Librarian Nia makes a leap into writing
A LIBRARIAN who spent more than 15 years working as a Children and Young Adult Librarian in Anglesey and Gwynedd has published her first book for children.
Cyfres Maes y Mes is a series of short original Welsh books for 5 to 8 years old by Nia Gruffydd.
The first two in the series of four, Mwyaren a’r Lleidr (Mwyaren and the Thief) and Rhoswen a’r Eira (Rhoswen and the Snow), will be published by Y Lolfa this month.
Each book is about a different fairy that lives in the Maes y Mes forest and they are all very good friends.
Nia, who was shortlisted for Welsh Librarian of the Year award this year, lives in Dinas, Llanwnda, and works as the Principal Librarian for Gwynedd Libraries.
She worked formerly as the Children and Young Adult Librarian for Anglesey and Gwynedd Libraries and as the User Services Manager for Gwynedd Library Service.
“I have so much respect for children’s authors,” Nia explained. “It’s hard work – I didn’t realise quite how much work it was to write such simple stories.”
“I’ve been working with children and young people as a librarian for over 15 years but there’s no experience quite like reading to children as they listen intently then go and read the books themselves.”
The characters of the series have been brought to life by illustrator Lisa Fox.
‘I don’t know where the idea for the series came from’ said Nia, ‘But I imagine my childhood definitely played a part.’
‘I’ve always been a keen and passionate reader. But I also wanted to write the type of stories that I would have enjoyed as a child, to escape to the land of imagination, and come across both boys and girls having adventures!’