Nature Folklore for Children: Capturing Their Curiosity and Inspiring Awe

by Claire Cock-Starkey

I have always especially loved nature folklore. It provides such a beautiful glimpse into how people use signs from nature as a way to navigate daily life. It reveals how attuned people used to be to the natural world and the ebb and flow of the seasons. Spotting certain animals or birds came to be associated with good or bad fortune; plants and flowers were used as cures; and stories of fantastical creatures, such as fairies and elves, were told to account for unexplained events.

The King’s Table: Exploring the Storytelling Tradition

by Willow Winsham

#FolkloreThursday’s Willow Winsham interviews storyteller Jean Edmiston and her daughter Amanda on their family storytelling tradition, and Jean’s new story, “The King’s Table”.

Whither Shall I Wander? Reflections on Mother Goose: Past, Present, and Once Upon a Time

by Karen Clavelle

hither shall I wander? This question can be a delightful start to considering the history of the inestimable Mother Goose, illustrious ancestor of the Mother Goose of The Mother Goose Letters (at Bay Press, 2019). As her correspondence in the book reveals, Mother Goose is also a character of longevity and considerable force. At one […]

The Lessons of Monsters: As Learned from Cultural Demons Krampus and Namahage

by Chris Kullstroem

Chris Kullstroem delves into the world of monsters, their cultural festivals and scare tourism…

Sleepy Hollow: The Headless Horseman’s European Roots

by Thom Burgess

orever immortalised in Washington Irving’s ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ the Headless Horseman has undoubtedly become one of horror fiction’s most iconic spectres. This monstrous phantom which torments and pursues the lanky figure of Ichabod Crane set against backdrop of Tarrytown New York has become a staple of Americana. Whilst it’s said Irving was influenced […]

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