Support our Nation today - please donate here
Culture

‘Comprehensive’ children’s book on Welsh history ‘a game changer’ says publisher

22 Sep 2021 2 minute read
History Grounded, subheaded ‘looking for the history of Wales’ is now available.

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.


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
38 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago

I’m lost for words.

Last edited 2 years ago by j humphrys
j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago
Reply to  j humphrys

Buy “Land Of My Fathers” by Gwynfor Evans.
2000 years of Welsh history for 13 pounds. Two pounds cheaper than this one.

Iola Davies
Iola Davies
2 years ago
Reply to  j humphrys

Is that a children’s book though?

Crwtyn Cemais
Crwtyn Cemais
2 years ago

Datblygiad ardderchog yr oedd wir ei angen! ~ An excellent development that was truly needed!

Grayham Jones
2 years ago

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

Rudolph Winksworth
Rudolph Winksworth
2 years ago

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.

Keith Evans
Keith Evans
2 years ago

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

Michel
Michel
2 years ago

I would’ve bought it if they kept the woke lgbltm++ and black lives matter off it.

Brian Thomas
Brian Thomas
2 years ago
Reply to  Michel

That was put in there just to wind folks like you up. Just skip those last couple of pages.

Michel
Michel
2 years ago
Reply to  Brian Thomas

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.

Shan Morgain
2 years ago
Reply to  Michel

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.

Shan Morgain
2 years ago
Reply to  Shan Morgain

oops that was 18thC fasion for pages – been up all night writing Mabinogi stuff.

j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago
Reply to  Shan Morgain

Please cite evidence. Nothing shown on Oxford mapping.

Gaynor
Gaynor
2 years ago
Reply to  Shan Morgain

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

Keith Evans
Keith Evans
2 years ago
Reply to  Michel

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.

Katharine Jones
Katharine Jones
2 years ago
Reply to  Michel

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.

j humphrys
j humphrys
2 years ago

Perhaps you could state which part of Africa these soldiers were from?

Inkozi
Inkozi
2 years ago
Reply to  Michel

and what has the Red Wall got to do with Welsh history hundreds of years ago?

Idiot.

Bigot.

Pam Williams
Pam Williams
2 years ago
Reply to  Michel

Perhaps you should research Powis Castle’s connection to slavery.

Owain Morgan
Owain Morgan
2 years ago
Reply to  Michel

So, Racism, Homophobia and Transphobia in all the same person. Do you need to speak to a Therapist about your insecurities 😂😂🤣🤣

Michel
Michel
2 years ago
Reply to  Owain Morgan

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.

Michel
Michel
2 years ago
Reply to  Owain Morgan

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.

Mathew Rees
Mathew Rees
2 years ago
Reply to  Michel

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.

Keith Evans
Keith Evans
2 years ago
Reply to  Mathew Rees

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.

Drew
Drew
2 years ago

We’re Welsh, our history should be told and not covered up. Truth is coming to light at last.

Owain Morgan
Owain Morgan
2 years ago

About time too!

Morris Dean
Morris Dean
2 years ago

A beautiful cover reflecting our modern, diverse country comfortable with changing social norms and demographics 🌈🏳️‍🌈✊🏾

Dafydd Evans
Dafydd Evans
2 years ago

Mega!

Ian Gwynne
Ian Gwynne
2 years ago

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

Geraint
Geraint
2 years ago

Looks like a great publication. Just in time for Christmas presents. Hope the publishers have gone for a big print run.

Shan Morgain
2 years ago

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.

Y Cymro
Y Cymro
2 years ago

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..

Eifion
Eifion
2 years ago

If they made Welsh history mandatory in our schools we’d be independent within a generation, hence it is not.

Louisa
Louisa
2 years ago

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 🙂

CJPh
CJPh
2 years ago

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 »

Last edited 2 years ago by CJPh
arthur owen
2 years ago

Dear editor,Do you have to publish all these stupid racist comments?

Alex
Alex
2 years ago

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

David Smith
David Smith
2 years ago

Bet our imperial overlords won’t like this. What’s that quote about stealing a nation’s history and they’re half way conquered?

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.