SAMHAIN 2009: CHILDREN’S BOOKS AND MORE
by Eva Gordon, FoDLA Youth Religious Education Coordinator
Books of Celtic lore (especially of
a religious nature) written for children are extremely rare. This is
especially the case for young children. When we consider that much of the
mythology probably comes down to us from Iron Age Ireland by way of medieval
scribes, we have to be aware that these tales come from a culture that is
different from our own in many ways. This was a
land of hill-forts, clan chieftains and warring bands, an
agriculture-based economy, and an oral tradition kept by specialized bards. And,
since the original Druids (as priests) did not record their spiritual beliefs
in writing, there are no authentic, traditional
instruction “primers” that could be used for teaching children.
Also, the tales were probably not meant specifically for young children
at the time they were originally being told. Themes of battle, bloodshed, and
sexual exploits of the heroes (and Gods) are very common, not unlike the themes
in our modern action-adventure films! Parents should read ahead and select
tales that they feel are appropriate for their own children, of course. However,
sugar-coated, watered-down stories will
not appeal to many kids. Even the still-popular Grimm’s Fairy Tales feature
wicked stepmothers, cannibal witches and dangerous wolves. Some things may be
frightening or overly exciting, but the tales can be read together and
discussed, emphasizing the virtues that they show: bravery, skill, knowledge,
and hospitality. These themes are still important to us today.
However, reading and retelling the old tales to children, and sharing
other books that touch on life in the ancient world of the Celts helps to open
their eyes (and ours) to that world and build a bridge between our generation
and our ancestors. This is especially appropriate for the season of Samhain,
when ancestors are to be honored.
I have put together here a fairly extensive list of books and other
items that might interest children, teens and their parents. It is by no means
a complete list of everything good that is available, but can be a jumping-off
point. (Don’t forget such familiar classics as Aesop’s Fables, The Wind in
the Willows by Kenneth Graeme, and JRR Tolkein’s The Hobbit and Lord of the
Rings Trilogy!) Also, some of the
books I have listed here may be out of print, but may be found in libraries or
on used-book sales sites on the Internet.
BOOKS FOR READING
ALOUD
Over Nine Waves: a Book of Irish Legends by Marie Heaney. Faber and Faber, London,
1994. Tales from the Mythological Cycle,
Ulster Cycle and Finn Cycle, told in a natural, lively narriative style.
Scottish Fairy Tales by Donald A. Mackenzie. Dover Publications,
Inc., Mineola, NY, 1997. With black and white illustrations.
Favorite Irish Legends in Irish and English by Bairbre McCarthy. Mercier Press, Dublin,
1997. Includes the stories of Balor of the Evil Eye, the Childern of Lir, and
the Wooing of Etain. Simply told, with Irish and English on facing pages.
Celtic Wonder Tales retold by Ella Young. Dover Publications,
Mineola, NY, 1995 (Original publication in Dublin, 1910). Old-fashioned,
“Celtic Twilight” themes and language, Art Nouveau-style drawings throughout.
Still can be interesting; tales about the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Fomorians.
Celtic Fairy Tales and More
Celtic Fairy Tales collected by Joseph Jacobs. Dover Publications, Inc.,
New York 1968 (orig. pub. David Nutt, 1894). Illustrated.
Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Augusta Gregory. Forgotten Books, 2007
(online at www.forgottenbooks.org). First published 1904. Lady Gregory was very
active in the Irish cultural revival around the turn of the last century, and
one of the founders of the Abbey Theater along with William Butler Yeats. This
book covers tales from the coming of the Firbolgs and the Tuatha Dé Danaan to
Ireland, through Oisín, Finn Mac Cumhal, Diarmuid and Grania, and many others.
The Seal Prince retold by Sheila MacGill-Callahan. Dial Books
for Young Readers/Penguin USA, New York 1995. The author heard this tale from
her father, who was from Donegal. A poignant love story about a princess and a
Selkie or man of the Seal People, richly illustrated by Kris Waldherr.
Druids, Gods and Heroes from Celtic Mythology by Anne Ross,
illustrated by Roger Garland. Peter Bedrick Books, New York, 1986. Retelling of
tales of the Book of Invasions, Cúchullainn, Fionn Mac Cuill, the Welsh tales
of the Mabinogion, and of King Arthur. The language is very readable, and the
color and black-and-white pictures are fantastic.
SOME BOOKS FOR OLDER
CHILDREN AND TEENS
Teach Yourself Celtic Myths by Steve Eddy and Claire Hamilton. Contemporary
Books (Mc Graw Hill Companies), Chicago, 2001. Retells some of the more
well-known Irish, Welsh and Breton myths, and gives explanations in context of
history, folklore, psychology. Easy to digest.
A String in the Harp by Nancy Bond. Aladdin Paperbacks, Simon &
Schuster, New York, 1976. A fantasy story of modern teens who encounter the
bard Taliesin in a time-travel adventure while visiting their family in Wales.
Warrior Scarlet by Rosemary Sutcliff. Oxford University Press,
Oxford, 1958. Tells the story of a boy growing up in Britain in the Bronze Age.
Vivid descriptions of what life might have been like, believable characters and
an exciting, moving story. Other books of
historical (or prehistoric) fiction by Rosemary Sutcliff include Dawn Wind (about the fall of Roman
Britain) and The Mark of the Horse Lord
(about the Dal Riada Scots).
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Miramax Books, New York,
2005. First of a series, The Olympians.
Entertaining, humorous, fun to read.
Although it is about the Hellenic Gods, this book has a refreshingly
polytheistic point of view! Soon to be released as a movie.
Heroes and Warriors: Boadicea Warrior Queen of
the Celts by John Matthews,
illustrated by James Field. Firebird Books, Poole, Dorset 1988. High
school-level book about the famous queen who led the rebellion of British
tribes against the Romans in 61 CE. There is a short but even-handed chapter
dealing with what is known about the Druids from historians of the time.
An Introduction to Celtic Mythology by David Bellingham. Eagle Editions, Ltd.,
Royston, 2007. A beautiful book with many stunning color photos of early Celtic
art and artifacts, retelling some of the more well-known myths and legends, put
into a historical context. The section on “Celtic Religion” is somewhat
speculative. You might just want to have
this one for the illustrations alone.
ACTIVITY BOOKS
Celtic Gods and Heroes coloring book by John Green. Dover
Publications, Inc., Mineola NY, 2003.
Contains detailed drawings of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Fomorians, the
Dagda, Ogma and more, with stories and sraightforward explanations on the
facing pages.
Life in Celtic Times coloring book by AG Smith and William Kaufman.
Dover Publications, Inc., Mineola NY, 1997. Nicely illustrated, with very
detailed drawings of hill forts, people in Iron Age dress, artifacts, villages,
etc. Most of the text is informative and accurate, but there are a few
important errors, such as inclusion of “the bird-god Abraxas” (actually a Gnostic
deity) under “Celtic Religion.” Also, the pictures of an arch studded with
human skulls and of the giant Wicker Man filled with struggling human
sacrificial victims are certainly not appropriate for most young children.
Furthermore, the descriptions treat these controversial practices as if their
purposes were fully understood and as if they were known to have been common
and routine.
Calum and Catriona’s Welcome to the Highlands by Michael Newton and Rhiannon Giddens. Saorsa
Media, Chapel Hill, 2006. This is a coloring and activity book with games,
puzzles, pictures and short pieces giving a taste of traditional Gaelic
culture, history, animals, trees, Ogham writing, and Scottish Gaelic language
(in small bites!). Although the emphasis is on Scottish heritage, there is a
lot in common here with the Irish traditions. Very educational, but lots of fun
in the process.
Kindling the Celtic Spirit by Mara Freeman. Harper Collins Publishers,
New York, 2001. This book is primarily for adults, but contains many crafts and
recipes that can be shared between parents and children: drawing a Celtic knot,
making turnip lanterns for Samhain, Colcannon, dookin’ for apples, and more.
Step into the Celtic World by Fiona Macdonald. Anness Publishing, Inc.,
New York, 1999. Build your own (model) Celtic roundhouse with thatch roof; make
a shield with spiral decorations; write your own Ogham messages on (modeling clay)
standing stones… There is plenty here to keep young artisans busy, with
information about ancient ways of life, magical symbols, and the seasonal
festivals.
RECORDINGS—MUSIC FOR
CHILDREN
CDs
The Celtic Lullaby (various artists) and The Celtic Cradle by Jill Rogoff:
well-known and less common lullabies sung in English, Irish, Welsh,
Manx, Scottish Gaelic, as well as instrumentals. Includes “Dream Angus,” “ Suo Gan,” “ Hishie Ba,” “
Déirín Dé” and more. Sweet, melodious
and calming tunes for babies, children and parents.
Celtic for Kids by Barbary Grant : traditional songs in
English, Irish, Manx, Welsh and Scottish Gaelic for the young ones, accompanied
on Irish harp. “Milking Croons” is notable for the sounds of actual milking of
a cow in the background!
DVDS
The Secret of Roan Inish (Island of the Seals), written and directed by John Sayles, 1994. PG.
Set in Donegal, this beautiful
film is about the Selkie legend, and shows how the life of the people there is
intimately bound to the sea.
Hayao Miyazaki’s animé
films are not Celtic, of course, but also show how humans relate to the Spirits
of Nature. I highly recommend the following:
Princess Mononoke 1999, PG13.
Conflict between humans, animal gods and the Forest God. Too intense for
young children, but OK for teens.
Spirited Away 2001, PG. A fantastic Otherworld journey and
coming of age tale.
My Neighbor Totoro 1988, re-released 2006 (Disney), G. Children
encounter benign Nature Spirits (Totoros)
and soot spirits (Household Spirits) upon moving to a country village.
I hope you and your
children will have an enjoyable and interesting time with some of these books
and recordings.