Welsh language book to be made available for free in braille and audio on World Book Day

A Welsh language book is to be made available for free in braille and audio for children with vision impairment across Wales.

The joke book Ha Ha Cnec by Huw Aaron will be one of 13 titles given away by the Royal National Institute of Blind People to celebrate World Book Day tomorrow.

The selection of 13 titles aims to support World Book Day’s mission to give every child and young person a book of their own.

“It’s important to give as many people access to reading as possible, so I’m overjoyed that an accessible version of my book will be made available to children with vision impairment,” Huw Aaron said.

“It’s only right that they can read silly books like this too! I hope that many more Welsh books for children will be added to the list very soon.”

Organised by UNESCO, World Book Day is marked in more than 100 countries around the world, with 2021 being the 24th year of celebrations.

World Book Day organisers are encouraging parents, children and young people of all ages to spend at least 10 minutes a day sharing a book together and celebrate reading for pleasure, helping to promote wellbeing for everyone.

RNIB Cymru Director Ansley Workman said: “We’re delighted to support this year’s World Book Day. Reading can open up a world of possibilities and enhance the imagination, which is why it is so important for every child (and adult) to be able to enjoy books of their choice.”

“The braille and audio versions of books that we have created ensure that blind and partially sighted children can discover these stories just like any other child and share in the excitement this World Book Day.”

To claim a free book in braille or audio (Daisy CD) format, call the RNIB helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email [email protected]. The books will be available for free until 31 March 2021.

‘Pleasure’

The titles available for free in braille or audio format are:

• Ha Ha Cnec by Huw Aaron
• There’s a Wolf in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
• What the Ladybird Heard (Playscript) by Julia Donaldson
• Gigantosaurus: Dino-Spot by Jonny Duddle
• Luna Loves World Book Day by Joseph Coehlo
• Protect the Planet by Jess French
• Football School by Alexander Bellos and Ben Lyttleton
• Planet Omar: Operation Kind by Zanib Mian
• The River Whale by Sita Brahmachari
• Skysteppers by Katherine Rundell
• Little Badman and the Radioactive Samosa by Humza Arshad and Henry White
• Skulduggery Pleasant: Apocalypse Kings by Derek Landy
• Killjoy by Holly Jackson

The Books Council of Wales announced in November that Huw Aaron’s Ha Ha Cnec would be the new £1 Welsh-language book being published for World Book Day 2021.

Stori Cymru – Iaith a Gwaith (‘The Story of Wales – Language and Work’), written by Archdruid Myrddin ap Dafydd and published by Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, will also be available again in 2021 for £1. It tells the story of Wales and the work of its people through story, image and song.

Angharad Sinclair, the Welsh Books Council’s Promotion of Reading Campaigns Manager, said: “World Book Day aims to ensure that every child has the opportunity to have their own book and to help them enjoy the experience of reading for pleasure, with all the benefits that brings.

“We are therefore delighted that Huw Aaron has agreed to create a new book which, alongside Myrddin ap Dafydd’s book, will ensure there’s a good choice of Welsh-language children books available for £1 or for free on World Book Day 2021.”