Chwilio

*Scroll down for English & comments* Llyfr pyped bys hwyliog! Fun, fluffy finger puppet book! Gwasg/publisher: Rily Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019 Originally published by: Igloo Books Ltd Pris: £4.99 ISBN: 978-1-84967-452-2 Dyma lyfr llawn hwyl i fabanod ifanc iawn. Mae’n llyfr rhyngweithiol gan fod yna byped bys ciwt a fflwfflyd sy’n mynd drwy dwll ym mhob tudalen. Stori syml am hwyaden ifanc yn cwrdd â nifer o anifeiliaid eraill drwy hwylio’r afon gyda Mami Hwyaden. Yn y diwedd, mae’r cywion bach eraill yn deor ac mae ganddo frodyr a chwiorydd! Llyfr bach lliwgar sy’n helpu i ymgyfarwyddo plant ifanc iawn gyda llyfrau. Edrychwch allan am deitlau eraill yn y gyfres Pitw Bach. Nid yw hwn yn llyfr dwyieithog, ond mae fersiwn Saesneg ar gael. Mae’n dweud addas i oedran 2+, ond byddai’n addas i rai iau. Hwyaden Bluog = Fluffy Duck. Here’s a fun little book for very young toddlers. It’s quite interactive and stimulating as it contains a fluffy finger puppet that goes through a hole in each page. A simple story about a young duckling who meets several other animals as he travels the river with his Mother. Eventually, the other eggs hatch and he gets brothers and sisters! A small, colourful little book that helps to get young children used to seeing and handling books. The hard cardboard pages will withstand some chewing! Look out for other titles in the ‘Pitw Bach’ series. This book is not bilingual, although an English version is available. It says it’s appropriate for age 2+ but I think it would be ok for younger children.

*Scroll down for English & comments* Adolygiad Cymraeg gan Awen Schiavone English review by Helen Perdikis. [Both refer to the Welsh version of the novel.] Antur gyffrous... mewn bus stop! Crazy adventure... that starts in a bus stop! Gwasg/publisher: Gomer Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019 Addasiad/adaptation: Ioan Kidd ISBN: 978-1-78562-258-8 Pris: £5.99 Lefel her/reading challenge level: ❖ ❖ ◤ ◤ Fersiwn Cymraeg a Saesneg ar gael- Welsh and English editions available ◢ ◢ Wrth yr arhosfan bws, hanner ffordd rhwng ei gartref newydd a'i ysgol, mae Rhys yn digwydd dod ar draws yr union fan lle mae byd chwedlau a helyntion y byd go iawn yn cwrdd. Cowbois yn canu, creadur gwyrdd o'r cloddiau, y ferch gyflymaf ar ddwy olwyn, ymhlith eraill - a fydd y criw brith yma'n ddigon i'w achub rhag y gelyn peryclaf y gwyddon ni amdano? Yr hyn sy’n taro rhywun ar unwaith am y gyfrol hon yw’r clawr deniadol. Mae yma grafanc enfawr du fel pe’n anelu at fachgen sy’n eistedd mewn arhosfan bws, tra bo degau o barau o lygaid yn gwylio o’r cysgodion. Mae’r darlun, ynghyd â’r teitl anarferol – Arhosfan ym Mhen Draw’r Byd – yn denu sylw unrhyw ddarllenydd sy’n chwilio am stori unigryw ac annisgwyl. Ni chaiff darllenydd o’r fath ei siomi! Cawn ein cyflwyno i fachgen ifanc o’r enw Rhys, sy’n byw gerllaw’r arhosfan bws gyda’i dad, Siôn, sy’n methu â gweithio oherwydd anabledd. Mae Rhys yn gymeriad hoffus, ond nid yw’n cael llawer o fwynhad o fywyd ar hyn o bryd – mae’n cael trafferth darllen, nid yw’n adnabod llawer o bobl, ac mae pawb yn chwerthin ar ei ben yn yr ysgol. Mae Rhys yn teimlo’n arbennig – ond arbennig o anobeithiol yw hynny, gan ei fod yn arbennig o dda am wneud pethau’n anghywir. Ond, daw tro ar fyd gyda dyfodiad cyfres o ddieithriaid i’r dref a’r ardal gyfagos, ac yn benodol i’r arhosfan! Gydag ymddangosiad llond llaw o gymeriadau unigryw a rhyfedd, mae bywyd Rhys yn datblygu’n fywyd diddorol tu hwnt! Dywedir wrtho fod ganddo bwerau arbennig, sef y gallu i weld bydoedd eraill – bydoedd sy’n bodoli yn yr un gofod â’r dimensiwn dynol. Ni all Rhys gredu ei glustiau, ond mae’n gwybod fod rhywbeth rhyfeddol ar droed pan mae’n cyfarfod cymeriadau mor amrywiol â Doc Penfro a Kid Welly – sy’n gwisgo fel cowbois; Mrs Prydderch a Rhiannon, sy’n ymhel â dewiniaeth ddu gwrachod; Beth, y ddraig sy’n groes rhwng Lamborghini a roced; dyn bach gwyrdd o’r enw Wdig; y Wraig Wlanog; dafad ddu o’r enw Dafi; ellyllon; coblynnod; ysbrydion; a brân fusneslyd! O fewn cloriau’r gyfrol hon, cewch fynd ar antur dra gwahanol – i fyd ffantasi a mytholeg – ymysg cymysgedd o gymeriadau a digwyddiadau difyr a gwallgof. Mae yma hud a lledrith, gyda’r cwbl yn canolbwyntio ar bŵer honedig carreg arbennig. Mae’r awdur yn llwyddo i ddal sylw’r darllenydd hyd y diwedd, gan gadw’r datgeliad am ddirgelwch y garreg a’r holl gymeriadau rhyfedd nes y tudalennau olaf. Dyma stori llawn cyffro a dirgel, gyda’r arddull ysgrifennu’n caniatáu i’r stori lifo’n gyflym o bennod i bennod – y llinyn storïol yw elfen gryfaf y nofel. Nid eir i fanylder gyda’r disgrifiadau – sy’n caniatáu rhyddid i ddychymyg y darllenydd – tra bo’r darluniau difyr hwnt ac yma’n cynorthwyo’r dychymyg. Os ydych am ddianc i fyd anturus, llawn dirgel a ffantasi, bachwch y gyfrol hon. Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatâd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru. The novel begins with a red sweet and ends with a rice pudding, or at least the image of one. What lies in between is a veritable roller coaster of a bus ride with Rhys, the rather reflective hero and all round sensitive 12-year-old facing the challenges of secondary school and being a “one off”. Set in Pembrokeshire with a deep sense of nature and landscape, the novel explores Rhys’s life with his wounded veteran father, Jamie, a single parent. Despite loving his father deeply, the emptiness at the centre of his life draws Rhys to many solitary hours at the bus stop arranging stones into imaginary armies, his own Camp Bastion. At this “intersection”, Rhys is not alone: “the bus stop ... had chosen him.” Here Rhys's adventures begin with a host of vivid characters, including supportive bus drivers and dubious cowboys, Woody the woodland creature and rampant spanner men. Naturally there are witches. Anwen “Bike” is a worthy and feisty heroine although never quite evocative enough to upstage Rhys. Rhys’s encounters at the bus stop will appeal to readers in the middle years and are rather more engaging than the slightly stereotypical and less finely drawn school scenes. It is the imagination which triumphs here and a special effort has been made to appeal to boys with plenty of pace, excitement and humour. The themes of otherness, loneliness and bullying are offset by a lively and tantalising glimpse into other worlds where time and place can be turned upside down. Rhys's trials, the build up to the last battle and the promise of a mysterious King ensure the reader is never bored. There is much to enjoy in the novel although some adult characters feel overly predictable and a little flat at times. With an all-knowing crow and a brooding black sheep keeping an eye on proceedings, however, readers will find much fun to focus on here. A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Parents! If your child is reading the Welsh copy in school and you'd also like to join in, then grab yourself an English copy and read along too.

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

*Scroll down for English & comments* Llyfr i blant ifanc sy'n trafod 'hwyliau drwg'. Book for young children discussing 'bad moods.' Gwasg/publisher: Atebol Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2018 Addasiad/adaptation: Eurig Salisbury Pris: £7.99 ISBN: 978-1912261314 Lefel her/challenge level: ❖ Dyma stori sy’n taclo emosiynau mawr, cymhleth a heriol mewn ffordd sydd mor ddealladwy â phosib i blant ifanc. Mae ‘hwyliau drwg’ Daf yn cychwyn fel rhywbeth bach - dros ddim byd a dweud y gwir. Sgwn i os oedd deilen wedi chwythu yn ei wyneb? Ta waeth, mae’r hwyliau drwg yn sgubo drosto fel storm fawr, gan dyfu a thyfu. Mae’r bachgen yn cynhyrfu gymaint ag yn mynd mor flin, does dim posib dod yn ôl, ac mae’n mynd o ddrwg i waeth. Rhywbeth bach i gychwyn, sydd wedi mynd yn rhywbeth llawer mwy. Mae gwaith yr awdur a gwaith y darlunydd yn mynd llaw yn llaw yma, ac mae’r ddau yn plethu gyda’i gilydd yn dda i greu trosiad (metaphor) sy’n helpu i drafod teimladau mewn ffordd ddealladwy a gweledol. Mae emosiwn a thymer yn gysyniad abstract ac mae’r syniad o sgubo dail yn un diddorol, gwahanol ac effeithiol. Wrth i’r hwyliau drwg dyfu, mae Daf yn sgubo popeth i fyny; y dail, y bobl, y beics, yr adeiladau, nes mae o’n bentwr anferthol. Y neges: mae pethau wedi mynd rhy bell. Dwi’n teimlo dros Daf, a dwi’n siŵr fydd plant yn gallu uniaethu gyda theimlad Daf o fod yn euog, ac yn helpless gan ei fod wedi colli pob rheolaeth. Tybed fydd Daf yn gallu dod yn ôl o hyn? Dwi’n licio’r ffaith fod gan yr hwyliau drwg gymeriad, neu lais. Debyg i’r syniad traddodiadol o ddiafol ar yr ysgwydd. Mae Daf yn cwestiynu: “ydi hyn werth o?” ond mae’r hwyliau drwg yn ei annog ymlaen, yn mwynhau’r holl beth. Erbyn diwedd y nofel, mae Daf wedi penderfynu mai digon yw digon ac mae’r storm wedi chwythu’i blwc. O’r diwedd mae’r byd yn olau eto. Dangosai hyn eich bod chi’n gallu dod yn ôl o hwyliau drwg a does dim rhaid i’r storm lyncu popeth. Erbyn y diwedd, mae gan Daf fwy o reolaeth os yw’r hwyliau byth yn bygwth dod yn ôl. Mae nifer o blant yn cael trafferth rheoli eu tymer, a dwi’n meddwl fod y llyfr yma’n un da er mwyn eistedd gyda phlentyn a thrafod eu teimladau i drio gwneud synnwyr ohonynt. Mae’r copi llyfrgell sydd gen i wedi cael ei fenthyg 11 gwaith mewn jest dros blwyddyn! Ceir yma arlunwaith bendigedig sy’n gwneud defnydd llawn o liwiau llwm a hydrefol. Maent yn fy atgoffa o luniau L.S.Lowry braidd. Mae’r text wedi ei osod mewn siapiau diddorol ac mae’r ffaith eu bod yn ddwyieithog yn dda iawn. Ella bod y tudalennau tywyll angen ffont sy’n fwy darllenadwy e.e. lliw gwyn. Dyfarniad: Llyfr dwyieithog da i rieni neu athrawon i’w ddefnyddio i drafod ‘hwyliau drwg.’ This is a story that tackles big, complex and challenging emotions in a way that is as understandable as possible to young children. Daf’s ‘bad mood’ starts out as something small – about nothing to tell the truth. Perhaps a stray leaf blew in his face? Regardless of how it started, the foul mood sweeps over him like a thunderstorm, growing and growing. The boy gets more wound up and is in a temper that seems impossible to come back from. It goes from bad to worse. The author's work and that of the illustrator go hand in hand here, and the two work together well to create a visual metaphor that helps to discuss an abstract concept such as feelings in an understandable and relatable way. Strong emotions such as anger are difficult to explain to young minds and so the sweeping of leaves is an interesting, different yet effective way of doing this. As the bad mood grows, Daf sweeps everything up; the leaves, the people, the bikes, the buildings, until it is a huge pile. The anger consumes everything essentially. Things have gone too far. I feel for poor Daf, and I'm sure children will be able to identify with feelings of guilt and helplessness when all control is lost. Will Daf be able to come back from this? I was pleased that the bad mood was given a character voice. Similar to the traditional idea of a devil on the shoulder. Daf questions: ‘Is this really worth it?’ but the ‘bad mood,’ influences him and encourages it, almost thriving on it. By the end of the book, Daf has decided that enough is enough and the storm has blown over. At last the world is bright again. This shows that you can come back from a bad mood and the storm doesn't have to swallow everything. By the end, he has more control if it ever threatens to come back. A good opportunity to talk about calming and distraction techniques. Many children have trouble managing their temper and I think this book is a good one to sit down with a child to try to make sense of these feelings. The library copy that I'm using has been borrowed 11 times in just over a year! The images make full use of Autumnal colours and they remind me a little of L.S. Lowry paintings. The text is set in interesting shapes and the fact that it’s bilingual is handy.Perhaps the dark pages could do with more readable font colours, e.g. white Verdict: A good bilingual book for parents or teachers to discuss ‘bad moods.’ About the original author: Louise Greig is a poet and children's picture book author. She lives in Aberdeen, Scotland, and when she's not busy telling stories, she is the director of a rescue home for dogs.

*Scroll down for English & comments* Stori ddoniol am gyfeillgarwch annisgwyl! Funny story about an unusual friendship! Gwasg/publisher: Atebol Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019 Addasiad: Mari George Pris: £6.99 ISBN: 978-1-912261-97-0 Lefel her/challenge level: ❖ ❖ Pan welais i’r llyfr yma am y tro cyntaf, roeddwn i’n meddwl mai llyfr plant arferol fyddai hwn. Roeddwn i’n hollol anghywir! Mae stori draddodiadol am arth a chwningen yn cael twist gwbl fodern yn y llyfr yma. Mae yna erthygl ddiddorol iawn yn sôn am sut a pham aeth yr awdur ati i ysgrifennu’r stori: .......... . Roedd wedi cael llond bol ar lyfrau plant boring, ac aeth ati i ‘sgwennu un gwell! Dwi’n hoff o’r ffaith fod y prif gymeriad yn ferch - rhywbeth annisgwyl. Mae’r arth yn cael ei deffro o’i gaeafgwsg oherwydd bod 'na leidr sy’n dwyn ei bwyd yn sefyll ar ei thrwyn. Mae’r arth yn hynod o optimistaidd a does dim byd yn mynd i’w digalonni. Wrth fentro allan a gweld yr eira, mae hi’n penderfynu gwneud y gorau o’r sefyllfa ac adeiladu dyn eira. Mae’r gwningen yn ymddangos - creadur digon sarrug a does ganddo fawr o fynadd gyda’r arth. Er hyn, mae o’n gwningen wybodus iawn ac yn gwybod llawer am ddisgyrchiant, eirlithradau ac arferion bwyta cwningod. Dyma ddarn amusing o’r nofel sy’n trafod (mewn cryn fanylder) y ffaith fod cwningod angen bwyta eu bwyd ddwywaith. Ydyn, maen nhw’n bwyta eu pŵ eu hunain!! Bydd plant wrth ei bodd gyda’r darn yma, ac yn dysgu ffeithiau gwyddonol newydd ‘run pryd! Mae ein cwningen gelwyddog yn teimlo braidd yn euog am ddwyn bwyd yr arth, felly mae’n rhoi moronen iddi! Ond dim ond un llipa, du, wedi pydru! Wrth i’r stori fynd yn ei flaen, mae’r arth yn amyneddgar ac yn gyfeillgar, ond mae’r gwningen yn swta, yn feirniadol ac yn gystadleuol! Dim yn ffrind da iawn o gwbl! Pan mae blaidd yn ymddangos ac yn ffansio cwningen i de, mae’r arth yn fwy na pharod i helpu ei ffrind newydd! Ar ôl i’r ddau gael hwyl yn adeiladu dyn eira, mae gan y gwningen gymaint o gywilydd, mae’n cyfaddef beth mae o wedi gwneud. Beth fydd ymateb yr arth tybed? Mae ‘na lot yn mynd ymlaen yn y llyfr yma. Mae’r awdur yn sôn am gyfeillgarwch, gonestrwydd, bod yn hapus yn eich croen ac edifeirwch. Mae gwybodaeth wyddonol ddiddorol wedi cael ei blethu gyda hiwmor, cymeriadau hoffus, stori annwyl a lluniau gwerth chweil. Dwi wrth fy modd gyda’r lluniau du a gwyn, gyda mymryn o las. Mae’r llyfr yn un sylweddol ac mae lluniau bendigedig yn cyd-fynd a BOB tudalen! Mae’r tudalennau’n drwchus iawn ac mae’n amlwg fod hwn yn llyfr o ansawdd uchel. Fel oedolyn yn darllen y llyfr yma, mi roeddwn i’n gwenu drwyddo, a dim yn aml mae hynny’n digwydd gyda llyfrau plant ifanc. Dwi’n meddwl fod hwn yn glasur modern ac mi wnes i wir ei fwynhau. Y llyfr plant ifanc gorau i mi ddarllen yn 2019. Mae’r stori’n addas ar gyfer plant 5-7 oed, ond dwi hefyd y meddwl fod o’n llyfr da iawn i’w ddefnyddio fel nofel ddosbarth ym mlynyddoedd 3 a 4. Byddai ganddo ddefnydd gyda phlant hŷn yr adran iau hefyd ar gyfer darllenwyr dihyder. When I first saw this book, my first thoughts were, ‘here we go… yet another typical children’s book.’ How wrong I was! The traditional animal partnership story about a bear and a rabbit has had a revamp and a totally modern twist. Here is a very interesting article where the author discusses why he wrote the story in the first place: https://www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/2016/mar/24/julian-gough-i-wanted-to-mash-up-winnie-the-pooh-and-david-attenborough. His daughter was fed-up with average, run-of-the-mill children's books, so he decided to write one himself! The bear, our main character is actually a female. This makes a refreshing change as the larger animal is almost always male. The bear is woken up from her hibernation when a food thief stands on her nose. Rather than get angry and upset about it, this bear is extremely optimistic and decides to make the best of the situation. On seeing the snow, she decides to make a snowman. The rabbit appears – a grouchy creature who makes numerous snide remarks. Despite coming across as a bit of a know-it-all, he really is quite knowledgeable about gravity, avalanches and rabbit eating habits. We then get a very amusing part that describes (in some detail) the fact that rabbits need to eat their food twice. Yes, they eat their own poop! Children will love this bit, and will also learn something new at the same time! Our lying rabbit with a dodgy moral compass feels a bit guilty about stealing the bear's food, so feels compelled to give her a consolation carrot (of bear’s own food!) Not a nice, fresh one, but a black, withered and rotten old carrot! The cheek! As the story progresses, bear is patient and friendly, but rabbit is grumpy, critical and competitive! Not a very good friend at all! When a wolf appears and fancies some rabbit for tea, bear wastes no time in helping her new friend! Once the two have fun building a snowman, the rabbit feels extremely guilty about stealing the food, and admits what he’s done. How will bear react I wonder? There is a lot going on in this book. The author talks about friendship, honesty, remorse and being happy in your own skin. Interesting scientific information is perfectly woven with endearing characters, a charming story, humour and brilliant illustrations. I love the black-and-white pictures with hints of blue. The book is a substantial one and ALL the pages are accompanied by some wonderful pictures! The paper itself is thick and it feels like a very high-quality book. As an adult reading this book, I smiled all the way through and that's not often the case with young children's books. I think this is truly a modern classic and I really enjoyed it. This is my favourite young children's book of 2019. The story is suitable for children aged 5-7, especially for bedtime reading with adults. I also think that it would make an ideal book to use as a class novel in years 3 and 4. It could also be used with older children in the juniors for newly independent readers lacking in confidence.

*Scroll down for English & comments* Llyfr arall 'dwdl-tastig' yn y gyfres Twm Clwyd! Another 'doodle-tastic' Twm Clwyd installment! Gwasg/publisher: Rily Publications Ltd Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019 Addasiad: Gwenno Hughes Pris: £6.99 ISBN: 9781849670906 Lefel her/challenge level: ❖ ❖ Hwn yw’r seithfed llyfr yn y gyfres! Mae hi’n wythnos weithgareddau yn yr ysgol, a gan fod yr ysgol hefyd yn cael arolwg, mae 'na bob math o wersi fyddai byth yn cael eu dysgu fel arfer; pethau fel coginio pitsas a gwneud ffilm. Mae staff yr ysgol ar bigau’r drain yn disgwyl i weld pa helynt bydd Twm yn achosi! Mae ei rieni yn penderfynu ei fod angen llai o amser o flaen y teledu a threulio mwy o amser gyda’i Dad, sydd wedi gwirioni wrth wneud barcud. Mae’n llawer gwell gan Twm fod yn gwneud ei ddwdls, chware miwsig gyda’i fand a bwyta mwy o waffers caramel! Tybed geith o ei ffordd ei hun? Pan ddaeth y llyfrau yma allan yn wreiddiol, roedden nhw’n gwbl wahanol i beth oedd ar gael. Y peth agosaf atyn nhw yw’r gyfres Dyddiadur Dripsyn. Dim rhyfedd fod Liz Pichon wedi gwneud ffortiwn - mae’r llyfrau wedi bod yn hynod o boblogaidd ac wedi ennill nifer o wobrau! Rydych yn adnabod llyfrau Twm Clwyd yn syth, gyda’r llyfrau trwchus, y cloriau lliwgar fflachiog, a’r dwdls prysur ar bob tudalen. Wir i chi, mae 'na ddwdls ym mhobman! Does 'na fawr o stori yn mynd ymlaen yma, ac mae hynny o stori sydd yno dipyn bach ym mhobman. Mae’n reit hawdd anghofio’r llyfr ar ôl ei ddarllen; hynny ydi, tydi o ddim yn creu effaith mawr. Dwi’m yn meddwl mai fi (oedolyn hen!) yw’r person gorau i adolygu’r gyfres yma, ac mae’n bur annhebyg y byddai’n darllen mwy o Twm Clwyd. Fodd bynnag, er mod i’n gweld y llyfrau’n hollol boncyrs, dwi’n gwybod o brofiad fel athro dosbarth, pa mor boblogaidd yw’r llyfrau yma mewn gwirionedd gyda phlant o 7 oed ymlaen. Mae’r hiwmor yn sicr o apelio at fechgyn, (ond gennod hefyd!) ac mae’r prysurdeb a’r dwdls di-ri yn cadw diddordeb y darllenwr. Yn sicr, mae unrhyw un sy’n laru ar baragraffau o ‘sgwennu yn mynd i hoffi steil y llyfr yma. Dio’m yn teimlo fel bod 'na lawer o waith darllen ar bob tudalen. Dim yn lyfr a fyddai’n cael ei astudio fel nofel ddosbarth debyg, ond siwr o fod mewn llawer o fagiau darllen ar draws Cymru! Dwi’n argymell y llyfr yma i blant sy’n newydd i ddarllen yn Gymraeg. Byddai’n addas i blant Cymraeg iaith Gyntaf o 7+, ond yn dda ar gyfer Bl.5 a 6 os ydy’r darllenwr yn llai hyderus yn y Gymraeg. Mae’n bosib y gwnaiff rai plant ffeindio’r llyfrau yma’n rhy blentynnaidd. Blas personol dwi’n meddwl. This is the seventh book in the hugely popular Tom Gates series! It’s activity week in school, and because the inspectors are in too, there are all sorts of lessons that would never normally be taught; things like cooking pizzas and making films. The staff are on tenterhook to see what mischief and havoc Twm will cause! His parents also decide that he needs less time in front of the television and force him to spend more time with his Dad, who is thoroughly enjoying making a kite. Twm would much rather be left alone with his doodles, or playing music with his band and eating caramel wafers! I wonder, will he get his own way? When these books came out originally, they were completely different from what was available. The closest thing to them in my opinion is the Dyddiadur Dripsyn series (Diary of a Wimpy Kid). No wonder Liz Pichon has made a fortune – the books have been hugely popular and have won many awards! They are instantly recognizable with the garish and overloaded front covers and doodles galore on the inside. I’m not kidding, there are doodles everywhere! There is little actual story going on here, and what we do get is all over the place. I found that it didn’t leave a lasting impression on me, and it’s quite forgetful. Perhaps more so than the others in this series. I’ve come to the conclusion that I, (an old and past-it adult!) am not the best person to review this series, and it's quite unlikely that I’ll be reading another! Despite these not being my kind of books (well, I’m not the target audience, am I?) I know from experience as a teacher, how popular these books really are. Although they’re bonkers, children aged 7+ absolutely love them and totally dig the humour. The jokes are sure to appeal to boys, (but also girls!) and the countless doodles keep the reader's interest. Anyone who hates pages upon pages of boring text will love the style of these books. It never feels like there’s much reading work on any page. I would certainly recommend this book to children who are new to reading in Welsh because of the informal and uncomplicated style. It would be suitable for Welsh first language children of 7+, but suitable for older upper KS2 (yrs.5 & 6) if the readers were less confident in Welsh or learning. Some children may simply find these books to be too childish. Down to personal preference, I think. Other books in the series:

*Scroll down for English & comments* Gwasg/publisher: Y Lolfa Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019 Pris: £6.99 ISBN: 978-1-78461-709-7 Lefel her/challenge level: ❖ ❖ ❖ Iaith heriol, themau aeddfed. Challenging language, mature themes. ☆ ☆ Cymraeg gwreiddiol - Welsh Original ☆ ☆ Afallon - y nofel olaf yng nghyfres Yma gan Lleucu Roberts. Lle hud yn y gorllewin ydi Ynys Afallon sy’n cael ei gysylltu â chwedlau am y Brenin Arthur. Caiff ei ddisgrifio fel gwlad ieuenctid bythol, gwledda a ffrwythlondeb. Mae’r llyfr yma’n disgrifio rhywle sy’n bopeth ond hynny! Dyma nofel dywyllach na’r ddwy arall yn y gyfres, sy’n cynnwys elfennau sy’n ein hatgoffa o glasuron fel ‘1984’ a ‘Handmaid’s Tale.’ Mae blwyddyn wedi mynd heibio ers y nofel ddiwethaf, mae Anil ar goll a does dim all neb ei wneud i godi calon Cai. Bellach mae gweddill yr ynyswyr a’r Niaid wedi dysgu i gyd-fyw ac yn dechrau cyfathrebu’n well. Erbyn y nofel hon, mae Bwmbwm wedi cael ei ddad-goroni’n llwyr a chaiff ei bortreadu fel creadur reit pathetig bellach. Trafoda’r awdur ladd anifeiliaid mewn ffordd matter of fact, di-ffwdan. Mae’n rhan o fywyd bellach – rhaid hela er mwyn byw. Ym mhennod 5 ceir disgrifiad graffig o hela ebol bychan. Mae’r disgrifiad yn cyfleu realiti anodd bywyd yng Nghymru bellach. Dwi’n falch nad yw Lleucu yn osgoi trafod pethau naturiol fel marwolaeth: “Nesaodd Freyja at yr ebol a wingai mewn poen… ei lygaid yn erfyn am drugaredd… osgôdd Freyja’r llygaid a phlannu ei phicell rhwng asennau’r anifail.” O’r pwynt lle mae Gwawr yn cael ei chipio, mae’r stori yn cael ei rhannu rhwng Cymru ac Afallon. Down i ddeall fod cyfrinach sinistr a thywyll y tu ôl i arwyneb ffals gwlad Afallon. Nid paradwys mohoni o bell ffordd. Caethwas yw Anil ac mae Gwawr yn wynebu treulio gweddill ei bywyd mewn cawell. Rheolir Afallon gan Y Llyw, dyn cymhleth a chreulon, sydd wir yn credu fod yr hyn mae o’n ei wneud yn iawn. Yn Afallon, maen nhw wedi llwyddo i ddal eu gafael ar dechnoleg, ac yn defnyddio awyrennau i grwydro’r byd yn dwyn merched ifanc, ffrwythlon er mwyn cynaeafu eu hwyau. Mae’r ‘fferm’ yn bychanu’r merched i ddim byd mwy nag ieir mewn cytiau. Mae’n syniad tywyll ac yn hynod o anghyfforddus. Bechod na chafodd ei archwilio ymhellach a’i wneud hyd yn oed yn fwy tywyll. Er popeth a ddigwyddodd iddi, doeddwn i byth yn teimlo fod Gwawr mewn perygl go iawn. Tybed a fyddai diweddglo anhapus wedi bod yn fwy o sioc?! Roedd penodau Afallon yn llawer mwy diddorol na phenodau criw’r Ynyswyr yng Nghymru. Mewn ffordd, roedd y cymeriadau yma’n ‘spare parts’ wrth i’r brif stori symud ymlaen at Afallon. Yn bersonol, roeddwn i’n gweld y darn ar y cwch ym Mae Aberystwyth yn ddiflas, ac yn tynnu oddi ar y brif stori. Great White Sharks yn Abertyswyth? Rili?! Ddweda i ddim mwy. Yn sicr, hwn yw llyfr cryfaf y drioleg. Mae’r awdur yn llwyddo i blethu nifer o themâu aeddfed fel cariad, gwrthdaro, natur, cynaladwyedd, trais, sexism, gwleidyddiaeth, cam-drin a sawl un arall. Sgil yr awdur yw eu cynnwys yn rhan naturiol o’r stori, gan wneud sylwadau, yn hytrach na phregethu. Am ryw reswm dwi’n ffafrio diweddglo anhapus i stori - efallai mai fi sy’n od. Ond er y diweddglo ‘happy ever after’ mae Lleucu yn llwyddo i gloi’r drioleg yn effeithiol ac yn daclus, gan ateb y rhan fwyaf o’r cwestiynau a oeddem yn eu gofyn i ni’n hunain wrth i’r drioleg ddatblygu. Mae iaith y nofel yn heriol, waeth i mi fod yn onest. Roedd rhaid i mi ganolbwyntio dipyn wrth ddarllen. Dwi’n meddwl y byddai’n rhaid i ddarllenwr ifanc fod yn reit hyderus i fwynhau’r nofel yn llawn. Mae’n bosib ei fod yn llyfr a fyddai’n well ei astudio yn yr ysgol, o dan arweiniad athro/awes, gyda mwy o gyfle i drafod a gwneud synnwyr ohono. Afallon -The last novel in the ‘yma’ series by Lleucu Roberts. Afallon Island is a magical place in the West that is linked to legends about King Arthur. It is described as a country of evergreen youth, plenty and fertility. This book describes somewhere that is anything but that! This is a darker novel than the other two in the series, which contains elements that remind us of classics such as 1984 and Handmaid's Tale. A year has passed since the last novel, Anil is missing and no one say or do anything to cheer Cai up. The rest of the Islanders and the Niaid have by now learned to live together and can just about communicate. Bwmbwm, the former leader, has have been de-throned and is now portrayed as quite a pathetic character. The author discusses killing animals in a very matter of fact way. It is now a part of everyday life – they must hunt to live. In Chapter 5 there’s a graphic description of killing a young foal. The description shows us the difficult reality of life in Wales. I am pleased that Lleucu does not shy away from discussing natural things like death. From the point at which Gwawr is captured, the story switches between Wales and Afallon. We come to understand that there is a dark and sinister secret behind the pleasant facade of Afallon. It is by no means paradise! Anil is a slave and Gwawr faces spending the rest of her life in a cage. Afallon’s leader, ‘Y Llyw,’ is a complex and cruel man, who really believes what he is doing is right. In Afallon, they’ve somehow managed to hold on to technology. They use their solar planes to roam the globe looking for young, fertile girls in order to harvest their eggs to maintain the population. The ' farm ' reduces the girls to nothing more than chickens in battery cages. This is a dark concept and is extremely uncomfortable. It’s a shame that it was not explored further and made even darker. Despite everything that happened to her, I never felt that Gwawr was truly at risk. I wonder if an unhappy ending would have been more of a shock?! The chapters which took place in Afallon were much more interesting than those with the islanders back in Wales. In a way, these characters felt like 'spare parts ' as the main story progressed to Afallon. Personally, I found the bit on the boat in Aberystwyth Bay boring, and distracting from the main story. Great White Sharks in Aberystwyth? Really? C’mon! This is certainly the strongest entry in the trilogy. The author manages to bring in a number of mature themes such as love, conflict, nature, sustainability, violence, sexism, politics and domestic abuse amongst others. The author's true skill is to include them as a natural part of the story, making observations, rather than preaching. For some reason I prefer an unhappy ending to a story –perhaps it’s just me that's strange. But despite the happy ever after ending, Lleucu manages to bring the trilogy to a neat and effective end. The language of the novel is challenging, I may as well be honest. I had to concentrate quite a bit whilst reading. I think a younger reader would have to be quite confident to enjoy the novel in full. It may be a book that would be better suited to studying at school, led by a teacher, with more opportunity to discuss and make sense of it. BOX SET AVAILABLE £15

*Scroll down for English & comments* Wythnos wallgo gyda'r cwpwl o Decsas! A wacky week with the couple from Texas! Gwasg/publisher: Dref Wen Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019 Pris: £4.99 ISBN: 978-1-78423-135-4 Lefel her/challenge level: ❖ ❖ Doniol, hiwmor gwrion. Wacky humour. ★ ★ Cymraeg gwreiddiol - Welsh Original ★ ★ Mae’r llyfr yma wedi dod yn syth allan o’r 90au! Dwi’m yn deud hynny mewn ffordd negyddol, ond mae’r llyfr yn union fel y llyfrau Cymraeg oeddwn i’n eu darllen pan oeddwn yn yr ysgol gynradd. (gan yr un awdur). Efallai nad yw Gwyn Morgan wedi cyrraedd yr uchelfannau ym myd awduron Cymraeg, a debyg na fyddai llawer yn ei enwi petawn i’n gofyn iddyn nhw restru awduron Cymraeg. Un peth sy’n sicr, mae o wedi bod yn gynhyrchiol iawn dros y blynyddoedd, gan ysgrifennu hen ffefrynnau y silffoedd ysgol fel Zac yn y Pac, Dannedd Gosod Ben, Jazz, Rwba Dwba, Abracadabra a sawl un arall. Mae’r diffyg buddsoddiad mewn llyfrau Cymraeg yn ein hysgolion yn golygu fod yr hen lyfrau yma’n sicr o fod o gwmpas hyd heddiw. Dyma lyfr newydd, sydd, fel rhan fwyaf o lyfrau Gwyn Morgan, wedi cael ei ddarlunio gan Dai Owen, sy’n ffrind da iddo. Dwi’n gallu adnabod gwaith yr arlunydd yma’n syth; mae ganddo steil unigryw sy’n cael ei alw’n Fast Reportage. Hynny ydi, tynnu brasluniau sydyn gyda beiro ac inc i gyfleu symudiadau a theimladau. Mae’r lluniau dros ben llestri yn ddoniol iawn ac yn rhan bwysig o’r stori. Mae’r darn efo pen-ôl Mam a’i blwmars yn siŵr o ennyn gwên neu chwerthiniad! Mae’r stori braidd yn random a deud y lleiaf. Doedd gen i ddim syniad i ble’r oedd yn mynd! Mae’r stori ar ffurf dyddiadur. Dyddiadur merch yw e, sef Sharon Llywelyn, sy’n byw gartref gyda’i thad, Terry, a’i Mam, Linda. Mae chwaer ei mam, (sy’n Fodryb i Sharon) wedi symud i America ac wedi priodi dyn Americanaidd. Stereotypical American o’r taleithiau deheuol. Mae’r llyfr yn adrodd hanes yr wythnos fythgofiadwy pan ddaeth y cwpl draw i aros gyda’r teulu. Mae’r ddau yn hollol nyts a Dad druan sy’n cael y bai pan mae pethau’n mynd o’i le! Tro cyntaf i mi ddarllen tud.8 roeddwn i wedi drysu’n llwyr, ond mi wnâi drio esbonio… Owa Rollercoaster yw’r dyn o Decsas, UDA a fo ydi ‘Dicsi’. Ei wraig yw Bopa Rollercoaster, sef ‘Tricsi.’ Dim ots faint o weithiau mae Mam yn trio cynllunio diwrnodau difyr di-stŵr i’r cwpl yn ystod eu gwyliau, mae rhywbeth yn siŵr o fynd o’i le – gyda chanlyniadau hileriys! Mae’r llyfr yn wirion bost. Os ‘da chi’m yn hoffi pethau wacky felna, nid hwn yw’r llyfr i chi! Darllen ysgafn, addas ar gyfer Bl.4 ymlaen faswn i’n deud. This book has come straight out of the 90s! I'm not saying that in a bad way, but the book is exactly like the sort of books that I was reading when I was in Primary school. (by the same author). Gwyn Morgan may not have reached the upper echelons of the Welsh book world, and many probably wouldn’t name him if I asked them to list Welsh-language writers. However, one thing is certain, he has been quietly productive over the years, working in the background. He wrote old school shelf favourites such as Zac yn y Pac, Danedd Gosod Ben, Jazz, Rwba Dwba, Abracadabra and many more…The lack of investment in new Welsh books in our schools means that these older books are sure to be still floating around. This is a new book, which, like most of Gwyn Morgan's books, has been illustrated by Chester-based artist, Dai Owen with whom the author is good friends. I can recognize this artist’s work straight away; he has an unique style called Fast reportage. This is a quick sketch method with pen and ink that conveys movements and feelings ‘in the moment’. The over the top drawings are funny and an important part of the story. The bit with Mum's bottom and bloomers on show is sure to get a laugh! The story is a bit random to say the least. I had no idea where it was going most of the time! It’s set in the form of a diary. It belongs to Sharon Llywelyn, who lives at home with her father, Terry, and her mother, Linda. Her mother's sister, (who is Sharon’s Aunt, of course) has moved to America and married an American man. An absolutely stereotypical Southern States American! The book tells the story of the unforgettable week when the couple came over to stay with the family. The two are completely nuts and Sharon’s poor father gets the blame when things go wrong! When I first read page.8 I was completely confused, but I will try to explain... Owa Rollercoaster is the man from Texas, USA and he is ' Dicsi '. His wife is Bopa Rollercoaster, a.k.a.' Tricsi. ' No matter how many times mum tries to plan fun outings for the couple during their holidays, something is sure to go wrong – with hilarious results! The book is silly, no doubt about it. If you don’t like wacky things like this, then this is not the book for you! It’s light-hearted reading, pure and simple. Suitable for Yrs.4 and above I’d say.

*Scroll down for English & comments* Antur yn oes y Celtiaid! Time-travel adventure with the Celts! Gwasg/publisher: Y Lolfa Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019 Pris: £5.99 ISBN: 978-1-78461-744-8 Lefel her/Challenge Level: ❖ ❖ More text than one might expect, but the result is a richer story. ☆ ☆ Cymraeg gwreiddiol - Welsh Original ☆ ☆ Mae’r bedwaredd stori yng nghyfres Cadi wedi glanio. Cadi a’r Celtiaid. Dwi’n tybio fod y teitl yn gliw i chi lle mae Cadi’n mynd ar yn antur yma! Yn ôl mewn amser… Mae Cadi’n ferch fach ddireidus, busneslyd, ond hoffus ar yr un pryd! Tro ‘ma, mae’r antur yn cychwyn wrth i Cadi, ei Mam a’i brawd fynd i gampio yn Sir Fôn. Mi fydd pobl yr ynys yn siŵr o ‘nabod y domen ar y clawr, sef Bryn Celli Ddu. Neolithic Burial chamber ydi o i mi, ond fel gwnes i ddysgu yn y llyfr, Ystafell Gladdu yn y Gymraeg! Ar ôl sleifio allan o’r dent yn fuan iawn, heb ganiatâd ei Mam, mae Cadi’n cael ei chludo gyda hud a lledrith i Oes y Celtiaid, i weld sut oedd bywyd adeg hynny. (Licio sut mae’r llyfr yn hollol ‘PC’, gan ein hatgoffa fod gwneud hyn yn beryglus go iawn! Cyfrifol iawn.) Ers i mi fod yn blentyn, dwi wedi breuddwydio am gael y gallu i fynd nôl mewn amser i weld y byd fel ac yr oedd... Dwi heb lwyddo eto! Mae Cadi’n cael cyfle i baratoi bwyd, i wneud gwaith metel A llwyddo i achub y pentref rhag y llwyth peryg drws nesa! Tipyn o gamp mewn cyn lleied o amser! Ar y daith, mae hi’n dysgu sgiliau pwysig fel canolbwyntio, dyfalbarhad ac yn sylwi pa mor anodd oedd bywyd heb bethau moethus modern! Dwi’n falch fod Bethan Gwanas heb wneud Cadi’n berffaith o’r cychwyn, a bod ganddi dal bethau i ddysgu/meistroli. Mae lluniau Janet Samuel yn hyfryd ac yn gweddu’r llyfr i’r dim. O ran y ‘sgwennu, oes, mae 'na dipyn go lew ohono. Ar ei blog personol, mae’r awdur yn esbonio fod hyn yn fwriadol. Doedd hi ddim isio’r llyfr allu cael ei orffen mewn un eisteddiad, ond yn hytrach ei fwynhau mewn tameidiau dros sawl noson. Dwi’n cytuno Bethan. Dechrau cael y plant i arfer gyda thestun hirach. Wrth gwrs, os oes darllenydd llai hyderus , yna digon hawdd yw mwynhau’r llyfr drwy gyd-ddarllen gydag oedolyn. Het athro ymlaen eto: mae’n stori dda ar gyfer dechrau uned o waith ar Oes y Celtiaid, ac yn sbardun efallai ar gyfer mynd ar drip bach i ardal Llanddaniel Fab! Ar ôl darllen am gadwyn Cadi, mi es i wneud ‘chydig o ‘googlio’ am ystyr y Drisgell. Roedd y rhif 3 yn bwysig i’r Celtiaid, ac yn ôl un gwefan diddorol… Possible meanings include: · Three stages of life: life, death, and rebirth · Three elements: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit · Three domains: earth, sea and sky, past, present and future. The fourth story in the Cadi series has landed. Cadi a’r Celtiaid [Cadi & Celts]. I suppose the title is a big clue for where Cadi is going on her next adventure! Back in time... Cadi is a nosey, mischievous little girl but most likeable! The adventure begins whilst Cadi, her mum and brother go camping in Anglesey. Island folk will no doubt be familiar with the mound on the cover, namely Bryn Celli Ddu, a Neolithic Burial Chamber. After sneaking out of the tent very early in the morning without her mum's permission, Cadi is transported back to the time of the Celts, to see what life was like at that time. (I like that the book remains totally ' PC 'by reminding us that doing this is really dangerous! Very responsible advice.) Since I was a child, I've dreamed of having the ability to go back in time to see the world as it once was... I haven't succeeded yet! Cadi has the opportunity to prepare food, do some metalwork and even finds time to save the village from the neighbouring tribe! Quite some feat in so little time! On the trip, she learns important skills such as concentration and perseverance. Good qualities for anybody to learn. She also realises how tough life used to be without modern luxuries! I'm glad that Bethan Gwanas has not made Cadi perfect from the start, and there are still things she needs to learn. Janet Samuels ' drawings are lovely and suit the book. As for the writing, well yes, it has quite a lot of text. On her personal blog, the author explains that this is deliberate. The book is not one to be rushed and finished in one sitting, but rather, enjoyed over several nights. I agree Bethan. Start getting the kids used to longer texts. Of course, should someone be a less confident reader, then it a good book to enjoy with an adult. Putting on my teacher hat again: It's a good story for starting an unit of work on the Celts and maybe even as a springboard for a small class outing to Llanddaniel Fab! After reading about Cadi’s necklace I went googling the meaning of the triskele symbol. The number 3 was important to the Celts, and according to one interesting website... Possible meanings include: · Three stages of life: life, death, and rebirth · Three elements: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit · Three domains: earth, sea and sky, past, present and future.

*Scroll down for English & comments* Antur gyda'r môr ladron... a Nain!! Pirate Adventure..with Gran! Gwasg/publisher: Gomer Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2019 Pris: £5.99 ISBN: 978-1785623073 Lefel her/challenge level: ❖ ☆ ☆ Cymraeg gwreiddiol - Welsh Original ☆ ☆ Dyma bartneriaeth newydd ffrwythlon rhwng awdur newydd, Llio Maddocks, a’r arlunydd, Aled Roberts. Mae Y Môr Leidr a Fi yn deillio o gyfnod yr awdur ar Gwrs Ysgrifennu a Darlunio i blant yng Nghanolfan Tŷ Newydd yn 2018. Dwi’n falch o weld bod Llio wedi bod yn brysur yn rhoi pin at bapur ers hynny. Y canlyniad yw llyfr gwreiddiol Cymraeg newydd i blant ifanc. Fel rhywun â dyfodd i fyny yng nghwmni Nain a Taid, dwi wrth fy modd gyda’r stori yma, sy’n sôn am fachgen yn mwynhau penwythnos llawn hwyl a sbri gyda’i gyfaill gorau, Nain. Ond nid Mam-gu hen ffasiwn, arferol mo hon, o na! Gredwch chi be? Mae Nain yn fôr-leidr! Mae’r stori yn dilyn anturiaethau llawn dychymyg Nain a’i ŵyr dros y penwythnos! Dwi’n licio’r ffordd mae nain yn defnyddio rolling pin fel cleddyf! Creadigol iawn! Dwi’n siŵr na fydd o eisiau mynd yn ôl at ei rieni ar ôl cael gymaint o hwyl efo Nain. Nabod y teimlad. Mae’r llyfr yn lliwgar dros ben gyda lluniau clir a diddorol. Grêt i rieni neu athrawon drafod y lluniau gyda’r plant. Mae’r ffaith fod y llyfr ar ffurf penillion bach doniol sy’n odli yn wych. Syniad da. Ffordd syml o ddechrau cyflwyno odli i blant ifanc drwy sôn am eiriau sy’n swnio’n debyg. Llyfr gwych i blant ifanc gyd-ddarllen ag oedolyn. This is a fruitful new partnership between writer, Llio Maddocks, and the artist, Aled Roberts. The book Y Môr Leidr and Fi is what resulted from the author's time at Tŷ Newydd Writing Centre on a writing and illustration for children course in 2018. I'm glad to see that Llio has been busy putting pen to paper since then. The outcome, a brand-new original Welsh storybook for young children. As someone who is very close to my grandparents, I love this story. It sees the boy spending a fun-filled weekend with his close friend, Nain. This is not your average, old-fashioned grandmother, oh no! Would you believe? Nain is a pirate! I like the way grandma uses her rolling pin as a sword! Very creative! I'm sure the young lad won't want to go back to his parents after having so much fun with Nain. The book is very colourful with clear and interesting pictures. Great for parents or teachers to discuss the pictures with children. The fact that the book comprises of small, funny rhyming verses is great. What a good idea. It’s a simple way to start introducing rhyme to young children by talking about words that sound similar. A great book for young children to read with an adult.

*Scroll Down for English & comments* 2140. Aberystwyth, Cymru. The year 2140. Aberystwyth, Wales. Gwasg/publisher: Y Lolfa Cyhoeddwyd: 2018 Pris: £6.99 ISBN: 978-1-78461-653-3 Lefel her/challenge level: ❖ ❖ ❖ ☆ ☆ Cymraeg Gwreiddiol - Welsh Original ☆ ☆ Geirfa anodd. Mwy addas i ddarllenwr hyderus. Some challenging vocabulary, best suited for confident reader. Hadau. Hwn yw’r ail lyfr yn y drioleg ‘Yma’ gan Lleucu Roberts ar gyfer pobl ifanc yn eu harddegau. Mae’n dilyn ymlaen yn syth o’r nofel gyntaf - mae’r criw anturus wedi cyrraedd Aberystwyth bellach ac wedi darganfod nad ydyn nhw ar ben eu hunain... Mae ‘na recap sydyn os na wnaethoch ddarllen yr un gyntaf. Yn fuan iawn rydym ni’n cael ein cyflwyno i gymeriad newydd, sef Anil. Mae o’n un o’r bobl frodorol sydd yn byw yn yr ardal, sef y Ni. Drwy’r nofel rydym ni’n cael nifer o gliwiau yma ag acw am hanes Anil ac rydym ni’n dod i wybod fod o’n wahanol i weddill ei bobl. Mae un o’i bobl yn cyfeirio ato fel ‘not-peth’. Er bod bomiau niwclear wedi chwalu popeth cyfarwydd ar y ddaear, mae rhagfarn a chasineb yn dal i barhau yn amlwg. Rydym ni’n dod i ddeall fod Anil yn hermaphrodite. Hynny yw, dydi o ddim yn ‘fo’ nag yn ‘hi’, ac y ddau ar yr un pryd. (bosib fod y llygredd niwclear wedi achosi hyn) Er bod o’n rhan o’r llwyth, mae geiriau creulon yn dal i’w frifo a tydi ei bobl ddim cweit wedi ei dderbyn fel person ‘normal’, os oes fath beth! Dwi’n meddwl fod y penderfyniad gan yr awdur i wneud Anil yn wahanol iawn yn un da - mae’n sicr yn gwneud i ni feddwl. Mae’n rhaid i’r ynyswyr ddysgu cyd fyw gyda’r ‘Niaid’ ac mae hynny’n anodd o ystyried fod yna broblemau cyfathrebu ieithyddol. (cewch weld yn y nofel!) Heblaw’r ffaith eu bod nhw’n addoli llygod mawr, mae ‘bos’ y Ni yn deyrn, ac yn unigolyn ‘anodd’. Mae ei dymer drwg a’i gymeriad ansefydlog yn peri perygl i fywyd Cai. (Dwi’m yn keen ar yr enw, Bwmbwm,- dipyn bach yn crinji efallai!) Y brif stori yn y nofel yw’r ynyswyr yn dysgu (yn raddol) i gyd-fyw gyda’r Niaid. Mae gan y ddwy bobl lawer i ddysgu oddi wrth ei gilydd, fel hela. Rŵan ta, os ydych chi’n ffans o gŵn, dwi’m yn meddwl byddwch chi’n rhy hapus hefo Lleucu! Rhybudd! Oes, mae ‘na lawer o sôn am hela a bwyta cŵn yn y llyfr yma! Does dim Tescos bellach, cofiwch! Dros eu cyfnod yng Nghymru, mae perthynas Cai a Gwawr yn newid. Yn y nofel gyntaf, roeddwn i’n rhagweld perthynas rhamantus yn datblygu rhwng y ddau, ond mae pethau wedi newid. Drwy gwrs y nofel, mae Cai yn dod yn agosáu at Anil ac mae hyn yn creu problem rhwng y tri. Dipyn o love triangle yn fanna. Difyr. Reit ar ddiwedd y nofel, mae 'na rywbeth mawr yn digwydd sy’n troi bywyd Cai wyneb i waered. Bydd rhaid disgwyl tan y nofel nesaf i gael mwy o atebion am hyn... Mae Hadau yn welliant mawr ar y nofel gyntaf ac mae 'na lawer mwy yn digwydd yn hon. Dwi’n hoff o’r disgrifiadau o adeiladau - mae’n ddiddorol ond yn anodd dychmygu cyflwr popeth ar ôl cymaint o amser. Dwi’n cysylltu hadau gyda bywyd newydd a dwi’n meddwl mai bwriad yr awdur ydi dangos fod yna fymryn o obaith mewn dyfodol mor galed a llwm. O ran y darllen, mae’r iaith ysgrifenedig Lleucu Roberts yn heriol iawn ar adegau, ac roedd rhaid ail ddarllen darnau i wneud synnwyr o eiriau anghyfarwydd. Fodd bynnag, mae’r stori ddiddorol yn werth yr ymdrech. Hadau. This is the second book in the ‘Yma’ trilogy by Lleucu Roberts for teenagers. It follows on directly from the first novel- the adventurous crew have now arrived in Aberystwyth and discovered they are not alone... There is a quick recap for those who didn’t read the first one. Very early on we are introduced to a new character, Anil. He is one of the indigenous people living in the area, called Y Ni [Us]. Throughout the novel we get a few clues here and there about Anil’s backstory, and we come to realize that he differs from the rest of his people. One of them refers to him as a ' not thing'. Even though nuclear bombs have destroyed everything familiar on earth, it seems that human prejudice and hatred still remain evident. We come to understand that Anil is likely a hermaphrodite. That is, not quite a ‘he’ or a ‘she’, and possibly both at the same time. (this deformity may be as a result of the nuclear pollution) Although he is part of the tribe, cruel words still hurt him and his people have yet to fully accept him as a ' normal ' person, if there is such a thing! I think the decision by the author to make Anil very different is a good one-it certainly makes us think. The Islanders must learn to live with the ' Niaid ' and that is difficult given that there are linguistic and communication issues. (You’ll see in the novel!) As well as the fact that they worship rats, they are governed by an unstable tyrant. His unstable temperament poses a real danger to Cai's life. (I'm not keen on the name, Bwmbwm. A little cringe, but that’s just me!) The main story arc of the novel is the Islanders gradually learning to co-exist with the locals. The two peoples have a lot to learn from each other, like hunting. Now, if you like dogs, I don’t think you'll be too impressed with Lleucu! Warning! Yes, there are numerous references to the hunting, butchering and eating of dogs in this book! It’s done in a very matter-of-fact way. Well, come on, there are no Tescos anymore, remember! During their time in Wales, the relationship between Cai and Gwawr is changing. In the first novel, I envisioned a romantic relationship developing between the two, but things have changed. Through the course of the novel, Cai grows closer to Anil and this creates a problem between the three. We have ourselves a bit of a love triangle here. Interesting. Right at the end of the novel, something big happens that turns Cai’s new life upside down. You'll have to wait until the next novel to get more answers about this... Hadau is a big improvement on the first novel and has a lot more going on. I like the descriptions of the ruined buildings-it's interesting but difficult to imagine the state of everything after so long. I associate seeds with new life and I think the author's intention is to show that there is some hope in this tough and bleak future. In terms of reading, the written language Lleucu Roberts uses is very challenging at times, and I had to re-read bits to make sense of unfamiliar words. However, the gripping story is worth the effort. A book for the confident reader for sure. Read more from the author, as she discusses the trilogy at: https://parallel.cymru/lleucu-roberts-yr-ynys-hadau-afallon/?lang=en

*Scroll down for English & comments* Antur arall ar y carped hud i Goedwig y Tylluanod. Another adventure to the magic forest. Gwasg/publisher: Gomer Cyhoeddwyd/released: 2017 Pris: £5.99 ISBN: 978-1-78562-100-0 Lefel her/challenge level: ❖ ✩ ✩ Cymraeg Gwreiddiol - Welsh Original ✩ ✩ Iaith digon syml, a llyfr efo graffeg diddorol Simple enough language, with interesting graphics Dyma’r ail lyfr yn nhrioleg hynod o boblogaidd Dosbarth Miss Prydderch gan Mererid Hopwood! Mae hi wedi bod yn brysur iawn dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf achos erbyn hyn mae ‘na chwe theitl yn y gyfres! Hwn yw’r ail lyfr yn y drioleg gyntaf ac mae’n parhau yn syth o’r nofel ddiwethaf. Dydi hi ddim yn angenrheidiol eich bod chi wedi darllen yr un cyntaf ond mae’r awdur yn awgrymu hyn yn gryf. Yn fras, mae Miss Prydderch wedi troi allan i fod yn athrawes arbennig iawn! Mae hi’n gallu tywys y dosbarth i lefydd anhygoel, fel Coedwig y Tylluanod, ar ei charped hud. Ar ddiwedd y nofel ddiwethaf, mae ein prif gymeriad, Alfred, ar goll yn y goedwig, achos mae’r ‘badi’, Dr Wg ab Lin, wedi ei herwgipio! Mae Wg ab Lin yn fy atgoffa o Kaa, y neidr seimllyd o Jungle Book sy’n trio twyllo Mowgli! Yn yr antur yma, mae’n rhaid i Alfred ddianc o afael y sarff slei, achub ei ffrind gorau Elen Benfelen, cyrraedd yn ôl i’r ysgol mewn un darn a helpu i rwystro Ysgol y Garn rhag cael ei gau! Mae dipyn yn mynd ymlaen yn y stori yma i gadw sylw’r darllenydd. Dwi’n hoffi’r ffaith fod 'na fwy nag un stori’n mynd ymlaen yma. Mae gennych chi antur Dosbarth Blwyddyn 6 yn y goedwig, wrth iddyn nhw frwydro yn erbyn y neidr er mwyn helpu’r anifeiliaid gael eu lleisiau’n ôl. Rhwng y stori yma, mae 'na is-stori yn mynd ymlaen yn y byd go-iawn. Mae’r ‘awdurdodau’ (gair pwysig, ond swnio’n ominous!) yn trio cau ysgol y Garn oherwydd bod niferoedd yn lleihau. Mae ‘na ddwy frwydr yma: y frwydr i achub y goedwig rhag Dr Wg ab Lin a’r frwydr i stopio’r Cyngor rhag gau’r ysgol. Mae clywed y ddau hanes yn cadw pethau’n ddifyr drwy gydol y llyfr. Mae gan Mererid Hopwood ffordd hyfryd o egluro teimladau anodd eu trafod yn syml ac mewn modd sy’n ddealladwy i blant. Gall yr awdur wneud hwn yn effeithiol heb dreulio gormod o amser arno cyn mynd yn ôl at y stori. (Gweler esiampl) Mae’r llyfr yn gorffen ar cliffhanger sy’n cadw ni ar bigau’r drain isio gwybod beth sy’n mynd i ddigwydd nesaf. Mae'r awdur yn ein herio i brynu'r llyfr nesaf i ffeindio allan! O ran sut mae’r llyfr yn edrych, dwi’n hoffi fod 'na ddim gormod o ysgrifen ar bob tudalen, ac mae’r penodau’n eithaf byr. Mae 'na sgwigls yn dod allan o eiriau er mwyn esbonio rhai geiriau (sy’n syniad brilliant rhaid ‘mi ddeud) ac mae 'na weithgareddau ar-lein i gyd fynd â’r llyfr. Os ydych chi’n dysgu Cymraeg, neu’n ddihyder yn darllen llyfrau Cymraeg, mae’r stori’n ddiddorol ac mae’r iaith yn ddigon syml i chi allu deall a mwynhau’r stori. (dim byd gwaeth nag iaith or-gymhleth sy’n sbwylio llif y darllen!) Ymlaen i nofel rhif 3!!! This is the second book in the hugely popular trilogy Dosbarth Miss Prydderch by Mererid Hopwood. She has been very productive lately because there are now six titles in the series! It is the second book of the first trilogy and continues straight from the last novel. It is not necessary that you have read the first one as there is a brief re-cap but the author strongly advises this. In broad terms, Miss Prydderch has turned out to be a very special teacher! She is able to take the class to some amazing places, such as Coedwig y Tylluanod (forest of the owls) on her magic carpet. At the end of the last novel, our main character, Alfred, is missing in the woods, because the bad guy, Dr. Wg ab Lin, has kidnapped him! Wg Ab Lin reminds me of Kaa, the seedy snake from Jungle Book who tries to trick Mowgli. In this adventure, Alfred has to get out of the grip of the evil snake; save his best friend Elen Benfelen; arrive back to school safely and help prevent the closure of Ysgol Y Garn! As you can see, there’s quite a lot going on in this story to keep the reader's attention. I like the fact that there is more than one story going on here. You have the main Year 6 class adventure in the woods, as they fight the snake in order to help the forest creatures get their voices back. Between this story, another sub-story is going on back in the real world. The ' authorities ' (an important word, but sounds ominous!) are trying to close the school because numbers are falling. There are two battles here: the battle to save the forest from Dr. Wg ab Lin and the fight to stop the council closing the school. The two stories intertwined keeps things interesting. Mererid Hopwood has a lovely way with words to explain difficult feelings in an easy to understand manner. The author does this effectively without dwelling too much on it before going back to the story. The book ends on a cliffhanger that keeps us on edge wanting to know what is going to happen next. She teases us at the end by telling us we’ll have to buy the next book to find out! In terms of how the text looks, I like that there’s not too much writing on every page, and the chapters are quite short. There are squiggles coming out of words to explain some meanings (which is a brilliant idea I have to say) and online activities to compliment the book. If you are learning Welsh, or lack confidence in reading Welsh books, the story is interesting and the language is simple enough for you to be able to understand and enjoy the story. (Nothing worse than overly complex language that stops the flow of reading!) Onwards to novel No.3!!!