English Cymraeg

Great Books Guide 2026-27: Books from Wales

Some of our favourite books from Wales published this year.

Shop the Great Books Guide titles from Bookshop.org and money from your purchase will be donated to BookTrust: Bookshop.org (affiliate link) 

For books from Welsh publishers please go to Gwales.com

  • Beth yw’r Amser, Bwci Bo? / What’s the time, Bwci Bo?

    by Joanna Davies, illustrated by Steven Goldstone 

    2026 2 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme
    • Funny

    Read about a busy day in the life of Bwci Bo, from morning until bed time. A fun, colourful book that will support young children’s understanding of daily routines.

  • The Jellyfish Jiggle

    by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Nicola Slater 

    2024 3 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Poetry and rhyme

    Scuttle, swim, wiggle and jiggle in this delightful seaside rhyming story that will get children reading and moving along!

  • Cyw Bach

    by Derek Bainton 

    2026 0 to 5 years 

    • Picture books

    A sweet story about Little Chick who is starting to find his way in the world after leaving the hen coup for the first time. 

  • Nos Da, Jac Do

    by Casia Wiliam, illustrated by David Gregory 

    2026 3 to 5 years 

    • Picture books
    • Early Learning

    Even after a busy day gardening, Jac Do can’t get to sleep. His best friend Sali Mali tries everything to help her friend but nothing seems to work. Finally, she finds an unusual solution that helps her friend nod off. A perfect bedtime read. 

  • Dylan’s Park

    by Dylan Thomas; edited by Helen Docherty 

    2026 4 to 7 years 

    • Picture books
    • Diaries and journals
    • Historical

    The young Dylan Thomas loves Swansea, where he lives – a ​“sea town” – in which there is a park, full of terrors and treasures, where he and his friends play. A beautifully illuminated and nostalgic memory of what childhood once was, and the playful and innocent quality that it still has. 

  • Rhewyn a’r Côrachod

    by Catrin Angharad Jones, illustrated by Sian Angharad 

    2026 4 to 7 years 

    • Picture books

    When out of tune elf Rhewyn realises that however much he practises, he won’t ever be able to sing with his friends in the elf choir, he uses his own creativity and ingenuity to find a different way to be able to perform in the North Pole Christmas Show. A fun-filled, read aloud Christmas story.

  • The Secret World of Seahorses

    by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Lou Baker-Smith 

    2025 4 to 7 years 

    • Non-fiction
    • Early Learning

    Learn about the magical world of seahorses and some of the challenges they face in this richly illustrated non-fiction book. 

  • Dirgelwch y Defaid

    by Endaf Griffiths, illustrated by James Cottell 

    2026 5 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Chapter books
    • Mystery

    When all the sheep in the area start disappearing, three young friends who live in the countryside use their wily detective work to solve the mystery. An entertaining chapter book, with colour illustrations for young readers.

  • Fresh

    by Rhiannon Oliver, illustrated by Chris Riddell 

    7 to 14 years 

    • Poetry and rhyme

    A lively poetry collection for primary school-age children, inspired by everyday moments and the natural world, beautifully illustrated by Chris Riddell.

  • 111 Ffaith Ffantastig

    by Owain Siôn, illustrated by Corb Davies 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Non-fiction
    • Travel
    • Around the world

    A fun-filled book bursting with fantastic facts and laugh-out-loud cartoons that will hook even the most reluctant reader. 

  • 10 Fascinating Stories from Welsh History

    by Siân Lewis and Charlotte Williams, illustrated by Kyle Legall 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Historical
    • Non-fiction

    An inclusive and wide-ranging look at some highlights in Welsh history presented in an attractive and child-friendly way that will open the door to Welsh history for many young readers. 

  • Arwr Arfro: Dewis Dy Dynged

    by Llinos Dafydd, illustrated by Amelie Ahern-Williams 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Adventure
    • Fantasy
    • Interactive
    • Myths and legends

    The book that allows the reader to choose their own path as they try to find the sacred key and save the magical kingdom of Arfro. 

  • Gerwyn Gwrthod a’r Llyfr Does Neb yn Cael ei Ddarllen

    by Siôn Tomos Owen 

    2026 7 to 11 years 

    • Adventure
    • Fantasy
    • Funny

    A boy who hates reading finds himself on a magical, life-changing adventure. He manages to navigate his way past the wide array of fantastical challenges laid in front of him, before finally realising that the key to getting home lies in truly accepting the power of stories and reading.

  • Quill and the Last Generation

    by C M Lewis, illustrated by Maria Vidal 

    2025 9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Coming-of-age
    • Fantasy
    • Myths and legends

    Inspired by Celtic myths and Welsh language stories, this wonderful tale about life, death, the fate of human souls and the courage to embrace your destiny, even if it scares you, is packed with memorable characters. 

  • Holomonsters

    by Lee Newbery, illustrated by Alessandro D’Urso 

    9 to 14 years 

    • Adventure
    • Thriller

    Newt Hawkin is thrilled to be gaming as part of the Holomonster Youth Development Squad. But when the holograms of monsters seem a bit too real, Newt and his new friends investigate what’s really going on. An enthralling action-packed adventure. 

  • Y Cae Ras

    by Manon Steffan Ros 

    2026 9 to 11 years 

    • Coming-of-age
    • ADHD

    When football-mad Mali runs away because she feels she no longer fits in, she discovers that everybody has their secrets, and that the only way home is to be true to yourself.