Photo by Ari PöntinenIn Tales of Wonder, The Forest Never Ends
Long ago, when folk tales were told by people in homes, in fields, in the marketplace and taverns, there were many stories of the forests.
The forests held beauty and danger, the known and the unknown, light and darkness.
The forests were places of lost and abandoned children; homes of witches, elves, and dwarfs. They were the place where wondrous events occurred.
The forests were a threshold of wonder.
In tales of wonder, the forest never ends.
J.R.R. Tolkien often walked here in Puzzlewood, The Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England.
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Tolkien's Trees
"As a lover of trees and a man who abhorred the needless destruction of them, Tolkien the writer often defined his characters as good or evil in part by their feelings about trees. Many of the evil peoples in his stories are tree-destroyers. The orcs heedlessly and mindlessly hew away at the living trees of Fangorn; Saruman destroys the beauty of the Shire by erecting buildings from its trees; and Sauron’s evil presence turns Greenwood the Great to the black and decaying boughs of Mirkwood and makes Mordor so sterile that a tree cannot grow there. . .
Conversely, among the good peoples of Tolkien’s world are many tree-lovers; one could almost say it is one of the hallmarks of Tolkien’s good people. Galadriel, Legolas and the whole host of Elves show a deep regard for trees, almost as brethren; the Ents and Huorns tend and guard their forests as shepherds protect their sheep; Samwise, the hobbit-gardener, cherishes the soil of Galadriel’s garden, using it to restore his own devastated Shire. . ."
Excerpted from an article by Claudia Riiff Finseth in The One Ring.net
The illustration is by Ted Nasmith.
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Imagined Wonder, Forests and Tolkien
"The importance of ‘Imagined wonder’ is embedded in Tolkien’s treatment of the forest in the Hobbit. . .
For those who read the Hobbit as an introduction to the story of Middle-earth, his ability to engage with the ‘imagined wonder’ of his world is central to Tolkien’s lasting attraction. Not only does his method of blending the mythic with actual experience use the forest as a site of enchantment and adventure, but he also portrays the forest in such a way as to embody real forests rather than to translate them into something fantastical."
Excerpted from an article in Academia by Shelly Saguaro and Deborah Cogan Thacker
The illustration of Treebeard, the Ent, protecting the Hobbits is by Stephen Hickman.
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The Forest Possesses the Power
"Inevitably they find their way into the forest. It is there that they lose and find themselves. It is there that they gain a sense of what is to be done. The forest is always large, immense, great and mysterious. No one ever gains power over the forest, but the forest possesses the power to change lives and alter destinies. . . ”
Jack Zipes, The Brothers Grimm, From Enchanted Forests to the Modern World
The illustration of Tom Thumb leaving a trail in the forest is by Gustave Dore.
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Their Secret Gifts and Perils
"I believe that the great stretches of forests in northern Europe, with their constant seasonal changes, their restricted views, their astonishing biological diversity, their secret gifts and perils and the knowledge that you have to go through them to get anywhere else, created the themes and ethics of the fairy tales we know best. There are secrets, hidden identities, cunning disguises; there are rhythms of change like the changes of the seasons; there are characters, both human and animal, whose assistance can be earned or spurned; and there is -- over and over again -- the journey or quest, which leads first to knowledge and then to happiness. The forest is the place of trial in fairy stories, both dangerous and exciting. Coming to terms with the forest, surviving its terrors, utilising its gifts and gaining its help is the way to 'happy ever after."
Excerpted from Sara Maitland's wonderful book, Gossip from the Forest.
The illustration from Snow White is by Trina Schart Hyman.
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"But I'll tell you what hermits realize. If you go off into a far, far forest and get very quiet, you'll come to understand that you're connected with everything." Alan Watts
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The Forest,The Folksinger, and His Wife
Oregon has dense forest. Colin Meloy who lives in Portland, Oregon, created a children's book with his wife, illustrator Carson Ellis. They were inspired by Forest Park, a large wooded area contiguous to Portland.
Their book is called Wildwood and it is set in a huge forest area called The Impassable Wilderness. Despite its proximity to a city, people don't go there. In fact, they can't get through the wild overgrown bushes around the edge of the Wilderness.There are no roads, and there are powerful forces at work. Those who try to get in are soon lost and confused. However, a young girl named Prue (whom we learn has special powers) finds her way in when she attempts to rescue her little brother, (Mac) who was kidnapped by crows, and taken to the mysterious forest. Prue has entered a parallel universe.
The Tree of Wonder in the Impassable Wilderness
There are mystics in the North Forest of the Wilderness who are in communication with an ancient and wondrous tree that has great powers. The tree plays a critical part in Prue saving her bother and in good overcoming evil. Prue's quest is filled with never ending adventure, surprises, and dangers. There are talking animals and birds, bandits, coyote soldiers, and a ruthless Dowager Governess witch who intends to kill little Mac.
Two sequels have been published since the original Wildwood in (2011) and the creators of the Coraline movie have optioned the film rights.
Here is link to Colin and Carson discussing their Wildwood book in an engaging few minutes on YouTube.
Here is a link to preview the excellent illustrations for Wildwood in less that a minute. There are many original folksongs by Colin Meloy and his band, The Decemberists, on YouTube. Here is a link to the song, The Crane Wife.
The illustrations by Carson Ellis are from Wildwood.
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Children in Fairy Tales
"Fairy tales did not gloss over these dark facts of life. Indeed, they confronted them squarely. The heroism of such children lies not in the recovery of a noble lineage but in the ability to survive and transform their fate -- and to outwit those who would do them harm without losing their lives, their souls, or their humanity in the process." Terri Windling -- Myth and Moor
The illustration from Neil Gaimons version of Hansel and Gretel is by Lorenzo Mattotti.
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Hiding Places in the Dark Woods
"The Stone City Warriors will attack Green Valley in the morning when they emerge from the Dark Woods road. The farmers will resist, but alone they will have no chance to stop the invaders. It is up to Daisy and Bean, a sister and brother, and the dogs to stop them. Dogs are new on Planet Earth and only one warrior has seen a dog.
"Meanwhile, the woods became quiet again, and the horses were once again calm. They could not hear Edgar and hundreds of big dogs moving silently through the woods on both sides of the road. . .
They went into hiding places where they could see the road, but they could not be seen. They would smell the approaching army and hear the noise of the many men, horses, and supply wagons long before the warriors reached them. . ."
Excerpted from Planet Of The Dogs Here is a link to read sample chapters.
The illustration from Planet Of The Dogs is by Stella Mustanoja McCarty
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The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease forever to be able to do it. J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
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MOVIES
Early Man
Here is an excerpt from the review by the critic, Peter DeBruge ( Variety): "Early Man is as charming as they come, bursting with the kind of daffy humor and off-kilter characters that have earned the company a worldwide following." This new film from Nick Park tells the story of likeable stone age people up against hard, cruel bronze age invaders. The only chance for salvation is for the stone age people to win a huge soccer match against their vengeful bronze age enemies.
The trailer is fun to watch. Here is a link: Early Man
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Peter Rabbit
I concur with this excerpt from a review by Jane Horwitz in the Washigton Post
"Purists who cherish Beatrix Potter’s picture books about country critters with human traits may want to pass on 'Peter Rabbit,' a smarty-pants update on the Edwardian-era 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit.' The hybrid of live action and animation is quite handsomely rendered and amusing, as it happens. But its creators overindulge, to the point of crassness, in cliches drawn from action movies and pop culture.
Potter’s gently humorous prose and wondrous illustrations made her tales timeless. But with “Peter Rabbit,” director Will Gluck and co-screenwriter Rob Lieber aim to prove that there’s no classic that can’t be improved by an injection of modernity, all with an eye to mass-market appeal (read: ka-ching).
Trailer for the Movie: Peter Rabbit
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Wes Mooreland's Isle of the Dogs
This film was a big hit at the Berlin Film Festival. Advance reviews are excellent (Rotten Tomatoes). The Trailer is fun and tells the story. Opening March 23 in the USA.
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Congratulations to Black Panther
The Black Panther, a crossover film regarding both age and race has arrived with enormous audience response at the box office and very favorable reviews. It is said to be a turning point film in the film industry.
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Wonder Trees and Enchanted Forests Live On In Today's Movies
The writers of movies are often influenced and inspired by the stories, themes, and myths of wonder tales. It follows that the forest and trees of wonder tales play significant roles in many eventful films that have found enormous audiences. This is in addition to those films that are direct adaptations, ranging from Tolkien's Fangborn Forest to Winnie the Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood.
In James Cameron's Avatar, the Hometree of the Omaticaya clan is the center of spiritual life. In the Harry Potter films, the forbidden forest next to Hogwarts has a wide array of strange and sometimes dangerous creatures -- including unicorns, hippogriffs, and centaurs. Into the Woods, a Disney live action musical, incorporates four Grimm fairytales and grossed 213 million dollars wordwide.
The illustration is from the forbidden forest in the Harry Potter series.
The Return of the Faraway Tree
The producers of the Paddington films are adapting Enid Blyton's (1897-1968) Faraway Tree book (1939) into a film. Blyton's 762 books have sold 600 million copies and been translated into 90 languages. In the Faraway Tree book, three kids discover an enormous tree in the enchanted forest whose branches reach high in the sky. "When the children climb the Faraway Tree they discover it is a very strange tree,such as one which grows apples and pears,nuts. . . and all sorts of different magical creatures, including Moon-Face, Silky the fairy, . . . and the Angry Pixie live there. . . At the very top of the tree they discover a ladder which leads them to a magical land. This land is different on each visit, because each place moves on from the top of the tree to make way for a new land. . ." Excerpted from Wikipedia.
Despite their great success, Blyton's books were banned from many UK libraries, banned from the BBC, and considered to be banal by many critics. Their apparent mediocrity didn't deter sales nor did it slow down the output of Enid Blyton. One of her daughters said that the Faraway tree book was inspired, in part, by Norse mythology.
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Save the Children In a World of Violence
In 2016, Save the Children was involved in bringing vital humanitarian aid to over 56 million children worldwide. One in six children lives in an area where their lives are impacted by violence and conflict. Here is a link to an excellent Save the Children report: The War On Children.
The following excepts are from a Guardian report on another savage Isis attack affecting the lives of children in Afghanistan.
"Gunmen stormed the offices of Save the Children in Jalalabad on Wednesday, killing at least six people and wounding 27 in an attack claimed by Islamic State.
The latest assault on a foreign charity in Afghanistan underlined the growing dangers for aid workers in the country, who have become casualties of an increase in militant violence in recent years. . .
Save the Children confirmed “with profound sadness” that three of its staff members had been killed in the attack. 'All other staff have been safely rescued from the office. Four were injured in the attack and are receiving medical treatment,' a spokesman said.
“Save the Children condemns this attack in the strongest possible terms. We are shocked and appalled at the violence carried out against our staff in Afghanistan, who are dedicated humanitarians, committed to improving the lives and well-being of millions of children across the country.”
Top photo courtesy of the Khaama Press. Bottom photo is by Berouz Meari/AFR/Getty Images.
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The NRA, Politicians, and Gun Manufacturers -- The Gun Laws Must Change
Hundreds of students across the country left class Wednesday to protest the nation’s gun laws. It was a show of solidarity with students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where last week a gunman shot and killed 17 students using an AR-15 rifle. -- Ryan Connell Holmes PBS
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Brigadoon Service Dogs
Therapy dogs and the many volunteers who work with Brigadoon help children, adults, veterans, and even incarcerated people. The latter train dogs to help veterans with PTSD and other debilitating problems.
The man in the photo on the left is an incarcerated veteran who trains dogs for veterans on the outside who have been damaged during their service and suffer from PTSD.
There are many ways that Brigadoon Service Dogs benefit the people in Washington State. This is from their website: "In the State of Washington alone, there are 398,000 mobility-impaired, and 226,000 hearing-impaired individuals. This is only a small part of the services Brigadoon dogs provide help for, and a small part of the area that Brigadoon services."
Here is the link to their website: Brigadoon
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Terri Windling. . . Myth and Moor and Beyond
Terri Windling's splendid Myth and Moor blog begins like this: "Notes from a Dartmoor studio on folklore, fairy tales, fantasy, mythic arts & mythic living." Her blog, is all of these things. In fact, it is a celebration of all these things. Her
blog also comes with wonderful photos and illustrations and, at times, with evocative music.
Myth and Moor is an inspiration for anyone interested in tales of wonder, fantasy, and the mythic heritage.
I believe Terri Windling has a dancing mind. Her talents are many and diverse. She is a caring person, a gifted writer and artist. For many years she has been a major player in the world of fantasy, children's literature and a door opening sharer of her world.
The illustration is by Terri. Here is a link to Myth and Moor. Terri has joined Patreon
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Why Am I ?...A Yelodoggie Illustrated Story Book
Why Am I? – a joyous Yelodoggie Book – celebrates self-empowerment and the benefits of inclusion. It helps children recognize and appreciate differences and to embrace that which is unique in each of us.
Yelodoggie travels far and wide, up and down, inside and outside, from outer space to the waters of the sea –gaining confidence and leaving his insecurities behind – while seeking to answer Why Am I different...Why Am I Yellow?
Why Am I opens the imagination and perspective of children to the world around them.
We continue our search for a publisher who will love Why Am I ?, recognize its potential, and launch it into the world.
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The Planet Of The Dogs Series
We have free reader copies of all the books in the Planet Of The Dogs series for therapy dog organizations, individual therapy dog owners, librarians, teachers and independent bookstores. . . email us at planeto[email protected] and we will send you the books.
To read sample chapters of any book in the series, visit PlanetOfTheDogs
The Planet Of The Dogs series (including Castle In The Mist and Snow Valley Heroes, A Christmas Tale) is available from many Internet sources and through independent book stores of all sizes.
"A charming fantasy-allegory. . . Children will enjoy the story about dogs who come from another planet to help people on earth. But under the surface are the important messages of friendship, love, loyalty, and how to overcome evil with good." Wayne Walker-Home School Book Review
The illustration from Planet Of The Dogs is by Stella Mustanoja McCarty.
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"Before you get a dog, you can't quite imagine what living with one might be like; afterward, you can't imagine living any other way." -- Caroline Knapp
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