Celtic legends are alive with amazing animals and birds. They are powerful, even magical creatures, who use their gifts and abilities to help - or to hinder - the people they come across.
This is a collection of twelve Celtic legends about different animals and birds, and is a translation of Yn Llais yr Anifail (2024). As the title suggests, it is the creatures themselves who retell traditional stories in their own words. In addition to the stories, we also find out about the personal feelings of the creatures; and all enriched with the antique-looking illustrations by Elin Manon, and the crafty design by Olwen Fowler.
There are also notes about the legends at the back of the book, and I feel that it is wise to look at these before reading the legends. Find out which Celtic country each legend comes from, and the names of the authors who have written the stories. For example: in the notes it can be seen that ‘the starling was considered as a friend of the Celts, as a divine messenger, and as a symbol of good luck and help from cosmic forces’. In the subsequent legend (by Angharad Tomos) it is easy to accept that the starling befriends Branwen in Ireland, and becomes a messenger carrying a note to her brother Bendigeidfran in Wales, asking for his help to save her.
Another feathered, interesting character is the chough, in a tale from Cornwall, this time written by Sioned Erin Hughes. I have watched this bird many times at Ynys Enlli and listened to its gentle cry, and I am now looking forward to seeing and hearing it there next time with a new, otherworldly vision after reading the tale. It is fair to say that this creature is my favourite in this collection. I like these words from the mouth of the red-legged crow, “the blood that stains my curved beak and my slender legs red”, which is a good description with a hint of sadness. Maybe a trip to Cornwall is due – I would love to see the crimson crow flying above me, protecting its people.
Elin Manon is an illustrator from Wales and has lived in Cornwall and Scotland. She is obviously inspired by nature and folk stories, and she manages to deepen our awareness of our environment and the history of Wales as a Celtic country through her pictures. I like how the print has been placed within the pictures, giving the artwork as much attention as the magical writing with the artwork telling the story as well as the words. I love Elin's distinct and special style which is unique and easy to recognise. Her photos have a light and relaxing feel, with the use of beautiful light in them. Her love for the environment and the natural world is evident in her pictures, as they are set in the distant past in a world without the influence of modern times – something I would try to convey in my paintings too, so I love this natural element of her work.
This book treats old tales with freshness and a bit of humour, and I had a lot of enjoyment reading the stories, expanding my knowledge of the Celtic legends which are an important part of the history of all of us.
By all means, read this book, as an individual or in a group, or maybe you can listen to someone else read these precious stories to you. There is plenty of variety to be found in terms of style, as each tale has a different author, with the illustrations key to each individual one. Enjoy!
Lisa Taylor
- ISBN: 9781845246419
- Publication: December 2025
- Illustrated by Elin Manon
- Format: Hardback, 270x200 mm, 100 pages
