The most complete book on these powerful magical beings. Elves and fairies provide a magical mirror into the human psyche and can help people better understand themselves. In The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Elves and Fairies, readers encounter and learn from an array of magical creatures, and discover how they can positively influence their lives. Key topics include fairy magic in the 21st century, how to recognize an elf and what to do when you meet one, how to attract good elves and fairies, and how to protect yourself from bad ones. • The Lord of the Rings trilogy, on film and DVD, have increased people’s interest in elves and their ways. • Brian Froud’s bestselling titles, including The Faeries' Oracle, Good Faeries/Bad Faeries, and Lady Cottington’s Fairy Album, have kept fairy lore and fairy images in the public eye for more than 25 years. • This book explores fairy tales, folklore, and mythology, including modern fairy tales like the Harry Potter series.
You're no idiot. You know the wildly popular Harry Potter series has captivated readers of all ages from the release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stoneon. But did you recognize all the subtle references Rowling uses in her characters' names or in the magical creatures we encounter and places we explore in Harry's wonderful world of wizardry? The truth is, the world of Harry Potter is incredibly textured and complex and not only has factual roots in history, mythology, science, and folklore, but also draws on all genres of literature, from C. S. Lewis to the Bible. You'll learn this and much more in the fun facts and tantalizing trivia provided in this fabulous new addition to the Complete Idiot's Guide series! This is not a retelling of Rowling's stories, nor is it intended to be a cheat sheet to the novels, a la the Cliffs Notes series. Instead, it is an entertaining and easily referenced presentation of insider information to the world Rowling has created in her spellbinding series of novels.
The Book of Elves and Fairies by Frances Jenkins Olcott: Step into the enchanting realm of elves and fairies with Frances Jenkins Olcott's captivating collection of folklore and mythology. The Book of Elves and Fairies takes readers on a magical journey, exploring the legends, tales, and mystical creatures that have fascinated imaginations throughout the ages. Key Aspects of the Book “The Book of Elves and Fairies”: Presents a diverse array of stories and legends from different cultures, showcasing the universality of beliefs in supernatural beings. Offers glimpses into the folklore and mythology surrounding elves, fairies, and other magical creatures. Inspires wonder and invites readers to embrace the realms of fantasy and imagination. Frances Jenkins Olcott, an American author and folklorist, dedicated her life to collecting and retelling captivating tales from various cultures. Her passion for folklore led her to travel extensively, immersing herself in the rich traditions of different countries. Olcott's works, such as The Wonder Garden and The Book of Elves and Fairies, brought these enchanting stories to life, introducing readers of all ages to the magical realms of myth and legend. Through her vivid storytelling and meticulous research, Olcott ensured that these timeless tales would be cherished for generations to come.
This giant, gorgeously illustrated encyclopedia documents the lives of elves, goblins, hobgoblins, gnomes, imps, pixies, and sprites with whimsy and wonder. The most extensive volume on the various types of little creatures and fairyfolk, The Complete Encyclopedia of Elves, Goblins and Other Little Creatures illustrates each unique species with charming, luminous, detailed drawings, and includes the folklore and fairy tales collected through extensive research. The first half of this volume is devoted to the various species of elves, a species that has existed since the dawn of time. These creatures flourish in both the daytime and the nighttime, undoubtedly the most complex and mysterious species of the fairy world. Some of them are well-known like Sylphs, Selkies and Will-o'-the-Wisps, while other more obscure elves are revealed here for the first time.The second half leads us through a vast variety of the invisible and sometimes frightening creatures who haunt hollow and attic, forest and ocean. If you already knew about Goblins, Gnomes, Sprites, Imps, and Brownies, this book helps you discover dozens of regional and local varieties of magical creatures as well--some of them can even be found in your own attic or garden! As a result of twenty years of patient research, the author, Pierre Dubois, has created portraits of hundreds of species. For each one, he wrote a tale starting from authentic anecdotes, spiced with spirited humour. An identification sheet presents the appearance of each variety, its morals, manners, and habits; its food and clothing; and the places and countries where they might be found. The illustrations of Roland Sabatier portray each strange and wonderful creature and the marvels and mysteries of the habitats they live in. An excellent book for a family, this encyclopedia will delight people of all ages--and all sizes. AUTHORS Pierre Dubois was born in 1945 in the Ardennes region of France. He expresses his love of the fantastic through television; he is a host on France 3 Bretagne and a scenario writer of teleplays. Claudine and Roland Sabatier are very well-known illustrators for children's books in France; they live near Paris and collaborate on textbooks and children's fiction ILLUSTRATIONS 400 colour *
Why are elves and fairies sometimes encountered as 'good' or 'bad'entities? What makes it possiblefor a human being to see an elf or fairy? How are elves and fairies linked to the ghosts of the dead? These are just some of the age-old questions addressed in this book. Joseph martin uses his personal encounters with nature spirits, as well as insights from the esoteric and folkloric traditions, to provide a 21st Century perspective on the realm of elves, fairies and other such entities. He uses examples from Celtic folklore to deconstruct some of the many myths that have arisen in respect of nature spirits throughout the ages. In doing so, Martin reveals how entities like elves and fairies are inherently linked to the human experience, as well as to the spirit of Mother earth. By showing that nature spirits are entities on a spiritual journey parallel to mankind's, Joseph Martin illustrates how elves and fairies are much more than just the fantastical creatures of myth and legend:
While it's true that fairy folk love a good garden and take great pleasure in a tulip, there are dozens of beasties who fall under the fairy domain that are not quite as delightful as the quintessential flower fairy. This book is an exploration of the many things that go bump in the night near the fairy mound. Along with an exploration of folklore and historical literature, readers will delight in fairy tales that demonstrate everything from striking a bargain with a fairy to staving off changelings to laughing with the dwarves. Included are fairy tales and myths from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Scandinavia plus classic stories by Thomas Crofton Croker, Joseph Jacobs, Clara Stroebe, the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Andersen, Yei Theodora Ozaki, and others on goblins, trolls, gnomes, pookas, changelings, banshees, and more! Chapters include: Fairy, Fae, Faerie Way: What Is a Fairy, Anyway? The Hand That Rocks the Cradle: Changelings and Baby Snatchers I'm Not Drunk, It's My Pooka: The Legacy of the Trickster Fairy I Begged You Not to Stay: What You Might Meet at the Crossroads A Fear of Little Men: Leprechauns, Hobgoblins, House Elves, and Other Little Things If you think fairies are merely delicate beings who follow you about on gossamer wings, you are in for quite a shock: the kingdom of the fairy is one of vengeance, thievery, trickery, and wild creatures. Consider yourself warned!
A lavishly illustrated reference to the world of modern fairies shares practical advice for recognizing good and bad fairies and includes eight cautionary tales about fairy encounters in New York.
A unique collection of traditional stories about faeries, elves and goblins. Faeries, elves, goblins, leprechauns, brownies, spriggans and many other supernatural beings leap vividly off the page in this collection of haunting stories. Included are 25 stories drawing on folklore from the rich narrative heritage of Britain and Ireland. Marvel over ancient spells to summon faeries to your house, tremble at the shapeshifting powers of dangerous faery queens, lose yourself amongst the illusions of Faeryland and learn how to protect family members from the terrors of faery abduction. Interspersed with facts on faery folklore, these tales cover faery morals, elvish misdemeanours, the spells cast by goblins and the sightings of the creatures, as well as their dealings with mortals. With charming illustrations from favourite illustrators throughout, including Arthur Rackham, this book reminds us of the enduring appeal of folklore and mystery for all generations.
