The Treasury of Folklore: Waterlands, Wooded Worlds and Starry Skies

by Dee Dee Chainey, Willow Winsham

An entertaining and enchanting collection of myths, tales and traditions surrounding the seas, skies and woodlands that make up our natural world. 

Enter an enchanting world where the mysteries of the seas, skies and woodlands come alive through shared myths, legends and folk tales. From the majestic creatures that dance beneath the waves to the celestial beings that populate the heavens and the spirits that reside within the forests, The Treasury of Folklore offers a portal into the lore of the natural world that has been whispered through the generations.

In this mesmerising compendium you'll embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of myths, legends, and tales that have been woven into the very fabric of our natural world. You'll tread mysterious waters and be beguiled by the sirens and sea monsters, soar to new heights with winged Pegasus and uncover stories of celestial beings, from thunder gods to constellations that have guided traveller's across the heavens. And as you wander through the ancient woods, you'll encounter spirits between the branches, insatiable cannibalistic children hewn from logs and the promise of the big, bad wolf.  

The stories included here traverse countries and continents and have been carefully selected to highlight how humans are linked through time and place, with shared dreams, fears and ways of rationalising the unknown. Immerse yourself in the tapestry of tales collected in these pages, each story a testament to the enduring enchantment of the seas, skies, and woodlands.

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Folklore, Fiction

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2024

About the author

Dee Dee Chainey is author of 'A Treasury of British Folklore: Maypoles, Mandrakes and Mistletoe' from National Trust Books, and co-founder of the digital folklore project, #FolkloreThursday.com.

Reviews

[Sophy Cullington · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the past, my long-standing appreciation for all things fantastical and folkloric has often been fuelled by a desire for escapism. Yet, as I delved deeper into this anthology, I was struck for the first time by folklore’s dual capacity – not only as a means of escape but also as a profound connection to something ancient and timeless. It became clear that these tales reflected universal aspects of the human condition, transcending both cultural and temporal boundaries. I found a certain comfort in recognising shared struggles and emotions from storytellers living in vastly different eras and locations to my own.

Dee Dee Chainey and Willow Winsham express this sense of unity beautifully in their introduction to The Treasury of Folklore, writing ‘We all dread the unknown as we gather around our campfires in the darkness of the nighttime forest. We all stand in awe of the eternity of time under the glimmer of ancient stars, wondering about the unwritten future of our own short lives.’ The release of this compendium brings together the authors’ favourite folklore from the existing Treasury of Folklore series, curated from across their three previous books. Accompanied by Joe McLaren’s exquisite illustrations, the anthology offers a blend of visual and literary storytelling, bringing to life folktales from around the world. I had the pleasure of speaking with Dee Dee and Willow via email, about their process of compiling the anthology and the ways in which folklore continues to shape our relationship with nature and community in meaningful ways.

*read the rest of my interview below*

https://razzmag.wordpress.com/2024/10...

[Randall O. Watkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter, Katelyn, and her husband, Andre, gave me this book for Christmas. They bought it from the Harvard library on their trip to the Northeast. While I only gave it 3 stars, it an enjoyable book. My rating system is strict! 3 stars is a good book but not great, at least to me. I would have given it 4 stars had the authors had more of a supernatural worldview. I thought the writing to be a bit too much of an academic work and dry at times. Would love to have read more of the stories instead of just explanations of the stories.

Absolutely love the cover artwork!!

[Bella Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book to escape into during the nights. I looked forward to returning to it and reading another page. The illustrations ( Lino prints I believe) are gorgeous and create a magical atmosphere while reading. I would recommend to anyone who loves folk tales, fairy tales and art.