Dancing with Trees: Eco-Tales from the British Isles

by Allison Galbraith, Alette Willis

The oral storytelling traditions of the British Isles have connected people to the land and to their plant and animal neighbors for centuries. This collection brings together story wisdom from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland that speaks to the heart of humanity’s relationship with nature. Whether it’s traditional stories about native birds and animals or tales of living in harmony with the landscapes we call home, there’s something here for everyone who believes that a more beautiful world is within our reach. 

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Allison Galbraith is an author specialising in Scottish Folklore and storytelling. Drawn from an early age to fairytales and legends, she studied traditional oral culture at Glasgow University and gained an MA in Scottish Folklore. Allison lives in rural Scotland, surrounded by birds, beasts and historical landscapes. Believing in the restorative potential of nature to heal ourselves and fragile ecosystems, she brings nature's wisdom into her stories. Allison shares her passion for writing, collecting and re-telling folktales at talks, festivals, residences, and writing retreats, wherever she is invited. Her books include Funny Folk Tales for Children (2023, History Press), Lanarkshire Folk Tales (2021, HP) and Dancing with Trees, Eco-Tales from the British Isles (Co-Author, 2017, HP).

Reviews

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful wordsmithing

I really enjoyed these stories and the way the book is structured to encourage group storytelling and interaction. I love oral folktale traditions and while these arent modernised they are aimed at a modern audience with especially relevant environmental messages

[Csenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story collection that is also a handbook for practicing storytellers. It has everything one might need: Bibliography, sources, index by species and seasons, introductions, comments, telling tips. And, of course, stories. Organized into six chapters (air, fire, water, earth, web of life, harmony - all we are missing is Captain Planet), stories are selected from the various oral traditions of the United Kingdom and Ireland. There are myths, folktales, fairy beliefs and saints' legends, some of them familiar, while many of them rare and enchanting. The flora and fauna is specific to the islands, so storytellers living in drastically different climates might need to tweak the stories if they want to raisa awareness of local species. I was especially happy with Jack and the Dancing Trees, and the selkie story with a kinder twist. The collection is carefully selected, well balanced, and very, very important for our times.

[Amy K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the variety of folktales and the ecological themes around which they were organized. This volume was specifically directed to the oral storyteller, so it changed the narrative styles somewhat and also included editorial notes, which I found less useful for me as a simple reader. Still, it was interesting to consider story as cultural artifact.

[Sarah Staunton-lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great set of amazing stories to draw on