Celtic Memories Illustrated Hardcover Book

Celtic Memories Illustrated Hardcover Book  Brand new with dust jacket  Grade 1-6--A beautifully illustrated collection of folktales and poems from the various Celtic traditions: Welsh, Irish, Scottish, and Breton. In her thoughtful foreword, Matthews explains how folktales come from collective memory, and how the magic of stories is not necessarily only that of supernatural happenings, but also everyday magic, which is part of everyday life. Imbued with both kinds of enchantment, the six tales included here are rich in mythic meaning and written in a lively style that begs to be told or read aloud. Some will be familiar to storytellers (The Black Bull of Norroway), while others may be less well known (The Boy Who Didn't Know). One selection from Scotland, The Cailleach of the Snows, is the reteller's own synthesis of several myths about women connected with nature. A few of the offerings are particularly noteworthy for strong female characters, especially the Welsh Rhiannon. Interspersed throughout the book are six one-page songs and blessings used by ancient Celtic peoples to guard against harm and celebrate the seasons. Notes on the tales not only connect them to their sources, but also reflect on their subtle, underlying themes of human behavior. Pronunciation guides, which are essential for tongue-twisting Celtic names, are also included. The bright watercolors, done in a folk style, are perfectly suited to the subject matter.