A Century of Welsh Myth in Children's Literature (Contributions to the Study of Science Fiction & Fantasy) Book

Myth, legend, and folklore have been entrenched in children's literature for several centuries and continue to be popular. Some of the most ancient traditional tales still extant come from the Celtic cultures of France and the British Isles, whose languages are among the oldest in Europe. Among these tales are four native Welsh legends collectively known as the Mabinogi, which were first translated into English in 1845 by Lady Charlotte Guest. Numerous children's books have been based on the Mabinogi since then, and many have received awards and critical acclaim. This book is a chronological study of how authors have adapted Welsh myth for children. Some of the works discussed include Sidney Lanier's The Boy's Mabinogion (1881), Alan Garner's The Owl Service (1967), which won the Carnegie Medal, and Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, the final volume of which received the ALA's Newbery Award for outstanding children's book.