The Selkie's Mate

by Nicola Davies, Clare Jenkins (Illustrator)

Overview

In a land where people flow between ocean and land, a seal and a fisherman sing together under a flowing moon.

One in a series of tales that explore the deeper, darker side of our connection with the natural world. Be ready to feel a little bit of magic, and perhaps a few shivers down the spine.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781913733483
Publisher:	Graffeg
Publication date:	08/01/2020
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 7.75(h) x (d)
Age Range:	9 Years

About the Author

Nicola Davies is an award-winning author whose many books for children include A First Book of Nature, Ice Bear, Big Blue Whale and the Silver Street Farm series. She graduated in zoology, studied whales and bats then worked in the BBC Nature History Unit. Underlying all Nicola’s writing is the belief that a relationship with nature is essential to every human being, and that now, more than ever, we need to renew that relationship.

Claire Jenkins is an illustration graduate from Swansea, south Wales. Working in pencil, markers or watercolor, she is inspired by her surroundings, producing artwork that includes portraiture as well as the natural world. The Selkie’s Mate is the first book she has illustrated.

Editorial Reviews

"A solid addition to folktale collections." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

10/01/2017
Gr 3–5—On an island lives a crofter who loves the sea and a selkie who is drawn to him by his lonely songs. The two sing together night after night, until the seal disappears. She comes to him the next day in her human form and gives him her selkie skin, requesting he promise to keep it safe and return it when she asks. The two live happily together for seven years, raising two children, until the day the selkie asks for her skin back and the crofter delays, hoping to ply her instead with gifts. Three times she asks, and three times he refuses, unable to understand why she wants her skin back. They continue to live together, but now without joy or love. As in many selkie stories, it is the children who discover the location of the skin, and their mother is able to return to the sea. Only then does the crofter finally understand his betrayal. This slim volume is part of series of short stories by Davies, an author and zoologist, exploring humanity's connection with nature. She presents the haunting story of betrayed trust and loss in accessible language that would also be suitable for a read-aloud in folklore units. The text is complemented by excellent pencil and watercolor illustrations that vary in size and include rich full-page spreads from debut illustrator Jenkins. VERDICT A solid addition to folktale collections.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL

School Library Journal