Ballad Alert

Jeremy Love's BAYOU, Volume 2, includes a very scary dude: Stagolee. The story also includes visual allusions to Robert Johnson. On one hand, the devil and on the other, the man who legend has it made a deal with the devil for his musical prowess. I am looking forward to Volume 3 to see how the story develops.

Sadko

Just to draw attention to the posting on SurLaLune Fairy Tales Blog on a picture book version of Sadko, one of the ballads (and books) I highlight in Stories From Songs.
http://surlalunefairytales.blogspot.com/2011/03/sea-kings-daughter-russian-legend-by.html

Truth Seeker by C. E. Murphy

I am always delighted to find several of my divergent research topics together in one novel. I have just finished reading the first volume in the two volume storyline by C. E. Murphy. I thoroughly engaged with the story line and the characters and enjoyed the mentions of the contemporary legend of the scuba diver in the tree and the ballad of Tam Lin. Now I have to await patiently (not my strong suit) for the conclusion of the story in Wayfinder (coming soon).

The contemporary legend:
"Where did you come from? A pool full of water fell out of the sky, and then you did. I didn't see a -- an airplane?" She looked skyward, and Lara did, too, remembering urban legends she'd read about scuba divers found in the middle of forest fires, dropped there by helicopters scooping seawater to battle the fires with. She wished she had a similar story to explain away her arrival. (page 153)

The ballad:
"In fairy tales if the fair folk stay in our world it's usually because they're trapped somehow and aren't strong enough to get away. Like Tam Lin except in reverse."
"And it was mortal love that saved Tam Lin when he rode back into this world with the queen's host," Ioan said. Lara looked between them, bewildered, through Kelly's expression said she knew the story. "Had Janet come to Annwn to rescue him, she never would have been able to free him. We're weakened by this world," Ioan said again... (286)

Golf GTI — Anyone for a Sunday Drive?

SurLaLune Fairy Tales Blog: Fairytale Reflections (15) Gillian Philip at SMoST

SurLaLune Fairy Tales Blog: Fairytale Reflections (15) Gillian Philip at SMoST

SurLaLune Fairy Tales Blog: Tam Lin: Modern Interpretations in Books

SurLaLune Fairy Tales Blog: Tam Lin: Modern Interpretations in Books

Ravenna by Stacey Curnow

"First off, it bases its story on my favorite King Arthur legend, Sir Gawain and the Loathly Lady (I’m partial to the Selina Hastings version myself)." Elizabeth Bird

Read the entire review at http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/afuse8production/2010/12/09/review-of-the-day-ravenna-by-stacey-curnow/