Were very pleased to launch a new story book, ‘Helfa Drysor Dewin a Doti’ (Dewin and Doti’s Treasure Hunt) by Lleucu Lynch, as well as a cartoon based on the book. A special launch was held at 2pm, Saturday June 3rd, on our stand at the Urdd National Eisteddfod at Llandovery.
Lleucu Lynch is the daughter of Meinir Lynch, author of the first two books in the Dewin and Doti series, which were initially released in 2009 at the National Eisteddfod in Bala. Dewin and Doti were launched for the first time in 2009, as two likeable characters who are now found in every Cylch Meithrin throughout Wales. Having long since earned their status as good friends to all the children of Wales, they now have their own range of resources including a series of books, music CDs, apps, a Dewin hand puppet and a Doti soft toy, to name just a few.
Helfa Drysor Dewin a Doti by Lleucu Lynch is the most recent addition to the Dewin series, and Lleucu also scripted the cartoon upon which the story is based.
Lleucu said:
“I was delighted to have the opportunity to step into the magical world of Dewin and Doti and write their treasure hunt adventures. The experience was made even more special because I was following in the footsteps of my mother, Meinir Lynch, who introduced these loveable characters to the young children of Wales nearly 15 years ago. Thank you to Mudiad Meithrin for the opportunity to work with them, and thanks to everybody who was part of the process of creating the book and the cartoon.’
Cloth Cat Animation, (the company responsible for animating numerous Cyw TV shows) also created the Dewin a Doti cartoon, with Geraint Pickard lending his talents for the voice-over. The project was managed by Iola Jones, Mudiad Meithrin’s Head of Communications and Partnerships.
Iola Jones said,
“We’re delighted with both the book and cartoon, which tell the story of how Dewin and Doti hold a treasure hunt with the children of the Cylch Meithrin to discover the magic word that will fuel the Balalŵn, Dewin and Doti’s vehicle that enables them to visit children in Cylchoedd Meithrin all over Wales. This will be a great resource, not only for the Cylchoedd Meithrin, but also as a resource to introduce Welsh to young children and their parents within in the home. It was a pleasure to work with talented author Lleucu Lynch, voice-over artist Geraint Pickard, and the multi-talented staff of Cloth Cat Animation, based in Cardiff.”
The cartoon is available to view here, and a version with English subtitles will also be available so that parents and children who don’t speak Welsh can follow Dewin and Doti’s adventures.
The creation of these resources was made possible by the awarding of a special grant by the Welsh Government, towards the creation of educational materials for Cylchoedd Meithrin and day nurseries which are funded to deliver early education and the Childcare Offer to children between the ages of 3-5. The resources aim to promote deeper understanding and enrich the sector’s willingness to introduce the new Curriculum.
