Children’s books by Newbery, Fisher and Bennett form Firefly Press’ first ever series in Welsh

Firefly Press has launched its first ever series of Welsh language children’s books with titles by Lee Newbery, Catherine Fisher and Robin Bennett.

A Welsh language adaptation of Newbery’s debut novel The Last Firefox (Y Llwynog Tân Olaf) leads a quartet of titles being published by the independent press this autumn.

The other books in the series are adaptations of Firefly titles The Clockwork Crow (Y Frân Glocwaith), by former Wales Young People’s Laureate Catherine Fisher, and non-fiction titles Fantastic Football (Pêl-Droed Penigamp) and Rampaging Rugby (Rygbi Rhempus) by Robin Bennett. All four titles will be available in bookshops, libraries and to order online from 3rd November.

Penny Thomas, publisher, said: “Following 10 years of introducing young readers to quality fiction in English we are now at an exciting stage in our journey in adding Welsh language books to our catalogue with some wonderful titles.

“We couldn’t ask for better stories to start with than Y Llwynog Tân Olaf and Y Frân Glocwaith, and the crazy humour of Rygbi Rhempus and Pêl-Droed Penigamp. We’re delighted that Lee Newbery has joined our list of authors for the Welsh language edition of his debut title and very much looking forward to publishing four great books in Welsh this autumn!”

“We’d like to say a big thank you to the adaptors, designers and everyone at the Books Council of Wales who gave wonderful support to these titles.”

The English language version of Newbury’s book was released by Puffin Books earlier this year and named a Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month. The Welsh language version has been translated by Siân Northey.

Newbery commented: “As a Welsh speaker, it has always been one of my goals to have one of my books available in Welsh, so I’m thrilled that The Last Firefox has found a home at Firefly and found a great translator in Siân Northey. I can’t wait to see Y Llwynog Tân Olaf in bookshops, schools and libraries across the country and be available in both languages.”

The Clockwork Crow by Fisher won the Tir na n’og Award and was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award. Set in a snowy Victorian mid-Wales, it follows the story of orphan Seren and her magical adventures with a talking crow who may or may not be telling the truth. The Welsh adaptation, Y Frân Glocwaith, is by Mared Llwyd. 

Fantastic Football (August 2022) and Rampaging Rugby (August 2021) were the first two books in Firefly’s “Stupendous Sports” series by children’s writer and entrepreneur Robin Bennett. They have been adapted by Elinor Wyn Reynolds and Ion Thomas respectively.