He pets the neck of the kelpie to find his hand is attached to it. One particular tale involved some children who met a kelpie, all but one climb on to it’s back while the last child stays on the shore. It is said that kelpies can stretch the length of their backs to carry several people to their doom together. Their bodies are magically adhesive which allows them to drag people into the water to drown them. When in horse form the kelpie will often stand near the edge of rivers waiting for their prey which is often young children. Whilst the stories can be fearsome, the giant sculpture of the Kelpies found just outside of Falkirk are far less scary, and, you can visit them on our tour of Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, and The Kelpies if you're feeling brave. They are referenced in the poem "Address to the Devil" by famous Scottish poet Robert Burns: This is similar to the concept of Satan minus the horns and tail usually associated with many depictions of the religious entity. Many reports stated that you could spot a Kelpie in human form by looking for water weeds in his/her hair or by looking at it’s feet as they keep their hooves when they transform. They are shape shifters that most often appear as a horse but they can also take human form. It also encouraged women to be wary of good looking strangers. There’s Nessie, of course, and the Selkies, but the real joy is in the lesser-known fiends: the Big Grey Man, the Island Beast, the “loathseome Nuckelavee” and the Wulver, a creature with the body of a man but the feet and hands of a wolf.The origins of the kelpie are believed to be rooted in human sacrifices to the water gods however this concept eventually died out and the story of the kelpie was then used to keep children from playing too near to lochs and dangerous rivers. This follow up to their An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales, brings us Scotland as a land populated by strange creatures. Breslin, who more commonly writes for older children young adults and won the Carnegie Medal for Whisper in the Graveyard, has a gift for bringing the old stories to life, and this is enchantingly enhanced by Leiper’s images. Among the most prizeable this year is An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Mythical Creatures by Theresa Breslin, illustrated by Kate Leiper (Floris, £14.99). '‘Tis the season also for sumptuously-illustrated gift books. 'A memorable collection of Scottish tales, highly recommended for reading aloud.' A fine choice for reading aloud or alone, rich in creatures more magical than frightening.' 'Lively yarn-spinning, delightful illustrations, and handsome bookmaking again make a winning combination in this follow-up to the creators' An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales (2012)… Leiper supplies all 11 tales with bright illustrations that generally run evocatively along the broad margins and off the edges of the pages, offering not scenes of violence but idyllic glimpses of finely modeled small animals and objects, appealingly distracted figures in historical dress, and grassy Scottish hills. The book is full of colour and atmosphere and style, a testament to the partnership of writer and illustrator.' But be sure to allow plenty of time to absorb all the beauty in Kate’s minutely detailed illustrations. Her engaging style makes this an ideal collection to read aloud. Theresa has selected eleven stories from settings across Scotland to tell and re-tell: a Selkie tale from Orkney, Thomas the Rhymer from the Scottish Borders, a story of dangerous women from Arbroath and an adventure of the Wee Folk in Lanarkshire amongst others. 'Theresa Breslin’s storytelling and the artwork of Kate Leiper combine to produce An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Mythical Creatures. The tales are perfect for bedtime stories but also captivating for older readers, making this a book for the whole family to enjoy.' 'Beautifully engages the imagination thanks to both the stories and the incredible illustrations that accompany them. 'Theresa Breslin brings an array of creatures to life with her assured and captivating storytelling, and she places a child at the heart of each tale.' Every home should have at least one copy.' 'This is a rare delight a harmonious braiding of pitch-perfect storytelling with illustrations of breathtaking elegance and integrity.
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