MERLIN ENCHANTS WELSH LIBRARIANS

It’s becoming something of a tradition – and rightly so – that the prestigious Tir na n-Og award is presented during the annual CILIP conference. Who better than a roomful of dedicated librarians to appreciate the work of the finest writers and illustrators? Not forgetting the children and young people of Wales, of course, on whose behalf the Tir na n-Og prize for English writing with a Welsh background is awarded.

And this year everybody fell under the spell of Graham Howells, whose winning book, Merlin’s Magical Creatures, is a guide to the magical creatures of Wales – from the fair folk or Tylwyth Teg, to Twrch Trwyth, the bristled boar of Arthurian legend. Small enough to slip into your pocket, and robust enough for frequent reference, this invaluable little book will keep its readers safe from things that go bump in the night. That was Merlin’s original intention, and it is lucky, indeed, that his manuscript was found by an author/illustrator as talented as Graham Howells. Receiving his award from the chairman of the Tir na n-Og committee at the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells last Thursday (21 June 2009), Graham was careful to acknowledge the contribution of the fairy folk to his success. It doesn’t do to offend the Tylwyth Teg! No doubt, from now on, Graham will be putting an extra bowl of cream for the resident bwbach outside his Llanelli home.

The two runners-up for the 2009 Tir na n-Og award are spell-binding in their own right. Swap, Malachy Doyle’s life-changing novel for readers from 9 upwards, is the story of two boys, one Welsh, one Irish, who make a holiday swap … with unexpected and highly entertaining consequences. For slightly younger children, A Nod from Nelson, illustrated by Jac Jones, is Simon Weston’s hilarious romp about Nelson, the horse with ‘retirement’ who manages to avert an environmental disaster.

This year all three titles on the Tir na n-Og shortlist are published by Pont Books, the English imprint for children at Gomer Press, Llandysul. ‘It’s a great honour,’ says Mairwen Prys Jones, the director of publishing. ‘We are thrilled for all the authors and illustrators, but particularly for Graham Howells. He’s just magic!’

Available direct from Gomer Press, Llandysul, SA44 4JL or from all good bookshops:

• Merlin’s Magical Creatures Graham Howells £8.99 ISBN 978 1 84323 902 4
• A Nod from Nelson Simon Weston £7.99 ISBN 978 1 84323 813 3
• Swap Malachy Doyle £5.99 ISBN 978 1 84323 857 7