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Karl Marx’s theories, capitalism, and economic justice are not topics we regularly read about in children’s books.

But a Welsh-language book aimed at children over the age of five explains them all – using a simple narrative about a sock maker from Merthyr Tydfil.

The original story, El Capital de Karl Marx, was written in Catalan.

And when Sioned Hâf, from Llangadog in Carmarthenshire, came across it at a small book store in Barcelona last year she decided to translate it into Welsh.

The Welsh version, Stori Go Iawn Karl Marx, is told by the grandfather in the story – Karl Marx – after his grandchildren say they have had enough of listening to fantasy stories about princes and princesses.

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'Important' for children

He tells them about a man called Fred who works 12 hours a day for six days a week at a sock factory.

But one day Fred sees his socks on sale at a market for a much higher price than he receives for them.

As he tries to figure out where the rest of the money goes a friend named Rosa makes the calculations and he soon learns about additional costs including salaries, intermediaries, and energy costs and that a large part goes to the businessman who runs the factory.

Fred creates a union and organises a strike and but all ends well.

Sioned said: “I decided to translate the book because I think it’s a great story. It explains capitalism and is a form of critique of the system and it’s important that children have some exposure to this from a young age.

“All this is part of normal everyday life.

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'Readable and fun'

“Children do understand matters like this and it’s good for people to discuss these things with them so that they know about the world we live in.”

The book was published by not-for-profit publisher Gair Rhydd and the 450 copies are sold at various Welsh language bookshops and online.

Sioned said profits from the sales will be recycled into a follow-on project which would allow them to publish other similar children’s books with a focus on current and important topics.

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Gair Rhydd is accepting suggestions from people for future topics and some ideas, such as feminism, have already been put forward.

The paperback book is available online at karlmarx.cymru and at selected book shops across Wales and costs £10 including postage.

Sioned added: “This is not a money-making project but a way of introducing a book that is readable and fun whilst also questioning the principles of the capitalist system.”