Illustrated by the author
Now for children
I both admired and enjoyed the adult edition of this book when it came out in 2021, so to now have an adapted children’s version on the way is very welcome indeed. The ‘British’ myths and legends Amy Jeffs has collected together, in these authentic but now very accessible tellings, are probably far less well known than their ‘Celtic’ counterparts. Certainly there are a good number of excellent children’s versions of the latter around (some beautifully illustrated too) but the tales assembled here are just as much part of our history and heritage, so it is excellent that our children will now have a chance to get to know them as well. Many elements of these old stories also feature in literature (both adults and children’s) and they sometimes permeate other media and popular culture too, so knowing them will help enrich children’s present and future appreciation. More than anything, though, these stories are part of who we are, not only as present inhabitants of Britain but also as human beings. And we will all be richer for knowing them.
Food for the imagination
Even more important for young readers perhaps, these varied stories of giants and dragons, kings, prophecies, magic and adventure, make hugely entertaining reads. Often strange, even enigmatic, they are wonderful food for the imagination. Were I still teaching I would wish to read them aloud often to children and use them as stimulus material in a wide variety of ways. Perhaps surprisingly for ‘British’ legends they show considerable influence of other countries and cultures and will also help establish the understanding that what we call British is actually a rich melange of different peoples and cultures - and is far the better for being so. The same applies to the appearance is several strong women characters, the (supposed?) social conventions of the times notwithstanding.
Then and now
The Mediaeval period, from which the sources of these stories have been gleaned, is simply but effectively caught in the introductory section, with the conventions that led to a culture of storytelling nicely conveyed from a child’s perspective. I particularly like the way that, even though the social and gender expectations of this period were narrow and rigid, nod is given to modern sensibilities, by implying that today’s children may well (quite rightly) not be prepared to accept them. It is, I think, a good example of the way this book has been cleverly and most suitably adapted to its contemporary young audience.
I love too the way that legend and history are interleaved, with proper distinction made between the two, even whilst acknowledging that this may not always be totally clear cut after all. This is a book that offers young readers much food for thought as well as engaging entertainment.
Amy Jeff’s has again provided her own illustrations in striking woodcut style, adding some entertaining new vignettes and many page margin decorations, whilst also retaining some of the larger images from her adult book. These serve wonderfully to maintain a certain archaic feel whilst still appealing to contemporary sensibilities. They too both feed and provoke the imagination magically. The whole is a stunningly beautiful, treasurable volume. No school should be without it and many homes will be considerably enriched by it, taking a most valuable place alongside collections of myths and legends from the rich Black and Asian cultures too.