Casia visits Glynllifon with her latest book Sara Mai ac Antur y Fferm

Children’s author Casia Wiliam visited Glynllifon farm to read her latest book Sara Mai ac Antur y Fferm to school pupils.

Children from Llanllyfni, Nebo, Bro Llifon and Baladeulyn primary schools also enjoyed a tour around the farm at the event, which was organised by Palas Print in Caernarfon.

Casia, a former Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor student from Nefyn, is the author of the award-winning Sara Mai series, published by Y Lolfa.

In the latest instalment, Sara Mai stays away from her mum and dad for the first time when she and her friends go on an end-of-term trip to Fferm Tyddyn Gwyn. There, they meet mischievous animals Gomer the goat and Tomi the bull.

So Glynllifon was the perfect setting for children to listen to Sara Mai’s latest adventures while immersed in a farm environment.

After the reading, Casia signed copies of Sara Mai ac Antur y Fferm, which was inspired by suggestions from school children across the county.

She said: "I wrote the story after visiting numerous schools in Gwynedd and had such a wonderful time with the children there, many of them living on farms themselves.

"I've borrowed a few of their ideas (with their permission of course!) and I really hope this story will please them!

“I'd like to thank Palas Print for organising the event and Glynllifon for such a warm welcome. I couldn't have asked for a better setting to share the story with young readers.”

As well as meeting Casia and discussing the book, the children visited the farm to see the ProCROSS dairy herd, milking and dairy facilities, modern pig unit and pet lambs.

The emphasis of the visit was on the link between farming and food production, focusing on the highly scientific nature of food production.

Martin Jardine, Director of Agri Food at Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, said: “Coleg Glynllifon has a high percentage of first-language Welsh students from across the region, with much of its provision delivered through the medium of Welsh and bilingually. As such we are delighted that Sara chose to visit Coleg Glynllifon with her new book.

“We were pleased to welcome the children from local schools to see first-hand how a working farm operates. The day was excellent and the children really enjoyed the story-telling and a chance to find out more about where their food comes from.”

Sara Mai ac Antur y Fferm follows the first two novels in the series, Sw Sara Mai and Sara Mai a Lleidr y Neidr.

Sw Sara Mai won the Gwobr Tir na n-Og in 2021, while Sara Mai a Lleidr y Neidr was also shortlisted for the prize the following year.

The books are aimed at children aged seven to 11, and have been praised by authors and critics.

Author Bethan Gwanas said: "There's some lovely humour here, and lots of action… Brilliant!"

Morgan Dafydd wrote in his Sôn am Lyfrau (About Books) blog: "The natural, easy-to-read language means that Sara Mai's books are perfect for children aged 7-11, and I would recommend that teachers consider investing in them."

• Sara Mai ac Antur y Fferm by Casia Wiliam is available now from Y Lolfa. For more on Casia or to buy her books, visit her page on the Y Lolfa website.

Glynllifon is a land-based education campus with residential facilities, on the Glynllifon Estate near Caernarfon. The Glynllifon farm, including the woodland, is a great environment for studying countryside management and agricultural studies. To find out more about studying at Glynllifon, click here.