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The Secret of the Kelpie

A Scottish Folktale for Young Readers

Lari Don author Philip Longson illustrator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Floris Books

Published:17th Mar '16

Should be back in stock very soon

The Secret of the Kelpie cover

In The Secret of the Kelpie, Flora must uncover the truth behind a mysterious horse to protect her family from a lurking danger.

This captivating adaptation brings to life the traditional Scottish folktale of the kelpie, a shape-shifting water horse that has intrigued generations. In The Secret of the Kelpie, young Flora becomes entangled in a mystery that could threaten her family. While playing by the loch with her siblings, she spots a stunning white horse, but her instincts tell her that something is amiss. The enchanting creature is not what it seems, and Flora must unravel the kelpie's secret before it's too late.

As Flora's siblings eagerly rush to ride the beautiful horse, she recalls the old tales warning of the kelpie's danger. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Scotland's picturesque lochs, which, while seemingly inviting, hold dark secrets beneath their surface. The narrative emphasizes the importance of heeding warnings and trusting one's instincts, especially when it comes to the unknown.

Renowned children's author Lari Don masterfully retells this classic tale, making it accessible for children aged 4-7. Accompanied by Philip Longson's breathtaking illustrations, The Secret of the Kelpie invites young readers to explore the enchanting yet perilous world of Scottish folklore, where every loch has its kelpie, and every adventure carries a lesson about bravery and wisdom.

'A wonderful re-telling of the traditional Scottish folk tale. The language is very accessible and the hushed earth and water colours of the illustrations perfectly capture the impact of the Scottish landscape and the drama of the story. Ideal for storytelling.'
--Carousel, Annie Everall

'A classic tale of the kelpie that is wonderfully and beautifully retold for children ages 4-7 in this gripping adaptation... and enhanced with the breathtaking illustrations by artist Philip Longson.'
-- Midwest Book Review

'The story is haunting, and along with its lovely, detailed illustrations, it captures the look and feel of Scotland perfectly. '
--Goodreads, Barbara

'... The author uses elements of various traditional versions and acknowledges several collections of Scottish tales as source material. But Don makes her story far gentler than many.'
-- Kirkus

'The illustrations are very pretty and fun, and are an exciting part of the story.'
--Kids' Book Buzz

Praise for the Scottish Traditional Tales:
'Beautiful books which are a great introduction to the folklore genre... Wonderful stories which will give children a real sense of Scottish culture.'
-- Creative Steps

Praise for The Tale of Tam Linn:
'A traditional Scots tale served up both fresh and freshly illustrated.'
-- Kirkus

'The illustrations are very pretty and fun, and are an exciting part of the story.'
--Kids' Book Buzz

'With swirling lines, soft earthy colors, and dramatic compositions, Longson's illustrations capture the beauty of the natural world as well as the ominous undertones of the tale. A haunting picture book with a stouthearted heroine.'
--Booklist

ISBN: 9781782502524

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: 242g

36 pages