Wales in Words: Cymru Mewn Geiriau:

Bethan Jones

In October last year I had the privilege of starting my post as Head of Children's Books and Reading Promotion with the Books Council of Wales. Without a doubt, the ability to initiate and develop projects to promote love of reading and reading for pleasure is a true passion of mine. These reading projects ensure a worthwhile opportunity to ignite a love for literature, and an outstanding potential to have a significant impact on the lives of children and young people today.

One of the aspects that gives me the most pleasure is the opportunity to create partnerships and to collaborate with others whether they are writers, illustrators, teachers, various organizations, or the wider community. These partnerships provide us with remarkable opportunities to celebrate what reading can offer, from entering new worlds, to the thrill of discovery and a sense of belonging. Throughout my previous roles as a Primary School teacher and Literacy Advisor I have held a passion to inspire and encourage others to develop a love of reading. As a result, I have seen how reading can shape the lives of children and young people and improve their mental health, as well as making them flourish.

Lesley Parr

Lesley Parr is the author of three novels for children. Her debut, The Valley of Lost Secrets, was published in 2021 and was both a Waterstones Book of the Month and longlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal. It won the Tir na n-Og Award, the King’s School Chester Book Award and the North Somerset Teachers’ Book Award, as well as being shortlisted for many others. Lesley grew up in South Wales and now lives in England with her husband. She shares her time between writing stories, teaching at a primary school and tutoring adults. Apart from books, rugby union is her favourite thing in the world, especially if Wales is winning.

Simon Fisher

Simon Fisher is a primary school teacher and book blogger from the Welsh borders. He is a passionate advocate for Reading for Pleasure in the classroom and at home, with a particular interest in how reading communities can foster a sense of belonging. As a member of the Tir na n-Og judging panel he enjoys exploring the rich repertoire of books for children set in Wales – both current and from the past. Since reading some iconic texts from Wales as a youngster (books by Jenny Nimmo, Catherine Fisher and Susan Cooper in particular) he has known that reading can connect us to our landscape.

“This is something I’ve encouraged in my own children, and through the familybookworms platform we have highlighted and championed books of the highest quality from Welsh authors, illustrators and publishers. Discovering new stories and being an advocate in sharing these with new audiences is a privilege and a joy, and I’m looking forward to doing just that with the YLG Wales audience.”

Manon Steffan-Ros

Manon Steffan Ros was born in Snowdonia and worked as an actress and musician before becoming a full-time writer. Manon has written over 23 books for adults and children in the Welsh language and has won the Wales Book of the Year for her adult fiction as well as being four-times winner of the Tir na n’Og Wales Children’s Book Awards. She has also won Eisteddfod and National Theatre Wales awards for her script writing. She lives in Tywyn in north Wales with her sons.

First written and published in Welsh, Llyfr Glas Nebo won the Prose Medal at the 2018 Eisteddfod and the triple crown of prizes at the 2019 Wales Book of the Year Award: the Aberystwyth University Fiction Award, the People’s Choice Award and the Welsh-language Overall Winner. It has since been translated into a number of languages including French, Arabic, Catalan, Spanish, Polish and English, where it has also been published in the US.