Greyling: A Picture Story from the Islands of Shetland

by Jane Yolen, William Stobbs (Illustrator)

A selchie, a seal who has turned into a human boy, lives as the son of a childless Scottish couple for many years until, to save his "father's" life, he returns to the sea.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Family, Mythology, Folklore

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greyling, illustrated by David Ray.

A childless couple is granted their heart's desire in this original fairy-tale, inspired by the Scottish folk tradition concerning selkies, the mysterious sea people who can shed their seal skins on land and take human form. When a fisherman discovers an abandoned baby seal, he brings the young one home to his wife, and the two discover that the baby has a human form. Naming this adopted son Greyling, they attempt to keep him away from the sea, but fifteen years later, when the father is caught in a terrible storm, Greyling takes to the water to save him...

Originally published in 1968 as Greyling: A Picture Story from the Islands of Shetland , with artwork by William Stobbs, Jane Yolen's story was reprinted in 1991 with new illustrations from David Ray. It is this second edition that I read, although I would love to track down the original as well. The story is full of that melancholy magic that I associate with selkie stories, and the artwork, created using acrylic paint, is lovely. Yolen includes a mention of the traditional Scottish ballad, The Great Selchie of Sule Skerrie in her brief afterword, and I ended up listening to a number of recordings of the song, after I finished reading the book. Recommended to those who enjoy selkie stories (I have a great fondness for them myself), and to picture-book readers who enjoy fairy-tales.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, and more accessible to younger children than some stories with such themes. I have a little trouble with the husband keeping secret his longing for a child, in the beginning, so that would be a discussable point. The wife's lack of agency & self-centeredness might bother some readers, too, if they pick up on it. Of course the main theme is about letting a child go to find his own way, as all healthy children must at some point. 3.5 stars rounded up because I'm feeling melancholy as my sons grow more and more independent and competent.

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually more like 3.5. The selchie story is interesting, the story beautifully told and the illustrations are lovely, but like Shonna I don't like the woman's helplessness and utter lack of identity apart from her husband and then child. It's not much of an excuse but it was published in 1968, so perhaps it's a sign of its time or maybe it's the traditional legend, and I'm just clueless. If so, I wish it had been updated a tad...

[Skye Bluewater · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Heartbreakingly beautiful tale of a fledging your beloved.0
Superb Read-Aloud for kids.

[Sarah Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Mythology
Awards: Anne Izard Storyteller’s Choice Award 1992
Source: Traditional literature mythology
Audience: grades 3rd-5th
• The main character, Greyling, is a selchie. A selchie is a mythical being that is a seal when in water but turns into a human on land. Greyling has silver hair and grey eyes, the fisherman’s wife described his looks as the color of a stormy sky. Although a young boy, Greyling is very brave.
• A more known name for selchie is selkie. Selkies are mythological creatures that are human on land but seals in water. Stories of selkies originate from the Northern Isles Orkney and Shetland.
• I would use this book for storytelling. It would be good to use this book as a comparison of the different tales of mythological beings. For example, selchies are often compared to mermaids and sirens so this book would be good to point out the difference between them.

[Kest Schwartzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

a reminder that not all selkies are women, and not only women can be caught.

the illustrations here are well into the uncanny valley, though, and not, I do not think, intentionally so.

[Andie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating story. I used this with my students to diagram the plot and they really enjoyed it.

[Jon Fager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set on an island off the coast of Scotland, a fisherman discovers an orphan seal pup and takes it home to raise it until it can fend for itself. Upon arriving home, the fisherman and his wife discover that the seal pup is actually a selchie -- a magical creature that is a seal in the water and a human on land. Having desperately wanted a child for years, the couple is overjoyed to have this addition to their family. Knowing that a selchie changes back into a seal when it enters the sea, the child is never allowed into the ocean.
After many years a tremendous storm hits the Scottish coast. The fisherman is in danger of drowning while his wife and son watch helplessly from the shore. At this point, the son makes a decision that changes the lives of the happy family.
Beautifully written with colorful and descriptive phrases and beautifully illustrated in in highly textured colors, this story provides a great model for use of strong word choice and descriptive language. The artwork provides great models for layering papercraft.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Island of Shetland, in a hut covered with moss, there lived a fisherman and his devoted but lonely wife. All day long the fisherman labors to bring in fish for he and his wife while she is at home alone, day in day out year after year, looking at the cradle that continues to remain empty. Until one day the fisherman discovers a grey baby seal alone on the shore. This is no ordinary seal though but a selchie, a magical creature who takes the form of a man when on land and seal when in the water. The fisherman’s wife is overjoyed and swears she will never allow the child to enter the sea. Their son, Greyling, brings them much happiness for many years until an unexpected storm changes everything. A lovely read aloud to share with your children that can lead to many fascinating discussions.

[Shonna · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a sweet story, but I can't help bristling a bit at the stereotyped woman. She feels totally empty and lost if she can't have a child, she becomes so attached to the selchie boy (turns to a seal in water) that she will not allow him to experience all aspects of himself for fear of losing him. When her husband is in danger of drowning she calls to others to go help him rather than try herself. There's also a spread where the illustrations don't seem to jive with the text. Overall, I enjoyed the selchie legend bit and the family's affection for one another, but it's not a book I'll dread returning to the library.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you put aside the traditional gender roles (I'm a woman and therefore need a baby or will diiiiieeee - I'm a man and therefore bottle up my emotions) and some terrible parenting going on (we know he will leave us if he goes into the sea so let's forbid him from his natural form in the name of *looove*), this is a beautiful picture book and a clever take on one of my favorite folk tales. The illustrations are just lovely and fit seamlessly with the text.

[Margot McCuaig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this on school prize-giving day when I was in primary 3. I loved it, and I read and reread it time and time again. It certainly gave me a passion for storytelling. I'm too scared to read it again with an adult head, it might take away some of the magic...

[Annetha · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 8 year old brought this home from the school library today, so excited. She told me she couldn't wait to share it, that I would "just love it!" She was right. What a darling tale, beautifully written.

[Cana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to read with a Scottish accent!

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cute story about a couple who could not have children of their own and are given the chance to raise a boy who mysteriously appears as a seal in the ocean and changes to a boy on land.

[Colleen Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rewrite of an ancient Scottish tale. Hauntingly beautiful. Deals with childlessness, self-sacrifice, and tough choices.

[Ally · Rating 1 out of 5]

good book

[Nautica]

soooooo good i hade to read this in class english it was a great book

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't resist a book about selkies! This is an older book by Yolen, and has a very simple storytelling style.

[Preetha · Rating 5 out of 5]

fuck u

[Rachel Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story is a great representation of family and love. It requires inferring to understand the characters' emotions and also can be used for practicing prediction.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I shared this book with my 5th grade students and they really seemed to enjoy it. They had a lot of interesting ideas when we talked about the theme of the story.

[Saffron Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rating is for the reissued edition illustrated by David Ray.

[Sirenita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful yet tragic ❤️

[Kate]

i will like to read