The illustrations by the author are cartoon-like, colourful, and full of action. Children will enjoy finding the tiny fairy folk who are hidden on almost every page. But as an introduction to the legends of Merlin and Arthur, this story would have benefited from some introductory material for those young readers who are totally unfamiliar with them. There are some helpful notes about the magical places of Wales at the end of the book.

Gertrude Clancy

The Dawes Decades By David Parry Jones

Dathliad o drydedd oes aur rygbi Cymru ddiwedd y chwedegau a dechrau'r saithdegau pan oedd John Dawes yn gapten y tîm cenedlaethol.

A celebration of the third era of Welsh rugby in the late sixties and early seventies when John Dawes was captain of the national side.

Hannah goes to war by Phil Carradice
A wartime historical adventure set in Swansea during the Second W orld War; for children aged 9-13 years.

Set in Swansea during the outbreak of the Second World War, this tale of Hannah and her friends, Helen, Peter and Jack, is a gripping and honest account of what life was really like, interwoven with several incidents that challenge the young teenagers.

There is Godfrey, the bully, who takes advantage of the black market to manipulate others, the mysterious German spy who seems to be sending messages to his fellow countrymen, and the plight of London-born Helen, who returns to the capital city and is confronted by personal danger of her own, to name just a few of the dilemmas the teenagers face.

Not only does the story portray everyday life just before and during the war years in a way that the history books cannot, but Hannah Goes to War is also an adventure story full of mysteries to solve and perils to avoid. The characters are well-drawn, realistic and likeable; the reader is sure to identify with any one of them.

Phil Carradice has succeeded in writing a gem of a story, which will satisfy readers of all ages. It is action-packed and exciting as well as poignant and sad. An excellent read, it will not disappoint.

Amanda James

Two in a boat A marital Voyage by Gwyneth Lewis

A strange, stirring and often hilarious account of Welsh poet Gwyneth Lewis's voyage on a small yacht with her husband Leighton, combining adventure, meditation, the sea, travel and history; the book comprises 40 integrated black-and-white pictures.

Stori hynod, afaelgar a difyr am siwrnai forwriaethol Gwyneth Lewis mewn cwch gyda'i gwr Leighton, gan gwmpasu antur, myfyrdod, y môr, teithio a hanes; ceir yng nghorff y testun 40 o luniau du-a-gwyn.

Blywyd Blodwen Jones by Bethan Gwanas

A pack of two CDs providing an audio version of the amusing diary of librarian and goat owner Blodwen Jones who dreams of marrying her Welsh tutor; for Welsh learners.

Pecyn o ddau gryno-ddisg yn cynnig fersiwn llafar o ddyddiadur doniol Blodwen Jones, llyfrgellydd sy'n cadw gafr ac yn breuddwydio am briodi ei thiwtor Cymraeg; ar gyfer dysgwyr.

All reviews from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council.