Individual tale: Back From The Fairies
Review: The tale is about fairies, and a couple who have their child stolen to fight in the fairy wars. In the story when a couple that are farmers finally have a child, during the night fairies steal there baby. As the mother wails about her child being replaced by a hideous fairy child in her eyes the mother of the child shows up. The fairy mother tells the couple how to get their child back. They do as they are told when the time comes and get their child back and protect their child from being stolen again. Comments: I enjoyed this story and I think children would understand and enjoy it also. I think it is very interesting how in most folklore fairies are mischievous and kinda evil creatures, but particularly in the Disney version fairies are completely good. This tale and the whole book they come from I think would be a great book to use to teach about the Irish culture and folktales.

Read for Dropbox assignment: World Folklore Worksheet-Individual Folktale Tale: Just One Choice

While this book was not one of my favorites, I still enjoyed it. This book is a compilation of 13 different stories, Everything from a king that grows horses ears to a greedy barber. This book has it all. One thing I liked in this book was the pictures. Since each story was fairly short, the pictures that were supplied were very helpful. The other thing I liked about this book was the vocabulary or language used. There were some terms that readers might not be familiar with that are explained in the back of the book in the glossary. If there is a reference in the story that the reader does not understand, there are brief but sufficient descriptions in the back of the book. The other thing I liked about this book was that there was an underlying message to each one of the stories. In the Greedy Barber, the message was not to be greedy, or it could come back to hurt you. In The King with Horse's Ears, the message was to embrace your differences and to not be embarrassed by who you are. ( )

The third entry in Sterling's Folktales of the World series, following upon The Hungry Clothes and Other Jewish Folktales and The Girl Who Helped Thunder and Other Native American Folktales, this collection of thirteen Irish tales is retold by Batt Burns, a practicing seanachie (storyteller) with roots in Ireland's County Kerry. The stories range from traditional and well-known fairy tales and myths to legends passed on to Burns by the storytellers of his childhood, and written down here for the first time. Here the reader will encounter:

Back from the Fairies, in which Larry and Kate O'Shea are finally granted their dearest wish, and blessed with a beautiful son. All seems lost when he is stolen by the fairies, but with the good advice of a fairy woman, the young couple regains their beloved child. An excellent example of the "fairy changeling" type tale, this story has clear Kerry roots, with its mention of Macgillycuddy's Reeks and Saint Crohane (a sixth-century monk said to have lived in the Castlecove area).

The King With Horse's Ears, in which King Labhraidh Loingseach learns to accept his unusual ears, when his many (and extreme) measures to keep his secret prove futile. Billed as a tale about "learning to laugh at oneself," it struck me that the King's sense of humor comes a little late for the many barbers he had executed...

Fionn mac Cumhail and the Fianna of Ireland, which gives a short overview of the life of one of Ireland's greatest folk heroes, from the creation of the Fianna by Cormac mac Airt, the death of Fionn's father, and his youth in hiding, to his leadership of the Fianna, the birth of his son Oisin, and the battles of Ventry and Gabhra. As always, I particularly enjoyed the story of the Salmon of Knowledge, and the fact that Fionn must suck on his thumb, in order to use his new power.

The Greedy Barber, a legend about Daniel O'Connell, a historical figure known as 'the Liberator' for his work on behalf of Catholic Emancipation in 19th century Ireland. One of many stories about O'Connell's "Solomon-like" wisdom, it is the tale of Paddy the Bog, who turns to the great man for help, when he feels he has been cheated by the local barber.

The Charm Setter, in which a young couple is horrified to learn that the misfortune which has been plaguing them is the result of a neighbor's malicious incantations. Perhaps it is owing to what I know of the various historical witch crazes, but I found myself thinking of the many thousands of women victimized by stories such as this over the years, and was unable to read with any sympathy.

A Famous Thief, in which Ireland's most famous thief, the Gadai Dubh ("The Black Thief"), takes on an apprentice who proves even more ingenious than himself. I was unfamiliar with this figure before reading Burns' collection, but enjoyed the story immensely, and found myself wanting to know more about the Gadai Dubh - who he really was, where he came from, and how he came to be THE thief.

Oisin in the Land of the Ever Young, in which Fionn mac Cumhail's son, Oisin, journeys with Niamh of the Golden Hair to the magical land of Tir na nOg.

Just One Choice, in which Antrim farmer Jackie O'Gorman must balance the needs of his deaf daughter and mute mother with the desire of his own heart, when the seals of the Giant's Causeway grant him one wish. This tale of an inspired choice plays out against the classic fairy-tale trope of wish-granting, which usually doesn't turn out quite so well...

Paying the Rent, in which a poor farmer finds that he simply cannot pay the rent, and appeals to his brother in America for help. When the promised aid arrives, only to be lost through incredible circumstances, Crohan and his neighbors all work together to save the day. Firmly grounded in the realities of Irish history - the Great Famine, the greedy landlords, and the all-important remittance from family members abroad - this tale is original to this collection, and based upon stories Burns heard as a young boy.

The Boy and the Pooka, in which a young boy has an unforgettable encounter with a Pooka, in the shape of a giant black dog; and, in accepting aid from the supernatural creature, helps to free him from his curse.

A Strange Night, in which Diarmaid, Conan and Oscar - three great warriors of the Fianna - pass an incredible night with Time himself, and his beautiful daughter Youth. This tale, in which the world is represented by the ram, "which only Time can weaken and conquer," can be found in many sources of Irish mythology.

A Clever Leprechaun, in which Brohgawn, the best shoemaker of all the leprechauns, outwits the salmon poacher who attempts to extort his fortune from him.

And finally, The Lost Island of Seals, in which the residents of a small island find themselves cursed when they disturb the local fairy fort, and are only freed when the next set of residents repair the damage.

I enjoyed The King With Horse's Ears immensely, finding it an entertaining and informative collection of tales. The brief introduction to each tale, together with the pronunciation notes, glossary and source information, make this a useful tool for young folklorists who want to know more. I was pleased, moreover, to find such local flavor in Burns' retellings, many of which were set in or near his own home county, Kerry. ( )

Why did I read it? I've always enjoyed fairy and folk tales and this collection appeared several times in recommendations on various book sites.

What's it about? It is a collection of tales remembered from the fireside telling by the author's grandfather. An eclectic collection of magical creatures, and characters from old Irish myths illustrated rather sparsely by Igor Oleynikov.

Contents: “Back from the Fairies”; “The King with the Horse's Ears”; “Fionn Mac Cumhail and the Fianna of Ireland” “The Greedy Barber”; “The Charm Setter”; “A Famous Thief”; “Oisin in the Land of the Ever Young”; “Just One Choice”; “Paying the Rent”; “The Boy and the Pooka”; “A Strange Night”; “A Clever Leprechaun”; “The Lost Land of Lonesome Seals”; Glossary; and Sources.

What did I like? The author's style of writing lends itself to recital to others, and, frequently, it is easy to imagine each tale being told by the fireside of a grandparent's home. There is a mix of tales here, nothing too scary for wee children, though not all have an easily discernible moral. The language is simple enough, and there are pronunciation guides provided as footnotes, presumably based in the speech of the county of Kerry. The book also provides a glossary of terms and further reading, especially handy for the adult narrator whose listeners are bound to ask many a question.

The illustrations are sparse, but delightful. Each tale was a delight.

What didn't I like? Some of the stories ended rather abruptly, and in nearly every story a little more description of characters and places would not have gone astray.

Would I recommend it? Yes. To any parent who wants to introduce folklore, particularly of Ireland, to their progeny. ( )