The Storyteller's Secrets

Toby and Tess are sent outside to play and they meet an old man in an old fashioned robe carrying a staff.

He gives his name as Teller and he tells the children five traditional tales in rhyming verse. They hear about the Woodcutter’s Daughter and her greedy stepmother, St Brigid’s miraculous cloak, the cruel Seal Hunter, the Pedlar of Swaffham and Tam Lin, a story of true love defeating enchantment.

At the end of his stories, Teller reveals himself to be Merlin the Magician and leaves the children his map of marvels and tokens to remind them of the stories.

The black and white illustrations evoke an atmosphere of enchanted places and bygone ages.