AN Aberystwyth author’s book will be the first in the Welsh language to be included in a national campaign.

The Welsh Books Council has confirmed that Meleri Wyn James’ Na, Nel! Un Tro will be included in a range of special £1 books published annually as part of World Book Day, organised to promote reading.

Illustrated by John Lund and published by Talybont-based publisher, Y Lolfa, the book will be published in time for World Book Day celebrations on 1 March, and will be part of the official World Book Day activities in Wales, which is supported by the Welsh Government and Waterstones.

Angharad Sinclair, reading promotions project manager for the Welsh Books Council, said: “It’s such a pleasure to include a Welsh-language book for the first time for World Book Day. I’m sure children across Wales will enjoy reading about Nel’s next adventure.”

Garmon Gruffudd, managing director of Y Lolfa, added: “We’re delighted to be part of this pioneering scheme. Nel is well-established as one of Wales’s most popular characters and we hope that this will be a further boost to the series.”

The book will follow the adventures of Nel, the mischievous girl who appears in the popular Na, Nel! series. Nel casts herself in the middle of the story once again and show how mischief follows her, wherever she goes.

Meleri, who is originally from Cardigan but lives and works in Aberystwyth now, said the inclusion of her book in the World Book Day campaign was “an honour”.

“I’ve loved reading and writing since I was a child, and now I love reading with my own children and sharing the Na, Nel! stories with young readers all over Wales,” she said.

Meleri has published over 25 books for children, young people and adults.