Connecting people through books
We’ve been working with publishers and partners across Wales to publish more reading books for pleasure that celebrate and promote diversity, for children and young people.
New books for children and young people
This three-year, £810,000 project is funded by Welsh Government’s Education Department and Adnodd. It has supported the creation of brand-new original books in both Welsh and English, as well as the adaptation of English-language books into Welsh, to create books that reflect more of our stories, people and communities.
Reading for pleasure is important for supporting children’s and young people’s health and well-being, and for developing their empathy and literacy skills; benefits which also support the aims and delivery of the Curriculum for Wales and contribute to educational attainment.
We’re producing educational resources to accompany the titles and every state school in Wales will receive a free supply of the books and the educational resources for use in the classroom. Every book published as part of the scheme has been endorsed by Welsh Government.
Working together
We’re very grateful to our many partners who have contributed their experience and expertise throughout this project; including the members of our panel who helped select the books for adaptation; the mentors and publishers who have supported new authors; the panel to create the educational resources, and of course the publishers throughout Wales that have supported the project.
Thank you to:
- Welsh Government Education Department
- Adnodd
- Black History Wales
- DARPL
- Disability Wales
- Race Council Cymru
- Romani Cultural and Arts Company
- Stonewall Cymru
New authors, new books
The new books include works by first-time writers as well as established authors. One of the main aims of commissioning original Welsh and English books as part of the scheme was to ensure publishing opportunities for authors and illustrators from a range of under-represented backgrounds and communities. Some new authors have been supported to work with a mentor or to co-author with a more experienced writer.
New books published
The Ranch at the End of the World / Y Ransh ym Mhen Draw’r Byd
Emma Bettridge
Adaptation by Sioned Erin Hughes
Graffeg
A History of My Weird / Hanes fy Hynodrwydd
Chloe Heuch
Adaptation by Mared Llwyd
Firefly
Young. Welsh. Proud. / Cymry. Balch. Ifanc.
Various contributors
Edited by Megan Angharad Hunter and Llŷr Titus
Rily
Megs / Megs
Meleri Wyn James
Y Lolfa
The Street Food Festival / Bwyd y Stryd, Bwyd y Byd
Gail Segueira
Adaptation by Joanna Davies
Atebol
We are Wales / Ein Cymru Ni
Chantelle Moore, Gail Segueira, Haf Llywelyn, Richard Parks
Adaptation by Manon Steffan Ros
Atebol
Zac and Jac / Zac a Jac
Cathy Jenkins
Adaptation by Ceri Wyn Jones
Graffeg
20 Colourful People of Wales / 20 o Bobl Liwgar Cymru
Natalie Jones
Y Lolfa
Colours of Home / Cartref o Liw
Miriam Latimer
Adaptation by Anwen Pierce
Graffeg
The Winter Festival / Gŵyl y Gaeaf
Rebecca Wilson
Rily
Welsh-language adaptations
By spring 2025 Welsh-language adaptations of 28 existing English titles that promote and celebrate diversity – some of which have won awards such as the Diverse Book Award – are published and available to buy from bookshops.
Adaptations published
Y Ferch â Dau Dad
Mel Elliott
Adapted/Translated by Anwen Pierce
Fy Bindi
Gita Varadarajan
Adapted/Translated by Anwen Pierc
Polonius Merlyn y Pwll Glo
Richard O’Neill
Adapted/Translated by Anwen Pierce
Antur Taid a Fi
Harry Woodgate
Adapted/Translated by Anwen Pierce
Julian yn y Briodas
Jessica Love
Adapted/Translated by Mari George
Y Gwaith Cartref Coll
Richard O’Neill
Adapted/Translated by Bethan Mair
Diwali Binny
Thrity Umrigar
Adapted/Translated by Casia Wiliam
Beth Ddigwyddodd i ti?
James Catchpole
Adapted/Translated by Aneirin Karadog
Llygaid sy’n Cusanu yn y Corneli
Joanna Ho
Adapted/Translated by Casia Wiliam
Y Byddarwr
Cece Bell
Adapted/Translated by Megan Angharad Hunter
Llwybr Llanast
Burhana Islam
Adapted/Translated by Rhys Iorwerth
Pan Fydd Drysau’n Cau
Miriam Halahmy
Adapted/Translated by Rhys Iorwerth
Y Pafi a’i Ehedydd
Siobhan Dowd
Adapted/Translated by Gwennan Williams
Y Glas Prydferthaf
Ibtihaj Muhammad, S.K.Ali
Adapted/Translated by Catrin Evans-Thomas
Dyma’n Teulu Ni
Patricia Hegarty
Adapted/Translated by Tegwen Bruce-Deans
Stryd Nici a Ffion Wyn
Ben Andrews
Adapted/Translated by Ifan Erwyn
Un o blant y Windrush
Benjamin Zephaniah
Adapted/Translated by Rhys Iorwerth
Dydy Danny Chung a Maths Ddim yn Ffrindiau
Maise Chan
Adapted/Translated by Iwan Huws
Melys, Moes, Mangos
Kereen Getten
Adapted/Translated by Gwenno Hughes
Rhyw Fath o Sbarc
Elle McNicoll
Adapted/Translated by Manon Steffan Ros
Fi Fy Nhad a Phen Draw’r Enfys
Benjamin Dean
Adapted/Translated by Llinos Dafydd
Gormod o ddyn
Malorie Blackman
Adapted/Translated by Manon Steffan Ros
Balch Ohona I
Sarah Hagger-Holt
Adapted/Translated by Manon Steffan Ros
Y Fflamingo Du
Dean Atta
Adapted/Translated by Llinos Dafydd
Croen y Cefnfor
Natasha Bowen
Adapted/Translated by Mared Roberts
Y Trysor o dan y Ffatri Jam
Chrissie Sains
Adapted/Translated by Mared Llwyd
Tu Hwnt i’r Llygaid
Penny Joelson
Adapted/Translated by Gwenno Hughes
Daear Dyner
Sita Brahmachari
Adapted/Translated by Meinir Wyn Edwards
Resources for schools
Educational resources for each book published under the Rhyngom project will be available in print or digital format by September 2025, providing additional valuable guidance for teachers.
The final phase of this scheme is a book-gifting programme for primary and secondary schools in Wales. Every state primary school will receive a free copy of the books for readers aged 3–7 and 8–11 years, and every state secondary school will receive a copy of the books for readers aged 8–11 and 12–16 years. Schools will also receive the educational resources.