Beautiful and the perfect gift for anyone of any age! So interesting and I learnt so much. Illustrations were also fabulously gorgeous.

I have read both this book and the adult one. The main difference is that the notes on the historical aspects of the myths is reduced in this book. These context notes are useful. There is a long and useful glossary of all the mythical and real characters in the book. I found the modern versions of the myths very readable and wish this book had been available when I was nine or ten years old.

It was a little surprising for me to see this children's version of Storyland, but not a surprise to see it matched the original adult-aimed volume. The content is very similar, being the stories of the peoples that make up the UK, how Albion got that name, Merlin, and so many other people and legends. The artwork is pretty much of a pair, and little could be thought an issue with the presentation here apart from the random bold font use that is supposed to pepper the pages for our attention. Once or twice I found a tale that didn't fully engage – either it just wasn't on a par with the rest, or felt a little too earnestly educational as opposed to being something read for the fun of it, but there are few books like this out there, and the intentions of this rewrite are admirable, and admirably met.

Beautiful illustrations that perfectly match the stories within, this is a really well thought out collection of myths and legends from Britain. It's engaging and told in such a way that each tale seems to build on the last to demonstrate the rich history of storytelling. There's stories of Arthur and Merlin, but also lesser known myths too.

Great collection for anyone interested in mythology.

My 8 year old daughter and I were very excited to see this come out in a children's version as I had gifted the adult version to my mum previously. We read this together, enjoying the links to places and the magic of the stories. A lovely introduction to mythology for young ones and the history to go with them.

This is a beautiful book, both visually and how it was put together . I felt a lot of thought. had gone into the selection of the stories, and they were all really well written and very enjoyable. It does not surprise me that the author composes songs as well, as these all have a lyrical, absorbing quality to them. I thought the combination of stories that are reasonably well known, along with lesser known stories worked particularly well, as do the lovely illustrations. Definitely a book to go back to , and one I have already bought for family members.

I'd read positive reviews about the adult edition of this book, and since my children have been enjoying stories about Scottish myth and folklore, I was eager to read this introduction to British myths and legends with them.

We all loved the format of the book, alternating between stories and a short look at the history behind them. The beautiful illustrations in the style of lino prints make this a stunning volume. There was a lot to learn, and the stories were accessible to my children (aged 6 and 8).

Simply wonderful! I adored this book. With its mix of myth, folk tale, legend and historical commentary, it almost defies categorisation. Amy Jeffs sets the ancient tales of characters such as Scota, Gogmagog, Merlin and Brutus, alongside an historical narrative of the particular time, highlighting how myth and reality collide. We are taken on a magical, mystical journey from Britain’s beginnings up to the Norman Conquest of 1066. At which point, we are reminded that the political face of Britain constantly changes and that we are now responsible for writing its story.
Jeff’s is a true storyteller, able to grip the reader and hold them in the palm of her hand. I was completely swept away to another time and place every time I opened the pages. A sublime book that deserves to be read by many.

It took us a while to finish this book as we really did not want it to end. We rationed ourselves to one history and one story at a time. Not only are the stories wonderful and beautifully backed up by the history but they lead to further historical questions and research / reading. The illustrations were a delight. The children are already adding this book to their Christmas lists. More please .....

I could see this book in so many classrooms nationwide! So many stories I hadn't heard of with the added bonus of a short history chapter accompanying each section. Wonderful!

A fascinating book focusing on myths and legends in Britain. This was as fascinating for me as it was for the children as, apart from the legend of King Arthur being close to us as we live in Cornwall, we weren't aware of the other stories and legends. This is a book we will return to again and again to satisfy our curiosity, learn more about the origins of story in this country and to inspire and fuel our own stories. It has also encouraged us to read more about the Cornish legends and myths which shape where we live so strongly. It's great that this subject has been made accessible for young readers as well as adults.

I absolutely love the fact that there is a history page to go with each story. I would definitely use this book at the beginning of my history lessons and as an English unit. Love all the bold phrases which will be brilliant for classroom writers.

Amy Jeffs has written a book that would have enchanted me as readily at eight years old as it does now. Jeffs traces strands of myth to put forward short portraits of how such myths have intertwined with history in creating and adapting understandings of the past, moving all the way from Brutus to William the Conqueror.

Reading this did indeed feel like entering Storyland. Jeffs’s style of fictional narration was captivating, I half felt I’d been reduced to a child being told a bedtime story in the best possible way, where magic could be conjured just by words. I also found the format of myth followed by a short brief on the historical circumstances of the myth to work really well.

My criticism of this book is that I felt it could have dedicated more time to the historical matters in the second half of each chapter. Jeffs deftly manages to portray clear versions of what are often very muddled mythologies, and while it would be impossible to track down every version of the myths, I found myself wanting a bit more backstory and fleshing out of exactly where each myth stood in terms of origin, provenance, and relation to other similar myths. However, since this book seems to be targeted to a younger audience as much as an older one (as I noted earlier), I can understand why the chapters don’t weigh themselves down too much with more detail.

To anyone wanting an introduction to various myths that colour the British imagination and past, I would highly recommend they give this a go, especially if they were looking to give a lovely gift to a younger reader as well!

This was my first introduction to Storyland by Amy Jeffs - I'd missed the book written for adults that has been adapted to make this version for children. However, I will be seeking it out as this book was superb.

We are so used to Greek or Norse myths but I'm far less familiar with those that surround my own country (Arthur excepted) and it was a real pleasure to learn more about them. Amy Jeffs' writing for children is excellent - very engaging and easy to follow but not over simplified and handled very appropriately. She really manages to create a sense of place and magic that would be absorbing for any child interested in the subject and capture the imagination of those new to it. Adding a historical note to each legend helps place it in history which is a fantastic way to introduce children to a more nuanced picture.

The illustrations are also lovely, in a wood cut style that really fits the subject matter.

This book would be a wonderful gift for any child and I will definitely be seeking out more of her work.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in return for an honest review.

#Storyland #NetGalley

I both admired and enjoyed the adult edition of this book when it came out in 2021, so to now have a children’s version on the way is very welcome indeed. The ‘British’ myths and legends Amy Jeffs has collected together, in these authentic but now very accessible tellings, are probably far less well known than their Celtic counterparts. Certainly there are a good number of excellent children’s versions of the latter around (some beautifully illustrated too) but the tales assembled here are just as much part of our history and heritage, so it is excellent that our children will now have a chance to get to know them as well. Many elements of these old stories also feature in literature (both adults and children’s) and they sometimes permeate other media and popular culture too, so knowing them will help enrich children’s present and future appreciation. More than anything, though, these stories are part of who we are, not only as present inhabitants of Britain but also as human beings. And we will all be richer for knowing them.

Even more important for young readers, these varied stories of giants and dragons, kings, prophecies, magic and adventure, make hugely entertaining reads. Often strange, even enigmatic, they are wonderful food for the imagination. Were I still teaching, I would love to read them aloud to children and use them as stimulus material in a wide variety of ways. Perhaps surprisingly for ‘British’ legends they show considerable influence of other countries and cultures and will help establish the understanding that what we call British is actually a rich melange of different peoples and cultures - and is far the better for being so.

The Mediaeval period, from which the sources of these stories have been gleaned, is simply but effectively caught in the introductory section, with the conventions that led to a culture of storytelling nicely conveyed from a child’s perspective. I particularly like the way that, even though the social and gender expectations of this period were narrow and rigid, nod is given to modern sensibilities, by implying that today's children may well (quite rightly) not be prepared to accept them. It is, I think, a good example of the way this book has been cleverly and most suitably adapted to its contemporary young audience.

I love too the way that legend and history are interleaved, with proper distinction made between the two, even whilst acknowledging that this may not always be totally clear cut after all. This is a book that offers young readers much food for thought as well as engaging entertainment.

Amy Jeffs has again provided her own illustrations in woodcut style, adding some entertaining new vignettes whilst also retaining some of the images from her adult book, all to strong effect. The whole is going to be another stunningly beautiful, treasurable volume.

There is a full review on my book blog magicfictionsincepotter.blogspot.com

I loved the original Storyland so much that I was intrigued and somewhat concerned about how it would be adapted for children, but this is beautiful and perfectly handled. I love the extra illustrations, I love how much of the nuance and complexity of the original tales are retained without being inappropriate, and I love the context still being supplied but in an accessible and interesting way without being condescending. Thank you for the review copy because now I also know what sort of age to recommend it to, and am confident hand-selling it.

I absolutely loved this book! I’ve always loved reading about the old myths and legends of Britain. From the origins of England, Scotland and Wales to Merlin, Arthur and even the Humber and how Grimsby got its name. And of course, the myths surrounding the stone circle.

Everything was just so infused with magic back then with a real fantasy element and a time when giants lived and mythical creatures roamed.

It really is a great read for children and adults alike and especially with the beautiful illustrations and pictures to accompany. It was a joy to read and I read it in pretty much one sitting.

I haven’t read the adult equivalent of this book but given how much I enjoyed this one, I definitely think I will after this!

having read Amy Jeff's adult version of this book, I feel that the kids version will make a great Christmas gift and so have requested copies to include in our Children's Christmas gifting offer.