What do you think?
Rate this book
Ancient Fantasy #1
The Mountain of Marvels: A Celtic Tale of Magic, Retold from the Mabinogion
A thousand years ago, in the Celtic kingdoms of Wales, great lords gave great feasts for their fighting men and courtiers. In timbered halls, for days on end, heaps of meat and bread were washed down with gallons of beer and mead. And in between the meals, when bellies were stuffed and spirits high, the storyteller rose and spun his tales of times long past.
He told of lords, bold and generous. He told of ladies, grand and glorious. He told of friends, brave and faithful. But of all he told about, no friend was more reliable than Manawydan, son of Llyr. No lady was more admirable than Rhiannon. And no lord was more honorable than Pwyll, King of Dyfed.
The halls are now long gone -- yet some tales were written down and gathered in a book we call today The Mabinogion. And so the tales live on. . . .
For ages 10 and up. Not illustrated!
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Sea King's Daughter," "The Monkey King," and many more children's books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
"Highly recommended . . . . A brief yet exciting and exotic fable of heroes striving to make their mark and protect those most dear to them in a fantastic world." -- Children's Bookwatch (Midwest Library Review), Jan. 2007
"Written in a lyrical voice that channels the ghosts of storytellers past. . . . Great for a librarian or teacher to read to a class." -- Sheila Ruth, Wands and Worlds, Jan. 2007
"A clear, simple, beautiful retelling. Those familiar with the source material will recognise how masterly a piece of work Shepard has crafted from notoriously challenging material. . . . Best of all, the language has retained the full richness of the underlying Celtic music." -- Louise Owen, Celtic Cafe
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
SAMPLE
The next day, after the midday meal, Pwyll said to Manawydan, "Let us walk again on the mount. But this time, we'll bring my horse along."
So once more they climbed the mount. And they had not sat long when they saw the same lady, in the same dress and veil, on the same horse, on the same road, coming at the same slow, steady pace.
Pwyll speedily mounted his horse, but as he reached the foot of the mount, she was already riding past the spot. Then he let his horse prance after, thinking to easily overtake her. When he did not, he gave his horse the rein. It began to trot, yet fell even farther behind. Then he spurred it to a gallop -- but at its greatest speed, it lost more ground than ever. And still the lady rode no faster than a walk.
At last his horse began to fail, and he called out, "Lady, in the name of the man you hold dearest, please halt."
"I will," she said. "And for the sake of your horse, you could have asked it sooner."
He told of lords, bold and generous. He told of ladies, grand and glorious. He told of friends, brave and faithful. But of all he told about, no friend was more reliable than Manawydan, son of Llyr. No lady was more admirable than Rhiannon. And no lord was more honorable than Pwyll, King of Dyfed.
The halls are now long gone -- yet some tales were written down and gathered in a book we call today The Mabinogion. And so the tales live on. . . .
For ages 10 and up. Not illustrated!
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
Aaron Shepard is the award-winning author of "The Baker's Dozen," "The Sea King's Daughter," "The Monkey King," and many more children's books. His stories have appeared often in Cricket magazine, while his Web site is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater. Once a professional storyteller, Aaron specializes in lively retellings of folktales and other traditional literature, which have won him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
"Highly recommended . . . . A brief yet exciting and exotic fable of heroes striving to make their mark and protect those most dear to them in a fantastic world." -- Children's Bookwatch (Midwest Library Review), Jan. 2007
"Written in a lyrical voice that channels the ghosts of storytellers past. . . . Great for a librarian or teacher to read to a class." -- Sheila Ruth, Wands and Worlds, Jan. 2007
"A clear, simple, beautiful retelling. Those familiar with the source material will recognise how masterly a piece of work Shepard has crafted from notoriously challenging material. . . . Best of all, the language has retained the full richness of the underlying Celtic music." -- Louise Owen, Celtic Cafe
/////////////////////////////////////////////////
SAMPLE
The next day, after the midday meal, Pwyll said to Manawydan, "Let us walk again on the mount. But this time, we'll bring my horse along."
So once more they climbed the mount. And they had not sat long when they saw the same lady, in the same dress and veil, on the same horse, on the same road, coming at the same slow, steady pace.
Pwyll speedily mounted his horse, but as he reached the foot of the mount, she was already riding past the spot. Then he let his horse prance after, thinking to easily overtake her. When he did not, he gave his horse the rein. It began to trot, yet fell even farther behind. Then he spurred it to a gallop -- but at its greatest speed, it lost more ground than ever. And still the lady rode no faster than a walk.
At last his horse began to fail, and he called out, "Lady, in the name of the man you hold dearest, please halt."
"I will," she said. "And for the sake of your horse, you could have asked it sooner."
46 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
About the author
Aaron Shepard
93 books41 followersAaron Shepard is the author of many books, stories, and scripts for young people, as well as professional books and resources for writers and educators. He has also worked professionally in both storytelling and reader's theater, as a performer, director, and teacher trainer. Aaron's lively and meticulous retellings of folktales and other traditional literature have found homes with more than a dozen children's book publishers, large and small, and with the world's top children's literary magazines, winning him honors from the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, the Bank Street College of Education, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Folklore Society. His extensive Web site, visited by thousands of teachers and librarians each week, is known internationally as a prime resource for folktales, storytelling, and reader's theater, while his stories and scripts have been featured in textbooks from publishers worldwide, including Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, SRA, The College Board, Pearson Education, National Geographic, Oxford University Press, Barron's, Hodder Education, and McGraw-Hill.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 12, 2016
A very interesting tale of old. Such tales are often the best. Here the explanation of when the tale could have been compiled is as interesting as the story itself. I thoroughly enjoyed this reading and being enlightened of such ancient Wales/Celtic stories.
I have such an old tale rewritten to include in my Anthology, Twisted Vine . I am now considering publishing it separately after reading this.
I have such an old tale rewritten to include in my Anthology, Twisted Vine . I am now considering publishing it separately after reading this.
November 15, 2015
For full review please go to: 5girlsbookreviews.blogspot.com, Twitter @camartinez and Facebook "5 Girls Book Reviews"
REVIEW BY: Michaela, age 11 years, 5 months
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:
This was a good book, I really enjoyed it!
I liked the magical lord, he really was going to give pretty much everything to get his wife back. I think that is true love!
REVIEW BY: Michaela, age 11 years, 5 months
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:
This was a good book, I really enjoyed it!
I liked the magical lord, he really was going to give pretty much everything to get his wife back. I think that is true love!
September 13, 2014
An introduction to Celtic Mythology featuring "The Great Queen", Rhiannon.
This is a retelling of the Welsh classic "The Mabinogion" which dates back to the Middle Ages.
Highly recommended to fans of fairytales and mythology.
This is a retelling of the Welsh classic "The Mabinogion" which dates back to the Middle Ages.
Highly recommended to fans of fairytales and mythology.
September 26, 2016
This is the first of Aaron Shepard's Ancient Fantasy series that retells classics from different parts of the world. My first peek into Welsh literature is through this book and I am delighted. This has piqued my interest in reading the Mabinogion.
February 10, 2015
Several ancient Welsh tales from pre-Christian and Medieval times, about the legendary Rhiannon and Lord Pwyll, King of Dyfed.
November 6, 2013
Another of Aaron Shepard's retold myths and legends. An accessible and well done retelling. Great for young readers or adults looking to get a taste of these classic myths.
January 3, 2015
A nice quick read. Celtic fairytales.
June 21, 2013
Brilliant retelling of Celtic legends taken from The Mabinogion. I would certainly recommend this book as a great starting point for readers to introduce themselves to Celtic folklore, legends, and myths.
January 17, 2012
A retelling of four the tales from the Mabinogion. Incredilbly well done.
December 11, 2014
I really enjoyed these tales from the Mabingonen. I'm glad that this author is trying to keep these available.
March 18, 2012
This was fairly short, it was enjoyable. I especially liked that there was a pronunciation guide provided.
October 26, 2015
It was very interesting. Lots of extreems.
March 20, 2021
Welsh bedside tales
Tales from the Celts of Wales stir the imagination and roll off of the tongue. Good bedside reading for hospital.
Tales from the Celts of Wales stir the imagination and roll off of the tongue. Good bedside reading for hospital.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews