A full colour illustrated booklet of a varied and entertaining collection of informative snippets and photographs recording the joyful and sad circumstances of Britain's inhabitants during World War II, comprising reminiscences, extracts from literature and diaries. A Welsh version, Amser Rhyfel, is available. First published in 2004.

Llyfryn lliw llawn o gasgliad difyr ac amrywiol o bytiau llawn gwybodaeth a ffotograffau yn cofnodi amgylchiadau llawen a thrist trigolion Prydain yn ystod yr Ail Ryfel Byd, yn cynnwys atgofion, dyfyniadau o lenyddiaeth a dyddiaduron. Mae fersiwn Cymraeg, Amser Rhyfel, ar gael. Cyhoeddwyd gyntaf yn 2004.

By compiling A Wartime Scrapbook, Chris Stephens has not only added to the Pont Library series – the seasonal A Christmas Box and A Seaside Treat having been widely welcomed – but also produced a text which will prove invaluable to those interested in various aspects of the Second World War in Wales.

A feature of this series is the way text and illustration blend to produce a meld which is both aesthetically pleasing, in keeping with the theme, as well as being laid out so that the print is readable and not overwhelmed. Close attention has been paid to layout, font variation, use of colour and tone, the incorporation of illustrations, authentic snaps, photos of wartime ephemera and reproductions of documents and posters etc. with a number of illustrators responsible fore the overall effect. Unfortunately, although the majority of the texts incorporated are legible, readers may find it frustrating that some, though authentic and decorative, are impossible to read as printed; also, pupils today expect an index in reference texts, and this would have made it a more easily used source book.

The contents page suggests pretty comprehensive coverage, and the needs of the targeted audience – those looking for relevant historical in-put within the Curriculum Cymreig – have to a great extent been met. Being a ‘scrapbook’, it is inevitable that some aspects will be left out. However, a more discerning readership will find some omissions incongruous if not rather disappointing – the failure to make any reference to the contribution of the Bevin Boys being a case in point.

M. Lorna Herbert Egan

It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council.

Gellir defnyddio’r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatâd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru.