An impressive collection of poetry, prose and drama, from some of Wales's leading writers, celebrating the legend of St David.

Casgliad trawiadol o farddoniaeth, rhyddiaith a drama gan rai o ysgrifenwyr amlycaf Cymru, yn dathlu hanes Dewi Sant.

Pont Books have produced a visually stunning and substantial compilation of modern short stories, plays, poems and articles by some of the best illustrators and Anglo-Welsh writers of today in a publication which intends ‘to celebrate the relationship between Saint David and the Welsh people’.

Historical to contemporary, serious to quirky, fantasy, speculation and fact are all included in this medley which is not a text book nor a volume to read from cover to cover, but a cornucopia which diverse interested parties will dip into for entertainment, information and inspiration: child, adolescent and adult, amateur dramatics producer, teacher and tourist will enjoy its many facets – including, no doubt, the St David’s/St Davids spelling conundrum.

Beginning with a foreword by the Very Reverend Canon J. Wyn Evans, Dean of St Davids, the anthology includes the following:

1) a dramatic and violent version of the establishment of Glyn Rhosyn by Malachy Doyle
2) a modern play adaptation of the story of ‘why our flag shows a Red Dragon’ by Jenny Sullivan – which would be an ideal class or community production
3) Francesca Kay’s report on the daffodil (Cennin Pedr) and leek (Cennin) in prose and Haiku verse, including their international and national significance and horticultural tips
4) a chronicle of Pembrokeshire’s St David’s, its cathedral and visitors by Nona Rees
5) an at times jokey interpretation of a Norse raid, tempered by a terrifying description of the Viking ‘dragon’ and the intervention of the spirit of St David by Phil Carradice
6) artist and writer Suzanne Carpenter’s account of her preparations for working on St David’s Day with the children of the Welsh Unit of Abertwt school which culminates in the creation of one of her surprising collages as well as in celebrating her efforts and success in learning Welsh – which will strike a chord with many and which makes this section among the best in the book because it acknowledges directly one reality of living in a bi-lingual Wales
7) a spooky and haunting tale by accomplished storyteller Mary Medlicott, which is all the more potent due to her closing with ‘I grew up in St Davids myself’
8) the fantastical Visiting Grandpa by Nicola Davies, where two children invite a dragon and Wales’s patron saint to Grandpa Noggard’s 1500th birthday – which happens to be on St David’s Day
9) competition winner Lisa Daniels of Ysgol Penboyr Dre-Fach Felindre’s St David’s Day poem which condenses all the Welsh stereotypes which it seems Dewi Sant would be proud of
10) trainee monk Gwyn’s historical story by poet Christine Evans
11) and finally, 'Castle Evermore' by Ruth Morgan, a second lively playlet useful for school or elsewhere and the editor’s 'Dragons and Daffodils', both of which provide a perspective on the national flower.

Beside this textual variety, the glory of this ‘gift’ is its illustrations by Brett Breckon, Jac Jones and Suzanne Carpenter – the artistry of which interweaves between the texts to create a colourful and aesthetically pleasing whole; once seen, this memorable book will not be forgotten in a hurry.

This publication’s dedication is categorically ‘To all children everywhere who celebrate St David’s Day’ and it certainly fits the bill as regards addressing the Curriculum Cymreig for a majority. Smatterings of Welsh feature quite naturally in A Gift for St David’s Day; however, it must be noted that in the case of this particular book it is odd if not remiss that there is, as yet anyway, no Welsh equivalent. And may it not be that a section or two to reflect the perspective of native contemporary Welsh speakers could have been included to celebrate the relationship between Saint David and all children?

Regardless of this oversight, this is a book which will no doubt be welcomed – and rightly so. It deserves to be enjoyed and to take its place on the bookshelf so that it can be dipped into at least annually. Why not read it for yourself to see whether you too agree that Mary Medlicott’s sighing statue would surely approve of the Gift for Saint David’s Day?

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.