Coll the Storyteller’s Tales of Enchantment

Reviews

“Those who want unadulterated Celtic stuff should get Coll the Storyteller’s Tales of Enchantment. These—some well known, others not—are among the best we have, and, in Coats’s clear prose, ideal for bedtime reading and/or holidays in Britain.”
Amanda Craig, The Times

“A real pleasure to read and to dip into for a long time…I was glad to see a raven featuring so prominently.”
Philip Pullman

“What an accessible introduction to Celtic mythology!  Coll the Storyteller is a young bard on a quest. He must rescue thirteen sacred treasures and discover the resting place of King Arthur. On his journey, he and his companion, the raven Branwen, tell each other stories. And it is these which are the real treasures of this book. There are tales here from the Mabinogion, Irish myths, Arthurian legends, as well as stories from Scotland, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man. Some are well known, others less so. All are told in direct and immediate prose, illuminated with flashes of brilliant imagery.

A few of the more brutal or tragic tales have been gently edited. Purists may object, but it ensures that no tale is unsuitable for young listeners. Lewis incorporates photographs of real stones, leaves and textiles to give his black and white cartoons an authentic, almost tactile, feel. Terrific.”
Dawn Casey in Armadillo Issue 9.4 Winter 2007 www.armadillomagazine.com

“This seems an ideal book for The Corncrake and for Colonsay since the name Coll is itself such an important one in THIS island's life and history. Many local people are related to Coll or even descended from Coll!! Not this actual bard of course but this young storyteller does travel right through the Western and more Celtic fringes of the British Isles.

Although there is a central theme to Coll's travels each chapter is a stand-alone story - ideal for bedtime reading. Some of the names, and their spellings and pronunciation, may at first seem complicated to the younger reader [though there is a helpful guide provided] so probably this is best as something an adult would read aloud. Many of the myths and legends and their heroes will be familiar to them both from their own childhood but also from wider reading of Celtic literature later in life - Arthur, Finn MacCool, Cuchulain to name the most obvious. To me it seems significant that these tales are "peopled" with lots of animals both real, like cattle and ravens, and imaginary, like mermaids and kelpies, but almost always talking directly to the humans, fairies and wizards.The prose is clear and to the point and the black and white line drawings are scattered tantalisingly throughout the text. I have not actually found Colonsay but Islay, Skye and the Uists all have their own named sections and naturally the whirlpool [or the Gulf as local fishermen would call it] of Corryvreckan features too.  All excellent stuff - and very good value!”
Georgina Hobhouse in The Corncrake

“Richly told stories.”
The Green Parent Magazine June 2008

This is a well-illustrated, attractive hardback containing tales from Celtic literature, including those of Wales, Ireland, Scotland, The Isle of Man, Brittany and Cornwall, told in traditional folk style. Some are written for children for the first time. Reading these stories is rather like listening to tracks on a Steeleye Span CD. The prose has an unearthly, long-ago magical quality – and a lot of Celtic names (but there is a pronunciation chart at the front)!
Junior Education PLUS January 2008