Graffeg News June 2024
JUNE NEWS
A reimagined tale from the Mabinogion
06 June 2024
Join Culhwch's quest to win Olwen's hand in this retelling of a classic Welsh tale.
06 June 2024 | Paperback
104 pages | 198 x 129mm
Ages 7-11 | £8.99
An exciting and enchanting adventure that has been written in various forms since the fourteenth century,
this new take on the tale and its characters makes them accessible to a modern readership, offering an insight into Welsh history and culture as well as a love story for the ages that children across the UK can enjoy.
Culhwch and Olwen is the first book to be published by Graffeg’s new middle-grade and YA imprint, Cadno. Cadno focuses on publishing new content for children aged 7-16 with uniquely Welsh content. Future titles look at racism in football, LGBTQ+ romance and looking after the environment, all with a link to Wales or Welsh culture.
Catherine Fisher is a New York Times bestselling author. Her novel Incarceron was the Times Book of the Year. She has twice won the Tir na n’Og prize, and has been shortlisted for the Blue Peter, Carnegie, Costa and WHSmith prizes. She has published over 35 novels, been translated into more than 40 languages and is also a prize-winning poet.
Albert the Tortoise saves the Garden Games
11 June 2024
The garden’s annual sports day is in jeopardy! Can Albert come up with a plan to save the day?
Paperback | 36 pages
230 x 230mm | Ages 3-5 | £7.99
In the sixth instalment of the Albert the Tortoise series, Albert and his friends face a race against time when heavy rain interrupts their ‘Garden Games’. As the conditions become dangerous, Albert and his friends must work together to make sure everyone is safe from the storm.
Perfect for children aged 3-5, Ian Brown’s latest Albert title uses gentle humour to show the importance of teamwork and helping others. The story also demonstrates how healthy competition can be fun, but that winning isn’t everything.
Ian Brown is a London-based writer, TV producer and former Fleet Street journalist. He has written or produced for the likes of Pierce Brosnan, Harrison Ford, Simon Cowell, Tom Jones, George Lucas, Liam Neeson, Jason Statham, Martin Scorsese, and Bruce Forsyth, among many others. Ian is also the author of the Hugg ‘n’ Bugg picture book series.
Learn about animal life cycles in James Carter’s latest poetry book
13 June 2024
A fun, rhyming text exploring some of nature’s unique life cycles.
Paperback | 36 pages
230 x 230mm | £7.99
Along with a short rhyming introduction and a contents page including each animal’s Latin name, their class and location, each animal has its own short rhyme about their life cycle. Several information pages at the back of the book include more interesting facts about the names of many of the animals’ young and an insight into how some of them are raised.
A fantastic combination of non-fiction and poetry, this series of fun rhymes is perfect for use in Key Stage 1 lessons on life cycles and growing up, as well as an enjoyable choice for bedtime reading or home learning.
Animals included: emperor dragonfly, angle shades moth, common seahorse, common frog, starling, Burmese python, grey wolf and bottlenose dolphin.
James Carter is a prize-winning children’s poet, non-fiction writer and musician. An ambassador for National Poetry Day, he travels all over the UK with his melodica and ukulele to give very lively performances and workshops. A former lecturer in Creative Writing/Children’s Literature at Reading University, in the last two decades James has visited 1500+ schools and performed at many key literary festivals including Hay, Edinburgh and Cheltenham.
Graffeg publish three new board books
18 June 2024
Our board book list continues to grow, with three new titles for early years readers on the alphabet, colours and counting.
Board book | 20 pages
200 x 200mm | £7.99
Other Graffeg board books available:
EVENTS IN JUNE
David Moore Joins Two Welsh Literature Festivals
Author David Moore speaks to Freida Hughes about Ray Howard-Jones, his stunning illustrated biography of the artist which has sought to reestablish her reputation.
All Saints Lesser Hall, Penarth
Penarth Literary Festival welcomes
David Moore and Dr Ceri Thomas for an afternoon of artistic discussion. Both authors will give a 10-15 minute presentation about their most recent books and then be in-discussion with renowned art history lecturer Stella Grace Lyons.
BBC Gardeners' World Live with Sue Kent
BBC Gardeners' World Live
BBC Gardeners’ World Live Theatre
14 June 2024
Sue Kent, author of the accessible, perennial gardening notebook Garden Notes, shares top gardening advice, tips and techniques during the day at the BBC Gardeners’ World Live Theatre.
Melita Thomas
at Lisvane Book Festival
Lisvane Literature Festival
Lisvane Old School Community Centre
11.00am, 08 June 2024
Join Melita Thomas, co-founder of Tudor Times, the hugely popular website for all things Tudor and Stuart, as she discusses 1000 Tudor People, her meticulously researched book looks at the incredible lives of 1000 Tudor individuals from all walks of life.
A Day of Tudor Talks at Southwark Cathedral
The Tudors and Stuarts: A Bitter Rivalry – A Day of Talks
Southwark Cathedral
10.30am-4.00pm, 22 June 2024
Delve into the fascinating history of the Tudor and Stuart families through this exciting day of talks exploring their intense rivalry. 1000 Tudor People author Melita Thomas will be speaking on Mary I and Marie of Guise.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Catch up on recent releases and news in last month's May News.
Below are a selection of stories you may have missed.
Melita Thomas interviewed in Discover Britain Magazine
Melita Thomas was interviewed in the Discover Britain Magazine, discussing her latest book 1000 Tudor People and the lives of different Tudors.
Karin Celestine Author of the Month with Welsh Libraries
Karin Celestine, author of The Joy Bringers, was selected by Welsh Libraries as their May Author of the Month. Karin was interviewed by Welsh Libraries and discussed their inspiration behind creating The Joy Bringers. Read more here.
Dean Goodwin-Evans
Interviewed on
BBC Radio Wales
Dean Goodwin-Evans, also known as Boo La Croux, was interviewed by Behnaz Akhgar on BBC Radio Wales to discuss his latest book with Billie Charity, Queen from No Scene. Dean discussed his friendship with Billie and what drag means to him as the UK’s only drag farmer.
The New Girl and April’s Garden selected for Summer Reading Challenge
April’s Garden by Isla McGuckin and The New Girl by Nicola Davies have been selected as part of The Reading’s Agency’s ‘Summer Reading Challenge’. The theme for this year is ‘Marvellous Makers’ and aims to encourage children’s imagination and creativity. Read more here.