Chwilio

*Scroll down for English* 24 awr wedi'r ffrwydriad yng Nghaerdydd. 24 hours after an explosion in Cardiff. 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:: ◉◉◉◎◎ Dyfarniad/Rating: ★★★★☆ Syniad gwerth chweil yw’r gyfres ‘Stori Sydyn’ sy’n gwneud yn union beth mae’n ddweud ar y tun (fel yr hen advert Ronseal) - rhoi stori dda, gyflym i chi, am bris rhesymol IAWN! Llyfrau amlbwrpas iawn yw’r rhain - yn ideal os ydych chi’n oedolion, pobl ifanc, dysgu Cymraeg, newydd i ddarllen neu hyd yn oed jest prin o amser! Fe gewch deimlo’r balchder o actually gorffen nofel am chenj gan nad ydyn nhw’n rhy hir. Defnyddia’r clawr liwiau trawiadol i fachu ein sylw o’r cychwyn gyda melyn a du sydd fel arfer yn dangos ‘Perygl!’ Un cwestiwn sydd gen i am y clawr – ai silhouette o’r awdur ydi hwnna? – [Awdur wedi ateb – Na!] Cychwynna’r nofel pan mae Nathan (bachgen gwyn) yn cyfarfod Sadia (merch Fwslimaidd) ar fws ac mae’r ddau yn cychwyn cyfeillgarwch sy’n prysur droi fewn i berthynas. Digwyddodd eu sgwrs gyntaf ar y bws dros lyfr - felly bobl, os ‘da chi’n single pringles - anghofiwch am Tinder ac ewch am reid ar fws gyda llyfr da tro nesaf! Er bod y ddau yn hapus iawn gyda’i gilydd, mae ‘na broblem hiliaeth yng Nghymuned Trelluest (ia, yr enw Cymraeg ar Grangetown - dwi wedi dysgu rhywbeth newydd) ac mae eu perthynas yn codi aeliau rhai yn y gymuned. Yn sicr nid yw tad Nathan, sy’n hiliwr rhonc yn cytuno gyda dewis ei fab. Roedd perthynas y Tad a’r mab yn ddiddorol – mae’r ddau yn gig a gwaed – ond eto – yn ddim byd tebyg. A dweud y gwir, mae gan Nathan gywilydd mawr o’i Dad a’i gredoau. Am nifer o resymau, ond gan gynnwys y tlodi a’r diweithdra, mae tensiynau’n uchel rhwng y ddwy gymuned a daw’r gymuned Fwslimaidd yn darged i gamdriniaeth hiliol gan gael eu beio am ‘ddwyn ein jobs.’ Prif ddigwyddiad y nofel yw ffrwydrad mewn cyngerdd yn ardal Caerdydd, o bosib yn ymosodiad terfysgol ond ni chawn gadarnhad o hyn. Caiff ein prif gymeriadau eu dal yng nghanol erchylltra’r noson. Roedd y dryswch, yr ofn a’r panig yn y munudau yn dilyn y bom yn fy atgoffa o’r ymosodiad ym Manceinion. Scary. Fe geir yma ddweud pwerus gan yr awdur sy’n gwneud observation o ba mor sydyn mae’r cyfryngau i symud ymlaen a chwilio am y ‘stori fawr’ nesaf: “Mae pob trasiedi’n troi’n hashnod. Ond yna daw’r hashnodau i ben a fydd neb yn cofio a fydd dim byd yn newid.” Yn dilyn yr ymosodiad, ac er nad oes tystiolaeth o bwy oedd yn gyfrifol, mae grŵp o eithafwyr adain dde yn benderfynol o ‘dalu’r pwyth yn ôl’ ac mae torf ohonynt yn ymgasglu er mwyn llosgi’r mosg. Na i ddim sbwylio beth sy’n digwydd nesaf, ond mae’r penodau olaf yn reit frawychus a disturbing. Anodd credu fod pethau fel hyn wedi digwydd go iawn. Tybiwn fod llawer o’r nofel wedi ei ysbrydoli gan bethau sydd wedi digwydd yn ein byd yn barod. Rhywbeth sy’n nodweddiadol o’r awdur yw ei ddisgrifiadau manwl ac effeithiol. Roeddwn yn hoff iawn o’r trosiad sy’n disgrifio’r tensiwn hiliol fel llosgfynydd Vesuvius, sydd ar fin chwythu. Neu’r syniad o gasineb fel drewdod fishy mecryll: “Mae casineb fel mecryll. Mae’n gadael ei ôl. Mae’n difetha popeth da. Mae’n staenio bywyd.” (ond dwi dal yn hoffi mecryll, sori!) Efallai fod rhai o enwau defnyddiwr y dynion ar y chatroom braidd yn ystrydebol ac on-the-nose e.e. ‘Brits4Britain, Whiteguy, Angrydude’ ond wedi dweud hyn, yn aml iawn, mae’r idiots yma’n loud and proud gyda’u credoau gwirion. Mae ‘na fwy o’r ‘right wing extremeists’ ‘ma yn ein plith ‘na fyddech chi’n tybio. Mi ddes i ar draws un neu ddau ar fy Facebook fy hun cyn heddiw - cawson nhw eu ‘unfriendio’n reit handi! Ym mis Mai 2020, yn dilyn llofruddiaeth dyn du yn America gan heddwas gwyn, sbardunodd hyn brotestiadau ar draws y byd gan ailgynnau’r ddadl ar hiliaeth (yn defnyddio’r hashnod #blacklivesmatter #bywydauduobwys.) Mae’r pynciau o hiliaeth a rhagfarn sydd dan sylw yn y nofel yn rhai go iawn a pherthnasol iawn heddiw. Yn ôl y ffigyrau, mae troseddau casineb wedi cynyddu yng Nghymru yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf. Mae hiliaeth ac anghydraddoldeb ar sail lliw croen yn rhywbeth sy’n dal i fod yn broblem yma yng Nghymru ac yn ‘bandemig’ yn ei hun. Croesawaf unrhyw beth sy’n agor y drws ar drafodaeth ac yn rhoi’r mater o dan y lach. Mae Pobl fel Ni yn nofel sy’n cychwyn sgwrs am hyn - gallaf weld defnydd addysgiadol da iddo yn ein hysgolion, lle mae angen gwneud mwy o waith ar daclo hiliaeth a rhagfarn. Y genhedlaeth nesaf yw’r gobaith y bydd pethau’n well. Dyma nofel fer, pacy, sy’n codi cwestiynau mawr, ac un y gallaf argymell yn llwyr. Dwi’n falch fod y nofel yn cloi ar nodyn positif fod cariad yn drech na chasineb: “er gwaethaf popeth, mae bywyd yn cynnig prydferthwch.” Amen i hynny. What a great idea the ‘Stori Sydyn’ [quick story] series is, that does exactly what it says on the tin (like the old Ronseal advert) – gives you an engaging, fast-paced story at a VERY reasonable price! This book (and indeed the series) is ideal for adults, young people, new readers, Welsh learners or even if you’re just short on time. If you’re like me, these books will give you the satisfaction of actually finishing a novel for once! The cover makes use of very striking colours, that immediately grabs our attention with the use of yellow and black – normally associated with danger signs. I’m glad the blue strip has disappeared from the series (Sorry, just never liked it). I have one question about the cover – is it a silhouette of the author himself? [He answered – no it isn’t!] The novel begins when Nathan (a white boy) meets Sadia (a Muslim girl) on a bus and she initiates a friendship that rapidly turns into a relationship. Single people take note - their first conversation on the bus happened over a book so, ditch Tinder and hop on a bus with a good book- you never know who you’ll get talking to! Although both are very happy together, racism is a big concern in the community of Trelluest (yup, the Welsh name for Grangetown- I've learned something new today) and their relationship raises a few eyebrows to say the least. Nathan’s father, who is a staunch racist and anti-immigrant supporter certainly disagrees! Because of the poverty and unemployment, tensions are high between the two communities and the Muslim community becomes the target of racial abuse for 'stealing our jobs.' I am intrigued by Nathan’s relationship with his violent Dad – They are flesh and blood yet nothing alike and Nathan is deeply ashamed. The main plot point of the book is a bomb in a concert in the Cardiff area, which is likely to be a terrorist attack. Our main characters are caught in the midst of the chaos and confusion. The fear and panic reminded me of the distressing images I saw on the news in Manchester following the May 22 explosion. There’s some thought-provoking stuff here from the author who draws our attention to the use of hashtags in such a crisis and how quickly people forget and move on to the next bit of ‘big news.’ Following the attack, (although there’s little evidence of who was responsible) a group of right-wing extremists are determined to seek revenge and a large crowd intends to burn down the mosque. I won’t spoil what happens next, but it is quite frightening and frankly disturbing. It’s hard to believe that things like this can, do and have happened when people are hurting and looking for some sort of vigilante justice. A trademark of this author are his detailed and effective descriptions. I liked the metaphor describing the racial tension like the Vesuvius volcano, which has just erupted. Or how about the comparison of hatred and the lingering smell of mackerel. (Sorry, but I still love mackerel!) Some examples may be a bit stereotypical and on-the-nose e.g. the names of the men on the chatroom – 'Brits4Britain, whiteguy, angrydude, but having said that, some of these right-wing idiots are quite open and proud about their divisive views. There are more of them around than you care to think – I came across a few on my Facebook friends list not long ago – safe to say they were promptly unfriended. In May 2020, following the unlawful killing of a black man by a white officer in America, protests began happening all over the world using the slogan #Blacklivesmatter #BywydauDuoBwys. The subjects discussed in the novel are real and very relevant today. Apparently, hate crimes have gone up in the last couple of years in Wales so racism and racial inequality are still issues we have yet to tackle. It is a pandemic in itself. I welcome anything that opens the door on these issues and brings it under the spotlight. Pobl Fel Ni gets you thinking about these things and I can see it having valuable use in secondary schools as a starter for discussion on race. This is a short, pacy novel which raises big questions, and one that I can wholeheartedly recommend. I’m glad the novel concludes on the positive note that love prevails over hatred: "Despite everything, life offers beauty." Amen to that. Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Y Lolfa Cyhoeddwyd/Released: Ebrill 2020 Pris: £1 (Bargain!!!)

*Scroll down for English* Y cydbwysedd perffaith o dristwch a hiwmor. The perfect balance of humour and sadness. Genre: #arddegau #hiwmor / #humour #teenage 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: ◉◉◉◉◎ Dyfarniad/Rating: ★★★★☆ Rhaid i mi gyfaddef, pan welais i’r clawr (sy’n effeithiol iawn btw) a’r strapline ‘Cemo fel caead bedd,’ doeddwn i ddim yn siŵr os byddai’r llyfr yn apelio. Ar ôl teimlo digon down efo’r holl fusnes lockdown a coronavirus, doeddwn i ddim awydd darllen rhywbeth oedd am wneud i mi deimlo’n fwy fflat. Wel – pa mor anghywir o’n i? Dwi’n gweld rŵan pam fod y Saeson yn dweud ‘Don’t judge a book by it’s cover,’ a dwi’n falch iawn mod i wedi ei ddarllen. Beth sy’n ddiddorol yw mai llyfr wedi ei anelu at y grŵp oedran 11-14 yw hwn OND fel dyn tipyn yn hŷn na’r gynulleidfa darged, mi wnes i ei fwynhau’n arw. Felly, peidiwch â gwneud y camgymeriad o feddwl mai llyfr i teenage girls yn unig yw hwn chwaith. Prif gymeriad y stori yw Efa, merch ysgol sy’n gorfod wynebu pob math o sialensau arferol yr arddegau fel ffrindiau (neu ddiffyg), tad embarassing, bwlis, athrawon, ac wrth gwrs…y cariad cyntaf. Ar ben yr usuals, mae ei mam ar fin rhoi genedigaeth AC yn dioddef o gancr y fron. Waw - lot o s**t i un person orfod delio efo! Er fod na themâu dwys yma, mae ’na hiwmor drwyddo draw ac o ganlyniad fe gawn lyfr sy’n andros o hawdd ei ddarllen – mae’r jôcs yn balance-io’r darnau trist yn dda. Mae’r llyfr yn llawn o ddarnau bach doniol a wnaeth i mi wenu. Ddim cweit ’run peth allan o gyd destun ond dyma rai o fy ffefrynnau: Efa’n disgrifio’r giang o ferched fel “côr o lyfu tîn.” Mam Efa’n sôn am Britney Spears a dim clem gan Efa pwy oedd hi! Arsylwadau Efa o dalentau’r athro druan, Mr Llywelyn: “Roedd ei wersi yn draed moch fel arfer.” Cai’n disgrifio Gwen a’i sterics fel “Shani Cyffyffl” (gair da… cyffyffl!) Cracking one-liner i ddisgrifio Dylan (cradur) fel “Striflyn o grwt. Roedd mwy o gig mewn chicken nugget.” Athrawes uwchradd ydi’r awdur, ac er mod i’n gwybod hyn gynt, roedd yn amlwg yn yr ysgrifennu. ‘Write what you know’, maen nhw’n ddweud yndê? Wel, mae hi’n nabod ei chynulleidfa i’r dim ac mae’r ddeialog, y sefyllfaoedd a’r cymeriadau on point! Mae’r stori’n darllen yn naturiol iawn – dim fel oedolyn yn trio ’sgwennu’n cŵl neu’n ceisio bod down with the kids. Cafodd y rhamant slow burner rhwng Efa a Cai ei gyflwyno’n fedrus ac roedd yn hollol gredadwy- fel y ffordd mae hi’n gwirioni a chael gwefr jest o gyffwrdd blaen bys ag ef. Neu’r awkward moment wrth iddyn nhw “ffarwelio’n drwsgl” ar ôl bod am ‘wâc’ – yr hen sefyllfa to go in for the kiss or not? – ’da ni gyd wedi bod yna! Darnau fel hyn oedd yn mynd a fi’n syth yn ôl i fod yn bymtheg oed eto! Roedd ‘na ddarnau o’r llyfr fyddai’n apelio at ddarllenwyr hŷn hefyd - daeth yr atgofion i gyd yn ôl ym mhennod y ffeit fawr yn y coridor. Gwenais wrth ddarllen am Mr Lewelyn druan yn “difaru iddo beidio ymddeol y llynedd,” neu’r pennaeth yn syllu’n “hiraethus drwy’r ffenestr.” (know the feeling!) Roedd y penodau yn yr hen ysgol gynradd gaeedig yn deimladwy iawn ac yn adlewyrchiad o’r tristwch ym mywyd Efa ar y pryd a’r hiraeth am ddyddiau gwell. Gwyddwn o brofiad nad oes does dim byd mwy digalon na ysgol yn cau; y dosbarthiadau gwag heb fwrlwm a sŵn plant... Mae Efa druan yn cael hard time gan ei “ffrind” Gwen, sy’n bell o fod yn ffrind mewn gwirionedd. Hen sguthan o hogan ydi hi a bydd hon yn gymeriad y bydd sawl un ohonom yn ei gofio neu adnabod. Y person ’na sy’n smalio bod yn ffrind ond ’da chi’n gwybod nad ydynt yn gwneud daioni i chi. Gwyddai Efa hyn yn iawn ond fod yr angen am gwmni’n gryfach na bod ar ei phen ei hun. Mewn ffordd, ymdebyga Gwen i dyfiant y cancr – rhywbeth drwg oedd angen ei dorri ymaith… Os ydach chi am glywed hanes y super-b***ch yn cael ei haeddiant, rhaid i chi ddarllen y llyfr bydd! Yn ôl Heiddwen Tomos, “neges y stori yw bod cyfnodau ym mywydau pawb yn gallu bod yn anodd, ond daw eto haul ar fryn.” Erbyn y diwedd, mae gan Efa support network o bobl i’w helpu i wynebu’r heriau a dwi’n falch fod na rywfaint o obaith yn y pen draw. Efallai fod ’na le i ail-ymweld ag Efa mewn blynyddoedd i ddod a gweld lle bydd hi’n mynd nesaf. Yn wahanol i rai straeon tebyg yn y genre, nid dyddiadur a geir yma ac felly cawn ddarlun ehangach, mwy amrywiol na safbwynt Efa’n unig – roedd hi’n ddiddorol edrych ar berthynas Cai a’i fam hefyd. Mae’r dŵdls yn ychwanegu rhywbeth hefyd, er, yn bersonol dwi’n meddwl fasa’r llyfr wedi gallu gwneud efo mwy. Ceir yma’r cynhwysion i gyd ar gyfer stori berffaith i’r arddegau. Mae ’na ddigon o dristwch, emosiwn, anwyldeb a thynerwch i greu cymeriadau rydan ni’n malio amdanyn nhw, ac wrth gyfuno hyn â hiwmor, text message screenshots a sefyllfaoedd credadwy, mae’r awdur wedi llwyddo i greu campwaith. Os ydach chi rhwng 11-14, mynnwch gopi reit handi a darllenwch o ‘da chi. Ac os ydach chi o unrhyw oedran dros 14, yr un yw’r cyngor! Ôl nodyn – Hollol random - am flynyddoedd ron i’n meddwl mod i’n weird am gario sachets halen yn fy waled, ond ar ôl darllen am Cai a’i fêt yn smyglo halen i’r ‘ysgol iach’, dwi’n teimlo’n well nad fi yw’r unig un sy’n licio sprincl o’r good stuff ar fy sglods! I’ve got to confess, when I first saw the cover (which is very effective btw) and the strapline about chemotherapy, I wasn't sure if this was the book for me right now. After feeling down with all this lockdown and coronavirus business, I didn't want to read something that would make me feel worse. Well – how wrong was I!? I can see now why they say ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover,’ and I’m glad I have it a whirl. It’s interesting to note that this book is aimed at the 11-14 age group, but, as a man quite a bit older than the target audience, surprisingly I really enjoyed it. So, don’t make the mistake of thinking that this book is just for teenage girls. Efa, the book’s protagonist, is a schoolgirl who has to face the usual teenage challenges such as friends (or lack thereof), embarrassing fathers, bullies, teachers, and of course... the first love. On top of the usual problems, her mother is about to give birth and is suffering with breast cancer at the same time. Wow- that’s a lot of s**t for one person to have to deal with! Although there are some ‘deep’ themes here, humour is peppered throughout and as a result we get a book that’s easy to read – the jokes work well at balancing out the sad bits. The book is full of funny little bits that made me smile. The author is a secondary teacher, and although I already knew this, I thought it was very evident in the writing. 'Write what you know’ they say. Well, this author knows her audience. The characters, dialogue and situations are on point! The story flows naturally and feels genuine- not like when you sometimes get an adult trying to be cool or ‘down with the kids.’ The slow burning love story between Efa and Cai was skillfully presented and was believable- the thrill she gets just from touching his finger or their awkward goodbye encounter after their walk. It’s the classic to go in for the kiss or not? situation – we’ve all been there! Bits like this instantly took me back to being fifteen years old again! Parts of the book I think would certainly appeal to older readers - all the memories came flooding back during the epic corridor fight chapter. As a former teacher, I smiled to myself as I read about poor Mr Llewelyn, the teacher who had to break up the fight as he "regretted not retiring sooner.” I also liked the bit where the headteacher stares longingly out of the window – I know that feeling! The bits in the old closed-down primary school were hauntingly poignant and perhaps a reflection of Efa’s sadness and longing for halcyon days gone by. I know only too well that there is nothing sadder than a school closing down; the empty classes and the quiet and still hallways... It may not have been absolutely necessary to include all those little asides, but I’m glad they were there. Poor Efa gets a hard time from her so-called ‘friend’ Gwen, who is actually far from it. What a nasty piece of work she is and she’s a character that unfortunately all too many of us can relate to. She’s that person in our lives who pretends to be your friend, but deep down you know they’re not good for you. Efa knows this, but having her around is better than being on her own. I found Gwen very similar to a cancerous growth herself – something that needed to be cut out and discarded. If you want to find out how the super-b***h gets her comeuppance, you’ll have to read the book! According to Heiddwen Tomos, the message from the story is that yes, life can get you down at times, but the sun will come out eventually. By the end, Efa has a support network of people to help her face life’s challenges and I'm glad there’s some hope at the end – much needed, I think. There may even be an opportunity to re-visit Efa in the future to find out where life takes her… Unlike some similar stories in the genre, this is not a diary and so we get a bigger, more diverse picture than just Efa’s perspective – it was interesting to explore a little of Cai’s relationship with his mother. The doodles did help I think, although it could probably have done with some more. We have here all the key ingredients for a good teenage work of fiction There’s enough emotion and tugging on the heartstrings to create characters we actually care about, but combined with humour, text screenshots and an accurate portrayal of teenage life, I think the author’s created a masterpiece. A book you’ll want to read. If you’re aged between 11-14, grab a copy and read it! If you’re older than 14, then the advice is the same! P.S. Completely random but - for years I thought I was odd for carrying salt sachets in my wallet, but after reading about Cai and his mate smuggling in salt into the 'Healthy Schools’ canteen as if it were drugs, I feel better that I'm not the only one who will go to such measures for a sprinkle of the good stuff on my chips! Gwasg/publisher: Y Lolfa Rhyddhawyd/released: 2020 Pris: £5.99

*Scroll down for English* ❤Enillydd Gwobr Tir na n-Og 1988❤ ❤Tir na n-Og Award winner 1988❤ Pan mae'r byd yn mynd ar eich nerfau... When the world's getting on your nerves... Genre: harddegau, hiwmor / teenage fiction, humour, funny 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: ◉◉◉◎◎ Dyfarniad/Rating: ★★★★☆ Adolyigiad gan Llio Mai Hughes Review by Llio Mai Hughes Dyma lyfr sydd wedi’i alw’n glasur gan nifer o bobl, ond doeddwn i ddim wedi dod ar ei draws yn yr ysgol nac am sbel go hir wedyn. Felly, a ninnau’n gorfod aros adref, dyma archebu copi i weld a yw’r ‘clasur’ yn glasur wedi’r cwbl. Llyfr ar gyfer pobl ifanc yn eu harddegau ydi Tydi Bywyd yn Boen, ac wedi’i anelu at ferched. Tydw i bellach ddim yn fy arddegau yn anffodus, (wel dwnim am hynny!) ond mi wnaeth profiadau Delyth, y prif gymeriad, brocio sawl atgof yr oeddwn i wedi’u claddu ymhell yng nghefn fy meddwl, fel llafurio dros fynydd o waith cartref, paratoi at y disgo ysgol, trio edrych yn ‘ddeniadol’ a bod yn genfigennus o’r ferch oedd yn gariad i’r hogyn oeddwn i’n ei ffansïo - we’ve all been there. Sgribls Hogan Flêr gan Gwen Lasarus dw i’n cofio ei ddarllen yn yr ysgol uwchradd, ac yr un math o lyfr ydi Tydi Bywyd yn Boen. Llyfr coming of age ydi o yn ei hanfod – dyddiadur merch ifanc sy’n trafod ei bywyd yn yr ysgol, ei bywyd adref gyda’i rhieni, ei pherthynas gyda’i ffrindiau, ac wrth gwrs, bechgyn, ac yn benodol yn achos Delyth, Trystan Jones. O’i gymharu â Sgribls Hogan Flêr, dw i yn credu fod y llyfr, yn anochel, wedi dyddio rhyw fymryn erbyn hyn. Mae bywyd merched yn eu harddegau wedi newid hyd yn oed ers cyfnod Sgribls Hogan Flêr. Tydi bywyd yn llawn prysurdeb diolch i dechnoleg a’r cyfryngau cymdeithasol – prin y mae siawns i unrhyw un fod yn bored efo cymaint ar gael ar flaenau eich bysedd bellach, a gyda hynny daw cymaint mwy o bwysau i ddilyn y bywyd ‘perffaith’ sy’n cael ei bortreadu gan nifer ar Facebook neu Instagram. Wedi dweud hynny, mae hi hefyd yn syndod pa mor debyg ydi rhai agweddau o fywyd merched yn eu harddegau, boed yn y 1980au, y naughties, neu heddiw. Yr un ydi’r insecurities, yr un pethau sy’n ein poeni, a’r un pethau rydan ni’n dymuno amdanyn nhw yn y pen draw. Dw i’n hoff o’r ffaith fod nifer o is-themâu yn cael eu plethu i mewn i’r stori, fel arfau niwclear, colli gwaith a mabwysiadu. Dw i hefyd yn hoff o onestrwydd y dyddiadur. Mae Trystan Jones yn cael cariad, sy’n siom mawr i Delyth, ac mae hi’n gwneud sylwadau reit bitchy yn ei dyddiadur am ei gariad newydd. Tydw i ddim yn dweud fod hyn yn iawn wrth gwrs, ond os ydan ni’n onesd efo’n hunain, mae’r mwyafrif ohonon ni wedi rhoi rhywun arall i lawr er mwyn teimlo’n well amdanom ni ein hunain ar ryw adeg, boed ar lafar, yn ein meddyliau, neu mewn dyddiadur. Beth sy’n gwneud Delyth yn gymeriad mor hoffus ydi ei bod hi amherffaith. Mae’r llyfr yn un hawdd iawn ei ddarllen, yn trafod themâu reit ddwys a difrifol ar brydiau ond ar adegau eraill yn ddoniol ac yn reit heartwarming, yn enwedig y diweddglo. Roedd o’r llyfr cyntaf o’i fath yn y Gymraeg ar y pryd. Bu’n llwyddiant mawr a chafodd ei drosi yn gyfres deledu hefyd - sydd wedi bod ar gael yn ddiweddar trwy S4C Clic. Felly, ydi’r llyfr yn glasur? Dw i’n meddwl ei fod yn fwy o glasur i’r rheiny oedd yn darllen y math yma o lyfr am y tro cyntaf yn y Gymraeg ar y pryd, yn y 1980au, ond mi fysa hi’n ddifyr iawn clywed beth ydi barn merched yn eu harddegau heddiw. Mynnwch gopi a gadewch ni wybod! Clip fideo o'r rhaglen... This book is often touted as a recent classic by a number of people, but somehow, I didn't come across it in school or for quite a long time afterwards. So, as we are all in lockdown, I ordered a copy to see for myself if it lies up to all the hype. Tydi Bywyd yn Boen [Life’s a pain] is a book for teenagers and is aimed at girls. Unfortunately I'm no longer a teenager (well, I’m actually quite glad!) but yes, reading about Delyth, the main character’s experiences brought back several memories I had buried deep in the back of my mind, such as labouring over a mountain of homework, preparing for school discos, trying to look 'attractive' and being envious of the girl who went out with the boy that I fancied- We've all been there. The teenage-angsty book I remember reading in school was Sgribls Hogan Flêr by Gwen Lasarus and it’s got the same kind of feel as Tydi Bywyd yn Boen. It’s a sort of coming of age book – a girl’s diary where she pours out all her worries about school life, home life with her parents, friends and relationships and of course, boys – specifically in Delyth’s case, Trystan Jones. In comparison to Sgribls Hogan Flêr, I think this book has aged quite considerably. Teenage girls’ lives have changed so much even in the last couple of years. Life is so busy thanks to social media – you hardly get the chance to be properly bored these days with so many things available at the touch of a button. With this new instant-culture, there’s more pressure to lead that ‘perfect’ life that is portrayed by so many Facebook and Instagram accounts. Having said this, it is surprising how many aspects of teenage girls’ lives are the same nowadays as they were in the noughties or indeed the late 80s when this book came out. We essentially still have the same sort of worries, insecurities, hopes and dreams now as we did back then. I like the fact that a number of sub-themes are woven into the story, such as nuclear weapons, redundancy and adoption. I also like the honesty of the diary. The object of her desires, Trystan Jones, gets a girlfriend which is a huge big deal disappointment to Delyth, and she makes some rather bitchy comments about this new girl – and indeed a few others- in her diary. I’m not saying this is okay of course, because we girls need to show a bit of solidarity, but if we are truly honest with ourselves, most of us have put somebody else down at one time or another in order to feel better about ourselves, whether out loud, in our minds, or in a diary. What makes Delyth such a likeable character is that she’s not perfect by a long shot. The book is very easy to read, discusses some serious themes at times but does this with a funny outlook from a teenager’s perspective. It is rather heartwarming at times, especially the ending. This was one of the first books of its kind in Welsh at the time. It was a great success – so much so that it was adapted into a popular TV series that has recently been made available as a box set through S4C Clic. So, is the book a classic? Overall, I think it’s more of a classic for those who read it for the first time when it was published, but I think it’s definitely got some mileage left in it and it’s worth a read. I’d love to hear the views of today’s teenage girls on this novel and compared it with some newer ones. Gwasg/publisher: Gwasg Gwynedd Rhyddhawyd/released: 1987 Ar gael/available: Ar gael ar gwales.com

*Scroll down for English* ❤Llyfr y Mis Mehefin 2020❤ ❤June 2020 Book of the Month❤ Hen chwedl Gymereig ar ei newydd wedd! A refreshing update to a classic Welsh tale! Genre: #dwyieithog #hanes #chwedlau / #bilingual #history #legend 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: ◉◉◉◎◎ Dyfarniad/Rating: ★★★★★ (sydd ddim yn digwydd yn aml - doesn't happen often!) Gwyliwch y Q&A gyda'r awdur, Aidan Saunders [is-deitlau Cymraeg] Watch this interesting Q&A with author-illustrator, Aidan Saunders. O’r diwedd mae gennym ni lyfr sy’n dangos fod llyfrau lluniau’n cŵl ac nid jest ar gyfer plant bach yn unig! Dwi wedi gwirioni gyda fersiwn Aidan Saunders o hen chwedl o’r Mabinogi, Stori Branwen. Mae’r stori ei hun yn rhan o hen hanes Celtaidd Cymru, ac yn un sydd wedi cael ei ddweud a’i ail ddweud dros y canrifoedd. Dwi’n meddwl mai hwn yw fy hoff fersiwn o’r stori sy’n bodoli mewn print ar hyn o bryd. Mae’r stori wedi cael ei ddiweddaru ar gyfer cynulleidfa fodern ond nid yw wedi colli dim o hud a lledrith y stori wreiddiol. Mae hyn yn rhywbeth sydd wedi bod yn fy mygio ers tro. Pam fod pawb yn edrych i lawr ar lyfrau lluniau fel pethau plentynnaidd neu fabïaidd? Dwi’n 29 oed a dwi wedi mwynhau darllen llyfr sy’n byrlymu gydag arlunwaith atyniadol a thrawiadol. Mae’r printiau lliwgar mor syml, modern a refreshing ond eto, mae rhyw deimlad hynafol a hanesyddol iddynt hefyd, fel rhyw dapestri lliwgar sy’n cefnogi’r geiriau wrth adrodd y stori. Dwi’n dal i ddweud mai ‘keep it simple’ sy’n gweithio orau - mae’r lluniau cartwnaidd yn syml, ond yn hynod o effeithiol. Cyn mynd at y stori, dwi isio sôn am y llyfr ei hun. Dwi wedi dweud o’r blaen, fod Atebol yn cynhyrchu llyfrau o safon uchel iawn (ac na, dydyn nhw ddim yn fy nhalu i ddweud hynny!) Mae maint a siâp tenau, hirsgwar y llyfr yn wahanol iawn i’r llyfrau eraill sydd ar gael. Bydd hwn yn sicr o sefyll allan ar silff lyfrau - a thybiwn bydd yn denu sylw nifer o lygaid ifanc. Mae angen pwysleisio fodd bynnag, er bod y llyfr yn edrych fel llyfr i blant bach Cyfnod Sylfaen, peidiwch â chael eich twyllo! Fyddwn i ddim yn argymell y llyfr yma i unrhyw un dan 7 oed am sawl rheswm. Dwi mor falch fod y wasg wedi dewis creu llyfr lluniau dwyieithog, ond ar gyfer plant hŷn. Maen nhw’n hollol iawn i wneud hyn a dylai mwy o weisg fod yn gwneud yr un peth. Mae plant CA2 (Bl.3-6 neu 7-11 oed mewn geiriau eraill) YN MWYNHAU edrych ar luniau hefyd! (a phlant hynach fyth, mewn gwirionedd) Ydyn, maen nhw’n hoffi llyfrau lluniau - ond dydyn nhw ddim isio cael eu patronizeio chwaith! Fydd darllen y llyfr yma ddim fel darllen Sali Mali - mae 'na ddigon o waith darllen ac mae o’n ddigon heriol hefyd. Mae Mererid Hopwood wedi gwneud job dda o gyfieithu’r geiriau Saesneg. Dwi’n falch fod ‘na ysgrifen Cymraeg a Saesneg ochr yn ochr felly mi all blant sy’n darllen Cymraeg yn rhugl fwynhau’r llyfr, yn ogystal â dysgwyr neu’r rheiny sydd â rhieni di-Gymraeg. Mae’r ffaith fod y ddwy iaith yno yn gwneud y llyfr yn addas i gynulleidfa fwy. Cyfle gwych i unrhyw un ddysgu mwy am hanes cyfoethog chwedlonol Cymru. Mae gen i gof o glywed stori Branwen yn yr ysgol, ond mewn gwirionedd roeddwn i wedi anghofio pa mor hollol nyts oedd o! Pwy ddaeth i fyny gyda rhai o’r syniadau? Roedd ganddyn nhw ufflwn o ddychymyg beth bynnag! (yndw, dwi’n cyfeirio at Branwen yn cael ei chosbi’n ddyddiol gan y cigydd gyda darn o ham! - what’s that all about?) Dyma stori sy’n cynnwys hud a lledrith, cewri, camdriniaeth ddomestig, brwydrau epig, miwtaleiddio, byddinoedd meirw, cariad, brad, twyll a marwolaeth. You name it - mae o yn stori Branwen! Mi fydd y llyfr yma’n boblogaidd gyda bechgyn a merched - ond - mae ganddo wir werth fel arf i geisio cael bechgyn sy’n amharod i ddarllen i fwynhau stori dda ac i ymddiddori mewn rhywbeth Cymraeg. Oes, mae 'na drais, lladd a chreulondeb yn stori Branwen - ond dyma’n union pam fydd plant ar dân eisiau ei ddarllen. Maen nhw’n licio’r math yma o beth a dwi’n siŵr fod nhw wedi gweld pethau gwaeth mewn operâu sebon a ffilmiau dyddiau yma! Mi allaf argymell y llyfr yma’n llwyr i unrhyw un sy’n 7+ ac mae’n sicr yn llyfr y dylai ysgolion ystyried buddsoddi mewn copi -cyfleoedd dysgu di-ri. Un cwestiwn sydd gen i, tybed fydd yr awdur yn gallu esbonio i mi pam fod bochau tîn random Irish soldier no.2 mewn golwg? Oedd hi’n ffasiwn i dorri tyllau bochau pen ôl mewn trowsus bryd hynny?! Bach o ventilation cyn dyddiau Air Conditioning tybed? Er nad oes gen i ateb pendant, mae’n ddiddorol beth bynnag ac yn siŵr o ennyn gigl neu ddau! Roedd dewis stori Branwen yn un doeth ar gyfer rhoi spin ‘cŵl’ ar hanes a thraddodiadau Cymru a dwi’n gobeithio bydd mwy o’r Mabinogi yn cael triniaeth Aidan Saunders yn y dyfodol! Beth am roi cynnig ar wneud eich pyped Bendigeidfran eich hun? https://atebol-siop.com/bendigeidfran.html At last we have a book that makes picture books cool and shows they are not just something for small children! I'm thrilled with Aidan Saunders' version of an old legend from the Mabinogi, the story of Branwen. It’s a myth/legend that is part of the ancient history of Celtic Wales and one that has been told and retold over the centuries. I think this is my favourite version of the story that currently exists in print. The story has been updated for a modern audience but has lost none of the magic of the original story. This has been bugging me for quite some time now but why do we tend to look down on picture books as being childish? I’m 29 years old and I enjoyed reading a book that is full of striking illustrations. The colourful prints are so simple, modern and refreshing but they still have an ancient, historical feeling about them. A colourful tapestry of images, they support the story and add a great deal to it. I still say that 'keeping it simple' works best – the comic-style pictures are simple, yet very effective. Before I discuss the story, I just want to talk about the book itself. I've said before, that Atebol produces books of a very high standard (and no, they don't pay me to say that!) The thin, rectangular size and shape of the book are quite different to the usual books available. This will certainly stand out on a bookshelf and we imagine it will attract the attention of young readers’ eyes. However, it needs to be stressed that although the book looks like something for the foundation phase, don't be fooled, it really isn’t. I probably wouldn't recommend this book to anyone under the age of 7. I’m so pleased that the publisher has chosen to create a bilingual picture book, but for older children. They are quite right to do this and others should be doing the same thing. Children in KS2 (Yrs.3-6 or 7-11 years old in other words) DO ENJOY looking at pictures too! (and even older children for that matter) Yes, they like picture books but they don't want to be patronized either! Reading this book will not be like reading Sali Mali- there’s plenty of reading and it's challenging enough. Mererid Hopwood has done a good job of translating the English words. I am pleased that the Welsh and English text sits side by side, so children who read Welsh fluently can enjoy the book, as well as learners or those with non-Welsh speaking parents. The fact that both languages are there makes the book suitable for a wider audience. A great opportunity for anyone to learn more about the rich history of Wales ' legendary tales. I remember hearing Branwen's story in school, but I had actually forgotten how totally nuts it is! Who came up with some of the ideas? They had quite an imagination anyway! (Yes, I’m referring to Branwen having her ears boxed daily by the butcher with a piece of ham! - what‘s that all about?) This is a story about magic, giants, domestic abuse, epic battles, mutilation, armies of the dead, love, betrayal, deception and death. You name it - its in Branwen's story! This book will be popular with both boys and girls- but it really has value as a tool to get boys who are reluctant to read to enjoy a good story and to take an interest in something Welsh. Yes, there’s moderate violence and cruelty in Branwen's story- but this is exactly why children love to read it. They like this sort of thing and I'm sure they've seen worse things in soaps and films these days! It is part of history after all! I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is 7+ and it’s certainly a book that schools should consider investing in a copy for the countless learning opportunities. One question I have, I wonder if the author can shed some light on why random Irish soldier No.2’s bum cheeks are on show? A bit of ventilation before the days of Air Conditioning perhaps? It’ll surely cause a giggle when they find it! Picking Branwen’s story was a wise decision for putting a 'cool' spin on Welsh history and tradition. I hope more of the Mabinogi will be given the Aidan Saunders treatment in future! Gwasg/publisher: Atebol Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2020 Pris: £6.99

*Scroll down for English* Roedd bywyd yn braf... cyn iddi syrthio i gysgu! Life was good... until she fell asleep! Genre: llyfr lluniau, hiwmor / picture book, humour 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:: ◉◉◉◎◎ Dyfarniad/Rating: ★★★★☆ Gwrandewch ar Meilyr Sion yn dod a'r stori'n fyw! Listen to Meilyr Sion bringing the story to life! https://atebol-siop.com/yr-arth-aruthrol.html?___store=eng&___from_store=cym I oedolion, dwi’n meddwl fod David Walliams fel Marmite – ‘da chi unai yn hoff o’i steil, neu ‘da chi ddim! Am beth da felly, mai i blant mae o’n ‘sgwennu, ac nid i ni– dyma awdur hynod lwyddiannus sydd wedi gwerthu miliynau o gopis o’i lyfrau! Mae plant o bob oedran wrth eu boddau gyda’i waith ac mae o wedi sefydlu ei hun yn un o gewri llenyddiaeth plant – y Roald Dahl newydd medde nhw! Mae ‘Arth’ yn hapus ei byd ym Mhegwn y Gogledd, yn bwyta pysgod ac yn torheulo drwy’r dydd. Mae bywyd yn braf nes iddi syrthio i gysgu, ac wrth ddeffro, ffeindio fod y talpyn o rew wedi torri’n rhydd ac wedi arnofio i ffwrdd! Mae hi’n ffeindio ei hun mewn gwlad ddiarth, yn bell bell o adref, ac fe ddaw ar draws gannoedd o greaduriaid sy’n debyg iawn, ond eto’n hollol wahanol! Buan iawn mae’r stori antur yn troi’n stori gariad... Mae Tony Ross yn un o fy hoff arlunwyr, ac mae ei waith yn cyfoethogi’r stori. Mae’r ysgrifen yn cefnogi’r lluniau hefyd drwy fynd i bob siâp a chyfeiriad – cadwa hyn bethau’n ddiddorol. Hyd yn oed yn y copi dwyieithog, dwi byth yn teimlo fod ‘na ormod o ysgrifen ar y dudalen. Fel sy’n ddisgwyliedig gan Walliams, mae cryn dipyn o hiwmor yn y stori a dwi’n siŵr y bydd darllenwyr ifanc yn morio chwerthin wrth ddarllen - yn enwedig os bydd y darllenydd yn gwneud synau i gyd fynd. Dwi’n siŵr y bydd hyd yn oed gweld dau arth mawr yn cymharu pen olau ei gilydd yn siŵr o fod yn ddoniol iawn. Fel yr arfer mewn llyfrau llun i blant ifanc, mae ‘na batrymau sy’n cael eu hail adrodd, felly mi fydd y rhai lleiaf yn gallu ymuno gyda’r darllen drwy ddweud “O diar, o diar, o diar,” wrth i’r sefyllfa waethygu. Efallai bydd rhai darnau’n mynd dros bennau darllenwyr ifanc iawn, ac roedd y stori i’w weld yn hirach na’r rhai arferol, felly mae’n bosib y bydd rhai plant ifanc braidd yn aflonydd erbyn y diwedd. Mae hon yn stori dda, sy’n defnyddio hiwmor ysgafn i gyfleu negeseuon pwysig fod pawb yn wahanol, ond yr un fath yn y bôn. Mae’r llyfr yn ddathliad o debygrwydd a gwahaniaethau. Bonws yw’r ffaith fod y llyfr yn trafod (yn anuniongyrchol) mater pwysig arall ein hoes, sef cynhesu byd eang! Cyfle i gael trafodaeth yn fanna hefyd… To adults, I think David Walliams is like Marmite – you either love his style or you hate it! How fortunate then, that he isn’t writing for us adults, but for the children… and they absolutely can’t get enough of him! Here is a highly successful author who has sold millions of copies. Children of all ages love his stuff and he’s cemented himself as one of the giants of children’s literature – the new Roald Dahl they say! ‘Bear' is happy up at the North Pole, eating fish and sunbathing all day. Life is good until she falls asleep, and upon waking, finds that her piece of ice has broken off and floated away! She then finds herself alone in foreign lands, far from home, and even comes across hundreds of local creatures who although are similar to her, are very different too! It’s not long before the adventure story turns into a love story… Tony Ross is one of my favourite illustrators, and his work enriches the story. The text also supports the pictures by bending in every shape and direction – this keeps things interesting. Even in the bilingual copy, I never felt that there was too much writing on the page. As is expected of Walliams, there’s a great deal of humour in the story and I'm sure young readers will be laughing whilst reading -especially if the reader makes sounds and silly voices to go with it. I'm sure that the sight of two big bears comparing each other’s bums will no doubt be highly amusing! As is standard practice in picture books for young children, there are repeating patterns so even the smallest ones will be able to join in by saying "oh dear, oh dear, oh dear,” as the situation deteriorates. Some passages may go above the heads of very young readers, and the story seemed to be a bit longer than usual. You may find some younger children will be a bit fidgety towards the end. This is a good story, using gentle humour to convey important messages that everyone is different, but basically the same. The book is a celebration of similarities and differences. Another bonus is the fact that the book discusses (indirectly) another important issue, namely global warming! Another good opportunity to have a chat about that. Gwasg/publisher: Atebol Rhyddhawyd/released: 2018 Pris: £6.99

*Scroll down for English* Twrch sydd â phroblem digon drewllyd! A mole with a stinky problem! Awdur gwreiddiol/Original author: Werner Holzwarth Arlunydd/illustrator: Wolf Erlbruch Genre: llyfr lluniau, #doniol / picture book, #funny #humour 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: ◉◉◎◎◎ Dyfarniad/Rating: ★★★★★ Y llynedd, fe ddathlodd y llyfr yma 30 mlynedd ers ei gyhoeddi’n wreiddiol yn yr Almaeneg! Mae’n wir dweud fod y llyfr yma wedi datblygu i fod yn ‘ffenomenon’ ryngwladol ers hynny ac mae’r ffaith ei fod wedi gwerthu dros 3 miliwn o gopïau mewn peth wmbredd o ieithoedd yn destament i’w lwyddiant! O’r diwedd felly, yn 2020, mae ’na fersiwn Cymraeg i blant (ac oedolion) Cymru ei fwynhau hefyd! Os ydach chi’n meddwl eich bod chi’n cael diwrnod drwg, meddyliwch am Mr Twrch druan, prif gymeriad y llyfr, sy’n deffro’n ddiseremoni i ddarganfod fod rhywun wedi gwneud pŵ - ia PŴ - ar ei ben! Mae llun y ‘pwpsyn’ ei hun mor realistig a bydd y disgrifiad o’r ‘selsigen hir, brown’ yn gwneud i chi rolio chwerthin a chrychu trwyn ar yr un pryd! ‘Delightfully disgusting’ yw’r disgrifiad Saesneg o’r llyfr – dwi’n cytuno! Ond er fod y llyfr yn trafod baw, mae o'n ei wneud o mewn ffordd sydd bron yn 'fonheddig!' Mae lluniau pensil yr arlunydd, Wolf Erlbruch yn ychwanegu at yr hiwmor, ac mae maint y llyfr a’r ’sgwennu’n addas iawn ar gyfer darllen i gynulleidfa. Pan oeddwn i’n dysgu, dwi’n cofio’r plant yn gwirioni’n lân efo un o lyfrau lleiaf adnabyddus Roald Dahl ‘The Vicar of Nibbleswicke’ oedd yn sôn am ficer dyslecsig yn ffeindio’i hun mewn trwbl gan ei fod yn dweud geiriau'r ffordd anghywir e.e. gweiddi ar y gynulleidfa i gymryd “SIP SIP!” ….get the picture?! Beth bynnag, roedd ’na hiwmor tounge-in-cheek yn perthyn i’r llyfr, ac roedd o’r math o lyfr fysa rhai oedolion (y pennaeth, debyg) ddim yn rhy hoff i’r plant fod yn ei ddarllen! Ond hwn oedd y llyfr roedden nhw’n gofyn am gael ei ddarllen fel trît! Y math o lyfr fyddai’n codi aeliau blaenoriaid! Wel - mae Bethan Gwanas wedi addasu llyfr tebyg. Llyfr cwbl ddiniwed ond un fydd plant yn meddwl sydd dipyn yn naughty, gan ei fod yn trafod un o’r tabŵs mawr, sef arferion toiled - dyma’r UNION fath o lyfr y bydd plant ifanc yn crefu i gael ei darllen! Dw innau fel oedolyn call a chyfrifol (yn ôl y sôn) yn edrych ymlaen at y cyfle i roi test drive iawn iddo fel stori diwedd dydd y tro nesaf fydda i’n gwneud gwaith llanw. Mae’n debyg na fydd pob oedolyn yn cytuno, ond dwi’n jest gwybod y bysa’r plant yn mynd adre’n chwerthin ac yn cofio’r stori, ac ella, jest ella, yn gofyn am gael mynd i’r siop lyfrau Gymraeg ar y penwythnos… Hanes Mr Twrch gawn ni yma, (o ia, does ’na ddim byd yn bod efo defnyddio’r gair ‘twrch’ Bethan – mae o’n siwtio’r stori dwi’n meddwl!) ac mae o reit cheesed off i ffeindio pwps ar ei ben! Dwi wrth fy modd gyda’i wyneb wrth iddo arsylwi ‘anrhegion’ yr anifeiliaid eraill! Mae’r dewis o eiriau ar gyfer ymateb Mr Twrch yn wych – “llawn edmygedd” wrth weld ymdrechion y ceffyl! Mae’r llyfr yma’n tapio mewn i’r “toilet humour” sydd mor ddoniol ac apelgar i blant ifanc (ac oedolion ‘anaeddfed’) ac mae’r sylw manwl sy’n cael ei roi i’r pŵ yn siŵr o fod yn destun trafod mawr wrth ddarllen. Mae gan blant rhyw ddiddordeb naturiol mewn pŵ – I mean, come on, pwy sydd ddim wedi mynd â brigyn at sbloetsh o faw gwartheg pan oedden nhw’n iau? Mae adroddiad Rosser (2017) yn datgan fod angen mwy o hiwmor mewn llyfrau Cymraeg i blant. Hiwmor naturiol sydd ddim yn teimlo’n artiffisial neu’n ffals. Y plant eu hunain sy’n galw am hyn – a gwae i unrhyw awdur neu gyhoeddwr fyddai’n meiddio anwybyddu barn ein darllenwyr ifanc! Mae plant yn gwybod yn iawn beth sy’n gwneud stori dda, credwch chi fi! Roedd hi mor refreshing darllen stori fer oedd yn stori ddoniol a syml. Rhywbeth ysgafn i’w fwynhau heb negeseuon moesol preachy, heb gwestiynau athronyddol dwys, jest hwyl a sbri wrth sôn am pw-pw’s! I unrhyw un sy’n anghytuno - mi fydd y plantos yn ddigon call i wybod nad ydi dial drwy wneud busnes am ben rhywun yn dderbyniol go iawn! Dwi’n falch fod tipyn o hanes y llyfr yno hefyd; doedd dim rhaid ei gynnwys, ond mae’n ddiddorol tu hwnt. Diolch Bethan Gwanas a Gwasg Gomer am gyhoeddi’r stori yma. Mwy o straeon doniol, quirky gwreiddiol yn y Gymraeg plîs... (neu rhai diddorol o dramor!) O.N. Mae darllen y llyfr newydd fy atgoffa o’r ‘Caganer’ o Gatalonia, sef ffigwr bychan o ddyn ar ei gwrcwd, wrthi’n gwneud ei fusnes, sy’n addurn Nadolig traddodiadol yn yr ardal! Difyr ’te! Last year, this book celebrated the 30th anniversary since its original publication in Germany! It is true to say that this book has since become an international phenomenon. The fact that it sold over 3 million copies in dozens of languages is testament to its success! So, finally, in 2020 we now have a Welsh language version for all to enjoy. If you think you’re having a bad day, think of poor Mr Twrch, (Mr Mole) who is rudely awoken to discover that someone has taken a poo on his head! The poop itself is so realistic and it’s description as a long, brown sausage will have you rolling in laughter and scrunching your nose at the same time! 'Delightfully disgusting’ is the description given to this book on numerous sites, and I must agree! The artist, Wolf Erlbruch’s pencil drawings, add to the humour, and the book and text’s decent size make it well suited for reading aloud to an audience. I remember when I was teaching, the kids were thrilled with one of Roald Dahl's lesser-known books 'The Vicar of Nibbleswicke' about a dyslexic vicar who finds himself in trouble because he blurts out words the wrong way round e.g. when he tells the congregation to “sip sip!! ".... Get the picture?! In any case, the humour of that book was risqué and tounge-in-cheek - just the kind of book some adults wouldn’t want the children to read! But it was the book they were begging for as a special treat! Well, one of our most well-known authors, Bethan Gwanas has adapted a similarly popular book that you can bet the children will be asking for again and again! A very innocent book really, but one that could be perceived as a little bit ‘naughty’ as it mentions the great taboo of poo! Never mind the kids, I, myself as a sensible and responsible adult (supposedly) am looking forward for the opportunity to give this book a proper test drive as an end-of-day story next time I’m on a supply job! I doubt all adults would agree, but my intuition just tells me that the children will love it. I can see them now leaving the classroom in stitches. You never know, it may even inspire some of them to ask their parents to take them down to the Welsh bookshop on the weekend…. We get the story of Mr Twrch (and yes Bethan, I think the word ‘twrch’ works just fine – although, being a ‘Gog,’ I would say that!) and he’s a bit cheesed off to find someone has done their business on his head! I love the look of sheer admiration on his face as he observes the horse doing his business! This book taps into the "toilet humour " which is so appealing to young children (and immature adults) and the close attention that is given to the poo itself is bound to be a big talking point. Children just have his innate fascination with poo – I mean, come on, who hasn’t taken a branch or a stick to a cow pat when they were younger? The Rosser report (2017) states that more humour is needed in Welsh books for children. Natural humour that doesn't feel contrived or false. Its children themselves who are calling for this – and we mustn’t ignore our young readers! Children know very well what makes a good story, believe me! There was something so refreshing about reading a short(ish) story, that was comical and simple and that’s it! No preachy moral messages, no profound or philosophical issues, a funny book about a mole who got pooed on! To anyone that disagrees- the little ones will surely understand that revenge via pooping on someone’s head is not really acceptable! I'm glad that some of the book's background is included there too; it didn't have to be included, but it's interesting to read. Thank you, Bethan Gwanas and Gomer Press, publishing this story! We’d love some more original, quirky, funny stories please!! P.S. Reading this story just reminded me of the 'Caganer' from Catalonia, a small figure of a squatting man doing his business, which is a traditional Christmas decoration in the Catalan region! Love it! Gwasg/publisher: Gomer Rhyddhawyd/released: 2020 Pris: £6.99 Os wnaethoch chi fwynhau'r stori yma, dyma rhai eraill sy'n trafod 'pŵ'.... If you enjoyed this book, these are some others about poo... Dref Wen Atebol

*Scroll down for English* Llyfr ffeindiwch-teimlwch Find and feel book. Genre: Llyfr lluniau a teimlo / picture book / feely book 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: ◉◎◎◎◎ Dyfarniad/Rating: ★★★☆☆ Dyma lyfr syml a lliwgar sy’n cyflwyno rhifau a chyfri hyd at ddeg i blant ifanc. Mae’r llyfr yn defnyddio mydr ac odl er mwyn gwneud dysgu cyfri’n hwyl. Mae arlunwaith syml, clir a thrawiadol Natalie Marshall yn siŵr o gadw sylw’r rhai lleiaf. Mae’r llyfr yn ail adrodd patrymau ac mae’n ddwyieithog felly yn berffaith ar gyfer rhiant a phlentyn yn dysgu gyda’i gilydd! Mae ‘na dudalennau bumpy ar gyfer dwylo bach er mwyn rhoi profiad o deimladau a gweadau newydd wrth ddarllen. This high contrast, colourful book introduces numbers and counting up to ten for young children. The book uses rhyme in order to make learning to count fun. Natalie Marshall's simple and clear illustrations is bound to keep the attention of even the youngest of readers. The book uses repetition and is bilingual which makes it perfect for parent and child learning together! There are bumpy pages for small hands to give the tactile experience of new textures whilst reading. Gwasg/publisher: Dref Wen Rhyddhawyd/released: 2020 Pris: £5.99 Prynwch o: Available to buy online from: https://www.drefwen.com/english/books/shop/childrens-welsh-books/bilingual-childrens-books-age-0-3/gwenynen-brysur-123-123-bumblebee/

*Scroll down for English* Bachgen a'r Ffwlbart mwyaf drewllyd erioed! A boy and the smelliest polecat - ever! Genre: llyfr lluniau, doniol / picture book, humour 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: ◉◉◎◎◎ Dyfarniad/Rating: ★★★★☆ “Anodd tynnu cast o hen geffyl” “Mae e'n cadw draenog yn ei boced” “Prynu cath mewn cwd” Ac fy ffefryn personol... “Dio’m yn werth cnec mochyn coron!” Mae’r iaith Gymraeg yn llawn dywediadau diddorol – nifer ohonynt yn cynnwys anifeiliaid. Mae ‘na ormodedd yn bodoli i un person eu cofio i gyd, ac mae’n bechod fod na ddim un cyfeiriadur sy’n eu casglu i gyd gydag esboniad. Byddai’n bechod petai’r dywediadau quirky yma’n diflannu. Dwi wrth fy modd gyda theitl y llyfr yma, ‘Ffwlbart Ffred: Drewi fel ffwlbart,’ am ddau reswm. Un, achos mae o’n tynnu sylw at ddywediad Cymraeg rhyfedd gan sicrhau fod y genhedlaeth nesaf yn ei chlywed. Yn ail, dyma i chi deitl sy’n siŵr o apelio at blant ifanc. Teitl bachog – perffaith ar gyfer gwerthu llyfrau! Mi fydd o'n sicr yn un o'r llyfrau "Maaam, plîîîs gawn ni brynu hwn?" yna! Mi fedra i feddwl am sawl bachgen bach ifanc (ac ambell i ferch!) fydd wrth eu bodd yn darllen am hanes y ffwlbart drewllyd ac mi fyddai’n postio fy nghopi draw at fy nghefndryd ar ôl mi orffen ‘sgwennu hwn! Fel mae’r teitl yn awgrymu, mae gan Ffred ffwlbart (polecat ydi hyn – oedd, roedd rhaid i mi Googleio!) ac mae’r creadur bach YN DREWI! Doedd o ddim, ond un bore mi ddechreuodd wynto! Mae’r arogl ddrwg yn llenwi’r lle a chyn bo hir mae hyd yn oed Anti Gyrti drws nesa’n cwyno! Ar ôl derbyn ordors i llnau’r ffwlbart drewllyd, mae Ffred a’r creadur yn cael syniad glyfar. Cyn hir, mae’r pentref i gyd yn drewi i’r uchel nefoedd! Mae llyfrau Cymraeg wedi datblygu cymaint ers oeddwn i’n blentyn, ac mae’r safon yn uchel iawn ac yn gwella o hyd. Mae gwasg Atebol wedi arwain y ffordd ers blynyddoedd wrth argraffu llyfrau o safon uchel. Dwi’n gwybod fod hyn braidd yn bedantig ond mae’r llyfr yn teimlo fel un o ansawdd da wrth afael ynddo. Mae hyd yn oed pethau bach fel y clawr matt efo darnau gloss yn gwneud gwahaniaeth. Am £6.99, bosib ei fod o'n ddrytach na rhai llyfrau o'i fath, ond bydd hwn yn lyfr fydd yn gallu handlo cael ei fyseddu a'i fwynhau droeon! Dwi’n adnabod arlunwaith Bethan Mai yn syth (dwi’n cofio’r steil o lyfrau cyfres Halibalŵ) ac mae nhw’n gweddu llyfr doniol i’r dim ac yn ychwanegu at yr hiwmor. Bonws am y llyfr yw ei fod ar ffurf mydr ac odl sy’n cyflwyno’r syniad o frawddegau rhythmig, cwpledi a synau i blant. Mae ‘na rhywbeth satisfying am ddarllen brawddeg sy’n odli does? Mae’r awdur yn brofiadol iawn ym maes plant, ac yn gwybod yn iawn beth sy’n mynd i apelio at y gynulleidfa darged! Prin iawn yw’r plant sydd ddim yn mwynhau dipyn o toilet humour a sôn am ddrewdod ac ati! Dwi’n siŵr i mi brynu ambell stink bomb fy hun yn fy mhlentyndod! Does dim o’i le gyda ‘chydig o ddireidi diniwed wir! Dwi’n falch o glywed mai cyfres fydd hon, nid one-off, felly bydd mwy ar y ffordd… The Welsh language is full of interesting sayings – many of which include animals. There are way too many for one person to remember them all, and it’s a shame that there isn’t a single directory that collects them all with an explanation. It would be a shame if these quirky sayings were to disappear. I love the title of this book, 'Ffwlbart Ffred – Drewi fel Ffwlbart,’ for two reasons. Firstly, because it draws attention to a quirky Welsh saying thus ensuring it’s future by introducing it to the next generation. Secondly, because this is a title that is bound to appeal to young children. A catchy title – exactly what will sell books! It’s definitely a “Muuum, I want that one, please can we read that one?” kind of book! I can think of several young boys (and a few girls!) who will love reading about the foul-smelling Ffwlbart and I will be posting my copy over to my young cousins as soon as I’ve finished this! As the title suggests, Ffred has a Ffwlbart (this means polecat as I discovered, and yes, I had to Google it!) and this cute little creature ABSOLUTELY STINKS! Initially, he didn’t smell, but one morning things suddenly changed… The bad smell fills the place and eventually even next-door neighbour, Anti Gyrti, is complaining! After receiving orders to wash the stinky creature, Ffred and his pet get a very clever idea. Before long, the whole village stinks to high heaven! Welsh books have come a long way since I was a child, and the standard is very high and improving still. Atebol has been leading the way with the printing of high-quality books. I know this is a bit pedantic but the book feels nice to hold as has a quality ‘feel’ to it. Even small things like the matt cover with glossy bits make a difference. At £6.99, it's a bit pricier than similar books from competitors, but it will certainly cope with being thumbed and enjoyed for many years. I instantly recognize Bethan Mai’s artwork (I remember them from the Halibalŵ book series) and they complement this book and add to the humour. A bonus about the book is that it’s in the form of rhyming couplets, which is a good opportunity to introduce the concept of rhyme. Don’t you think there’s something satisfying about reading a sentence that rhymes? The author is very experienced in producing things for children, and knows full well what is going to appeal to the target audience! There are few children who wouldn’t enjoy some toilet humour and talk of smelly things. I'm sure I bought a few stink bombs myself when I was a kid! Nothing wrong with a bit of harmless mischief! I'm glad to hear that this will be a series, not a one-off, so there will be more on the way... Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Atebol Rhyddhawyd/released: 2020 Pris: £6.99 Am yr awdur: Yn wreiddiol o Bwllheli ond wedi ymgartrefu yng Nghaerdydd, mae Sioned yn gweithio yn y maes darlledu plant ers dros ugain mlynedd. Ar hyn o bryd mae'n Gomisiynydd Cynnwys Plant yn S4C ac yn gyfrifol yn olygyddol am Cyw a Stwnsh. Cyn hynny, bu'n cynhyrchu ac uwch-gynhyrchu rhaglenni plant gyda'r BBC. Dewiswyd Sioned fel un o awduron cwrs Llenyddiaeth Cymru a Chyngor Llyfrau Cymru (Tŷ Newydd Chwefror 2019). Dyma lle datblygodd ei syniad ar gyfer y gyfres hon o lyfrau. Credai Sioned fod creu cynnwys safonol yn y Gymraeg sy'n tanio dychymyg plant ac sy'n helpu caffael iaith yn hanfodol.

*Scroll down for English & to leave comments)* Dio'm yn fawr! Dio'm yn dal! Ond mae o'n ddewr! He's not big! He's not tall! But he's brave! 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:: ◉◉◉◎◎ Dyfarniad/Rating: ★★★★☆ Pwy sy’n cofio Ifan Bifan? Un o fy atgofion cyntaf o’r ysgol gynradd, oedd eistedd yn y neuadd (gan groesi coesau a phlethu breichiau, wrth gwrs!) a gwrando ar yr athrawes yn adrodd straeon Ifan Bifan… Dwi wrth fy modd gyda lluniau cain Gunilla Bergström, sy’n ‘retro’ iawn erbyn hyn, ond dwi’n meddwl mai’r gyfrinach ydi cadw pethau’n syml. Dyna pam fod nhw’n gweithio. Mewn byd lle mae ‘na gymaint o liwiau a chyffro ar y sgriniau teledu ac ipads, tydi hi ddim yn ddrwg o beth i ddod a phethau lawr fymryn weithiau. Less is more fel maen nhw’n ddweud. Mae’r awdur, sy’n ‘sgwennu’r straeon ac yn eu harlunio’n defnyddio cyfuniad o luniau syml a chollage. Pan dwi’n gweld y lluniau, dwi’n meddwl am y 70’au ac IKEA. Mae llyfr newydd Lleucu Lynch, ‘Y Dyn Dweud Drefn’ yn defnyddio lluniau syml tebyg. Yn y stori yma, mae Ifan wedi mynd at ei Nain i aros ac mae ei gefndryd hŷn yno hefyd. Tydyn nhw ddim yn gadael i Ifan chwarae cardiau gyda nhw ‘am ei fod o rhy fach i ddeall pethau.’ Dwi’n siŵr fydd na nifer o blant yn gallu uniaethu gyda hyn! Er nad ydi o’n cael chwarae cardiau, mae o’n ddigon clyfar i wybod sut i fynd i ben stôl er mwyn nôl y cacennau o’r tun ar y silff uchaf! Yndi wir - mae Ifan Bifan YN un cyfrwys! Dwi wrth fy modd efo’i wyneb o pan mae o’n llwyddo i gyrraedd y trîts ar ben y silff!! Dwi’n nabod y teimlad o lwyddiant yna’n iawn - mae fy ngwyneb i’n rhywbeth tebyg ar ôl ffeindio a chwalu’r Milk Chocolate Digestives sy’n cuddio yn y cwpwrdd! Daeth y llyfr cyntaf allan yn 1972 yn yr iaith wreiddiol o Swedeg dan y teitl Alfons Åberg. Mae o bellach wedi cael ei addasu i mewn i nifer o wahanol ieithoedd gan gynnwys Saesneg (o dan y teitl Alfie Atkins). Maen nhw’n dilyn straeon yr hogyn bach direidus a dwi’n meddwl byddai Ifan Bifan yn gweithio'n debyg i gyfres fel ‘Na Nel!’ ! Mae gan yr awdur ddiddordeb mewn ymddygiad bodau dynol, ac mae hi fel arfer yn gweithio rhyw negeseuon i mewn i’r llyfrau. Perffaith ar gyfer cynulleidfa ifanc. Mae’r “brand” erbyn hyn yn un mawr iawn, ac nid yn unig wedi gwerthu dros 8 miliwn copi, ond hefyd mae o wedi cael ei droi’n gyfres deledu AC yn ffilm yn 2013. Bechod fod copis o’r llyfrau bellach allan o brint, ers cael eu cyfieithu gan y Dref Wen yn yr 80au. Dwi’n meddwl basa ‘Ifan Bifan’ yn gwneud brand da yng Nghymru, yn enwedig os fasa ‘na lyfrau, cartŵn a ffilmiau i gyd-fynd. Dwi’n meddwl fod ‘na brinder o hynny yn gyffredinol yng Nghymru - cyfresi teledu a llyfrau sy’n cyd-fynd. Dwi’n cofio pethau fel ‘Look and Read’ ers talwm gan y BBC ac roedden nhw’n wych. Cyfresi fel ‘Earth Warp’ a ‘Geordie Racer.’ Bosib fod 'na ddim digon o bres yng Nghymru ond mi fase hi’n grêt gweld gwasg yn cymryd risg a datblygu llyfrau sy’n cyd-fynd a rhaglen deledu, er mwyn creu ‘brand’ adnabyddus. Teganau meddal? Apiau? Cyfleoedd di-ri!!! Mae adroddiad Rosser (2017) gan y Cyngor Llyfrau’n dweud y dylia ‘ni wneud mwy o addasiadau o lyfrau amrywiol o dramor. Pam ddim atgyfodi Ifan Bifan o’r Sweden? Dwi’n meddwl fod nhw’n llyfrau grêt fel ma’ nhw ond mae ‘na wastad sgôp i’w moderneiddio fymryn! Mae angen ychwanegu mwy o gymeriadau benywaidd ac amrywiol sy'n fwy cynrychiadol o fywyd yr unfed ganrif ar hugain! Mae hi wedi ‘sgwennu llwyth o lyfrau yn y gyfres erbyn hyn, felly dim ond angen eu haddasu a'u 'tweakio' sydd... Plîs gawn ni ddod ac Ifan Bifan yn ôl fel cyfres llyfrau a chartŵn ar S4C? Mi wnâi gyfieithu’r llyfrau fy hun os wneith o helpu! https://www.alfieatkins.com/ Anyone remember Ifan Bifan? (or Alfie Atkins) One of my first memories from primary school, was sitting in the hall (with arms and legs crossed of course!) listening avidly to the teacher recount the everyday adventures of Ifan Bifan… I love the retro, minimalist drawings of Gunilla Bergström, which I think are so successful because of their simplicity. I think that’s the secret. In a world where there’s so much colour and excitement and over-stimulation on television and ipad screens, it is a bad thing to tone it down sometimes? Less is more as they say. The author, who not only writes but illustrates her own stories uses a combination of simple pictures and collage. When I see the pictures, I think of the 70's and IKEA. Lleucu Lynch’s new book, 'Y Dyn Dweud Drefn’ uses a similar drawing style I think. In this story, Ifan has gone to his grandmothers to stay along with his older cousins. They don’t let poor Ifan play cards and join in because he’s ‘too small to understand things.’ ' I'm sure many children will be able to relate to this if they have older brothers and sisters! Although he can't play cards, he’s clever enough to figure out how to use the stool to get to the cake tin on the top shelf. Yes, what a sly one you are Ifan Bifan! I love that picture of his face when he gets his hands on those top shelf treats! That’s very much like my face when I get hold of that pack of Milk Chocolate digestives that have been hidden from me! The first book out became 1972 in the original language of Swedeish under the title Alfons Åberg. It has now been adapted into a number of different languages including English (titled Alfie Atkins). They follow the everyday adventures of mischievous little boy Ifan Bifan. The author is interested in the behaviour of human beings, and she usually works some sort of message into the books. Perfect for a young audience. The international "brand" is now a very large one, and has not only sold over 8 million copies, but it has also been converted into a TV series and a film in 2013. It’s a shame that copies of these books are now out of print, since they were translated by Dref Wen in the 80s. I think ' Ifan Bifan' would make a good children’s brand in Wales, especially as a package of books, cartoons, merchandise, apps etc. I think there’s a general shortage of well-known brands in Wales. Especially multi-platform ones. I remember things like 'Look & Read ' by the BBC and they were fantastic. They were programmes that also came with educational resources. I remember 'Earth Warp' and 'Geordie Racer' being my favourites. It may be that there is no longer enough money in Wales but it would be great to see a publisher bite the bullet and have a go at developing books that could sit alongside a television programme in order to create a well-known ' brand.’ The Rosser report (2017) by the Books Council of Wales says that we should be adapting more international and foreign books into Welsh. Why not resurrect Ifan Bifan from Sweden? I think they are great books as they are but I’m sure there’s always a bit of scope to give them a re-vamp. For example, it could do with more female characters and a more diverse cast that better represents 21st century life. There are loads of books already written – they only need a bit of 'tweaking' and translating! Can we please bring back Ifan Bifan as a book series and accompanying cartoon on S4C? I’ll translate them myself if it helps! https://www.alfieatkins.com/ Cyhoeddwr/publisher: Gwasg Y Dref Wen Rhyddhawyd/released: 1980

*Scroll down for English & comments* Antur arall gyda Douglas yr Arth Frown. Another adventure with Douglas. Genre: llyfr lluniau, dwyieithog / picture book, bilingual 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: ◉◉◉◎◎ Dyfarniad/Rating: ★★★☆☆ Gwrandewch ar 'Amser Stori Atebol' lle mae'r stori'n cael ei ddarllen! Listen to story time with Atebol, where the story is read aloud! 🔔 Hefyd - mae pecyn adnoddau ardderchog yn cyd-fynd gyda'r llyfr. Digon o weithgareddau hwyliog i gadw eich plentyn yn brysur. Diolch Atebol am baratoi adnoddau gwych AM DDIM! 🔔 Also - here's a free pack to go with the book. Plenty of engaging activities to keep your child busy for ages. Thanks Atebol for preparing great FREE resources! Link below. 🖥️ https://atebol-siop.com/pecyn-douglas-a-r-cywion-ciwt.html Ymunwch â’n hoff arth, Douglas, mewn antur newydd ar ddechrau’r Gwanwyn. Pan mae’r wiwer letchwith yn achosi i nyth llawn wyau lanio am ben Douglas, sy’n gorffwyso dan goeden, mae o’n cynnig gofalu amdanynt nes bod Aderyn Dowcio wedi adeiladu nyth newydd. Mae Douglas yn sylweddoli’n reit handi fod angen mwy na chwtsh os yw’r wyau am droi’n gywion! Diolch byth fod ganddo gyfeillion ar gael i’w helpu i achub y dydd! Dyma addasiad Eurig Salisbury o un o lyfrau’r gyfres Hugless Douglas gan David Melling. Dyma i chi gyfres hynod o boblogaidd sydd wedi gwerthu dros 1.6 miliwn o gopïau hyd yma mewn 26 iaith wahanol! Mae’r llyfr yn llwyddo i gyfuno arlunwaith del gydag antur, cyffro a chwilfrydedd y byd o safbwynt plentyn. Er enghraifft, mae’r casgliad bach o eitemau cymysg sydd gan Douglas ar ddechrau’ stori yn rhywbeth dwi’n siŵr fod pob plentyn wedi ei wneud ar un pryd neu'i gilydd. Casglu pebbles hollol lyfn a chrwn ar y traeth oeddwn i’n wneud! Mae’r stori yn un da iawn ar gyfer plant sy’n dechrau dysgu darllen (fel nifer fawr o lyfrau gwych Atebol) a dwi’n falch o weld ei fod yn llyfr dwyieithog hefyd, sy’n debygol o apelio at gynulleidfa ehangach. Plentyn yn dysgu darllen, a rhiant yn dysgu mymryn o Gymraeg ar yr un pryd- be gewch chi well? Mae ‘na ddigon o gyfleoedd trafod yn deillio o’r stori e.e. cylch bywyd adar, tymhorau’r flwyddyn, byd natur, anifeiliaid a hyd yn oed disgyrchiant i ryw raddau! (y nyth yn syrthio) Yn amlwg fel nifer o straeon i blant, maen nhw’n gerbyd i gyfleu negeseuon pwysig, e.e. pawb yn dod at ei gilydd i helpu Aderyn Dowcio. Efallai fy mod i bach yn picky, ond… wnaeth y wiwer ymddiheuro ar ôl taro nyth yr aderyn i’r llawr? Sgwn i pam wnaeth yr awdur ddim cyfeirio at hynny? Yn sicr, maen rhywbeth i drafod wrth ddarllen - fod ymddiheuro’n bwysig hyd yn oed os mai damwain oedd o. Wnaeth o gyfaddef mai fo oedd ar fai cyn rhedeg i ffwrdd? Os wnaethoch chi fwynhau hiwmor gweledol Douglas a’r Cywion Ciwt, mi fyddwch chi’n falch o glywed fod sawl llyfr ar gael yn y gyfres! Join our favourite Bear, Douglas, in a new springtime adventure! When the clumsy squirrel causes an egg-filled nest not fall on Douglas, who’s resting beneath a tree, he offers to look after the eggs for Swoopy Birds until the nest is re-built. Douglas soon comes to realise that you need more than a hug if the eggs are going to hatch into chicks! He might be a bit big to sit on them and keep them warm, but thank goodness he has friends to help him save the day! This is Eurig Salisbury's adaptation of one of David Melling’s Hugless Douglas books. This is an extremely popular series which has sold over 1.6 million copies so far in 26 different languages! The book manages to combine lively and engaging artwork with a sense of adventure, excitement and curiosity about the world from a child's perspective. For example, the small collection of mixed items that Douglas has at the beginning of the story is something I’m sure we’ve all collected at one time or another. Totally round and smooth pebbles is what I used to collect! The story is a good one for children who are starting to learn to read (as is true of many of Atebol’s great picture books) and I am pleased to see that it’s a bilingual book, which is likely to appeal to a wider audience. This way – a child can learn to read and parents can learn a bit of Welsh at the same time – what could be better? There are plenty of discussion opportunities arising from the story e.g. the life cycle of birds, seasons of the year, nature, animals and even gravity to some extent! (when the nest falls) Obviously, as is the case with most stories for young children, they are a vehicle for conveying important messages, e.g. everyone coming together to help Swoopy Bird. Maybe I'm a little bit picky, but... did the squirrel apologise after knocking over the bird's nest to the ground? I wonder why did the author made no mention of that? This is certainly something that can be discussed whilst reading – that an apology is important whether it was an accident or not. Did he even admit that he did it and own up – all I remember is squirrel running away… If you enjoyed the visual humour of Douglas and the Baby Birds, you’ll be glad to hear that there are several books available in the series! Gwasg/publisher: Atebol Rhyddhawyd/released: 2018 Pris: £5.99

*Scroll down for English & comments* Antur a chyfrinachau yn y chwarel... Discover both adventure and secrets in the quarry... Genre: ffuglen hanesyddol, Ail Ryfel Byd, chwareli / Historical fiction, WWII, 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: ◉◉◉◉◉ Dyfarniad/Rating: ★★★★☆ Rhaid i mi ddeud fod y teitl a’r clawr wedi apelio’n syth. Dwi’n meddwl fod o’n glawr effeithiol, sy’n awgrymu fod ‘na rhyw ddirgelwch mawr yn ein disgwyl rhwng y cloriau. Yn gyffredinol, dwi’n ffeindio unrhyw beth i wneud gyda chwareli yn ddiddorol dros ben, felly doedd dim angen fy mherswadio fwy! Er mai yn nociau Lerpwl yng nghyfnod yr Ail Ryfel Byd y dechreua’r nofel– ym Mlaenau Ffestiniog mae rhan helaeth o’r stori. Cawn ein cyflwyno i Sardar Singh Basra, y prif gymeriad. Bachgen weddol ifanc o dras Sikhiaid sy’n dod i Ogledd Cymru fel faciwî i ddianc rhag bomiau erchyll y Blitz. Mae’r bachgen wedi profi dipyn o newid yn ei fywyd, ar ôl iddyn nhw ymfudo i Brydain o Punjab, India. Mae’n anodd dychmygu cael eich gwahanu o’ch teulu am gyhyd – er, mae Covid-19 yn rhoi blas i ni gyd o sut deimlad ydoedd! Mae tomenni llechi Blaenau Ffestiniog yn fyd gwahanol i Sardar ac mae’n cymryd amser iddo arfer. I fod yn onest, mae’n cymryd fwy o amser i’r trigolion lleol ddod i arfer gyda fo, gan nad ydynt wedi gweld bachgen croen tywyll o’r blaen. Mae agwedd y bobl ar ddechrau’r llyfr yn siŵr o fod yn syndod i ni heddiw, ond rhaid cofio fod pethau’n wahanol iawn adeg hynny. Mae’r ffaith ei fod yn gwisgo tyrban yn destun trafod i’r pentre’ cyfan - mae rhai yn meddwl ei fod o wedi brifo ei ben! Camgymeriad diniwed sydd ‘chydig yn ddoniol mewn un ffordd, ond yn arwydd o anwybodaeth y cyfnod hefyd. Wrth dreulio mwy o amser yng Nghymru, gwna Sardar ffrindiau newydd, ac mae’n dysgu lot, ond i fod yn deg mae’r bobl leol yn dysgu llawer ganddo fo hefyd. Cultural Exchange ar ei orau. Diddorol iawn oedd clywed mwy am hanes hen chwareli’r ardal. Rho’r nofel ddarlun clir o fywyd yng nghyfnod y rhyfel, ond hefyd tafla oleuni ar hen ffordd o fyw cyn hynny pan oedd y chwareli yn eu hanterth. Dwi’n cofio cerdded gyda chlwb cerddwyr y Pentan pan oeddwn i'n blentyn, ac wedi fy nghyfareddu erioed gyda phentref Rhiw-Bach. Pwy fasa’n dychmygu pentref cyfan mewn lleoliad mor anghysbell, jest ar gyfer y gweithwyr a’u teuluoedd? Trist yw meddwl am y pentref gwag sy’n adfail bellach, a’r bobl wedi hen fynd a’r gwaith wedi dod i ben. Mae’n lle diddorol iawn i fynd am dro (o Gwm Penmachno fydda i’n mynd fel rheol) - ewch ‘da chi ar ôl darllen y nofel. Mae’n bechod mawr ‘na chefais y cyfle i ddysgu digon am hanes Cymru pan oeddwn yn yr ysgol, a hanes diwydiant y llechi -a chwaraeodd ran mor bwysig yn hanes ein gwlad a’n cymdeithasau. Mae’r nofel yn mynd peth o’r ffordd i lenwi bylchau (mawr) yn fy ngwybodaeth am hanes y chwareli ac y sicr mae gen i awydd mynd i ddarganfod mwy. Dwi’n meddwl y bydd rhaid trefnu trip arall i’r amgueddfa lechi ar ôl i’r lockdown ddod i ben! Mae ‘na ôl gwaith ymchwil manwl a thrylwyr ar y llyfr yma, a ‘da chi’n gwybod fod yr awdur, nid yn unig yn hen law ar y math yma o beth, ond yn amlwg yn mwynhau ymchwilio. Mae’r awdur yn manteisio ar bob pob cyfle i’n haddysgu ni fel darllenwyr am ffeithiau bach lleol, hen straeon a dywediadau. Roedd nodyn gan yr awdur a ffynonellau ei waith ymchwil yn reit ddiddorol hefyd. Er mai nofel hanesyddol yw hon, mae ‘na negeseuon pwysig iawn i ni heddiw. Mae Sardar yn gorfod dygymod â hiliaeth, rhagfarn a bwlis yn ystod ei gyfnod yng Nghymru. Braf yw gweld brwdfrydedd Sardar tuag at ddysgu’r iaith, wrth iddo gofnodi pob gair newydd mewn llyfr bach! Mi oedd llawer o’r faciwîs yn cael eu trochi yn yr iaith ac yn gadael yn siarad Cymraeg - grêt de! Mae’r nofel yn adrodd hanes un o gyfrinachau gorau’r Ail Ryfel Byd. Stori’r lluniau, gemau a thrysorau cenedlaethol byd enwog a gafodd eu cludo a’i storio mewn cronfa yn nwfn yn chwarel Manod. Mae’n debyg nad oes llawer yn gwybod am yr hanes diddorol yma. Byddwn wrth fy modd yn cael mynd yno i gael sbec, ond dwi’n meddwl fod o off-limits! Os da chi’n licio’r math yno o beth – googleiwch Twnelau Cudd Rhydymwyn. Reit, yn ôl at y stori -yn ail ran y nofel, cawn dipyn o antur wrth i Sardar ac un o’i gyfeillion newydd fynd ar daith bwysig, Mission Impossible-style i grombil y graig er mwyn torri mewn i guddfan y Llywodraeth! Pam? Bydd rhaid i chi ddarllen y nofel i ffeindio allan! Gwelwn y rhyfel trwy lygaid plentyn, a sut wnaeth Yr Ail Ryfel Byd daflu ei gysgod tywyll dros Ogledd Cymru hyd yn oed. Tybe ydi daliadau gwleidyddol/cenedlaethol yr awdur yn dod drosodd yn reit gryf yn y nofel? Yn enwedig wrth sôn am yr ymerodraeth Brydeinig a’i driniaeth o bobl yr India. Mae hyn yn agwedd pwysig o hanes, ond yn un sy’n cael ei frwsio dan y carped braidd gan Brydain. Mae mapiau, diagramau a nodiadau i gyd yn adio at greu nofel hynod o ddiddorol a fydda yn werthfawr iawn i’w ddefnyddio fel llyfr dosbarth - neu i unrhyw un sy’n mwynhau hanes. Mae iaith yr awdur yn gyfoethog ac mae ‘na ddisgrifiadau sydd bron yn farddonol ar brydiau, fel “dagrau’r niwl.” Fel Sardar, dwi fy hun yn hoffi cofnodi ambell air neu ymadrodd newydd – roeddwn i’n hoff iawn o ddisgrifiad Myrddin o gi bwlteriar y cigydd: “doedd y ci ddim yn llun i’w osod ar y piano.” Dwi’n licio honna! Mae’r ffordd y mae’r awdur yn trafod hanes lleol chwareli Cymru, effaith Yr Ail Ryfel Byd a bywyd dydd-i-ddydd y plant yn gwneud nofel hynod o ddiddorol. Wedi dweud hyn, mae’n rhaid i mi anghytuno gydag oedran darged y nofel. Dwi’n meddwl ei bod hi’n llawer rhy heriol i ddisgyblion Bl.5 a 6 ysgolion cynradd - heblaw'r darllenwyr mwyaf abl ac aeddfed efallai. Roedd hi ar restr ‘Cwis Darllen’ y Cyngor Llyfrau ‘lenni ac fe glywais fod nifer o’r plant yn dweud ei bod hi’n rhy heriol. Bechod - achos dwi’n meddwl y bydda darllenwyr hŷn (efallai Bl.7-9) yn debycach o fwynhau’r stori a’i werthfawrogi’n llawn. Mi faswn i’n argymell hon i ddarllenwyr hŷn hefyd. Oedolion - peidiwch â bod yn snobs am ddarllen llyfrau plant a phobl ifanc! Mae 'na rai gwerth chweil i’w cael - fel hon! The front cover and title immediately appealed to me. The artwork is both effective and intriguing, which hints at a mystery waiting to be revealed. In general, I find anything to do with quarries extremely interesting, so I needed no more persuasion! Although the novel kicks off at Liverpool docks during the Second World War, the majority of the story is set in Blaenau Ffestiniog. We are quickly introduced to Sardar Singh Basra, the main character. A young Sikh boy, he comes to North Wales as an evacuee to escape the Blitz bombs. The boy has already experienced a lot of change in his life, after the family emigrated to Britain from Punjab, India. It’s hard to imagine being separated from your family for so long as an evacuee – although, Covid-19 is giving us all a taste of what it was like! The slate tips of Blaenau Ffestiniog is a different world for Sardar and it takes time for him to adjust. To be honest, it takes the local residents more time to get used to him, as they haven't really seen a black boy before. The attitudes of some people at the beginning of the book will no doubt surprise us today, but we must remember that at the time things were very different. The fact that he wears a turban is a subject of discussion in the village- some even mistakenly think that it’s a bandage because he's hurt his head! This rather innocent mistake is somewhat amusing, but also a sign of people’s ignorance/unfamiliarity of other cultures at the time. Whilst spending more time in Wales, Sardar makes new friends, and learns a lot, but he also teaches the local people a thing or two. Cultural Exchange at its finest. It was very interesting to hear more about the history of the old quarries of the area. The novel gives a clear picture of life during wartime, but also sheds light on an old way of life when the quarries were in their prime. I remember walking with the Pentan Walking Club when I was a child, and I’ve always been fascinated with the abandoned village of Rhiw-Bach. Who’d have thought; a whole village set up just for the workers and families? It’s sad to think of the empty village now lying derelict -the people have long gone and the work has come to an end. It's an interesting place to go for a walk (from Cwm Penmachno I’d go normally). I’d recommend going to explore after you’ve read this book. It is a great shame that 'I didn't have the opportunity to learn more about the history of Wales when I was in school, and the history of the slate industry in particular – which played such an important role in the history of our country and our society. The novel goes some way to filling (big) gaps in my knowledge of the history of the quarries and I’d now like to find out more. I think another trip to the Slate Museum is on the cards after the lockdown has ended! It is obvious that detailed and thorough research has been done in preparation of this book. You can just tell that the author, not only being highly skilled in this area, but clearly enjoys this type of historical fiction. He takes every opportunity to educate us as readers of small local artifacts, local characters, old tales and sayings that he’s no doubt discovered in his research. A note from the author and the sources of his research was a nice touch to add. Although this is a novel set in the past, there are very important messages for us today. Sardar has to cope with racism, prejudice and bullies during his time in Wales. It's great to see Sardar 's passion towards learning the language, as he records every new word in a little book! Many of the evacuees were immersed in the language during their time here and left speaking Welsh- brilliant! The novel tells the story of one of the finest secrets of the Second World War. The story of how world-renowned pictures, gems and national treasures were shipped to and stored in a deep vault in Manod quarry. It seems that not many are aware of this fascinating history. I'd love to get there for a gander, but I think it’s probably off-limits! If you like this type of thing – google the hidden tunnels of Rhydymwyn. Oops, I digress. Back to the story… The second half of the novel turns into a bit of an adventure as Sardar and one of his new acquaintances take on something quite daring- mission Impossible-style to infiltrate the government’s secret hideout! Why? You'll have to read the novel to find out! We see the war through a child's eyes, and how the Second World War cast its dark shadow even over North Wales. I feel that the author's political/national dispositions come over quite strongly in the novel, especially when talking about the British Empire and its treatment of other cultures. This is an important aspect of history, but one that is brushed under the carpet by Britain. (bit of an elephant in the room) Maps, diagrams and notes all add to this fascinating novel and it will be a valuable resource for use as a class novel- or for anyone who enjoys history. The author's language is rich and the descriptions are almost poetic at times, such as "Dagrau’r Niwl." Like Sardar, I often jot down new words or phrases – I loved Myrddin’s description of the butcher's bulldog. (translated) “he ain’t no portrait for putting up on the piano!” I like that one! (works better in Welsh!) The way the author discusses the local history of the quarries in Wales, the impact of the Second World War and the children's day-to-day life makes for a fascinating novel. Having said this, I have to disagree with the novel's target age. I think it’s far too challenging for Yrs.5&6 primary, other than perhaps the most able and mature readers. Last year, it featured on the Book Council of Wales’s ‘reading quiz’ list and I heard many of the children mention that it was too challenging. Better suited for older readers (maybe Yrs.7-9) as they’ll will be more likely to understand, enjoy and appreciate it fully. I can also recommend this for older readers. Adults- don't be snobbish about reading children and young people's books! There are some crackers out there! This book is available in English too. (Crown in the Quarry) Gwasg/ publisher: Gwasg Carreg Gwalch Rhyddhawyd/released: 2019 Pris: £6.99 https://carreg-gwalch.cymru/goron-yn-y-chwarel-y-2256-p.asp

*Scroll down for English & comments* Llyfr gwrth-ddŵr gyda thasgwr! Waterproof book with built-in squirter! Pris: £5.99 Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019 Ar gael: https://www.drefwen.com/english/books/shop/childrens-welsh-books/bilingual-childrens-books-age-0-3/hwyaden-y-tasgu-squirty-duck/ Ydych chi’n chwilio am ffordd i wneud amser bath yn fwy o hwyl a llai o strach? Os felly, wel hwn yw’r llyfr perffaith i chi a’ch baban. Dyma lyfr llawn lluniau lliwgar o hwyaden a'i ffrindiau. Mae yna fymryn o odl a stori fer hefyd i chi ddarllen i’ch plentyn. Pwy fasa’n meddwl fod amser bath yn gallu bod yn addysgiadol ac yn hwyl ar yr un pryd? Mae’n holl bwysig cael plant ifanc iawn (babis hyd yn oed) i arfer gyda llyfrau. Does dim yn bod gyda jest troi tudalennau, gafael mewn llyfr neu hyd yn oed ei gnoi! Y peth pwysig yw eu bod yn arfer gweld llyfrau o’u cwmpas. Mae’r llyfr yma’n ideal achos mae’r defnydd plastig gwydn yn sicr o oroesi cael ei drochi ym mybls y bath - mae o’n 100% waterproof. Mi allwch ei sychu gyda chadach yn rhwydd i’w gadw’n lân. Y prif beth sy’n gwneud y llyfr yma’n gymaint o hwyl yw’r ‘built-in squirter’ neu’r tasgwr yn Gymraeg. Mi fydd ‘na ddigon o hwyl i’w gadael yn sblasio yn y bath - digon i ddiddanu eich plentyn. Bonws yw bod y llyfr yn ddwyieithog felly fe gewch chi ymarfer yr iaith a bydd eich plentyn yn clywed y Gymraeg o’r crud. Mae’r llyfr yma’n cael marciau llawn gan rieni sydd wedi ei ddefnyddio! Mae 'na un arall yn y gyfres hefyd... Are you looking for a way to make bath time more fun and less stressful? If so, well this is the perfect book for you and your baby. We have here a book full of colourful pictures of a little duck and his friends that will surely attract and keep the attention of very young children. There’s also a bit of light rhyme too and a short story for you to read to your child. Who’d have thought bath time could be so educational and fun at the same time? It’s vital that very young children (even babies) get used to books. There's nothing wrong with simply turning pages, holding a book or even giving it a chew! The important thing is that they get used to seeing books around them – even before they start properly reading. This book is ideal because the durable plastic material is sure to withstand being immersed in bathwater – yes, it’s 100% waterproof. You can even wipe it with a cloth to keep it clean. The main attraction with this book is definitely the built-in squirter. Bath time will be plenty of fun and should keep your little one entertained. An added bonus with the book is that it’s bilingual so you can practice your Welsh and your child will get used to hearing Welsh from the cradle. This book gets full marks from parents who have used it! Plenty of giggles to be had. If you liked this one, there's another book in the series…