus, daw’r bachgen newydd a’i ffrindiau at sylw Brendan y bwli, ac mae tipyn go lew o helynt i ddilyn. Mae’n bechod nad yw pob athro yn llawer o help, ond diolch byth am Mrs Khan a Miss Hemsi. Er bod y criw ifanc yn gwneud popeth y gallent i groesawu Ahmet, mae o’n dal i ddigalonni wrth hiraethu am ei rieni. Dyma yw prif blot y nofel, wrth i’r adroddwr ddyfeisio cynllun uchelgeisiol i ffeindio rhieni Ahmet. Mae’r cynllun yn un daring a pheryglus, ac fe aiff â’r cymeriadau ar dipyn o antur... yr holl ffordd i Balas Buckingham! Dyma nofel amserol iawn, sy’n cyflwyno’r pwnc (sydd ar y newyddion yn aml) mewn ffordd sy’n ddealladwy i blant oed cynradd. Antur, cyfeillgarwch, caredigrwydd a thosturi yw rhai o’r themâu sydd fwyaf amlwg drwy gydol y nofel. Mae’r ffordd y mae’r plant yn gofalu am ei gilydd yn y nofel yn galonogol ac yn gosod esiampl o sut dylem drin ein gilydd. Mae plant yn aml iawn yn dangos llai o duedd a rhagfarn na ni’r oedolion! Efallai fod yr awdur yn gwneud i’r prif gymeriad ymddangos yn fwy ifanc na phlentyn 9 oed ar brydiau. Dwi’m yn siŵr os oedd o’n gredadwy nad oedd yr adroddwr wedi clywed am yr Ail Ryfel Byd. Mae’n bosib fod yr awdur wedi colli ambell gyfle i ddatblygu’r cymeriadau’n ddyfnach ac ar adegau. Fy marn i’n unig yw hyn a phethau bach iawn ydyn nhw mewn gwirionedd sy’n tynnu dim oddi ar nofel ardderchog. Mae’r mater o ffoaduriaid yn un gwleidyddol a dyngarol cymhleth iawn; nid oes iddo ateb syml yn anffodus. Dangosa’r llyfr fod modd i blant leisio’u barn drwy weithredu ac ymgyrchu, er mwyn sicrhau bod oedolion mewn grym yn cymryd sylw ohonynt. Un o’r negeseuon take-home o’r llyfr yw bod gan blant y pŵer i weithredu ac i ysgogi newid wrth frwydro dros gyfiawnder. Athrawon – ystyriwch hon o ddifri fel nofel ddosbarth gan fod y testun yn cynnig cyfleoedd dysgu gwerthfawr a llawer o sgôp am sgyrsiau difyr a phwysig gyda phlant. Fel nofel ar gyfer darllen annibynnol, dwi’n rhagweld y byddai angen sgiliau darllen Cymraeg eithaf aeddfed. For those involved in the world of Welsh-language children and young people's literature, the debate between original books and adaptations is a familiar one. The influence of the UK book industry is strong in Wales, and it is inevitable that children will want to read some of their favourite books by world-renowned authors. Provision must therefore be made to meet these requirements, and at least many can now be enjoyed in Welsh. However, many feel that the number of adaptations published in a year should not exceed the number of original Welsh books. This is a debate that will no doubt continue, and even though I’m not going to even try and suggest an answer, what I will say is this - I think more than anything, that there has to be a balance and you need a bit of everything in a healthy literary diet. I’m quite pleased, therefore, that successful titles are being translated so that the children of Wales can enjoy them in Welsh. Obviously, someone in Rily makes good decisions about which titles to adapt. Bethan Mair was tasked with adapting The Boy at The Back of The Class by Onjali Q. Raúf and I think she’s done a very good job, fair play (successfully adapting a novel is an art, and is harder than it seems!). This is a heart-warming and at time, emotional story, which uses some humour to discuss a subject that can be difficult to talk about at times. When discussing a sensitive subject, I think that making use of humour is a good thing, to stop a novel from becoming too serious. A good balance has been struck here. With Y Crwt yn y Cefn, we see the 'refugee crisis' presented through the eyes of a young child, around the age of 9. We get the narrator's perspective through the whole book, and we see the world, its injustice and confusion through his/her eyes. I must admit, I wasn't sure until the very end if it was a boy or a girl telling the story. Should it even matter? The story begins as a new boy arrives at school, which always arouses a lot of excitement. There is quite some mystery surrounding the boy and the narrator is very curious and eager to get to know him better. As the novel progresses, we come to learn that Ahmet is a refugee, living with a foster mother as he has been separated from the rest of his family as they escaped the bombings and violence in Syria. Through the novel, friendships develop between Ahmet, the narrator and a small group of friends. Unfortunately, the new boy and his friends soon gain the attention of Brendan the schoolyard bully, and you can bet some trouble will ensue. What a shame that some of the adults who should be helping are no help at all, and the children must take matters into their own hands... While the friends do all they can to welcome Ahmet, he longs for his missing family. The main plot of the novel involves the narrator (and co) devising an ambitious plan to locate Ahmet's parents. The scheme is both daring and dangerous, and takes them on quite an adventure… all the way to Buckingham Palace! This is a timely novel, which presents the plight of refugees in a way that is understandable to primary-age children. Adventure, friendship, kindness and compassion are some of the key themes that are most evident throughout the novel. The way the children look after each other in the novel is wonderful and shows us how we should treat each other. Children are often more tolerant than adults! Perhaps the author portrays the main character a bit younger than a 9-year-old at times. For example, I'm not so sure I buy it that the narrator had never heard of the Second World War. The author may have missed a few opportunities to further develop some characters but this is just my opinion, though, and it still makes for an an excellent novel. The issue of refugees is a very complex political and humanitarian one which unfortunately doesn’t have a simple answer. The book shows that children can make their voices heard through action and activism. One of the take-home messages from the book is that children have the power to drive change for the better. Teachers – consider this as a class novel as the text offers valuable learning opportunities and has a lot of scope for holding important conversations with children. As for independent reading, fairly good Welsh reading skills would be needed. Cyhoeddwr/Publisher: Rily Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £6.99

*Scroll down for English* Oed Awgrymedig: 11+ /CA3 Suggested Age: 11+ / KS3 Nofel antur wedi'i lleoli ym merw'r chweched ganrif ym Mhrydain yn y flwyddyn 552. Ynys ranedig, llawn tensiwn, sy'n bygwth ffrwydro fel llosgfynydd. Ynys sy'n simsanu ar ôl i'r pla sgubo drwy'r tir. Y cleddyf sy'n rheoli bellach, ac mae'n rhaid i bawb ddilyn y drefn. Yn enwedig plant. Yn enwedig merched. Pawb heblaw merch deuddeg oed o'r enw Ina. An adventure novel set amidst the turmoil of 6th century Britain. Its the year 552 and the island is divided, with tensions threatening to explode like a volcano. The island is unsteady after the plague that has swept the land; the sword rules and everyone has to bow to the law. Especially children. Especially women. Everyone, apart from 12 year old Ina. ADOLYGIAD GAN REVIEW BY BETHAN GWANAS Merch fferm o ardal Dolgellau yw Bethan. Graddiodd mewn Ffrangeg yn Aberystwyth cyn gwneud amryfal swyddi, yn cynnwys gweithio gyda'r VSO yn Nigeria. Mae'n adnabyddus fel awdures boblogaidd, teithwraig, cyflwynydd rhaglenni teledu a mwy. Bethan grew up on a farm near Dolgellau. She graduated in French in Aberystwyth before doing various jobs such as working with the VSO in Nigeria. She's well-known as a popular author, traveller, television presenter and more. Mae Bethan yn blogio am lyfrau plant - Darllenwch fwy yma: Bethan blogs about Welsh children's books - Read more here: https://gwanas.wordpress.com/ NOFEL ANTUR WEDI EI GOSOD MEWN CYFNOD O’N HANES NA WYDDWN I FAWR DDIM AMDANO. Rydan ni’n gwybod cryn dipyn am gyfnod y Rhufeiniaid yng Nghymru, a rhywfaint am yr Oesoedd Canol cynnar o tua adeg Clawdd Offa, Rhodri Mawr a Hywel Dda ac ati. Ond mae’r cyfnod yn y canol yn ddiarth iawn – tan rŵan! Mae’r awdur Gareth Evans wedi bod yn hynod ddewr yn dewis gosod nofel ar gyfer pobl ifanc yn y flwyddyn 552. ‘Mission Impossible’ o ran ymchwil. Ond efallai mai clyfar oedd o – achos pwy sydd i ddeud ei fod o’n anghywir?! Ac ro’n i wedi gwirioni efo’r ffaith bod ein hynafiaid wedi sefydlu gwladfa yng ngogledd Sbaen: Brythonia! Wir yr – ymhell bell, cyn bodolaeth Patagonia. A Haleliwia! - mae yma fapiau – dwi wrth fy modd efo mapiau mewn nofelau fel hyn. Mae o wedi taro deuddeg o ran yr ochr ddychmygol hefyd, gan fod y cymeriadau i gyd yn dal yn fyw yn fy meddwl ddyddiau ar ôl gorffen ‘Y Pibgorn Hud.’ Mae Ina, ein harwres ddeuddeg oed yn apelio o’r cychwyn cyntaf: mae hi’n wahanol (a dydi hi ddim yn berffaith: roedd ’na adegau pan ro’n i isio’i hysgwyd hi!). Hi ydi’r unig un o’i theulu i fyw drwy’r pla. Mae’n ddewr a chlyfar, yn medru hela a thrin pastwn yn dda, yn medru darllen ac ysgrifennu – yn Lladin. Ond doedd bod yn wahanol bryd hynny ddim yn hawdd. Mae pobl yn meddwl bod Ina’n rhyfedd. Ci mawr sy’n hanner blaidd yw ei hunig ffrind, ond nefi, am ffrind da ydi o. Ro’n i wrth fy modd efo Bleiddyn. Taith Ina o’i chartref yng Ngwent trwy diroedd deheuol y Brythoniaid (de-orllewin Lloegr heddiw) a thros y môr i ogledd Sbaen yw’r nofel, ac ydi, mae’n cael sawl tro trwstan, ambell un yn gwbl annisgwyl – does gan yr awdur ddim ofn chwarae efo’n hemosiynau ni (cawsoch eich rhybuddio!). Mae hi’n cyfarfod bobl ddrwg, ond bobl dda hefyd, ac un o fy hoff gymeriadau yw Efa, sydd unai’n gwrthod neu’n methu siarad, a chawn ni ddim gwybod tan y diwedd un pwy’n union yw hi. Mae’r awdur yn giamstar am gadw cyfrinachau a’n cadw ni fel darllenwyr ar bigau’r drain o un bennod i’r llall. Dydi’r iaith ddim yn hawdd bob tro; roedd Gareth am gyfleu’r ffaith bod y Frythoneg yn newid a datblygu yn ystod y cyfnod hwn, felly mae rhai’n defnyddio iaith ffurfiol fel ‘Paham’ a ‘Mi a’th glywaist’ ac mae rhai cymeriadau’n siarad yn wirioneddol od, fel yr hen jaden Morwenna: ‘Agor y drâs!’ a ‘Gwnewch foyd.’ Ond mae’r darllenydd yn dod i arfer o fewn dim, ac mae wir yn ychwanegu at y nofel. Dyma nofel hanesyddol hynod o ddifyr a chyffrous, ddylai apelio at ddarllenwyr o tua 11 oed i fyny – ac at oedolion ifanc eu hysbryd. Ro’n i wrth fy modd efo’r themâu sy’n dal yn hynod o berthnasol heddiw: mewnfudo, ffoaduriaid, caethwasiaeth a diffyg cydraddoldeb cymdeithasol. Campwaith arall, Mr Evans – ac mae angen dilyniant. *Ro’n i’n hoff iawn o’r Nodyn Hanesyddol gan yr awdur ar y diwedd. Ond byddai’r rhestr enwau llefydd wedi bod yn llawer mwy defnyddiol ar ddechrau’r llyfr yn hytrach nag ar t. 276! AN ADVENTURE NOVEL SET IN A PERIOD OF OUR HISTORY THAT I KNEW VERY LITTLE ABOUT. We know a great deal about the Roman period in Wales, and some about the early Middle Ages from around the time of Offa's Dyke, Rhodri Mawr and Hywel Dda etc. But the period in the middle is very unfamiliar – until now! The author Gareth Evans has been extremely courageous in choosing to set a novel for young people in the year 552. 'Mission Impossible' in terms of research. But maybe it was clever – because who’s to say he’s wrong?! And I was thrilled with the fact that our ancestors had established a settlement in northern Spain: Brythonia! Honestly – long before the existence of Patagonia. And Haleliwia! - there are maps – I love maps in novels like this. He's got it just right on the fictional side as well, as all the characters are still alive in my mind days after finishing ‘Y Pibgorn Hud.' Ina, our twelve-year-old hero appeals from the outset: she is different (and she’s not perfect: there were times when I wanted to shake her!). She is the only one of her family to live through the scourge. She is brave and clever, able to hunt, knows how to handle a club and can read and write – in Latin. But being different then wasn't easy. People think Ina is strange. A large, half-wolf dog is her only friend, but my goodness, he’s a good one. I loved Bleiddyn. The novel is Ina’s tour of her home in Gwent through the southern lands of the Britons (today's south-west of England) and over the sea to northern Spain, and yes, there are a few twists, a couple were completely unexpected – the author is not afraid to play with our emotions (you have been warned!). She meets bad people, but also good people, and one of my favourite characters is Efa, who either refuses to or cannot speak, and we don't know until the end exactly who she is. The author is a good one at keeping secrets and keeping us as readers on the edge of our seats form one chapter to another. The language is not always easy; Gareth wanted to convey the fact that the Brythonic language is changing and developing during this period, so some use formal language such as ‘Paham’ and ‘Mi a’th glywaist’ and some characters speak really strangely, such as Morwenna: 'Agor y drâs!' and ‘Gwnewch foyd.' But the reader gets used to this in no time at all and it really adds to the novel. This is an extremely entertaining and exciting historical novel, which should appeal to readers from about the age of 11 upwards – and to some adults. I was delighted with the themes that are still extremely relevant today: immigration, refugees, slavery and the lack of social equality. Another masterpiece, Mr Evans – and a follow-up is needed. *I was very fond of the Historical Notes by the author at the end. But the list of place names would have been much more useful at the beginning of the book rather than at p. 276! Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Gwasg Carreg Gwalch Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £8.50 AM YR AWDUR: GARETH EVANS ABOUT THE AUTHOR: GARETH EVANS Nofel newydd awdur Gethin Nyth Brân, Gareth Evans. Addas ar gyfer ca3, 11+. Dyma yw ei ail nofel. Daw Gareth Evans o Benparcau, Aberystwyth, ond mae wedi ymsefydlu yng Nghaerdydd ers blynyddoedd lawer bellach wedi degawd dramor yn Sbaen a'r Almaen. Cychwynnodd ei yrfa gyda Radio Cymru, cyn troi at ysgrifennu ar gyfer y teledu, yn bennaf ar gyfer Pobol y Cwm. Cyrhaeddodd ei nofel gyntaf, Gethin Nyth Brân, restr fer Gwobr Tir na n-Og 2018, ac yn un o destunau gosod gogyfer rownd derfynol y gystadleuaeth Darllen Dros Gymru 2018 This is his second novel. Gareth Evans comes from Penparcau, Aberystwyth, but has settled in Cardiff for many years now after a decade abroad in Spain and Germany. He began his career with Radio Cymru, before turning to writing for television, mainly for Pobol y Cwm. His first novel, Gethin Nyth Brân, reached the shortlist of the 2018 Tir na n-Og Award, and was one of the set texts for the final of the Reading for Wales 2018 competition.

Scroll down for English O diar! Cath + Llygod = Trwbl!! Oh dear! Cat + Mice = Trouble! Genre: ffuglen byr, / short fiction Gwerth addysgiadol/educational value: ◉◉◉◎◎ 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:: ◉◉◉◎◎ **GWREIDDIOL CYMRAEG/ WELSH ORIGINAL ** Peidiwch â gofyn i mi pam, ond dwi wastad wedi hoffi cymeriadau llygod mewn storis ac ar y sgrin! Tra bod pawb eraill yn hoffi’r clasuron, fy hoff ffilm Disney oedd un obscure or 70au o’r enw ‘The Rescuers’ - grŵp o lygod bach anturus yn achub y dydd! Pam y ffilm yna o bob un? Ella am eu bod nhw’n fach, ac mae pawb yn hoffi dipyn o underdog story dydyn? Yn debyg iawn i’r Rescuers, mae Tomos Lygoden, er yn ‘gradur go fach o ran maint, yn llwyddo i gyflawni pethau mawr ac yn aml iawn yn achub y dydd. Mae cyfres boblogaidd Craig Russell a’r amryddawn Caryl Parry Jones yn cyflwyno byd y theatr (rhywbeth fydd efallai yn anghyfarwydd i nifer o blant) drwy lygaid yr anifeiliaid bach ciwt a fflwffiog. Dyma enghraifft da o le mae’r ‘sgwennu a’r gwaith celf yn asio’n berffaith i greu cyfres annwyl dros ben, ac un sy’n hynod o ddarllenadwy ar hynny. First Impressions Dyma lyfr reit swmpus er ei fod yn fach o ran maint -rydych chi’n sicr yn cael gwerth eich arian am y pris rhesymol o £4.95. Mae gwaith celf Leri Tecwyn yn draddodiadol, yn gynnes ac yn llawn patrymau a gweadau gwahanol. Gyda bron pob tudalen yn llawn lliw, ychwanega’r arlunwaith at y stori, drwy helpu’r darllenwyr ifanc i ‘ddelweddu’ beth sy’n mynd ymlaen. Mae’r ysgrifen wedi cael ei leoli’n synhwyrol hefyd o gwmpas y gwaith celf. Beth sy’n digwydd yn y stori? Mae Mr Meilir, y bos, yn gwneud cyhoeddiad fawr fod 'na ymwelydd pwysig yn dod i’r theatr. Hi yw Madam Blobfawr, cantores opera byd enwog, sy’n dipyn o ‘Diva’! Yn anffodus i lygod y theatr, mae ganddi anifail anwes sy’n teithio i bobman gyda hi... Crechwen y gath! O diar! Cathod + llygod = trwbl! Sut mae Tomos yn mynd i stopio Crechwen rhag bwyta ei ffrindiau? Mae ganddo dipyn o sialens o’i flaen y tro hwn! Beth sy’n dda am y stori? Heblaw am y ffaith fod Covid wedi cau pob theatr am y tro, nid yw pob plentyn mor lwcus i gael profiadau cofiadwy o ymweld â theatr a gwylio sioeau. Mae straeon Tomos y Llygoden yn dod a thipyn bach o magic y theatr at ddarllenwyr ifanc ac yn eu cyflwyno i fyd newydd, felly mae hynny’n rhywbeth i’w ganmol. Llwydda’r awduron i ddod a hiwmor i mewn i’r stori yn naturiol, ac o ganlyniad mae apêl y llyfr yn fwy – mae angen rhywbeth i wneud ni chwerthin bois bach, ac mae gweld pen ôl anferth Madam Blobfawr yn dod am Tomos druan yn ddigon i wneud i mi wenu. Trodd fy ngwen yn chwerthiniad llwyr pan ddarllenais amdani’n gwneud ei ioga. Ymlaciodd gymaint yn y sesiwn, nes gollwng “homar o rech” wnaeth wneud i Tomos a’i gyfeillion lewygu – doniol iawn! Gallaf weld dosbarth o blant ifanc yn morio chwerthin wrth gael stori ar y mat! Unrhywbeth arall? Mae ‘na dipyn o waith darllen ar y cyfan, ac mae’r wasg wedi anelu’r llyfr at y farchnad 5-8 oed. Mae oed darllen ac oed diddordeb yn reit wahanol, a dwi’n gwybod am blant iau na 5 oed fyddai’n mwynhau’r stori, ond mi fydd rhaid cael oedolyn i helpu gyda’r darllen baswn i’n deud. Roedd ambell ddarn lle'r oedd rhaid i mi ail-ddarllen i weld pa gymeriad oedd yn siarad, felly efallai fod hynny braidd yn ddryslyd. (neu mod i heb ddeffro’n iawn!) Roedd rhai o negeseuon y llyfr yn teimlo braidd yn forced ar brydiau. (e.e. pregeth Grav y Ci) Dwi’n deall pam ei bod hi’n bwysig cyfleu negeseuon fel hyn, ac yn gweld pam fod yr awduron wedi mynd â’r syniad fod Crechwen yn cael tröedigaeth ysbrydol erbyn y diwedd a bod pawb yn ffrindiau. (ia - y cwn, y cathod a’r llygod i gyd yn byw’n ddedwydd!) Ond y peth ydi, roedd rhan ohonof eisiau gweld Tomos a’i griw yn cael y gorau o’r g'nawes ac yn dysgu gwers go iawn iddi.. Ella byddai hynny wedi bod yn fwy o hwyl, er, wyrach ddim mor ‘PC’ erbyn hyn... Oes rhaid cael rhyw ‘neges’ ym mhob llyfr ‘dyddiau yma? Roedd perthynas Tom & Jerry yn un cymhleth! Dwi’n falch fod plant (a’u rhieni debyg) yn mwynhau darllen am straeon Tomos Llygoden, a dwi’n ffyddiog y bydd na fwy o anturiaethau ym myd y theatr... (Wel, dwi’n eithaf siŵr bydd ‘na fwy achos mae’n dweud hynny ar ddiwedd y llyfr! Ha ha!) Don't ask me why, but I've always liked mice as characters in stories and on TV! When everyone else liked the classics, my favourite Disney film was a rather obscure one from the 70s called ‘The Rescuers’ - about a group of adventurous little mice saving the day! Why that one in particular? Maybe because the mice were small, with the odds stacked against them and everyone likes a bit of an underdog story, don’t they? Much like the Rescuers, Tomos Llygoden, although small in size, manages to achieve great things and very often saves the day. The popular Craig Russell and Caryl Parry Jones series introduces us to the world of the theatre (something that may be unfamiliar to many children) through the eyes of the cute and fluffy animals. This is a good example of where the writing and the artwork combine perfectly to create a very loveable series, and one that is extremely easy to read. First Impressions Like our main character, despite being small in size, it certainly packs a punch. You get your money’s worth for the reasonable price of £4.95. Leri Tecwyn's artwork is traditional, warm and full of different patterns and textures. With almost every page full of colour, the illustrations really add to the story here, helping the young readers to make sense of what’s going on. The text itself has also been sensibly located and blends into the artwork. What happens in the story? Mr Meilir, the boss, makes a big announcement that an important visitor is coming to the theatre. That visitor is Madam Blobfawr, a world-famous opera singer, who is something of a 'Diva'! Unfortunately for the mice, she has a pet that travels everywhere with her... a cat called Crechwen (smirk) Oh dear! Cats + mice = trouble! How is Tomos going to stop Crechwen from eating his friends? He’s got his work cut out for him this time! What's good about the story? Apart from the fact that Covid has closed all theatres for the time being, not all children are lucky enough to get to visit theatres. The Tomos Llygoden stories bring a little bit of theatre magic to younger readers and introduces them to a new experience, so that's something to be commended. The authors succeed in bringing humour into the story naturally, and as a result the book's appeal is greater. We need a bit of humour in our lives these days, and seeing Madam Blobfawr’s huge backside coming towards poor Tomos was enough to put a smile on my face. My smile soon turned into laughter when I read about her yoga. She relaxed so much in the session, that she dropped a huge fart that made Tomos and his pals faint! Very funny! I can see a class of young children crying with laughter when they get to this bit during story time! Anything else? There is quite a bit more reading than you think, and the Publisher has aimed the book at the 5-8-year-old market. Reading age and interest age are quite different, and I know of children younger than 5 who would enjoy the story, but you’d need an adult to help with the reading. There were a few bits where I had to re-read to see which character was speaking, so maybe that was a bit confusing (either that or I hadn’t woken up properly!) Some of the book's messages felt a bit forced at times. (e.g. Grav , the dog’s speech) I understand why it's important to convey messages like this and see why the authors chose to go with the idea of Crechwen having a complete epiphany at the end and making friends with everyone. But the thing is, part of me wanted to see Tomos and his crew get the best out her by teaching her a real lesson. Maybe that would have been a bit more fun, though, probably not ‘PC’ these days.... I wonder, do we always have to have some moral message in every book? Tom and Jerry always had a complex love-hate relationship! I am pleased that children (and their parents) enjoy reading about Tomos the Mouse, and I am confident that there will be more adventures in his theatrical world. (Well, I'm pretty sure there will be more because it says so at the end of the book!) Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Gwasg Carreg Gwalch Pris: £4.95 Cyhoeddwyd/released: Medi/Sept 2020

Scroll down for English Llyfr hardd iawn gyda negeseuon o garedigrwydd. Beautiful book with messages of kindness. Addasiad Cymraeg o L'Abri (Shelter) Welsh adaptation of L'Abri (Shelter) Genre: #ffuglen #odl #ffoaduriaid #caredigwrydd / #fiction #rhyme #refugees #kindness Gwerth addysgiadol/educational value: ◉◉◉◉◎ 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:: ◉◉◉◉◎ Arlunwaith/artwork: Qin Leng Argraffiadau Cyntaf Ydach chi’n gyfarwydd â’r oglau sbeshal ’na sydd mewn ceir newydd? Wel, mae’r fath beth yn wir am lyfrau hefyd - new book smell! Yndw, dwi’n cyfaddef, dwi’n un o’r rheiny sy’n hoffi sniffio llyfrau newydd - does ‘na ddim byd tebyg na chyffwrdd ac ogleuo llyfr newydd sbon danlli. Dyna’r peth cyntaf un wnaeth fy nharo wrth afael yn Y Lloches am y tro cyntaf - yr ansawdd. Wrth droi’r tudalennau, mae’n amlwg fod hwn yn llyfr o safon uchel. Mae gwaith celf ysgafn inc a dyfrlliw Qin Leng yn hudolus ac yn rhoi gwedd ‘glasurol’ i’r llyfr. Mae ‘blerwch’ y brasluniau yn cyfleu ffyrnigrwydd y tywydd i’r dim ac mae’r defnydd o liw yn adlewyrchu tymhorau’r Hydref a’r Gaeaf. Wir i chi, dyma un o’r llyfrau harddaf mae gwasg Rily wedi eu cyhoeddi hyd yma. Beth sy’n digwydd yn y stori? Cuddia trigolion y goedwig yn eu tai gan fod storm enfawr ar y gorwel. Wrth gysgodi yn eu cartrefi cynnes a chlyd, fe sylwa ambell un ar ddau ffigwr tywyll yn agosáu drwy’r niwl. Mae’r eirth yn chwilio am loches rhag y storm, ond lle bynnag yr ânt, cant eu troi i ffwrdd gan yr anifeiliaid eraill. Does dim croeso yn unman i’r eirth druan a’r unig opsiwn felly yw mynd allan i ganol y storm. Wrth i’r gwynt chwythu, caiff cartref teulu’r llwynogod ei chwalu’n llwyr a rhaid iddynt fynd allan i chwilio am help. Tybed sut fydd yr eirth yn ymateb pan ddaw’r llwynogod atynt i ofyn am gymorth? Beth sy’n dda am y llyfr? Defnyddia’r llyfr gymeriadau anifeiliaid i gyflwyno pwnc eithaf dwys mewn ffordd sensitif sy’n gwbl addas i blant ifanc. Gall rai o’r themâu fod yn anodd a chymhleth i’w trafod ar brydiau ond mae’r llyfr yn eu cyflwyno yn syml ar lefel sy’n ddealladwy. Er y caiff y llyfr ei anelu at blant iau, gall weithio ar lefel uwch gyda phlant hŷn, fel rhan o uned o waith am ffoaduriaid ddoe a heddiw. Mae’n sicr yn bwnc llosg sy’n codi yn y newyddion yn rheolaidd ac yn rhywbeth perthnasol iawn i ni heddiw. Ar lefel syml, bydd yn blatfform ar gyfer trafodaeth ystyrlon am sut y dylem drin eraill drwy ddangos caredigrwydd ac empathi (ceisio deall teimladau eraill). Dyma stori sy’n gwbl addas ar gyfer gwasanaethau ysgol neu stori amser gwely. Beth am yr iaith? Os darllenwch chi adolygiadau o fersiwn Saesneg y llyfr hwn, cyfeirir at y naratif fel un syml iawn gyda geirfa hawdd. Yn y Gymraeg, fodd bynnag, mae hi’n stori reit wahanol. Mae’r iaith yn gain ac yn farddonol. Mae’r addaswr, Aneirin Karadog, wedi mynd i lawer o drafferth i sicrhau bod y cyfieithiad yn un safonol iawn. Yn nodiadau’r awdur, cyfeiria at y ffaith ei fod yn ceisio glynu mor agos â phosib at naws y gwreiddiol, gan wneud defnydd o dechnegau barddoniaeth fel cynghanedd a chyflythrennu. Diddorol iawn oedd darllen nodiadau’r awdur a dweud y gwir. Mae’r eirfa yn uchelgeisiol ac yn reit heriol, ond nid yw hyn yn beth drwg o reidrwydd. Does dim o’i le â modelu iaith dda i ddisgyblion yn fuan, a bydd y lluniau bendigedig yn helpu i roi cyd-destun. O ddarllen y geiriau allan yn uchel, gall y farddoniaeth a’r gynghanedd gyfleu naws a theimlad y darn, gan fod o gymorth i ddeall yr ystyr. Efallai y byddai rhai yn ansicr ynglŷn a phwy y mae’r llyfr wedi’i anelu ato. O ran cynnwys ac edrychiad, mae’r stori yn fwy addas ar gyfer plant iau (o dan 7) ond ar y llaw arall, mae’r iaith yn fwy heriol ac o ganlyniad yn fwy priodol i blant hŷn neu blant a sgiliau darllen fwy datblygedig. Credaf y bydd angen oedolyn i helpu gyda’r darllen er mwyn ei lawn werthfawrogi, ac o bosib i esbonio rhai darnau neu eiriau. Dyfarniad Mae Y Lloches yn llawn negeseuon moesol am haelioni, caredigrwydd a thosturi - bron fel un o chwedlau Aesop. Fel y mae’r broliant yn ei awgrymu, gall gweithrediadau bychan gael effaith mawr. Rhaid i ni beidio anwybyddu’r bobl sydd mewn angen, a bod yn barod i estyn llaw pan fydd rhywun angen cymorth. Mae'r neges yr un mor berthnasol i oedolion ddudwn i. Dwi’n falch o weld addasiad sydd wedi dod o wlad arall heblaw Lloegr, ac o ystyried safon Y Lloches, byddai’n wych gweld mwy o lyfrau o Ewrop yn cael eu cyfieithu i’r Gymraeg...ac i’r gwrthwyneb hefyd! Syniadau yn deillio o’r nofel 1. Actio darn o’r stori neu sefyllfa debyg sy’n arddangos caredigrwydd 2. Gwaith celf ar thema ‘Y Storm’ 3. Bwrdd stori – ail ysgrifennu’r stori mewn geiriau eraill 4. Map meddwl caredigrwydd 5. Erthygl papur newydd - ffoaduriaid – neu eitem newyddion teledu 6. Trafodaeth/mynegi barn – pam wnaeth yr anifeiliaid wrthod helpu? 7. Edrych ar Hawliau’r Plentyn 1989 8. Ysgrifennu monolog o safbwynt ffoadur ifanc First Impressions Have you ever got a waft of that classic new car smell? Well, I’ll let you in on a bit of a secret, you can get the same sort of thing from new books – ahhhh, that lovely new book smell! Yup, I’ll admit, I'm one of those people who sniffs new books - there's nothing like holding that new book in your hands and getting a good ‘ol whiff. One of the very first things that struck me with Y Lloches was the sheer quality of the thing. Turning the pages, it is clear that this has that ‘premium’ feeling. Qin Leng's light and airy ink and watercolour drawings are magical and give the book it’s 'classic' look. The ‘messiness’ of the sketchy drawing style conveys the ferocity and chaos of the weather and the use of colour reflects the Autumn and Winter seasons. Honestly, this is one of the most beautiful books that Rily have published to date. What happens in the story? Residents of the forest hide in their houses as a huge storm approaches. Whilst sheltering in their warm and comfortable homes, they notice two dark figures walking through the fog. The bears seek refuge from the storm, but wherever they go, they are turned away by the other animals. The poor bears are not welcome anywhere and the only option they have is to go out into the storm. As the wind howls and roars, in an unfortunate turn of events, the foxes' family home is completely blown away and they now become refugees themselves. When they go looking for help, they come across the bears. I wonder how they’ll react now that the tables are turned? What's good about the book? The book uses animal characters to present a fairly intense subject in a sensitive way that is perfectly suitable for young children. Some of the themes can be difficult and rather complex to discuss but the book presents them in a simple and understandable manner. Although the book is aimed at younger children, it can work on a higher level with older children, as part of an unit of work about refugees. It’s certainly a hot topic that often appears in the news and is very relevant to us today. On a simple level, it will be a springboard for meaningful discussion about how we should treat others by showing kindness and empathy (this is to understand the feelings of others). We get a story that is as suitable for school assemblies as it is for bedtime reading. What about the language? If you read reviews of the English version of this book, the narrative is often referred to as being very straightforward with easy vocabulary. In Welsh, however, it is a different story. The language is elegant and poetic. The adapter, Aneurin Karadog, has gone to a great deal of trouble to ensure that the translation is to a very high standard. In the author's notes, he refers to the fact that he has tried to adhere as closely as possible to the tone of the original, making use of poetic techniques to elevate the writing. It was very interesting to read the author's notes. The vocabulary is ambitious and quite challenging, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. There’s nothing wrong with modelling good language for pupils from an early age, and the wonderful pictures will help to give context. Reading the words out loud, the rhyme and rhythm will help to give meaning to the words. On the other hand, some may feel a bit uncertain as to whom the book is aimed at. In terms of look and feel, it’s more appropriate for younger children (under 7) but when you take into account the written content, that may be better suited to older children or those with more developed reading skills. I think that an adult will be required to help with the reading if it is to be fully appreciated, with some bits possibly needing further explanation. Verdict Y Lloches is full of moral messages about generosity, kindness and compassion - almost like one of Aesop's fables. As the blurb suggests, small actions can have a big impact. We must not ignore the plight of people in need, and we must extend a helping hand to someone who needs it. The messages in the story are as relevant to adults as they are to children. I am pleased to see an adaptation of a book originally published in Europe, instead of yet another translation from England. (no offence intended, it’s just good to get balance and variety). Given the standard of Y Lloches, it would be great to see more books make their way from the continent into Welsh and vice versa too! Ideas derived from the novel 1. Act out a piece of the story or similar situation that displays kindness 2. Artwork on the theme of 'The Storm' 3. Storyboard – rewriting the story in other words 4. Kindness mind map – what does kindness look like? 5. Newspaper article - refugees – or TV news item 6. Discussion/expression of opinion – why did the animals refuse to help? 7. A Look at the Rights of the Child 1989 charter 8. Writing a monologue from a young refugee's perspective Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Rily Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £6.99

*Scroll down for English* Dros 2,000 o eiriau anhygoel i wella'ch gwaith! Over 2,000 amazing words to improve your work! Gwasg/publisher: Rily Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019 Pris: £9.99 Clawr caled / Hardback Dwi’n cofio cael ffrae yn ‘rysgol gan athrawes am ddefnyddio ‘neis’ fel ansoddair wrth ddisgrifio rhywbeth. Yn anffodus, mae o’n air sy’n cael ei ddefnyddio yn llawer rhy aml, mae o’n hollol ddiflas ac yn dangos fawr ddim dychymyg! I fod yn deg, weithiau, mae disgyblion yn gwybod be maen nhw’n trio ei ddweud, ond yn aml yn methu ffeindio’r eirfa i fynegi hyn a dyna pryd gewch chi ‘neis’ yn dod i’r fei. Cymerwch y sefyllfa yma fel enghraifft - plentyn sy’n mynychu ysgol Gymraeg ac sy’n cael ei wersi yn Gymraeg. Ond, mae’n siarad Saesneg gyda’i ffrindiau yn y dosbarth, a Saesneg yw iaith yr iard. Ar ôl mynd adref (lle mae’r plentyn yn treulio canran anferth o’i amser) mae’n siarad Saesneg efo’i deulu cyfan. A dweud y gwir, mewn sawl ysgol ar hyd a lled Cymru, yr unig adeg mae’r plentyn yn siarad Cymraeg yw wrth sgwrsio â’r athro. Cyplyswch hyn gyda’r ffaith nad yw rhai yn debygol o ddarllen llyfrau Cymraeg chwaith, na chlywed y Gymraeg ar y stryd, dyw hi ddim yn syndod nad oes digon o amlygiad i’r iaith yn digwydd. O ganlyniad, dydi’r eirfa ddim bob amser yn datblygu digon i ddefnyddio geiriau ‘ffansi’ Cymraeg yn y gwaith ‘sgwennu. Rŵan, don’t get me wrong, nid gweld bai ydw i - i fod yn onest, dwi’n meddwl fod ein disgwyliadau ni o’r plantos yma’n annheg o uchel! Beth allwn ni wneud i helpu, yw ffeindio ambell i ‘dric’ i geisio rhoi boost i’r gronfa eiria’ yn eu pennau. Dipyn o turbo yn yr injan ieithyddol fel petai! Dyma le mae thesawrws yn gallu helpu. Os nad oeddech chi’n gwybod, mae thesawrws yn wahanol i eiriadur achos nid yw’n cynnig esboniad o ystyr geiriau, ond yn hytrach, mae o’n cynnig geiriau tebyg ond gwahanol. Felly, yn lle ‘hapus’, byddai’r thesawrws yn argymell y geiriau ‘llawen,’ ‘llon,’ ‘siriol’ neu ‘dedwydd.’ Yn sydyn iawn, mae disgybl (neu oedolyn) yn gallu cyfoethogi’r iaith gan ddefnyddio amrywiaeth o eiriau gwahanol. Variety is the spice of life, wedi’r cwbl! Glywish i rywun unwaith yn dweud fod defnyddio thesawrws yn ‘twyllo’! Wel am beth twp i’w ddweud, a rhywbeth sy’n hollol anghywir! Drwy wneud defnydd o’r thesawrws i ffeindio geiriau gwahanol, mae modd gwella gwaith disgybl gan fod ‘na eiriau mwy uchelgeisiol yn cael eu defnyddio. Nid yn unig mae defnyddio thesawrws yn helpu i uwch-lefelu gwaith, (teacher speak am godi safon) ond mae hefyd yn llawer brafiach marcio gwaith sy’n cynnwys amrywiaeth o eiriau. Gyda’r thesawrws yma, fydd ddim angen defnyddio ‘neis’ mewn brawddeg byth eto! Mae’r sgil o ddefnyddio thesawrws yn holl bwysig ac yn werth ei ddatblygu. Mae’n annog annibyniaeth yn y disgybl ac yn rhoi iddo’r sgiliau i wella ei waith ei hun, yn hytrach na gofyn i’r athro o hyd. Wrth ddewis geiriau newydd, ‘gwell’, tydi bob un ddim yn gwneud synnwyr bob tro, ond drwy wneud camgymeriadau mae pobl yn dysgu ac yn datblygu. Mae’r thesawrws yma’n wych achos am ei fod yn lliwgar ac yn child-friendly. Mae’r lluniau (yn ogystal â’i wneud yn fwy difyr) yn rhoi ‘chydig o gliw cyd-destun o ystyr y gair, sy’n lleihau’r tebygrwydd o eiriau’n cael ei dewis yn anghywir. Dyma i chi thesawrws cynhwysfawr, gyda dros 2,000 o eiriau ysbrydoledig i helpu. Yn wahanol i thesawrws oedolion, diflas, mae hwn wedi cael ei rannu fesul themâu, sy’n beth handi iawn wrth drio ysgrifennu stori neu ryw waith yn y dosbarth. Mae ‘nag adrannau fel teimladau, disgrifio pobl, anifeiliaid, mesur ac archwilio a mwy. Gall gael ei ddefnyddio fel adnodd sgaffaldio wrth ysgrifennu stori, neu fel canolbwynt tasgau byrion gwella iaith. Yng nghefn y llyfr, ceir syniadau ar gyfer ambell gêm iaith y gellir ei chwarae. Does dim rhaid i ymarferion ieithyddol fod yn ddiflas! Mae ‘na lawer o botensial i’r llyfr yma ac fe ddylai pob ysgol ystyried buddsoddi mewn copis i bob dosbarth, yn enwedig o flwyddyn 2 i fyny. Mae’n siŵr o fod yn adnodd defnyddiol ar gyfer disgyblion Cymraeg iaith 1af a’r rheiny sy’n dysgu Cymraeg. Dyma restr fach o ambell dasg posib yn deillio o’r thesawrws.. 1. Gwella brawddegau e.e. Safodd y lleidr yn y tywyllwch. Gair gwell – sleifiodd, cripiodd 2. Taflen casglu geiriau 3. Anagramau e.e. Chwaraeon tud. 32 a 33 Beth ydy tufal? Taflu. Oes gair arall? 4. Geiriau croes Tal – byr Llyfn - ? 5. Ysgrifennu stori. Defnyddiwch tud. 34 a 35 fel sgaffald ysgrifennu stori 6. Gêm Chwilio yng nghefn y Thesawrws 7. Cwis Curo’r Cloc 30 eiliad i chwilio am air arall ar dudalen arbennig e.e tud 15. Oes gair arall am gwirion? 8. Disgrifio’r ardal leol yn defnyddio tudalennau 22 a 23 9. Dysgwyr- defnyddiwch dudalennau 4 a 5 fel help llaw i ysgrifennu am eich cartref a’ch teulu. Hunanbortread. I remember getting told off by a teacher in school for using 'nice' as an adjective when describing something. Unfortunately, it’s a word that comes up far too often, and as well as being completely boring, it shows little imagination! To be fair, sometimes, pupils know what they are trying to say, but often cannot find the vocabulary to express themselves. This is when ‘nice’ and other lacklustre words start popping up. Take this situation as an example - a child who attends a Welsh-medium school and has their lessons in Welsh. However, he speaks English with his friends in class, and English is the language of the yard. After going home (where the child spends a huge percentage of his time) he speaks English with his whole family. In fact, in many schools across Wales, the only time the child actually engages in Welsh conversation is when chatting to the teacher. Add to this, the fact that some are not likely to read Welsh books either, or hear Welsh on the street, it’s not surprising that with such limited exposure, the vocabulary doesn’t always develop enough to start using fancy Welsh words. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing here - to be honest, I think our expectations of these kids are unfairly high! What we can do to help however, is find a few 'tricks' to try and give their vocabularies a boost. A bit of turbo in the linguistic engine as it were! This is where a thesaurus can help. If you didn't know, a thesaurus is different from a dictionary because it does not offer an explanation of words, but rather, it offers similar but different words. Thus, instead of 'happy', the thesaurus would recommend the words 'joyful,' 'calm,’ or 'cheerful.’ Very quickly, a pupil (or adult) is able to enrich their own language by using a variety of different words. This is a quick win I’d say. I once heard someone say that using a thesaurus is 'cheating'! Well what a silly thing to say, and so utterly wrong! By making use of the thesaurus to find different words, it is possible to improve a pupil's work as more ambitious words are used. Not only does the use of a thesaurus help to up-level work, (teacher speak about raising standards) but it’s also much less taxing to mark work that contains a variety of words. With this thesaurus, you’ll never need to use ‘nice’ in a sentence again! The skill of using a thesaurus is vital and worth developing. It encourages independence in the pupil and equips them with the skills to improve their own work, rather than being dependent on the teacher. When choosing new and 'better' words, they won’t always get it right, and may choose words that don’t quite fit. But we often learn by making mistakes… This thesaurus is great because it’s colourful and child-friendly. The pictures (as well as being more engaging) give a context to the meaning of words, which reduces the likelihood of words being chosen incorrectly. We get here a comprehensive thesaurus, with over 2,000 inspirational words to help. Unlike a boring adult thesaurus, this one’s been divided into themes, which is very handy when trying to write a story. There are sections such as feelings, describing people, animals, measuring, exploring and more. It can be used as a scaffolding resource for story writing, or could even be the focus of targeted language improvement tasks. At the back of the book, there are ideas for a few language games that can be played. Work doesn’t have to be boring! There’s a lot of potential with this book and all schools should consider investing in copies for all classes, particularly from year 2 upwards. It will be an useful resource for 1st language pupils and those learning Welsh. Here’s a small list of a few possible tasks stemming from the thesaurus. 1. Improve sentences 2. Word treasure hunt 3. Anagrams 4. Opposite words 5. Writing a story. Use a page. 34 and 35 as a story-writing scaffold 6. Search Game at the back of the Thesaurus 7. Beating the Clock Quiz 30 seconds to search for another word on a special page e.g. p15. Is there another word for silly? 8. Describe the local area using pages 22 and 23 9. Learners- use pages 4 and 5 as a helping hand to write about your home and family. Self-portrait.