Children will learn about the events leading up to the birth of Jesus in a new book being launched this week.

Pray and Play through Advent is packed full of creative ideas to help children engage with the story of Jesus' birth, his early years and the beginnings of his ministry.

Written by the Children's Committee of the Church in Wales, the book is ideal for families with young children as well as Sunday Schools and midweek groups.

The material for each week includes story cloth activities, talk about ideas, a prayer, a song and a simple craft. It is based on readings from the Revised Common Lectionary and is aimed at children aged five to seven.

Pray and Play through Advent is published by Barnabas and complied by Lynn Chambers, Kay Warrington and Nia Catrin Williams.

Priced £9.99, the book will be launched by the Assistant Bishop of Llandaff, the Rt Rev David Yeoman in Cardiff on Friday.