Cerys Matthews
Gelert - A Man's Best Friend
Author: Cerys Matthews
ISBN: 9781848514645
Publication Date: 19 June 2019
Publisher: Pont Books, Llandysul
Illustrated by Fran Evans
Suitable for age 0-7 or Key Stage 1
Format: Paperback, 250x200 mm, 32 pages
Language: English
A classic Welsh legend retold by singer and songwriter, Cerys Matthews. Gelert is one of the best-loved traditional tales from Wales. In this version, the beautiful atmospheric illustrations by Fran Evans combine with author Cerys Mathews's retelling of the story in rhyme, making it an ideal read-aloud book. Reprint, first published in 2014.
The following has been provided by the Publisher:
Author Biography:
Cerys Matthews is well known worldwide as a successful singer / songwriter, author and broadcaster. Formerly the front woman of cult band Catatonia, she was a rock icon in the 1990’s. She later returned to her folk roots and has recorded several successful albums. She currently presents her own show on Radio 6, as well as contributing to many television and radio programmes.
She is well known for her talent with words, and as a mother of three, ideally placed to rework this Welsh legend for a young, contemporary audience. Her debut publication, Tales from the Deep, was published by Pont Books in 2011.
Fran Evans lives in Pembrokeshire, and is a successful, highly popular illustrator and author. She draws inspiration from nature and the world around her. She is known for her soft, subtle and often amusing watercolours, that are alive with detail and explore the magic of the natural world.
Further Information:
Gelert: A Man’s Best Friend is one of the best-loved traditional tales from Wales retold by singer and broadcaster, Cerys Matthews.
According to the legend, Gelert was medieval prince Llywelyn the Great’s faithful dog and while his master was hunting, the hound was responsible for guarding his baby son. One day a wolf appeared and tried to attack the child.
Llywelyn returns home to find his baby’s cradle overturned and blood around Gelert’s mouth. Believing that his faithful dog is responsible for savaging his child, in his rage, Llywelyn kills Gelert. He later hears his child’s cries and finds him unharmed and realises that the dog had saved his son from the vicious wolf. The mournful prince buries his faithful dog with honour.
When asked about the inspiration behind the book, Cerys said,“I love folk lore, and was interested to find this particular story repeated in cultures across the world.
“This is a centuries-old story and similar folk tales are also found in other cultures. In India, for example, the black snake takes the place of the wolf, and a mongoose, the dog; in Malaysia the wolf is a tiger and the dog is a tame bear. These stories have been told for generations to teach youngsters good lessons in life as part of ancient fireside lore, this particular tale warning against the dangers of jumping to conclusions and acting in haste.
“I thought it would be fun to revisit this particular story for a new generation and have the pleasure of reuniting with illustrator Fran Evans.”
Cerys Matthews is well known for her talent with words and, as a mother of three, is well placed to rework this classic Welsh legend for an audience of contemporary children.
Fran Evans’ illustrations depict the story in vivid detail, capturing the warmth of the relationship between Llywelyn and his faithful dog. At the end, her final images offer another way of thinking about the pain of loss, transforming the sad end to the tale. Prince Llywelyn and his family see Gelert’s form in the stars and are comforted to think that he is looking down on them.
ISBN: 9781848514645
Publication Date: 19 June 2019
Publisher: Pont Books, Llandysul
Illustrated by Fran Evans
Suitable for age 0-7 or Key Stage 1
Format: Paperback, 250x200 mm, 32 pages
Language: English
A classic Welsh legend retold by singer and songwriter, Cerys Matthews. Gelert is one of the best-loved traditional tales from Wales. In this version, the beautiful atmospheric illustrations by Fran Evans combine with author Cerys Mathews's retelling of the story in rhyme, making it an ideal read-aloud book. Reprint, first published in 2014.
The following has been provided by the Publisher:
Author Biography:
Cerys Matthews is well known worldwide as a successful singer / songwriter, author and broadcaster. Formerly the front woman of cult band Catatonia, she was a rock icon in the 1990’s. She later returned to her folk roots and has recorded several successful albums. She currently presents her own show on Radio 6, as well as contributing to many television and radio programmes.
She is well known for her talent with words, and as a mother of three, ideally placed to rework this Welsh legend for a young, contemporary audience. Her debut publication, Tales from the Deep, was published by Pont Books in 2011.
Fran Evans lives in Pembrokeshire, and is a successful, highly popular illustrator and author. She draws inspiration from nature and the world around her. She is known for her soft, subtle and often amusing watercolours, that are alive with detail and explore the magic of the natural world.
Further Information:
Gelert: A Man’s Best Friend is one of the best-loved traditional tales from Wales retold by singer and broadcaster, Cerys Matthews.
According to the legend, Gelert was medieval prince Llywelyn the Great’s faithful dog and while his master was hunting, the hound was responsible for guarding his baby son. One day a wolf appeared and tried to attack the child.
Llywelyn returns home to find his baby’s cradle overturned and blood around Gelert’s mouth. Believing that his faithful dog is responsible for savaging his child, in his rage, Llywelyn kills Gelert. He later hears his child’s cries and finds him unharmed and realises that the dog had saved his son from the vicious wolf. The mournful prince buries his faithful dog with honour.
When asked about the inspiration behind the book, Cerys said,“I love folk lore, and was interested to find this particular story repeated in cultures across the world.
“This is a centuries-old story and similar folk tales are also found in other cultures. In India, for example, the black snake takes the place of the wolf, and a mongoose, the dog; in Malaysia the wolf is a tiger and the dog is a tame bear. These stories have been told for generations to teach youngsters good lessons in life as part of ancient fireside lore, this particular tale warning against the dangers of jumping to conclusions and acting in haste.
“I thought it would be fun to revisit this particular story for a new generation and have the pleasure of reuniting with illustrator Fran Evans.”
Cerys Matthews is well known for her talent with words and, as a mother of three, is well placed to rework this classic Welsh legend for an audience of contemporary children.
Fran Evans’ illustrations depict the story in vivid detail, capturing the warmth of the relationship between Llywelyn and his faithful dog. At the end, her final images offer another way of thinking about the pain of loss, transforming the sad end to the tale. Prince Llywelyn and his family see Gelert’s form in the stars and are comforted to think that he is looking down on them.