Book Review: Woodland Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland by Lisa Schneidau*

Woodlands have long been a feature of folk stories and fairy tales. So, as a fan of this type of fiction, Lisa Schneidau’s Woodland Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland, published by The History Press, immediately caught my eye.

At one time, most of Britain and Ireland was covered in woodland. And while many of the trees have now been cleared, our connection with the wildwood remains. It’s a place of danger, adventure and transformation, where anything could happen.

This collection features traditional folk tales of oak, ash and thorn; of hunting forests and rebellion; timber and triumph in battle; and wild ghosts and woodwoses.

Here, Lisa Schneidau retells some of the old stories and relates them to the trees and forests in the landscape of our islands today.

What I thought of the book

This book is the perfect antidote to the endless unsettling news stories about the coronavirus pandemic.

It takes the reader deep into mysterious woodlands inhabited by a myriad of weird and wonderful characters.

But while the worlds contained within the pages offer a form of escapism, the author doesn’t shy away from the very real issues of conservation and climate change.

And given that Lisa Schneidau is a trained ecologist – as well as a professional storyteller – she has the credentials to speak about these 21^st century problems.

In her fascinating introduction, she talks about the history of woodlands in Britain and Ireland, and the impact of human activity. Did you know, for example, that we’re now among the least wooded countries in Europe? (I certainly didn’t.)

The book contains Lisa’s own versions of 32 traditional tales, which she has found using a range of sources, including folklore archives. And she has split the book into themes, such as ‘Hunter and Hunted’ and ‘Tree Folk’.

But as well as the stories, Lisa shares her knowledge of folklore and woodlands, exploring what might have inspired the stories in the first place.

The tales themselves are a joy to read. Lisa uses rich language and shares stories that are often dark and disturbing (we’re not in Disney territory, here). And, as with so many folk tales, they teach us about right and wrong.

I especially enjoyed the story relating to the legend of Robin Hood, one of the more well-known characters in the book. Another favourite was The Woodland Under the Sea.

With this collection, you can choose to dip in and out as you please. You don’t have to read it all in one go. It’s also ideal for reading out loud, especially because that is how these tales were shared through the ages.

Lisa is a talented writer, who combines her storytelling skills with her ecological knowledge to both entertain and instil in the reader an appreciation of the natural world. She also reminds us that nature is something we all have a responsibility to care for and protect.

How much is the book and where can you buy it?

The book is available as a paperback, priced £12.99. To buy, click here.

About the book
Title: Woodland Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland
Author: Lisa Schneidau
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 9780750990110
Pages: 192

(Photo by: Jo Swift)

About the author

Lisa Schneidau is a professional storyteller, based in Devon. She shares stories that inspire, provoke curiosity and build stronger connections between people and nature.

Lisa trained as an ecologist and has worked with wildlife charities all over Britain. Her roles have included farm adviser, river surveyor, political lobbyist and conservation director.

Review by: Colette Warbrook

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*We were given a copy of the book in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.