Tam Lin [Paperback]

Jane Yolen (Author), Charles Mikolaycak (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1998 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

A young girl triumphs over the Queen of Faeries to reclaim her ancestral home and free her true love in this haunting retelling of an old Scottish ballad. “Mikolaycak’s illustrations...attract attention yet do not overpower the story, making the book one that could be easily used as a picture story book presentation for middle- and upper-grade or even adult audiences.”-The Horn Book

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In Yolen's vibrant prose, this retelling of an ancient Scottish ballad leaps from the page in riveting strokes. Here, in all its moonswept mystery, is the story of how Jennet, red-headed daughter of the MacKenzie clan, rescues Tam Lin, the man she loves, from certain death at the hands of the Fairy Folk. In defying the Fairy Queen, the fiery-spirited girl also reclaims her family's abandoned, long-enchanted ancestral home. Mikolaycak's sensitive illustrations bring stirring, wistful overtones to the action and add rich depth of characterization to the protagonists. Every moment in this marvelous fairy tale works beautifully. Ages 6-12.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up-- Yolen dates Tam Lin's ballad back to 1549; later on, Robert Burns wrote what is perhaps the most familiar version. The most frequently anthologized prose version is Joseph Jacobs's "Tamlane," which originally appeared in More English Fairy Tales . Related to "Wild Robin," this is a tale of the faery queen's favorite, grown to manhood and due to be ritually sacrificed. Jennet saves him by holding fast as he changes into a lion, a snake, and a flame that she throws into a well and sprinkles with holy water, breaking the spell. Yolen's story is, as always, lyrical and true to the spirit of the tale and time. Mikolaycak's large-format double-page spreads of vibrant watercolor and colored pencil on Diazo prints soar across pages and break out of slender, peaceful borders. The red and green of rose bushes dominate; the tartans are original designs--"After all, a faery tale demands its own colors and plaids," Yolen states in background notes. She omits Jennet's pregnancy and other adult aspects of the tale. More satisfying in both art and telling than Betsy James's simpler version, The Red Cloak (Chronicle, 1989), and for an older audience than Susan Jeffers's Wild Robin (Dutton, 1976), this is a wildly romantic addition to any folklore collection. --Helen Gregory, Grosse Pointe Pub . Lib . , MI byrd press, please send us type, 5sets of galleys, and one set of numbered waxie, thanks Junior High Up
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (April 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 015201697X
• ISBN-13: 978-0152016975
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,011,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born and raised in New York City, Jane Yolen now lives in Hatfield, Massachusetts. She attended Smith College and received her master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. The distinguished author of more than 170 books, Jane Yolen is a person of many talents. When she is not writing, Yolen composes songs, is a professional storyteller on the stage, and is the busy wife of a university professor, the mother of three grown children, and a grandmother. Active in several organizations, Yolen has been on the Board of Directors of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, was president of the Science Fiction Writers of America from 1986 to 1988, is on the editorial board of several magazines, and was a founding member of the Western New England Storytellers Guild, the Western Massachusetts Illustrators Guild, and the Bay State Writers Guild. For twenty years, she ran a monthly writer's workshop for new children's book authors. In 1980, when Yolen was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law degree by Our Lady of the Elms College in Chicopee, Massachusetts, the citation recognized that "throughout her writing career she has remained true to her primary source of inspiration--folk culture." Folklore is the "perfect second skin," writes Yolen. "From under its hide, we can see all the shimmering, shadowy uncertainties of the world." Folklore, she believes, is the universal human language, a language that children instinctively feel in their hearts. All of Yolen's stories and poems are somehow rooted in her sense of family and self. The Emperor and the Kite, which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1983 for its intricate papercut illustrations by Ed Young, was based on Yolen's relationship with her late father, who was an international kite-flying champion. Owl Moon, winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal for John Schoenherr's exquisite watercolors, was inspired by her husband's interest in birding. Yolen's graceful rhythms and outrageous rhymes have been gathered in numerous collections. She has earned many awards over the years: the Regina Medal, the Kerlan Award, the World Fantasy Award, the Society of Children's Book Writers Award, the Mythopoetic Society's Aslan Award, the Christopher Medal, the Boy's Club Jr. Book Award, the Garden State Children's Book Award, the Daedalus Award, a number of Parents' Choice Magazine Awards, and many more. Her books and stories have been translated into Japanese, French, Spanish, Chinese, German, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Afrikaans, !Xhosa, Portuguese, and Braille. With a versatility that has led her to be called "America's Hans Christian Andersen," Yolen, the child of two writers, is a gifted and natural storyteller. Perhaps the best explanation for her outstanding accomplishments comes from Jane Yolen herself: "I don't care whether the story is real or fantastical. I tell the story that needs to be told."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting tale for all ages, August 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Tam Lin (Paperback)

This is one of several versions of the Tam Lin legend I've read, and by far the best--even though the other books were highly acclaimed novels. Jane Yolen's version is short but sweet--not to mention haunting, eerie, and beautiful. It's certainly not just a children's book; the spare, elegant writing and magical illustrations should charm readers of all ages who enjoy folk tales of dark magic, forbidden romance, danger and redemption. The heroine is spunky and courageous, the hero enigmatic and seemingly doomed. This is a classic.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Wonderful Fairy Tale, May 22, 2002

By 

Tasha Zebrowski (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tam Lin (Paperback)

"Tam Lin" has been my favorite fairy tale since kindergarten, and Jane Yolen retells it beautifully. The illustrations, too, are wonderful.
I especially like this story, because it is very unique. There is a heroine instead of a hero, Tam Lin and Janet are not a prince and princess, but commoners, and the fairies are evil.
This book is not only for children; teens and adults who are fans of Scottish folklore will adore it, too.
A tear always comes to my eye every time I read "Tam Lin". It will be enjoyed by many generations to come.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice Book, August 29, 2009

By 

J. R. Thorup "the ice pixy" (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tam Lin: An Old Ballad (Library Binding)

My favorite book in the whole world is The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope, and that story is based loosely on this old ballad so after reading it I was curious to hear the actual ballad that is so important to the plot of my favorite book.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I ordered this because there wasn't any info on the binding and there were no pictures of the product, but I was very pleasantly surprised to find that it is a lovely hard bound fully illustrated story book.

The pictures are lovely and colorful, and though the story is a little weird, I realize that it is quite old and I think it's so cool someone took the time to make this book to help preserve the old ballad.

I collect rare fairy tales and story books so it was great to be able to add this to my collection. It is well done and while it is essentially a fairy tale it has it's place in history as well. Very cool book.