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News

Magical Novel Wins Major Award

The Welsh Books Council has announced the name of the winner of the 2012 Tir na n-Og English Award. In a prestigious event at Cardiff Central Library on 17 May, the award was presented to JENNY SULLIVAN for her novel Full Moon.

Jenny Sullivan was born in Cardiff and lived in Raglan, Monmouthshire, for many years before moving to Brittany in 2004. She returns often to Wales, visiting schools and libraries across the country to hold author sessions and writing workshops.

A novelist, short story writer, poet and storyteller, Jenny was awarded the Irma Chilton Bursary by the Welsh Arts Council in 1993. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Cardiff University, and was awarded a PhD in 2002.

A prolific and popular writer, she has written, or contributed to, well over 30 books for children; she won the Tir na n-Og Award in 2006 for her historical novel Tirion’s Secret Journal.

Jenny Sullivan said: ‘I am absolutely delighted and honoured to have won this major award for the second time. I must admit to being a compulsive writer and I’m currently working on a sequel to Full Moon.’

Published by Pont Books, Full Moon’s protagonist is an average teenage girl with an average teenage life – she likes make-up and boys, and isn’t too keen on homework. But an encounter with a strange creature in her Aunty Gwen’s cellar changes Nia’s life for ever. With her fast-paced and witty style of writing, Jenny Sullivan creates a weird and wonderful world of magic that captivates her readers.

The Tir na n-Og English Award – which recognises the exceptional quality of books with a Welsh background for children and young people – is sponsored by CILIP Wales (The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals), and the award ceremony formed part of their annual conference.

Elwyn Jones, Chief Executive of the Welsh Books Council, said: ‘There was a wealth of books to be considered for this year’s Tir na n-Og Award, reflecting the quality and range of books available for children. It is with great pleasure that we warmly congratulate Jenny Sullivan and Pont Books on their achievement.’

Click on the link to see what the author herself has to say: http://youtu.be/mWaB7hEUtqA

Press release courtesy of the Welsh Books Council

Today is ‘Digital Day’ as part of Adult Learners Week

The aim of today is to use technology to engage and inspire non-learners into learning.

Events being held in Wales today include:

First Click at Abertridwr Library, Abertridwr

Learn to Discover at Pwllheli Library

Adult Learners’ Week is the UK’s largest annual festival of learning and inspires thousands of people each year to discover how learning can change their lives. One library user said: ‘After retiring 2 years ago I felt a little lonely so I joined the computer class and I love coming here to meet my friends and also learn new things. I am not afraid of the computer anymore and will try new things on the computer. I also spend a happy time looking through the books and it has started me back reading’ Across Wales over 700 events will be taking place between 12th and 20th May 2012 and an estimated 34,000 people will be attending an event inWales to try something new or to brush up their skills. Welsh libraries learning sessions encompass a huge range of subjects from researching your family history using the free online library resources, to authors’ talks, creative writing, basic computer skills including help with eBay and Expedia and even bee keeping! With so many events to choose from there will definitely be something for everyone. If you have always wanted to try dry stone walling or just want to improve your cookery skills – there is an event somewhere in Wales for you! Some of the exciting events taking place in Wales include: Creative Catwalk at Haverfordwest Library, Tuesday 15th May 7pm – 9pm. Prepare to be inspired! Come along and see some of the wonderful creations put together by Learning Pembrokeshire learners – from fashion and jewellery to flowers and felt. World Recipes – Brynglas Community Learning Centre, Brynglas, Newport, Tuesday 15th May from 5pm – 7pm. Come along and spend an evening cooking a Spanish, German or Greek main course and dessert and then taste the meals from each country. Digital Imaging for Blokes at Cwmafan Library, May 16th 12pm – 1.30pm. Ideal for any man with a camera! Hula Nation – Hula Hooping for Fun! at Plas Pentwyn Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Centre, Wrexham Wednesday 16th May, 4pm – 5pm. Great fun for parents and kids – grab a hoop and get twisting! Dry Stone Walling – Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead, Tuesday 15th May 10am – 12pm. An instructor led session to introduce the craft of dry stone walling. Please dress for the weather. An afternoon with Roy Noble – Port Talbot Library – 12 May 12pm – 4pm. Roy Noble returns by popular demand toPort Talbot library for an entertaining afternoon. To find out more about events taking place in your local area please visit: http://www.yourfuturechoiceaction.org.uk/english/freeevents.html

Happy birthday Bookstart!

Readers of all ages are being encouraged to share their favourite books as part of the Bookstart 20 campaign.

Bookstart 20 invites everyone to celebrate the early years reading programme’s 20^th anniversary by making a simple pledge – to share 20 books in 2012.This can be sharing books with children of family or friends or by sharing books with children in a school, pre-school or library.

The pledge can be made online at www.booktrust.org.uk/bookstart20

Lots of celebrities have been supporting the Bookstart 20 campaign. They have all pledged to share 20 books in 2012.

Cerys Matthews said, ‘Books are my parallel universe, a place of safety in an uncertain world. For my children they are an endless journey of exploration. To read is to be free to wander these all-giving worlds, and the gift of reading is one of the most precious gifts to share. That’s why I am pleased to be part of Bookstart in 2012. Glenys, 8, loves author Rick Riordan’s books inspired by the old Greek myths and legends, but we read The Adventures of Tom Sawyer together. John Jones, 6, loves Roald Dahl and aeroplane manuals, I must say I prefer to read the Roald Dahl with him! Red Owen, 2 is a Gruffalo man, and quite right too, it is the most fun book to read out loud to your babies.’

Another celebrity supporting the campaign is Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics, ‘With two girls aged five and seven, reading to them, and hearing them read to me makes for the most manic yet rewarding last hour of the day. From The Gruffalo to James and the Giant Peach, and of course (them being princesses) Cinderella – these are amongst the favourites we like to read together as a family. It’s fascinating to see their imagination run wild.

How can you share 20 books?

It’s easy to share 20 books why not try:

Reading picture books with your own children or other members of your family at bedtime or at anytime!
Reading to a group of children in a school or library
Joining a reading group
Recommending books to your friends and family
Posting a book review on a website

By working together we can give every child the priceless gift of becoming a reader for life. With your support, we can make sure Bookstart continues for new generations.

For more information please visit the Bookstart website at http://www.bookstart.org.uk

Adult Learners Week

Today is ‘Get Active Day’ as part of Adult Learners Week

The aim of today is to encourage learners to improve their health and wellbeing through learning, particularly through physical activity. Research by the centre for Research on wider Benefits of Learning and NIACE Dysgu Cymru shows that learning itself has proven health benefits and this focus day provides an opportunity for learning providers to organise feel good taster sessions on subjects such as healthy living, food and nutrition, getting active, alternative therapies, stress management or living with specific health conditions.

Events being held in Wales today include:

Food Hygiene Course at Welshpool Youth Centre, Welshpool

Indian Head Massage at Gartholwg Lifelong Learning Centre,RhonddaCynon Taff

Adult Learners’ Week is the UK’s largest annual festival of learning and inspires thousands of people each year to discover how learning can change their lives.

One library user said: ‘After retiring 2 years ago I felt a little lonely so I joined the computer class and I love coming here to meet my friends and also learn new things. I am not afraid of the computer anymore and will try new things on the computer. I also spend a happy time looking through the books and it has started me back reading’

Across Wales over 700 events will be taking place between 12^th and 20^th May 2012 and an estimated 34,000 people will be attending an event inWales to try something new or to brush up their skills.

Welsh libraries learning sessions encompass a huge range of subjects from researching your family history using the free online library resources, to authors’ talks, creative writing, basic computer skills including help with eBay and Expedia and even bee keeping!

With so many events to choose from there will definitely be something for everyone. If you have always wanted to try dry stone walling or just want to improve your cookery skills – there is an event somewhere in Wales for you!

Some of the exciting events taking place in Wales include:

Creative Catwalk at Haverfordwest Library, Tuesday 15^th May 7pm – 9pm. Prepare to be inspired! Come along and see some of the wonderful creations put together by Learning Pembrokeshire learners – from fashion and jewellery to flowers and felt.

World Recipes – Brynglas Community Learning Centre, Brynglas, Newport, Tuesday 15^th May from 5pm – 7pm. Come along and spend an evening cooking a Spanish, German or Greek main course and dessert and then taste the meals from each country.

Digital Imaging for Blokes at Cwmafan Library, May 16^th 12pm – 1.30pm. Ideal for any man with a camera!

Hula Nation – Hula Hooping for Fun! at Plas Pentwyn Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Centre, Wrexham Wednesday 16^th May, 4pm – 5pm. Great fun for parents and kids – grab a hoop and get twisting!

Dry Stone Walling – Breakwater Country Park, Holyhead, Tuesday 15^th May 10am – 12pm. An instructor led session to introduce the craft of dry stone walling. Please dress for the weather.

An afternoon with Roy Noble – Port Talbot Library – 12 May 12pm – 4pm. Roy Noble returns by popular demand toPort Talbot library for an entertaining afternoon.

To find out more about events taking place in your local area please visit: http://www.yourfuturechoiceaction.org.uk/english/freeevents.html

Quiz Winners!

A team from Caerphilly Libraries once again beat teams from Newport, Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan in this year’s World Book Night inter-library Quiz, held last Saturday evening at Barry Library, with Vale of Glamorgan teams coming a very close second and third.

Questions on a variety of topics were set by members of the Vale’s senior management team and included picture, music and general knowledge rounds. The Question Master’s role was shared by Christopher Edwards and Helen McNabb, ably assisted by Andy Griffiths who kept score.

Pictured is the winning team from Caerphilly holding their winners’ trophy