An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales - by Theresa Breslin (Hardcover)

About the Book

A Carnegie-medal winner retells Scotland�s most famous legends. Loved by Gruffalo creator Julia Donaldson.

Book Synopsis

Slithering stoorworms, mischievious brownies, fierce kelpies and magical selkies -- these are the creatures of Scottish folklore.

Award-winning children's author Theresa Breslin has collected the best-loved tales from all over Scotland. Retelling each in its own individual style, she presents funny tales, moving tales and enchanting fairy tales. Soar with the goshawk, dive with selkies and battle with the stoorworm, as each story is brought to life with exquisite illustrations by Scottish fine artist Kate Leiper, which brim with otherworldly beauty.

A wonderful gift, this is a truly stunning book to be treasured for a lifetime and will be enjoyed by parents and grandparents as well as children.

Longlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal 2013.

Review Quotes

'When excellent stories and lovely illustrations come together in a book with nice thick pages and delightful design, it is apt indeed to call it a 'treasury'� Both in themselves and the inventive ways they are disposed on the page, the pictures by Kate Leiper are stunning. It really is a book to treasure.'
- School Librarian Journal

'A sublime collection of folk stories� Theresa Breslin's pristine, sparkling retellings are accompanied by enchanting illustrations from Kate Leiper.'
- The Guardian

'A delightful and varied collection of stories from all over Scotland. Theresa Breslin's style is so compelling and chatty that you feel she is sitting in the room with you, telling you her favourite tales of kelpies and brownies, talking birds, sheepdogs and selkies. And Kate Leiper's illustrations are stunning. This is a beautiful book, which will be treasured by children in Scotland and far afield.'
- Julia Donaldson, author of The Gruffalo

'This is a lovely book enhanced with the most beautiful illustrations. Folk stories have not lost their appeal in the modern world - it is books like this that will keep them alive.'
- Alexander McCall Smith, CBE, FRSE and author

'A brilliant compilation of well-kent stories by award-winning author Theresa Breslin - but her funny, fast-witted storytelling, accompanied by Kate Leiper's otherworldly illustrations of stoorwoorms and selkies, makes these retellings special and truly new. A beautiful book. Buy it as a gift for a parent or grandparent to read to a child.'
- Julie Bertagna, author of Exodus

'This breath-taking, beautiful book is a joy to look at and hold.'
- Books for Keeps

'It's not all Grimm. Or Asbjørnsen and Moe. Now we have Theresa Breslin's An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales, fantastically illustrated by Kate Leiper� This time it's Theresa Breslin's turn to re-tell stories she heard as a child, or learned about in some other way. It is all very, very Scottish. (And if you are not, there is a handy glossary for Sassenachs.)'
- The Bookwitch

'This beautiful book of Scottish folklore and legends contains eleven charming stories. The atmospheric and sometimes dark illustrations by Edinburgh-based artist and illustrator Kate Leiper really bring these tales to life� This book retells classic Scottish stories that can be appreciated by all the family� The book provides a great way to ensure that these fairy tales continue to be passed down from generation to generation and ensure that they will never be lost to the children of Scotland.'
- Scottish Field Magazine

'The illustrations complement the tales, with sinuous, flowing lines and beautifully realised detail that rewards close attention� A book which would make a wonderful gift and is a very welcome addition to the canon of folk tale classics - an instant classic.'
- Armadillo Magazine

'Not only have we a fine author in Theresa Breslin, the book is illustrated in exceptional style by Kate Leiper� Theresa tells us her stories in a strong, unfussy, clear language, just as they should be told� If that were not enough, the illustrations are exceptionally fine. They add considerably to the enchantment of the book� one has rarely seen a kelpie quite so simultaneously magical and powerful as in the double spread for 'The Water Kelpie'.'
- Carouse

'The words do not fill each page but are intertwined by illustrations so that you are drawn into each story. The illustrations are in muted colours, giving the book a real flavour of Scottish mystic.'
- Juno Magazine

'This is a beautifully illustrated and designed book. Quotations from the text 'sweep' over the endpapers. The illustrations, by Kate Leiper� are also delightful� the beauty of the illustrations, the 'readability' of the text and the fun of linking the stories with others won me over. An ideal addition to a school library, which could be used to compare and contrast stories from different countries and explore the development of story.'
- Inis Magazine

About the Author

Theresa Breslin is a critically-acclaimed author of over 30 books for children and young adults. She lives near Glasgow, Scotland. Her work has been filmed for television, broadcast on radio, and is read world-wide in many languages. Her novels have won many literary prizes including the Carnegie Medal. She is a regular visitor at book festivals and schools. Kate Leiper is an artist and illustrator based in Edinburgh, Scotland. She studied at Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen and her work has been exhibited in galleries from London to the north of Scotland. She has been commissioned for projects by the Scottish Storytelling Centre and the Royal Lyceum Theatre. Her inspirations range from Scottish folklore to Shakespeare.