What do you think?
Rate this book
A Year in Story and Song: A Celebration of the Seasons
A Year in Story and Song is a captivating collection that will immerse you in the enchanting world of songs, poetry, and stories. A celebration of mesmerising melodies and rich folklore, for each month of the year. Whether it's a soul-stirring song to commemorate Burns Night or Shakespeare's engaging sea shanty in The Tempest, this book promises to make every month feel extraordinary.In addition to the diverse range of songs and stories, this book offers a cultural journey with tales from various traditions. Get ready to be captivated by an enchanting Irish Catholic tale in March, a compelling Jewish tale in April, and an intriguing Cornish Folk tale in July. This Almanac is not just a one-time read but a treasured companion that you'll find yourself revisiting throughout the year. It will undoubtedly become a cherished source of inspiration and enjoyment for all who delve into its pages.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 9, 2024
23 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Lia Leendertz
62 books59 followersLia Leendertz is a gardener and writer. She writes about gardening, growing food and cooking, and her work has appeared in for the Telegraph, the Guardian, Gardens Illustrated, The Garden, and Simple Things magazine. She publishes an annual garden almanac.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 28, 2024
Title: A Year in Story & Song: A Celebration of the Seasons
Author: Lia Leendertz
Publisher: Gaia/Octopus Books
Genre: Mystical Poetry and Stories
Pages: 160
Rating: 5/5
Book Blurb:
A Year in Story and Song is a captivating collection that will immerse you in the enchanting world of songs, poetry, and stories. A celebration of mesmerising melodies and rich folklore, for each month of the year. Whether it's a soul-stirring song to commemorate Burns Night or Shakespeare's engaging sea shanty in The Tempest, this book promises to make every month feel extraordinary.In addition to the diverse range of songs and stories, this book offers a cultural journey with tales from various traditions. Get ready to be captivated by an enchanting Irish Catholic tale in March, a compelling Jewish tale in April, and an intriguing Cornish Folk tale in July. This Almanac is not just a one-time read but a treasured companion that you'll find yourself revisiting throughout the year. It will undoubtedly become a cherished source of inspiration and enjoyment for all who delve into its pages.
Review:
First of all, I have to comment on how gorgeous this book is! The colours and the art work really is stunning and pleasing to the eye. As a nature lover, I really do enjoy the British Seasons (maybe not Summer as much due to hayfever) and I also adore folklore and stories, so of course I needed to get my hands on this book.
Honestly, this book really didn’t disappoint, it was such a delightful little book! Full of so many fun, interesting facts and little songs. It was hard for me to pictue the rythmn of the songs at first, but then as soon as I began to research them, they became so enjoyable. I also feel like the knowledge learnt from this book will stick with me because of how the author cleverly shares this with you. It really was learning made fun.
This was a breath of fresh air and such a charming little book to loose myself in. The presentation was gorgeous throughout and I really connected well with the writing style of the author. I was that taken with this read, I even found myself wanting to share my knowledge and the book with others.
I breezed through this book, as soon as I began I became addicted and now when I think about it, I can’t help but smile!
Author: Lia Leendertz
Publisher: Gaia/Octopus Books
Genre: Mystical Poetry and Stories
Pages: 160
Rating: 5/5
Book Blurb:
A Year in Story and Song is a captivating collection that will immerse you in the enchanting world of songs, poetry, and stories. A celebration of mesmerising melodies and rich folklore, for each month of the year. Whether it's a soul-stirring song to commemorate Burns Night or Shakespeare's engaging sea shanty in The Tempest, this book promises to make every month feel extraordinary.In addition to the diverse range of songs and stories, this book offers a cultural journey with tales from various traditions. Get ready to be captivated by an enchanting Irish Catholic tale in March, a compelling Jewish tale in April, and an intriguing Cornish Folk tale in July. This Almanac is not just a one-time read but a treasured companion that you'll find yourself revisiting throughout the year. It will undoubtedly become a cherished source of inspiration and enjoyment for all who delve into its pages.
Review:
First of all, I have to comment on how gorgeous this book is! The colours and the art work really is stunning and pleasing to the eye. As a nature lover, I really do enjoy the British Seasons (maybe not Summer as much due to hayfever) and I also adore folklore and stories, so of course I needed to get my hands on this book.
Honestly, this book really didn’t disappoint, it was such a delightful little book! Full of so many fun, interesting facts and little songs. It was hard for me to pictue the rythmn of the songs at first, but then as soon as I began to research them, they became so enjoyable. I also feel like the knowledge learnt from this book will stick with me because of how the author cleverly shares this with you. It really was learning made fun.
This was a breath of fresh air and such a charming little book to loose myself in. The presentation was gorgeous throughout and I really connected well with the writing style of the author. I was that taken with this read, I even found myself wanting to share my knowledge and the book with others.
I breezed through this book, as soon as I began I became addicted and now when I think about it, I can’t help but smile!
May 21, 2024
The perfect coffee table book and conversational piece.
I added this to my collection of coffee table books and have been picking it up here and there during my free time to read the bits and bobs that Leendertz has so thoughtfully put into this read. From songs to poetry and even music, this has been something that has lifted my mood between heavier reads as well as started some conversations with friends who have been over and have picked this up to take a peek inside.
Summer solstice at Stonehenge, Ek Dam! and Bees where some of my favourite pieces in this book. If you're looking for something to bring you closer to nature and the many folk tales and songs then you should pick this ups asap!
I added this to my collection of coffee table books and have been picking it up here and there during my free time to read the bits and bobs that Leendertz has so thoughtfully put into this read. From songs to poetry and even music, this has been something that has lifted my mood between heavier reads as well as started some conversations with friends who have been over and have picked this up to take a peek inside.
Summer solstice at Stonehenge, Ek Dam! and Bees where some of my favourite pieces in this book. If you're looking for something to bring you closer to nature and the many folk tales and songs then you should pick this ups asap!
May 30, 2024
As a huge fan of Lia’s Almanacs I was excited to be given the opportunity to read and review A Year in Story & Song and I wasn’t disappointed. From the moment I received the book and saw the beautiful, gold embossed green cover depicting so many images from the stories that you will find within I was hooked. So much so that I have been surprised at the restraint that I have shown in only reading the relevant month so that I can have a little treat every month as I turn the pages and find out what the new stories for the month are along with songs to learn and entertain myself with.
So starting with May I have learnt about the naming of May plus Robin Hood and the Green Man whilst singing a song for International Workers Day on the 1st May entitled “Solidarity Forever”. The snippets of information you pick up from reading this book related to folk lore and customs is incredibly interesting and is made more so by the fact that you don’t need to plough through loads of pages but can read a few pages each month and learn so much.
I sincerely hope that this is not just a one off book and that we can expect more in this context in the years to come .
So starting with May I have learnt about the naming of May plus Robin Hood and the Green Man whilst singing a song for International Workers Day on the 1st May entitled “Solidarity Forever”. The snippets of information you pick up from reading this book related to folk lore and customs is incredibly interesting and is made more so by the fact that you don’t need to plough through loads of pages but can read a few pages each month and learn so much.
I sincerely hope that this is not just a one off book and that we can expect more in this context in the years to come .
December 2, 2025
An excellent manual for better engaging with and understanding the seasons, with monthly stories, songs and shanties to deepen our understanding of the passing of the year. Though centred on the British Isles, the contents sometimes feature stories from all over the world, including folklore from India and the Americas. Each chapter features the name of the month in all the languages of the British Isles, with an exploration of etymology. The full moon of each month is also named and discussed, with historical festivities, charms and trinkets included to deepen the historical and regional flavour of the book. One or two sea shanties are featured every month, reminding us that the passage of the year affects those at sea as well as those on land. Each month is charmingly illustrated with a title card.
May 24, 2024
This is such an absolutely beautiful book, both inside and out. The combination of a green cover and gold text and illustrations make it really stand out. Inside Is just ad gorgeous with stunning black and white illustrations indicating the different times of year.
It's a book full of folklore, magic and history. It's wholesome and fresh.
We have folklore tales coupled with sheet music for all the different times of year and it really was a pleasure to read this.
You could dip in and out, or like me, read all at once.
It's such a nice little read and is a big 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
It's a book full of folklore, magic and history. It's wholesome and fresh.
We have folklore tales coupled with sheet music for all the different times of year and it really was a pleasure to read this.
You could dip in and out, or like me, read all at once.
It's such a nice little read and is a big 5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
November 28, 2025
This was a Christmas present from my future mother-in-law.
This is a beautiful book which talks about the origins of each month's name, has a story of the month and a few songs too. I loved the illustrations and enjoyed most of the stories and the songs.
The main criticism I have is that the songs had badly laid out lyrics as they often didn't fit with the music...
An interesting little book which takes you through the year. I got ahead as the next month is rather busy!
This is a beautiful book which talks about the origins of each month's name, has a story of the month and a few songs too. I loved the illustrations and enjoyed most of the stories and the songs.
The main criticism I have is that the songs had badly laid out lyrics as they often didn't fit with the music...
An interesting little book which takes you through the year. I got ahead as the next month is rather busy!
May 23, 2024
My review for this treasure trove of a book is on my blog https://thefallenlibrarian.wordpress....
August 25, 2024
A decent little collection of stories and song, with some wonderful pictures.
May 13, 2024
Absolutely loved this book, it truly was a breath of fresh air to pick up a book full of magic and history.
I love the folklore tales with the addition of sheet music and songs from that location and people with legends and stories for every month of the year. I actually learnt some really interesting things about cultures and places and the people that have inhabit those places as well as the legend and stories from those places and people.
If you’re looking for a fresh, wholesome little book for stories, songs, legends and tales then I truly recommend this sweet little book.
I love the folklore tales with the addition of sheet music and songs from that location and people with legends and stories for every month of the year. I actually learnt some really interesting things about cultures and places and the people that have inhabit those places as well as the legend and stories from those places and people.
If you’re looking for a fresh, wholesome little book for stories, songs, legends and tales then I truly recommend this sweet little book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews