Magic & Mischief: Tales from Cornwall [Hardcover]

Shirley Climo (Adapter), Anthony Bacon Venti (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 23, 1999 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Long before Cornwall was inhabited by humans, it was home to a myriad of mysterious creatures. This collection of stories shares the secrets of the giants, Spriggans, Knackers, and changelings who inhabited and ruled the moors, mountains, and seacoasts of Cornwall. Each shivery tale is preceeded by an introduction to Cornwall's wondrous inhabitants, and is followed by helpful tips on what to do should you encounter one of these unearthly creatures.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-These tales are well chosen and retold in a lively manner that makes them beg to be read or told aloud. Each one centers on a magical being, some easily recognizable (giants, fairies, witches, sea people) and others less well-known and peculiar to the area, such as the Knackers who live deep within Cornish mines, the helpful Piskies, and the spiteful Spriggans. Every tale is preceded by an explanatory note about the magical creature that appears in it, followed by a page of local lore and folk sayings. Variations of familiar stories appear, such as "The Cornish Teeny-Tiny" and "Duffy and the Bucca," (the Bucca is a devil-like creature, but the devil himself "never crossed the Tamar River into Cornwall"). In an afterword, Climo credits the 19th-century collections of tales in which she found these stories and the old "droll-tellers" from whom they were originally collected. A glossary of Cornish words is appended, but there is no pronunciation guide. Full-color maps on the endpapers and Venti's atmospheric paintings that accompany each story round out a thoroughly pleasing folktale collection that will provide storytellers with lively variants of old favorites and interesting new selections to add to their repertoire. Children will enjoy these stories for their twists of plot and mischievous fairy folk.
Connie C. Rockman, Stratford Library Association, CT
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Storytellers and fans of international folktales will delight in this collection, which introduces piskies, spriggans, knackers, and other characters of classic Cornish lore. Drawn from stories collected by nineteenth-century English authors Robert Hunt and William Buttrell, Climo's retellings are fresh and creative, peppered with Cornish words and vernacular dialogue to capture a unique sense of place. "Duffy and Bucca," a Rumplestiltskin-esque tale of wits, and "The Cornish Teeny-Tiny" illustrate how familiar folktales become culturally specific; the romantic, cautionary "Mermaid of Zennor" reflects Cornwall's seacoastal associations and fishing history. Climo's sense of humor, timing, and detail will keep readers engaged and in suspense till each tale's satisfying conclusion. Anthony Bacon Venti's jewel-toned illustrations are expressive and modern, evocative of popular graphic-novel artwork. Each of the 10 tales is preceded by an introduction, and is followed by related myths and superstitions. From humorous to shivery, these fascinating stories of enchantment, which are enhanced by a general preface, author's note, glossary, and list of Cornish numbers and their magical significance, are a nice choice for international or Halloween story times. Shelle Rosenfeld

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books; First Edition edition (August 23, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395869684
• ISBN-13: 978-0395869680
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #942,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting..., February 5, 2000

By 

M. Loughin (Kansas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Magic & Mischief: Tales from Cornwall (Hardcover)

No other book but Pippi Longstocking has been as much fun to read out loud to my daughter. The prose is simple yet carefully chosen to roll off the tongue easily. A perfect bed-time story length, the tales captured my 7-yr-old's imagination so thoroughly that she now goes to bed with her nightgown inside out and asked to sprinkle dill weed in the corners. (Read the book, and you'll know what I mean.) As an adult, I enjoy the humor and appreciate the gentle lesson or two. Now, please excuse me--I have to go set a bowl of cream outside the back door...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars your kids will check under the bed before they turn in., September 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Magic & Mischief: Tales from Cornwall (Hardcover)

my kids were entranced by these tales of those feisty spriggans and knackers. These are the wonderful stories to read to grandchildren , or have them read to you, about the really Olden Days when there was magic all over the world! The pictures are great. I wish we could have a spriggan on a T-shirt!

5.0 out of 5 stars Put down the video game and read a book, January 9, 2011

By 

C. Quayle (Cameron Park, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Magic & Mischief: Tales from Cornwall (Hardcover)

Being a proud Cornish-American, this book was the perfect Christmas gift for me to give to my 4 year old grandson. He loves to be read to, loves magic and giants and all things mysterious and I love passing on bits of our heritage. The illustrations are lovely, the stories are fascinating and the bonding time we spend while reading and discussing them is priceless.