About the Author

T. Llew Jones (1915-2009) was a poet and one of Wales's most popular children's authors. A prolific writer, he wrote more than 50 books, 35 of them for children. Some of his work were also adapted for the television which were shown all over the world, including Chile, South Africa, Australia and Germany. Gillian Clarke is an accomplished poet, playwright, editor and translator. Born in Cardiff, but now living in Ceredigion, she is a freelance tutor of creative writing and her poetry is studied by students throughout Britain, She has travelled extensively giving readings and lectures, and her work has been translated into ten languages.Anglesey-born Jac Jones is one of Wales' finest children's illustrators who has worked alongside some of the country's best-known authors.

Reviews

Magic, murder and merriment, Arthurian knights and mountain bandits, miners, farmers and harpists, giants, little people – the tylwyth teg – and creatures with unexpected qualities; these are only a few of the things you'll find in this most welcome re-designed version of the original out of print One Moonlit Night by T. Llew Jones, celebrated king of Welsh literature for children. Released for the centenary commemorations of the author's birth, it justifies its status as a classic. This hardback treasury of twenty-six Welsh folk stories, fairy tales and legends lives up to its promise as a treasure trove for children and adults to dip into time and time again. The mesmerising English text, adapted by poet Gillian Clarke, carries the reader or listener along as the accomplished storyteller maps his way around the country, telling the rich variety of tales which amaze, inform, thrill, sadden, horrify or tickle the funny bone. The more familiar Mabinogion sit side by side with humble stories of Llandysul tailor Guto, lost in a fairy ring for a hundred years, and poor but lucky trickster Siôn, who succeeds in gaining a rich wife. Local mysteries and name-associated stories echo Celtic and international tales: the Cardigan lead mine tappers and the Cornish tin mine knockers, the flooding of Cantre'r Gwaelod linked to Breton Lyonesse and Atlantis and King March's horsey secret shared with Cornish King Markh and the ancient Greek King Midas. Criss-crossing from Llyn y Fan Fach to Anglesey, to Bala, Harlech and New Quay, T. Llew Jones shares stories of courtship, love, joy, betrayal and grief, adventure, horror and quick thinking. Beautiful maidens, princesses, kings, witches, sorcerors, shepherds, pedlars and likely lads are all in the mix. As in the first version, Jac Jones's full-page illustrations and line drawings add an extra dimension. Prepare to be fascinated – and sometimes appalled – by the artist's vision of sea-god Dylan, Gelert's fierce defence of Llewelyn's baby son, Cai's slaying of Ysbaddaden, king of giants and the short-lived glee of the dishonest jeweller; be moved by Branwen's heartbreak, enjoy the triumphant grin of the hard-working Mari on her return to her chaotic home and lazy temporary house-husband. The more you look the more you will see, despite the condensed size of this new edition. This is, of course, a useful reference text, a cultural resource with its strong sense of place and people – but it is so much more, a fitting commemoration of T. Llew Jones. The tales in One Moonlit Night were surely deep in 'the well of imagination' from which he drew his inspiration for his writing, writing which has thrilled innumerable children. Along with its Welsh counterpart, first published in 1989, it has lived on to help fulfill the hopes and aspirations of the Gomer Pont Books imprint and the Welsh Books Council, to publish quality children's literature in both Welsh and English over a sustained period of time. From cover to cover this classic book is a joy to hold, to read, to listen to and to look at and an essential for school and home bookshelves for those aged eight to eighty. Here is timeless storytelling at its best for Wales and the World.
*M. Lorna Herbert Egan @ www.gwales.com*