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Firefly signs two middle-grade translations from award-winning Welsh language author

by Firefly Admin | Jun 24, 2022 | News

Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press has acquired World English rights in two middle-grade titles from award-winning Welsh language author Manon Steffan Ros, from Christopher Combemale at Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc. The two titles: Feather (Pluen), and Me and Aaron Ramsay (Fi ac Aaron Ramsay) are due to publish in 2024. The acquisition follows Firefly’s publication of Ros’ multi-award-winning YA title The Blue Book of Nebo (Llyfr Glas Nebo) this January, to significant acclaim.

‘The Blue Book Nebo is a stunningly beautiful novel in English as I’m sure it is in Welsh,’ said Thomas. ‘I have absolutely no doubt that Feather and Me and Aaron Ramsay will be terrific additions to our list too. We are very excited and feel privileged to be bringing more titles from Manon Steffan Ros to an English language readership with these two much-praised middle-grade novels.’

Exploring themes of friendship, family bonds and the history of conscientious objection in WW2, Feather is both modern and historical. Huw always pops in to see his nan on the way home from school – she bakes him cakes and never fusses about his homework. And so it’s a great shock when, one day, Nan forgets his name, and calls him Hywel – the long-unmentionable name of her late brother. As Nan slowly slips into the grip of dementia, Huw and his friends go on a quest to learn more about Hywel and what happened to him. The Welsh language original version, Pluen won Welsh children’s book award, the Tir na n’Og, in 2017.

Me and Aaron Ramsay tells the story of Sam and his dad who both love football, which is always there for them however tough real life becomes, until Dad’s dreams of football stardom go horribly wrong. It’s a story about hope, and about the complicated and often fractious relationship between father and son when the one interest they share is taken away from them.

‘I’m so excited to be joining the Firefly family once again to publish the adaptations of novels that are very close to my heart,’ said Ros.

Firefly Press signs breathtaking WWII verse novel

by Firefly Admin | Jun 1, 2022 | News

Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired UK and Commonwealth (exc. Can) rights in Digging for Victory, an exciting and emotional MG debut by Cathy Faulkner, from Silvia Molteni at Peters Fraser and Dunlop.

Firefly Editor Leonie Lock said: ‘Cathy has written a truly breathtaking verse novel which is simultaneously clever and sensitive. Her words transport the reader back in time to skulk through the night, uncovering secrets with the feisty protagonist, Bonnie. I hope young readers find this title just as inspiring and moving as I do!’

Set in Devon in 1941, Digging for Victory tells the story of twelve-year-old Bonnie Roberts who is desperate to play a valuable part in the war effort. For her, tending the family vegetable patch just doesn’t cut it; she wants to be a hero like her RAF pilot brother, Ralph. But when the mysterious Mr Fisher is billeted at her farmhouse, and Ralph is reported missing in action, she starts to question what heroism actually involves. And as Bonnie attempts to find out who Mr Fisher really is, she embarks on a life-changing and emotional voyage of discovery.

Mr Fisher?

Mother asks, untying her apron.

He holds out his hand and gives a quick nod

but his face looks as frosty as the frozen fields behind him.

Come in, come in!

Mother shuts the door, hurriedly puts another log on the fire and the kettle on the stove.

But the cold has come in now.

And somehow, I think it’s here to stay.

Appealing to fans of Phil Earle and Emma Carroll, Digging for Victory is an emotional rollercoaster that brings verse fiction to a middle-grade audience.

‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be publishing a novel with Firefly,’ said Faulkner. ‘The team have been so welcoming and supportive, and it’s such a pleasure to feel so involved with the creative decision making even at this very early stage. I’ve had great fun writing Digging for Victory and can’t wait to see it in the hands of young readers.’

The novel is slated for publication in summer 2023.

Firefly Press signs thrilling mythical island adventure

by Firefly Admin | May 31, 2022 | News

Penny Thomas, Publisher at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired world rights to The Sleeping Stones, an exciting and emotional MG debut steeped in Welsh culture and myth, by Beatrice Wallbank from Abi Sparrow at SP Agency.

Firefly Editor Janet Thomas said: ‘Beatrice has written such a big-hearted, immersive adventure, setting the brave, kind Gruff and Mat against myth, magic and the raw power of nature. It’s about how you can love your home so much and still welcome newcomers. All the different elements weave together so well. I cried in four separate places reading it and ended the book with a huge smile on my face!’

‘Iolo,’ Gruff said. ‘I saw someone standing on a seventh stone.’
Iolo stared at him.
Gruff’s heart did little leaps of excitement and fear.
‘There are only six stones,’ Iolo said.
‘Yes. I know.‘
Iolo shook his head, slowly. ‘There is something starting today, Gruffydd. And I don’t know what it is. But before this summer is done, I believe that the Sleepers will do what the legend tells us they will.’
‘Wake up?’ Gruff said.
Iolo nodded and turned away. ‘They will wake. And they will walk.’

Gruff lives on a small island off the Welsh coast full of legends. He has mixed feelings when Matylda and her family arrive – it would be good to have a friend his age, but he is jealous of someone new arriving, just when his family’s sheep farm is running out of money, and he might have to leave the home he loves.

When he first looks at her, for a moment, Mat’s eyes seem to reflect the sea. Then strange things start happening and Gruff and Mat and others find themselves irresistibly drawn to the Sleeping Stones, a line of rocks like natural stepping stones leading out to sea.

Stressing themes of belonging, empathy and the natural environment, The Sleeping Stones draws on Welsh mythology to whisk the reader into a beautiful island adventure.

‘I am thrilled that The Sleeping Stones has found a home at Firefly, and am very much looking forward to the publication journey ahead!’ said Wallbank. ‘I am excited to share my love of the natural world and the inspiration that old stories can bring to tales told today. This story has friendship and kindness at its heart, and I hope that it will have a positive impact on those who come to read it.’

The novel is slated for publication in spring 2023.

Costa-shortlisted author Rebecca F. John to join Firefly as Senior Editor

by Firefly Admin | May 5, 2022 | News

Acclaimed novelist Rebecca F. John is to join Firefly Press in a new role as Senior Editor this autumn.

Her appointment coincides with Firefly’s publication of her first novel for children, MG fantasy The Shadow Order, this September, and is part of an expansion at Welsh indie Firefly which also sees Assistant Editor Leonie Lock move to a position as Editor. Rebecca, who is author of Costa-shortlisted The Haunting of Henry Twist, has worked as an editor for a number of Wales-based publishers and also publishes two novels for adults this year, one with her own imprint, Aderyn Press.

Firefly Publisher, Penny Thomas said: ‘We are huge fans of Rebecca’s work as an author and an editor and are delighted that she is to join Firefly. She will be a wonderful addition to our small but dedicated team as we seek to publish exciting, innovative, quality fiction for children and young adults.’

Rebecca F. John, said: ‘Joining Firefly is a true honour. I have admired the work this press does from afar for a long while and, when the opportunity to work with them arose, I was poised to leap at it. Firefly does a huge amount to champion every one of their authors, while demonstrating what a small, Wales-based press can achieve, and I can’t wait to play a part in their exciting future plans.’

Firefly Press signs sparkling sequel to Major and Mynah

by Firefly Admin | Apr 14, 2022 | News

Leonie Lock, Editor at children’s and YA publisher Firefly Press, has acquired World rights for Major and Mynah 2 (title TBC) by Karen Owen, illustrated by Louise Forshaw.

‘Karen Owen has done it again – this is a remarkable sequel. Book two features another brilliant caper, with amazing character additions and more hilarity. Callie Major is definitely a hero for modern times – she’s witty, resilient and absolutely does not let her hearing impairment stand in her way!’ said Leonie Lock.

The brilliant detective adventure for younger readers, Major and Mynah, is due to hit shelves May 2022. Callie Major realises her new hearing aids give her the ability to communicate with Bo, a mynah bird. Together, along with BFF Grace, the detective trio set out to investigate the local thefts and catch the culprit!

This squawk-tacular sequel follows the return of the Super Perceptive Undercover Detectives! When Bo sneaks into Callie’s bag on her school trip to the Tower of London, she and Grace are worried he’s going to cause lots of trouble. But when some gold coins and jewels are stolen from the site, SPUD have another case – and a spy in the sky comes in handy!

This sequel features the vivid backdrop of the Tower of London, exploring its rich history and the ravens that reside there. With more daring chases and some expert sneaking, Major and Mynah 2 is full of the same humour and mischief as book one.

Karen Owen said: ‘Having the chance to take Callie, Bo and Grace on another adventure was one I jumped at. I’m a history fanatic so I loved being able to walk in the footsteps of famous people from our colourful past at the Tower of London.’

‘I’m incredibly excited to be asked to illustrate more of Callie, Grace and Bo’s world,’ said Louise Forshaw, ‘and I really can’t wait to dive (or maybe fly like Bo) into another Major and Mynah adventure.’

The novel is slated for publication in March 2023.

Firefly joins Welsh Government’s book-gifting scheme

by Firefly Admin | Apr 5, 2022 | News

Community groups and food banks across Wales have added children’s books to the list of resources and support they are able to provide for families from this spring. As part of the Welsh Government’s book-gifting campaign, the Books Council of Wales have supplied over 40,000 books to food banks, community organisations and other local groups to make books available to children and young people in their local communities.

Nurturing a love of reading sits at the core of the Books Council of Wales’ work. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic they have delivered several book-gifting campaigns with selected groups such as families, young carers and looked-after children. Providing books and resources was one way to support children and families through the effects of the pandemic, such as social isolation and the impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

One of the main aims of this Schools Love Reading book-gifting programme is to provide a choice of high-quality and engaging reading resources for families to use at home.

“It’s been wonderful to work with our friends and partners at the Trussell Trust, FareShare Cymru, IFAN (Independent Food Aid Network) and many community groups across Wales to deliver these books for children and young people. We chose these high-quality books from amongst the best-selling titles produced by publishers in Wales to include a wide range of age ranges, subjects and titles so that everyone can choose the right book for them. We’d like to thank all the publishers who have worked so hard to make these books available for children across Wales to enjoy.”
Shoned Davies, Schools Love Reading Project Manager at the Books Council of Wales

This is the first stage in the book-gifting scheme. The next stages of this multi-million-pound investment in reading engagement include the gift of an individual book for every learner between the ages of 3 and 16 via all state schools in Wales, and a programme of Schools Gifting, where each state school will receive a specially chosen selection of books for their school library.

The Schools Love Reading programme will mean that learners across Wales have equal access to a diverse range of appealing and quality literature, in Welsh and English, that has been specially selected for children and young people.

“Reading is a fundamental skill in just about every aspect of life. I want to ignite a passion for reading for all our children and families. Through this exciting book-gifting initiative, as part of the £5m additional funding from Welsh Government, I want to ensure that every learner in Wales has a book of their own to keep.”
Jeremy Miles, the Minister for Education and Welsh Language

About the publishers
The books included in this phase of the Schools Love Reading programme are high-quality titles from amongst the best-selling children’s books produced by publishers in Wales. They cover a variety of age ranges, subjects and include titles in both Welsh and English, so that every child or family can choose the right book for them.

Participating publishers are:
Graffeg Publishing
Firefly Press
Candy Jar Books
Atebol
Welsh Children’s Books by Dref Wen
Rily Publications
Y Lolfa

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