Folk Tales (Various)

England is a maritime nation. Our folklore and history is peppered with tall tales of the high seas: mysteries of the great ocean, the unknown world beneath the surface of the salt sea, and the liminal coast where the sea-gods meet our lives on the land. Here is a collection of traditional folk tales from the coasts and seas of England. Lisa Schneidau retells the old stories with a contemporary twist: dragons and monsters, sailor heroes and ghost ships, mermaids and shapeshifters. Immerse yourself in these salty sea stories, and learn about England's heritage, magic and relationship to the mysterious ocean world that surrounds us.

Norfolk is steeped in story. Whether we are treading fields, fens, beaches or streets, the landscape is pregnant with secret histories. The collective imagination of countless generations has populated the county with ghosts, saints, witches, pharisees, giants and supernatural beasts. Stories have evolved around historical characters, with Horatio Nelson, Oliver Cromwell, Anne Boleyn, Tom Paine and King Edmund becoming larger than life in folk-memory. This book is a celebration of the deep connection between a place and its people.

A collection of Scottish coastal folk tales. 'The sea is in our blood and our stories.'

A collection of tales that grew out of the sprawling flatlands, the oozing fjords, the dark forests and the waves that crash on the shores of Denmark. How a Viking ship carried a future king into Roskilde Fjord, how a mermaid's laughter brought fortunes to her fisherman host, how the people of Lolland survived a flood with waves 3m high and how a princess found her freedom in becoming a prince. Experience the history, landscapes, stories and fairy tales brought to life by a storyteller who called this country home for nearly sixty years.

Rivers and streams sculpt our landscape, and have connected our communities throughout history, from mountain to estuary and to the wide sea beyond. They give us water and food, trade and transport – yet they have a life-force all of their own. In this collection of traditional folk tales from wild rivers, lakes, and streams, Lisa Schneidau retells old stories of danger and transformation, of river goddesses, ghosts and the mysterious creatures that dwell in the watery arteries of Britain and Ireland.

For the devotee of Irish heritage, mythology or folklore, County Sligo has everything. From the Curlew mountains in the south, where Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill defeated an English army under Sir Conyers Clifford, to Benbulben's slopes in the north, where St Colmcille battled the High King of Ireland, every hill and valley is linked by the gossamer threads of myth, folklore and legend. These stories, some age-old legends and fantastical myths, some amusing anecdotes and cautionary tales, are a heady mix of the bloodthirsty, funny and passionate and a selection of the best are retold here by professional storyteller Joe McGowan. In these pages you will find little-known anecdotes of the traditional rural ways of Sligo's residents, their customs and superstitions, you will find stories of epic battles and heroic deeds, and you will also hear the fantastical accounts of mythical creatures, faeries, witches and the ghosts of Connacht itself.

Welcome to County Monaghan, a place full of ancient secrets, uncanny stories and unforgettable characters. Visit the majestic Castle Leslie with its haunted rooms and fairy folk, hear the piercing cry of the lonesome banshee at Rossmore Castle. Stop off to share a tune with the Bragan Ghost before joining the diabolical Skelton at his eerie inn. And don't forget to avoid the gaze of the Graveyard Bride as you pass through Errigal Truagh Cemetery. Join author and professional storyteller Steve Lally as he brings together stories from one of Ireland's most magical places. Accompanied by original, often haunting illustrations, these enchanting folk tales are sure to be enjoyed and shared time and again.

Fermanagh's culture, heritage, characters and stories set it apart from the rest of the world. Every mountain, tree, lake, stream, rock, stone and character tells a tale. There are the strange stories of mythical creatures, such as the Shining Folk that lurk under the surface of Lough Erne, and the fairies that taught the unruly wee Meg Barnileg a lesson. There are spooky tales of the Cooneen poltergeist that haunted the Murphy family and the ghost of Belleek Pottery. And there are the 'pants', or tall tales, that the locals love to retell, such as the stories about 'educated' Irish pigs who understood three languages, talking horses or the pike who went 'fishing' for squirrels. All these stories and more are featured in this unique collection which will take you deep into the heart of this historic county.

The garden is an oasis, a pocket of nature in our busy modern lives, full of plants, animals, insects — and a fair bit of magic. Folk Tales from the Garden follows the seasons through a year of stories, garden lore and legends. Explore the changing face of nature just outside your front door, from the tale of the Creator painting her birds and the merits of kissing an old toad, to pixies sleeping in the tulips, and an unusually large turnip.

Catch a glimpse of the spirit of Ireland in the entertaining company of professional storyteller Doreen McBride as she recounts the local tales, ancient and modern, of County Louth. You will hear of the doomed love of Lassara and her harpist who haunt the waters of Carlingford Lough, of the origin of the River Boyne and of the jumping church at Kildemock. You will also discover St Brigid's association with Faughart, how the Hound of Ulster recovered from war wounds on the Death Mound of Du Largy, and where you might find leprechaun gold. And on the way you will encounter a killer cat, a fairy horse and the Salmon of Knowledge — as well as some talkative toes. From age-old legends and fantastical myths, to amusing anecdotes and cautionary tales, this collection is a heady mix of bloodthirsty, funny, passionate and moving stories. It will take you into a remarkable world where you can let your imagination run wild.

Once covered in forest, marsh and fen, yet lush with farmland, Bedfordshire has been hit by wave after wave of invaders, each bringing their own tales which have become rooted in the oral tradition of storytelling. Scratch under the surface and you will find settlements of ancient Britons razed to the ground and ruined castles. The landscape rings with the stories of robber barons, conniving highwaymen and lonely women condemned as witches, characters brought to life here by noted storyteller Jen Foley. Richly illustrated with thirty unique drawings, these enchanting tales tall and true, ancient and recent, powerful and fantastical will appeal to young and old and can be enjoyed by readers time and again.

Humorous tales, cautionary tales, tall tales, fairy tales, heroic tales – the depths of Swedish folklore hold all of the above and more besides. From cunning folk and helpful Tomtar, to sinister Näcken and the Stallos of Sami legend (and with plenty of romance and derring-do in-between) this book covers centuries-worth of Sweden's folk tales, telling stories that have never been translated into English as well several oral tales published in writing for the first time.

The life of the travelling musician hasn't changed much over the millennia. For a prehistoric harper, a medieval fiddler or a modern guitar player, the experience is pretty much the same: there are times, when everything goes well and others when nothing does. But, it's not just performing that can go wrong, listening can also be dangerous! Can you stop dancing when you get tired or must you keep going until the music stops...if it ever does? What happens if it carries on past midnight? What if it turns you to stone? Pete Castle has selected a variety of traditional tales from all over the UK (and a few from further afield) to enthral you, whether you are a musician, a dancer, or a reader who likes to keep dangerous things like singing and dancing at arm's length.

These tales have a moral message at their core about how to resolve conflict and evoke peace. The theme of the book is interconnectedness, co-operation, spiritual strength, emotional wellbeing, remaining calm in adversity and the pursuit of happiness through the parables of folk tales. These folk tales, passed on orally for thousands of years, contain wisdom, beauty and an overall feeling of oneness. The collection is not only meant to entertain but also to help establish a sense of calm. The tales are a tool to illuminate the nature of existence and the common threads of humanity. They can help with self-reflection but also give examples of the remarkable things we can achieve when we help one another.

Do you think that old stories are all about princes and princesses, knights and heroes, giants and monsters? Not always ... these are stories from around the world about girls like you and girls you might know: clever, strong, brave and resourceful. If you are aged between 7 and 12 years old you will enjoy reading the stories of Vasilisa, who wasn't afraid of the deep dark forest; Mollie Whuppie, who knew how to trick a giant; Tipingi, who was able to call on her friends to help her get out of trouble; Tegwedd, who used her magic powers to help others; and many more fearless girls.Fiona Collins has been a storyteller for a long time. She knows the old tales, and how to make them fresh and new. With magical illustrations of these young heroines by talented artist Ed Fisher, this is a book to treasure.

'Janet Dowling is magic and her stories bring the wonders of the night sky onto the page. She has journeyed from Polar ice to Pacific islands in search of tales which will re-enchant the heavens under which we all live and which so many of us forget.' - Jeremy Harte, The Folklore Society Discover the Greek myths that are laid before you in the stars. Explore the folk tales of other cultures that have their own stories of the stars to guide the ancients in planting, navigating, and knowing when the beasts migrate across the plains. Start your own adventure to answer the question 'Whose constellation is it anyway?' in this compelling collection of folk tales of the night sky.

This spellbinding collection of stories once again gathers together tales from across Scotland in one special volume. Drawn from The History Press' Folk Tales series, this second selection features further tales from authentic Scottish storytellers, honouring the unmistakable character of Scotland's customs, beliefs and dialects. From warring wizards trying to outwit each other atop the Cruidhe Crom to a mermaid luring her prey off the coast of Orkney, these collected tales belong on the bookshelves of all who enjoy a well-told story.

From caverns deep underground to sky-high mountains, the rocks and stones all around us are ancient. Greedy oni lurk in a cave in Japan; a stonecutter becomes a mountain; and a story of romance, revenge and tragedy plays out on the face of a plate. Revealing hidden fossils, gemstones, folklore and secrets, storyteller Jenny Moon's tales are interwoven with interesting facts and geological observations that will catch the imagination of readers young and old, making this more than just a book of stories.

Swept by strong ocean currents and ferocious storms, Rathlin Island is mysterious and hauntingly beautiful. Lying just six miles off the north coast of County Antrim, it is the most northerly inhabited island of Ireland. It was once home to prehistoric hunter-gathers. Its inhabitants have endured Viking raids, medieval massacres, famine and emigration. They have always been farmers, fishermen and seafarers. They are resourceful, independent and proud, and they have always enjoyed a good story. Drawing on Irish and Scottish traditions, Rathlin has a rich folk heritage which may have been all but lost but for one man. Tommy Cecil, most famous for rescuing Sir Richard Branson after his hot-air balloon ditched into the dark swirling waters off Rathlin, was instrumental in saving the island's stories. Taken from recordings held in Ulster Folk Museum, this unique book brings his stories and those of other islanders to print for the first time.