‘Comprehensive’ children’s book on Welsh history ‘a game changer’ says publisher
A book by one of Wales’ most established historians is a “game changer” for public understanding of the nation’s history, according to the publisher.
In History Grounded, Dr Elin Jones takes readers on a visual journey through over 5,000 years of history around the whole of Wales. According to Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, the book is a “comprehensive, must-have book of Wales’ history, from the Cromlechi to the Senedd” and is suitable for children 8-12 years old.
The book asks who were the first people to live in Wales, why is Glyndŵr so important to the Welsh, what was Wales’s role in the slave trade and what influence did the sea have on our history?
The book’s cover depicts the Red Wall of Wales, giving representation to local areas in Wales as well as various campaigns such as Black Lives Matter and the fight for LGBT+ rights.
The English book will be published along side the Welsh-language version Hanes yn y Tir.
Gwasg Carreg Gwalch said that “representing Wales’ history in all its rich diversity was central to the work”.
“During the past year we have gained a new appreciation of the importance of learning the history of margainaised communities, as well as an appreciation of education as a tool to fight against racism and all other forms of prejudice,” they said.
“This is the most comprehensive, colourful, and ambitious Welsh history book for children. It’s a game changer.”
A virtual launch has been organised on 29 September, and can be attended by following this link.
Curriculum
Dr Elin Jones, the books author taught at the schools of Preseli, Rhydfelen and Cwm Rhymni before being appointed education officer at the National Museum. Part of her work then included collaborating with experts to prepare resources for learners.
In 1996 she began consultancy work with the Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales, which included regulating the history qualifications, developing the history curriculum and methods of assessment, and also commissioning history teaching resources.
She chaired the taskforce responsible for preparing the report to the Minister for Education on the Welsh Curriculum, the history and story of Wales in 2013.
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I’m lost for words.
Buy “Land Of My Fathers” by Gwynfor Evans.
2000 years of Welsh history for 13 pounds. Two pounds cheaper than this one.
Is that a children’s book though?
Datblygiad ardderchog yr oedd wir ei angen! ~ An excellent development that was truly needed!
Welsh history should be the first in wales 🏴 not British history it’s time for a new wales 🏴 stop being little Englanders and be proud to be welsh
I hope that this book doesn’t say that the Romans brought over our dragon as it was here much, much earlier, many history books copy and paste the same lie over and over again.
I know this as a theory,not fact,it’s one I particularly like as it makes sense to me.But any “history” of these times has an element of myth
I would’ve bought it if they kept the woke lgbltm++ and black lives matter off it.
That was put in there just to wind folks like you up. Just skip those last couple of pages.
I’m don’t care about people’s sexuality, it’s none of my business. But what has black lives matter got to with welsh history dating back hundreds of years ago? Absolutely nothing.
Rome brought African legionnaries here – slaves were imported through Bristol and became free later .- an 19thC fashion for black page boys – and so on. Most people in Britain have a bit of African heritage in us.
oops that was 18thC fasion for pages – been up all night writing Mabinogi stuff.
Please cite evidence. Nothing shown on Oxford mapping.
Roman invaders left no DNA in the make up of the British population, hardly anything apart from
Celts (and I use that in very loose terms), Angles, Danes/ Vikings and Irish. You can check that out from kosher , scientific genetic surveys
I’d have thought having the oldest continuous Black population in the UK merits inclusion.Or does that offend your sensibilities? These sort of back and forward, purile arguments ,just taint Welsh discourse currently.Its possible to celebrate Llywellyn and Glyndwr,be accepting and interested in modern diversity and it’s influence on our culture,have differing views on Trans issues than the wokest of our population,and not have to dig trenches and lob ridiculous bombs at each other .The all or nothing belief systems now in vogue with the Twitter generation gets more child like with every day.
There were black people here before the English, soldiers in the Roman army. In more recent times, black mariners helped make our ports the diverse places they are today. It’s OUR history, like it or not.
Perhaps you could state which part of Africa these soldiers were from?
and what has the Red Wall got to do with Welsh history hundreds of years ago?
Idiot.
Bigot.
Perhaps you should research Powis Castle’s connection to slavery.
So, Racism, Homophobia and Transphobia in all the same person. Do you need to speak to a Therapist about your insecurities 😂😂🤣🤣
Funny how you can jump to conclusions so quickly. I don’t support the black lives matter organisation due to its violence and how the founders have hoarded money from donations. This book is suppose to protray the history of Wales not push a political agenda.
Transphobia lol. I love how the definition of a phobia has neen skewed to include people having a different opinion. I don’t care about people’s sexuality, skin colour, or if they want to pretend to be a different sex to what they were born.
Same. Half the people in the picture are black and there are two women wearing hijabs whilst others are waving LGBT flags.
And I thought the English were good at erasing our history. The woke left are doing a far better job.
How in any way shape or form is having a few black faces a couple of hijabs and an LGBT banner erasing our history? History is not static every day it is created.Im 57 I would say in my lifetime biggest historical events or issues ( in Wales )would have been,Fight against racism,miners strike, devolution,gay rights campaign,Welsh language campaign.All effect how we think.The woke left does exist and they can be just as dismissive of what they term ethno Nat’s,I’m both ,consider myself of the left, and also nationality has to have some % of ethnic or geographic element.
We’re Welsh, our history should be told and not covered up. Truth is coming to light at last.
About time too!
A beautiful cover reflecting our modern, diverse country comfortable with changing social norms and demographics 🌈🏳️🌈✊🏾
Mega!
Doesn’t give any indication as to where it will be sold or when it’s published. I would like to get this for my grandchildren
Looks like a great publication. Just in time for Christmas presents. Hope the publishers have gone for a big print run.
Would be helpful to include date and location of availability. BOOKFINDER is your friend – always has the widest info. It says In stock on October 8, 2021 and lists Amazon, Book Depository, and Abebooks. Not cheap though £15 – £30.
The teaching of one’s history is the norm in 99.9% of countries . We were part of the 1 %.
This book is long overdue. We should know. Who we were in the past. Where we are at present. And where we are going to in future. It’s our birthright. But If left to the fascist backward Tories. Would never had existed at all..
If they made Welsh history mandatory in our schools we’d be independent within a generation, hence it is not.
Ordered this the moment I finished this article – from my local bookshop. Really excited to read this to my kids (as much for me as for them). Exactly what I’ve been looking for, for years! Diolch yn fawr 🙂
The history of different ethnic groups in Wales is Welsh history. The history of gay rights struggles in Wales is Welsh history. The history of religious groups and practices in Wales is Welsh history. The history of women’s suffrage in Wales is Welsh history. The historical figures, King’s, Princes, heroes, villains, brigands and martyrs is the history of Wales. All these aspects of our history have a place and should be insluded in the curriculum. If we are to have a national identity, all aspects of our past play a part for all citizens of Cymru. However, given the cover… Read more »
Dear editor,Do you have to publish all these stupid racist comments?
Welsh history and Welsh culture but no mention of drugs in the comments. This ain’t Welsh history, it’s propaganda. Only a fool would let someone else tell them their history in 2021
Bet our imperial overlords won’t like this. What’s that quote about stealing a nation’s history and they’re half way conquered?