Children's books set in Wales

Follow the adventures of Beti and her baby goat Naughty in this beautifully written and illustrated book as they explore the natural world which surrounds her little round house in the Welsh countryside. 

A tender and mythical exploration of the selkie myth in a family context, with a gentle and evocative use of watercolour, this breathtakingly beautiful book is one to treasure.

A boy has come to start his life in a new country where nothing is familiar, apart from the racing pigeons kept by his neighbour. Soon, he has a pigeon of his own called King of the Sky: will he win the competition? A touching, quiet tale of community.

This unusual story collection features a total of 12 tales from the six Celtic countries. Fabulous, ethereal illustrations capture the magical nature of the narratives which, like all the oldest fables, are rather grisly but also hilarious and quirky.

Sam and his dad love football. When an accident has long-lasting effects, everything at home changes. A moving depiction of a father-son relationship, set in Wales.

This entertaining chapter book, with comical black-and-white illustrations, combines Welsh mythology with everyday life, friendship and trust. The first in a trilogy, it is sure to captivate independent young readers.

Enchanting, engrossing and beautifully illustrated, this is a wonderfully accessible retelling of the most ancient of recorded legends, and a great introduction to the ancient storytelling heritage of Wales.

This humorous tale sensitively highlights issues such as friendship and bullying.

A funny, enchanting adventure about a scared boy, a magical fox, a monstrous shape-shifting beast and finding the courage to protect what you love.

Everything keeps changing in Evan’s life – his home, his school, perhaps even Grandad. Can Evan make it all OK again? A gripping and moving story that includes Welsh history. 

A joyous collection of poems celebrating Welsh identity in its many forms – and the dragons inside us all. 

If people think you are bad news, what do you have to do to prove them wrong? And if they think you’re bad news regardless of what you do, what’s the point in trying to be better? 

When Max meets Tal and his two dads, he learns that there are lots of different ways to be a man, and that his own dad’s expectations of him at such a young age aren’t fair. An utterly remarkable book about families, being a boy and coping with loss. 

Do miracles really happen? Freddie Yates isn’t convinced. Until the summer he goes on an unexpected journey with his two best friends.

Inspired by Nina Bawden’s own experiences of living as an evacuee in a Welsh mining valley as a child, Carrie’s War is now considered a modern classic. Funny, sad and thought-provoking. 

A vibrant collection of poems from Children’s Laureate Wales 2023–25, celebrating nature andwordplay. 

A collection of carefully modernised, engaging stories from the rich tradition of Welsh myths, legends and ghost stories.  

Fast-paced and funny, this otherworldly adventure is a heartwarming tale of friendship and loyalty. With entertaining characters and a clever plot, it explores big issues with humour, sensitivity and a touch of magic.

The story centres on Dylan Hughes, the only boy left in a small Welsh mountain town called Manod. This is an immensely entertaining book, about the power of art to bring about change and to redeem.

Jimmy and his little brother have been evacuated to a sleepy village in Wales to escape the bombs falling on London. When they find a mysterious artefact hidden in a tree, they begin to unravel its secrets.

Sophie Hatter is cursed with an old body by the Witch of the Waste and the spell can only be broken by the dreaded Wizard Howl who lives in his moving castle and likes to eat the souls of young girls.

Can Jason and his friends find the big cat roaming the Valleys and win the reward for a photo of it? A fantastic story of friendship, adventure and sibling bonds, in 1974 Wales.

Why are Gruff and Mat being irresistibly drawn towards the dangerous waters around their Welsh island? Can they right an ancient wrong? A gripping story of legend and magic, set in a close-knit community in Wales.

This is an arresting novel that catches the attention of the reader from the first pages when, late one night, a stranger gives Seren Rhys a mysterious parcel in a Victorian train station.

As the week draws on in a bleak Welsh caravan park, 13-year-old Lark feels increasingly anxious and soon senses a presence hiding in the sea fog. This chilling ghost story will have readers gripped from the outset. 

In a small Welsh town, a young man gets to reconnect to his Italian roots and explore his entrepreneurial streak, as he exchanges the joys of fried chicken and chips for fresh espresso and pasta puttanesca.

When Alison finds a curious dinner service in the attic, the discovery sets off a strange chain of events that look set to affect everyone’s lives. This extraordinary and powerful story is a modern classic, blending together mystery, adventure and history.

A perfectly written family drama for teens, Margot and Me explores the developing relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter, who is just starting to understand that life, and love, is rarely straightforward.

The End came in the form of a nuclear disaster in Anglesey, and 12-year-old Dylan and his mum are surviving alone in their deserted town, six years on. However, soon tensions begins to surface. A slim book that packs a huge emotional punch.

Everything 15-year-old Pearl knows is Seed, the nature-loving community she’s lived in all her life: cut off from the outside world and led by the mysterious Papa S. An uncompromising and truly fantastic read, Seed will stay with you for a long time.