Huw’s book can make you feel good
PUBLIC libraries in Wales and The Reading Agency have announced their Winter of Wellbeing shortlist, a collection of 25 books nominated by children and young people across Wales for their power to make them feel better, more connected and more understood, including one by a Carmarthenshire teacher.
The Winter of Wellbeing campaign running across Wales launched last month with a call to action to discover children’s and young people’s favourite reads after a difficult two years during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Children and youngsters responded in their droves and the list of books has now been published.
One of those on the list is English teacher Huw Davies from Carmarthen and his book Scrambled. The book, also available in Welsh entitled Sgramblo, is about a 14-year-old boy living with his dad after his mother died, who finds a new passion for motorcycling, to the horror of his teachers.
Huw added: “As an English teacher I came to realise that there was a lack of what I called ‘daft books for boys’, and so I started work on Scrambled.
“I am landed that my book has reached the list of 25 of feelgood reads. It is wonderful news that it helps young people pick up a book and feel inspired.”
Talking about the campaign, Nicola Pitman chair of the Society of Chief Librarians Cymru and library lead, said: “Something magical happens when you read and we’re here, this winter, to share, shout about and celebrate the way that magic works and the places it can lead you.
“We hope the booklist can be a starting block for young people, to inspire and encourage them to visit their libraries and pick up a book and, while they’re there, to enjoy a whole mix of activities and events that can connect them to each other and their community.”
For the full list of feelgood pageturners for children and young people, links to watch recent events and information of everything taking place within the campaign until the end of March, visit the Winter of Wellbeing website at www.winterofwellbeing.readingagency.org.uk.