TITLE: The Magpie's Nest: A Treasury of Bird Folk Tales
AUTHOR: Taffy Thomas MBE
PUBLISHER: The History Press
ISBN: 978-0-750-99005-9
PODCAST EPISODE: Episode 69
REVIEWER: Joana Varanda
Published in 2019 by The History Press, 'The Magpie's Nest: A Treasury of Bird Folktales' offers but a glimpse into the mind of Taffy Thomas MBE - one of the most experienced storytellers in the country, holding so many accomplishments, it's difficult to list them all in this review. Yet despite the simplicity of the book compared to the full extent of its author's knowledge, it is still a lovely take on the folklore of birds, surely enjoyed by both children and adults.
To begin, the aesthetically pleasing style used by The History Press means that chapters were made to correspond to a specific bird, with one to three stories each, prefaced by a poem or riddle, as well as a paragraph with some historical context in italics. These paragraphs are sensibly informative, not too bulky yet still offering some insight into the sources from whom Taffy has learnt his incredibly long repertoire - such as Scottish travelling storyteller, Duncan Williamson (and as mentioned in EPISODE 69 of The Folklore Podcast, where I had the honour of speaking to this Lake District resident).
These paragraphs and brainteasers can actually be quite illustrative of the author's own live storytelling style, (in case you are missing it due to the ongoing pandemic) as riddles and rhymes are frequently used as part of Taffy's live acts - challenging and calling for the audience's participation. Similarly, the referencing of sources and admission that certain tales have been heard from others are a perfect example of Taffy's ethos - the belief that "the only way you can harm a story is by not telling it".
Additionally in this Folklore Podcast episode, Taffy discussed some of his other books published with The History Press, such as 'The Riddle in The Tale' and 'Cumbrian Folk Tales', which is to say, in case you are not entirely satisfied with 'The Magpie's Nest', for reasons such as the lack of mention of your favourite bird, there are at least twelve other books and five hundred stories from Taffy that might pique your interest. And no doubt, you'll find your bird among them!
Regarding this book's artwork, the beginning of each chapter also features black and white illustrations of corresponding birds, drawn by another Lakeland resident, Becca Hall. Though her beautiful work stood out the most in a coloured section in the middle of the book, cleverly featuring collective nouns of feathered friends, such as a Parliament of Owls.
In all, whether you recognise some of the stories in 'The Magpie's Nest' or not, Taffy's message is clear: "storytelling preserves the past, reveals the present, and creates the future." One can not live in a world without stories and storytelling, much like one shouldn't live without care for Nature or for each other. And for that alone, this book deserves to be read.
AUTHOR: Taffy Thomas MBE
PUBLISHER: The History Press
ISBN: 978-0-750-99005-9
PODCAST EPISODE: Episode 69
REVIEWER: Joana Varanda
Published in 2019 by The History Press, 'The Magpie's Nest: A Treasury of Bird Folktales' offers but a glimpse into the mind of Taffy Thomas MBE - one of the most experienced storytellers in the country, holding so many accomplishments, it's difficult to list them all in this review. Yet despite the simplicity of the book compared to the full extent of its author's knowledge, it is still a lovely take on the folklore of birds, surely enjoyed by both children and adults.
To begin, the aesthetically pleasing style used by The History Press means that chapters were made to correspond to a specific bird, with one to three stories each, prefaced by a poem or riddle, as well as a paragraph with some historical context in italics. These paragraphs are sensibly informative, not too bulky yet still offering some insight into the sources from whom Taffy has learnt his incredibly long repertoire - such as Scottish travelling storyteller, Duncan Williamson (and as mentioned in EPISODE 69 of The Folklore Podcast, where I had the honour of speaking to this Lake District resident).
These paragraphs and brainteasers can actually be quite illustrative of the author's own live storytelling style, (in case you are missing it due to the ongoing pandemic) as riddles and rhymes are frequently used as part of Taffy's live acts - challenging and calling for the audience's participation. Similarly, the referencing of sources and admission that certain tales have been heard from others are a perfect example of Taffy's ethos - the belief that "the only way you can harm a story is by not telling it".
Additionally in this Folklore Podcast episode, Taffy discussed some of his other books published with The History Press, such as 'The Riddle in The Tale' and 'Cumbrian Folk Tales', which is to say, in case you are not entirely satisfied with 'The Magpie's Nest', for reasons such as the lack of mention of your favourite bird, there are at least twelve other books and five hundred stories from Taffy that might pique your interest. And no doubt, you'll find your bird among them!
Regarding this book's artwork, the beginning of each chapter also features black and white illustrations of corresponding birds, drawn by another Lakeland resident, Becca Hall. Though her beautiful work stood out the most in a coloured section in the middle of the book, cleverly featuring collective nouns of feathered friends, such as a Parliament of Owls.
In all, whether you recognise some of the stories in 'The Magpie's Nest' or not, Taffy's message is clear: "storytelling preserves the past, reveals the present, and creates the future." One can not live in a world without stories and storytelling, much like one shouldn't live without care for Nature or for each other. And for that alone, this book deserves to be read.