Taffy Thomas

‘’Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and a talk beside the fore, it is the time for home.’’

Edith Sitwell

As we are preparing to say ‘’goodbye’’ to this year’s winter, this collection of folk tales will make us feel warm and cosy. And yes, this may sound cliche and meaningless but Taffy Thomas is like a voice guiding you through mysteries and songs and tales of the olden days. There are tales of St. Nicholas and the Holy Family. The night when Christ came into this world, the cat that wanted to sing a lullaby for Him, the young woman who gave shelter, the old man who led the Holy Family to safety while King Herod was carrying out his monstrous task, the robin and the spider and the fir tree that provided its wood to make a cradle for the Lord.

Tales of great liars and cunning farmers. The Christmas Truce of 1914. The curse of an innocent man convicted of petty theft, the eerie encounter of a driver with an avid chess player. The legend of the Mistletoe Bride, the Ghost Ship of Cumbria, and the cow that ate a piper who was too ‘’smart’’ for his own good. From the Cumbrian Winter Dragon to wassailing and the flames of Up Helly Aa in Shetland, winter is a time of wonders.

As winter is slowly preparing to bid us adieu, these lovely, moving folk tales remind us of the warmth within the cold and the light within the darkness…

‘’There will come a time of great plenty
a time of good harvest and song
Til then pit your trust in tomorrow, my friend,
For Yesterday’s over and done.

And the snow falls
and the wind calls
and the year turns round again.’’
John Tams

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com/… (mehr)

‘’I’m a teller of tales, a spinner of yarns,
A weaver of dreams and a liar.
I’ll teach you some stories to tell to
Your friends,
While sitting at home by the fire.’’
‘’The Storyteller’’ by Mike Jones

Cumbria is one of the most magical places in Britain. At its heart, myths and legends well-known to those of us who love Folklore and stories of the past. Strange creatures live along the shores of Windermere. Stories related to King Arthur, remembered by the Round Table monument at Eamont Bridge and Carlisle Castle, a landmark that acquired a significant role in the Arthurian saga. Fairies and fairy castles. Adam Bell, Long Meg and her Daughters. The Beast of Cumbria and other dragons. Let us travel to the Lake District and meet farmers, shepherds, fishermen, and brave children.

Taffy Thomas provides the name of the place in which each story is set and introduces us to the customs that gave birth to the tales. Even though these are tales for children, the writing is vivid and beautiful without being simplistic and childish. He doesn’t underestimate the intelligence of children or the imagination of grown-ups and the result is a delightful collection of funny and magical tales. In my opinion, these are the finest stories in this charming book:

The Dragon of Winter: A tale on the changing of seasons.

The Cat Fishers: A competition between an old black cat and a white kitten. An old fox offers to act as a judge and I think we all know who won in the end…

The Farmer’s Fun-Loving Daughter: A daughter fills a farm with the joy of music to honour her father.

Mr. Coney: Why rabbits have long ears and bobbly tails.

The Boy and the Harp: A moving story of war, Irish tradition and the haunting melody of the harp.

The Ghost of Grasmere Gables: A Halloween tale about a very brave toddler and a ghost guarding a treasure.

The Dragon of Rydal Cave: A boy who loved music and a dragon that loved stories.

‘’For there’s wisdom and wit, beauty
And charm.
There’s laughter and sometimes
There’s tears
But when the story is over and the
Spell is broken
You’ll find that there’s nothing to fear.’’

My reviews can also be found on https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com… (mehr)