A parent might reach for this book when their child is captivated by folklore but is ready for something beyond the familiar Grimm or Andersen collections. This book is a charming anthology of twelve tales drawn from the specific folklore of Cornwall, a coastal region in England. Each short story introduces a different magical being, from mischievous piskies and grumpy giants to helpful mine spirits and alluring mermaids. The tales explore themes of wonder, cleverness versus brute force, and the consequences of greed and kindness. It is perfectly suited for early independent readers or as a read-aloud, offering a wonderful way to introduce a child to a unique cultural storytelling tradition and expand their vocabulary with enchanting, atmospheric language.
Presents magical beings who are not purely good or evil, but operate by their own fairy rules.
Sensitive Topics
The stories contain mild peril and some scary creatures, but it is all handled in a classic folktale style. The "bad" creatures are often outsmarted rather than violently defeated. Death is not a central theme, though the threat of danger is present (e.g., being captured by a giant). The approach is metaphorical, exploring concepts like greed, kindness, and cleverness through magical encounters. The resolution is always clear: good and cleverness are rewarded, while greed and foolishness are punished.
Ideal Reader
A 7 to 10 year old who loves mythology and fairy tales, especially the less common ones. They might have just finished a collection of Greek myths or classic fairy tales and are asking, "What other magical stories are there?" This child enjoys a sense of place and history mixed in with their fantasy. It is also good for a child who prefers short, digestible chapters over a single long narrative.
Parent Prep
No major prep is needed. It can be read cold. A parent might want to look up Cornwall on a map to give the child a sense of place. The author's note at the beginning provides excellent context about the origins of the tales, and reading it together would be beneficial. A parent notices their child is fascinated with fairies, elves, or gnomes from cartoons or modern books. The child might be drawing magical creatures or asking questions about where they come from. The parent is looking for something with more substance and cultural roots than modern commercial fantasy.
Age Experience
A 7 year old will likely enjoy these stories as straightforward magical adventures, focusing on the mischief and wonder. They may need help with some vocabulary. A 10 year old will appreciate the more subtle humor, the cleverness of the human characters, and the cultural specificity. They might become interested in the history of folklore and how these stories were passed down.
What Makes It Special
Its tight geographical focus on Cornwall is unique. Unlike broad collections of world folktales or the well-trodden ground of Grimm, this book offers a deep dive into the specific magical ecology of one small, historically rich region. The author’s notes provide a layer of authenticity that enriches the reading experience.
Read plot summary
A collection of twelve folktales adapted from the Cornish tradition of England. The stories feature a variety of magical beings specific to the region, including piskies (mischievous fairies), spriggans (ugly goblins), knockers (mine spirits), mermaids, and giants. Each story follows a human character, often a child or a simple farmer, who has an encounter with one of these beings, leading to consequences that are sometimes helpful, sometimes troublesome, but always magical.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
In "The Pisky-Led," why do you think the piskies enjoy playing tricks on people so much? Do you think they mean to be truly mean, or are they just mischievous?
2
The knockers in "The Knackers of Ballowal" are helpful spirits of the mines. If you could have a helpful spirit for one of your chores or tasks, what would it be and why?
3
Many characters in the book, like Lutey in "The Mermaid of Zennor," have to make a difficult choice. Would you have made the same choice he did? Why or why not?
4
The giant in "The Giant of Carn Galva" is tricked by a small boy. Why do you think so many folktales have small, clever characters outsmarting big, strong ones?
