Firefly bags Newbery's middle-grade debut for Welsh-language series

Children’s publisher Firefly Press has scooped The Last Firefox, a middle-grade debut by Lee Newbery, illustrated by Laura Catalán.

Publisher Penny Thomas acquired Welsh rights to the story from Penguin Random House. The title will be one of four Welsh-language adaptations to be published by the indie this autumn. The others are adaptations of Firefly titles The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher and non-fiction titles Fantastic Football and Rampaging Rugby by Robin Bennett.

The Last Firefox follows Charlie Challinor, who is made temporary guardian of magical firefox cub, Cadno, and learns that he can be brave and face his fears. The adaptation, entitled Y Llwynog Tân Olaf and translated by Sian Northey, will introduce Charlie, Cadno and friends to a new Welsh-language audience. 

"Firefly Press set up to publish quality fiction in English for readers everywhere, and that has been way more successful than we could have dreamt when we started out nearly 10 years ago," said Thomas. "That will not change, but we are now at an exciting stage in our journey where there are some wonderful titles we are able to bring to a Welsh-speaking readership too. 

"We couldn’t ask for better stories to start with than The Last Firefox and The Clockwork Crow, and the crazy humour of Rampaging Rugby and Fantastic Football, which has a new introduction from Manon Steffan Ros, for Welsh readers too, and we’d like to thank the Books Council of Wales for their terrific support in this venture.

"We’re so delighted that Lee is to join us for this Welsh-language edition of his debut title and very much looking forward to publishing it this autumn!"

Newbery said: "As a Welsh speaker myself, it has always been one of my goals to have one of my books translated into the Welsh language, so I’m thrilled that The Last Firefox has found a home at Firefly. "The Welsh language is truly beginning to thrive once again in Wales and I can’t wait to see Y Llwynog Tân Olaf in bookshops, schools and libraries across the country and to be accessible to speakers and learners alike."

Northey is a writer, editor and translator. Her recent publications include Perthyn (Gomer Press, 2019) and Cylchoedd, a collection of short stories published by Gwasg y Bwthyn. She also regularly runs workshops for children and adults and has worked with various organisations and settings such as HMP Berwyn Prison and Disability Arts Cymru.