What do you think?
Rate this book
Coll the Storyteller's Tales of Enchantment
Coll Hazel may be the youngest bard, but he is sent on the most important quest of all - before next wintereve, he must find the mythic Avalon, home of King Arthur, and lay the thirteen sacred treasures to rest. Along Coll's journey, he encounters giants, demons, fairies, merfolk and sealwomen, wizards, witches, wise women, heroes and enchantresses. His travelling companion is the raven, Branwen - funny, opinionated and wise. As they face danger and make new friends, they tell each other tales. These stories are taken from the whole Celtic canon of literature that includes the Mabinogian, the Irish stories of Finn MacCool, and the Arthurian legends, as well as stories from Cornwall, Scotland, the Isle of Man and Brittany.
- GenresMythology
218 pages, Paperback
Published March 20, 2008
About the author
Lucy Coats
67 books49 followersIn 2015 I have 6 upcoming titles, 4 books in the brand-new Beasts of Olympus series from Piccadilly Press (Grosset and Dunlap/Penguin Young Readers in the USA), an early reader called The Little Green Drum from Orion and my first proper YA novel, Cleo, from Orchard. Cleo is a mixture of historical and paranormal, and follows the teenage Cleopatra on her journey to become pharaoh. I'm very excited about it indeed!
I was born in a small village in Hampshire, England. I loved reading from an early age, and was never found without some kind of book in my hand from the time I could turn and page and make sense of what was written there. My first job was as an editor of children's books, but I soon jumped the fence and started writing my own. My first picture book was published in 1992, and now I write for all ages (two to teen). Atticus the Storyteller's 100 Greek Myths was shortlisted for the BBC Blue Peter Book Award in 2004. It is the most comprehensive collection of Greek myths ever written for children. My first novel, Hootcat Hill which was described as “A lyrical fantasy full of old, dark magic entertainingly bound up with ordinary life.” by the Sunday Times.
The book I would take to a desert island is The Lord of the Rings. I've lost count of how many times I've read it, and I am still finding new things to marvel at in it.
I was born in a small village in Hampshire, England. I loved reading from an early age, and was never found without some kind of book in my hand from the time I could turn and page and make sense of what was written there. My first job was as an editor of children's books, but I soon jumped the fence and started writing my own. My first picture book was published in 1992, and now I write for all ages (two to teen). Atticus the Storyteller's 100 Greek Myths was shortlisted for the BBC Blue Peter Book Award in 2004. It is the most comprehensive collection of Greek myths ever written for children. My first novel, Hootcat Hill which was described as “A lyrical fantasy full of old, dark magic entertainingly bound up with ordinary life.” by the Sunday Times.
The book I would take to a desert island is The Lord of the Rings. I've lost count of how many times I've read it, and I am still finding new things to marvel at in it.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Read
October 29, 2008“Those who want unadulterated Celtic stuff should get Coll the Storyteller’s Tales of Enchantment. These—some well known, others not—are among the best we have, and, in Coats’s clear prose, ideal for bedtime reading and/or holidays in Britain.”
Amanda Craig, The Times
“A real pleasure to read and to dip into for a long time…I was glad to see a raven featuring so prominently.”
Philip Pullman
“What an accessible introduction to Celtic mythology! Coll the Storyteller is a young bard on a quest. He must rescue thirteen sacred treasures and discover the resting place of King Arthur. On his journey, he and his companion, the raven Branwen, tell each other stories. And it is these which are the real treasures of this book. There are tales here from the Mabinogion, Irish myths, Arthurian legends, as well as stories from Scotland, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man. Some are well known, others less so. All are told in direct and immediate prose, illuminated with flashes of brilliant imagery.
A few of the more brutal or tragic tales have been gently edited. Purists may object, but it ensures that no tale is unsuitable for young listeners. Lewis incorporates photographs of real stones, leaves and textiles to give his black and white cartoons an authentic, almost tactile, feel. Terrific.”
Dawn Casey in Armadillo Issue 9.4 Winter 2007 www.armadillomagazine.com
“This seems an ideal book for The Corncrake and for Colonsay since the name Coll is itself such an important one in THIS island's life and history. Many local people are related to Coll or even descended from Coll!! Not this actual bard of course but this young storyteller does travel right through the Western and more Celtic fringes of the British Isles.
Although there is a central theme to Coll's travels each chapter is a stand-alone story - ideal for bedtime reading. Some of the names, and their spellings and pronunciation, may at first seem complicated to the younger reader [though there is a helpful guide provided] so probably this is best as something an adult would read aloud. Many of the myths and legends and their heroes will be familiar to them both from their own childhood but also from wider reading of Celtic literature later in life - Arthur, Finn MacCool, Cuchulain to name the most obvious. To me it seems significant that these tales are "peopled" with lots of animals both real, like cattle and ravens, and imaginary, like mermaids and kelpies, but almost always talking directly to the humans, fairies and wizards.The prose is clear and to the point and the black and white line drawings are scattered tantalisingly throughout the text. I have not actually found Colonsay but Islay, Skye and the Uists all have their own named sections and naturally the whirlpool [or the Gulf as local fishermen would call it] of Corryvreckan features too. All excellent stuff - and very good value!”
Georgina Hobhouse in The Corncrake
“Richly told stories.”
The Green Parent Magazine June 2008
This is a well-illustrated, attractive hardback containing tales from Celtic literature, including those of Wales, Ireland, Scotland, The Isle of Man, Brittany and Cornwall, told in traditional folk style. Some are written for children for the first time. Reading these stories is rather like listening to tracks on a Steeleye Span CD. The prose has an unearthly, long-ago magical quality – and a lot of Celtic names (but there is a pronunciation chart at the front)!
Junior Education PLUS January 2008
Amanda Craig, The Times
“A real pleasure to read and to dip into for a long time…I was glad to see a raven featuring so prominently.”
Philip Pullman
“What an accessible introduction to Celtic mythology! Coll the Storyteller is a young bard on a quest. He must rescue thirteen sacred treasures and discover the resting place of King Arthur. On his journey, he and his companion, the raven Branwen, tell each other stories. And it is these which are the real treasures of this book. There are tales here from the Mabinogion, Irish myths, Arthurian legends, as well as stories from Scotland, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man. Some are well known, others less so. All are told in direct and immediate prose, illuminated with flashes of brilliant imagery.
A few of the more brutal or tragic tales have been gently edited. Purists may object, but it ensures that no tale is unsuitable for young listeners. Lewis incorporates photographs of real stones, leaves and textiles to give his black and white cartoons an authentic, almost tactile, feel. Terrific.”
Dawn Casey in Armadillo Issue 9.4 Winter 2007 www.armadillomagazine.com
“This seems an ideal book for The Corncrake and for Colonsay since the name Coll is itself such an important one in THIS island's life and history. Many local people are related to Coll or even descended from Coll!! Not this actual bard of course but this young storyteller does travel right through the Western and more Celtic fringes of the British Isles.
Although there is a central theme to Coll's travels each chapter is a stand-alone story - ideal for bedtime reading. Some of the names, and their spellings and pronunciation, may at first seem complicated to the younger reader [though there is a helpful guide provided] so probably this is best as something an adult would read aloud. Many of the myths and legends and their heroes will be familiar to them both from their own childhood but also from wider reading of Celtic literature later in life - Arthur, Finn MacCool, Cuchulain to name the most obvious. To me it seems significant that these tales are "peopled" with lots of animals both real, like cattle and ravens, and imaginary, like mermaids and kelpies, but almost always talking directly to the humans, fairies and wizards.The prose is clear and to the point and the black and white line drawings are scattered tantalisingly throughout the text. I have not actually found Colonsay but Islay, Skye and the Uists all have their own named sections and naturally the whirlpool [or the Gulf as local fishermen would call it] of Corryvreckan features too. All excellent stuff - and very good value!”
Georgina Hobhouse in The Corncrake
“Richly told stories.”
The Green Parent Magazine June 2008
This is a well-illustrated, attractive hardback containing tales from Celtic literature, including those of Wales, Ireland, Scotland, The Isle of Man, Brittany and Cornwall, told in traditional folk style. Some are written for children for the first time. Reading these stories is rather like listening to tracks on a Steeleye Span CD. The prose has an unearthly, long-ago magical quality – and a lot of Celtic names (but there is a pronunciation chart at the front)!
Junior Education PLUS January 2008
February 7, 2015
A wonderful collection of old stories woven around Coll and his quest.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews