Tree of Leaf and Flame

by Daniel Morden, Brett Breckon (Illustrator)

Ancient tales of magic and mystery retold by one the UK’s finest storytellersTree of Leaf and Flame, published by Pont Books, is award-winning storyteller, Daniel Morden’s unique take on the Four Branches of the Mabinogi, an intertwining set of tales from the Middle Ages. Mysterious and dreamlike, they link two the everyday world we all inhabit, and Annwn, a magic Otherworld where nothing is as it seems.Tales of bold warriors, resourceful wives and scheming spellbinders are sure to cast a spell over the reader just as they do the storyteller himself. And what better way to enjoy these strange and fascinating tales than through the words of a storyteller who earns his living travelling Wales – just as the professional bards and troubadours did all those years ago?When asked what inspired him to write this book, Daniel Morden’s response was “I wanted to write a book I would have enjoyed reading when I was 10. I wanted to make these haunting, thrilling stories available to the young people I meet during my schools visits.”As well as being suitable for children of 9 years and older, Tree of Leaf and Flame also offers an accessible and unique take on the tales of The Mabinogi for adults. The book includes a useful pronunciation guide that uses common English words and syllables to help non-Welsh speakers pronounce names of characters and places.The striking scraperboard style illustrations by Brett Breckon convey perfectly the double nature of Daniel’s tales, that interplay of light and dark and good and evil which characterises the tales from the Mabinogi.The book is illustrated by Brett Breckon in the striking scraperboard style which attracted such praise in the companion volume Dark Tales from the Woods, published by Pont in 2006.

93 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[Kate Forsyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Daniel Morden is a wonderful Welsh storyteller - I heard him speak at the Sydney Writers Festival and loved his subtle, clever and humorous style. He has retold a number of old tales in book form, including Fearless, better known as the Grimm tale The 'Boy Who Went Forth to Learn what fear is'. Dark Tales of the Woods is a collection of retold tales from Abram Wood, called King of the Gypsies (I actually reference him in 'The Herb of Grace', Book 3 of the Chain of Charms - he is said to have introduced the fiddle into Wales) while Tree of Leaf and Flame draws upon the Mabinogi, the famous Welsh myth cycle. The tales themselves are simple but elegantly told. Some are funny, some are frightening, all are wonderful.

[Andrew Atkinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short volume and easily read in a single sitting. These are folk tales, myths and legends of Wales, The Marches and Ancient Britain. A good starter if you are unfamiliar with the Mabinogi.

[Lindsey Stirling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple yet beautiful retelling of stories from the Mabinogion!