Firefly Press swoops for ‘groundbreaking’ children’s poetry anthology on Welsh identity

Firefly Press will publish a new children’s poetry anthology, edited by the National Poet of Wales Hanan Issa, to celebrate diversity and identity in Wales, titled And I Hear Dragons. 

Publisher Penny Thomas acquired the anthology collaboratively with Issa. The full list of contributors will be revealed later. 

The “groundbreaking” anthology is for children aged between eight and 12 and will include Welsh writers from diverse backgrounds across Wales. And I Hear Dragons will also include an eponymous poem written by Issa that will “celebrate the children of Wales as ferociously brave mythical beasts, taking on discrimination, pollution and upholding Wales’ tradition of croesawgar (welcoming)”. Issa commented: “Wales has a such a rich history of poetry and I’m keen to continue encouraging that enthusiasm in the young people of Wales today. And I Hear Dragons is a collection that roars in celebration of Wales’ distinct sense of identity and belonging.”

Thomas added: “We were delighted when Hanan approached us with And I Hear Dragons! We had been trying to find a way to get a children’s poetry anthology from Wales off the ground for some time, but with Hanan’s insightful vision and knowledge of poetry from Wales, we are confident this title will take flight and become a valuable and inspiring collection for children to enjoy and find themselves in poetry.”