Illustration by Rima Staines
Dartmoor Mythic Arts -- Echoes of Long Ago
I found Rima Staines -- the wonderful artist who created the painting (above) of Anja in the Horse Chestnut Tree of Life -- and her world through Terri Windling. I wander regularly through Myth and Moor,Terri's exceptional children's and fantasy literature blog. It was there that I read about Dartmoor, the culture of mythic arts, the influence of the natural world on life in Devon, and the many artists who live there. I have excerpted from her blog (below) and here is a link to visit Dartmoor mythic arts.
"Dartmoor, in England's West Country, is a landscape steeped in myth: full of ghostly whist hounds, shapeshifting witch hares, trolls who lurk under clapper bridges, piskies who dance among standing stones, and the Green Man and Woman of the forest, symbolizing the wild in nature...and the wild within us."
Chagford
Dartmoor has always attracted artists -- the village of Chagford in particular, which has been a centre for visual and literary arts from the late 19th century onward.
Beginning in the 1970s, Chagford has also become known for its many artists of a specific kind: painters, illustrators, designers, writers, musicians, puppeteers, and dramatists inspired by mythology, folklore, and fairy tales."
The photo, at the top, with the village of Chagford in the background, is by Robert Harding.
The bottom photo is of Terri Windling outside her studio in Dartmoor -- photographer unknown.
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Story Has a Life of Its Own
"Theories about world literature, of which fairy tale is a fundamental part, emphasize the porousness of borders, geographical and linguistic: No frontier can keep a good story from roaming. It will travel, and travel far, and travel back again in a different guise, a changed mood, and, above all, a new meaning."
Marina Warner (by way of Terri Windling)
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Hedgespoken
Hedgespoken is a gateway to the past.."a travelling off-grid storytelling theatre run from a 1966 Bedford RL lorry, converted to be a home and a go-anywhere stage. . . Storyteller, mask-maker and writer Tom Hirons and internationally-respected artist, puppeteer and musician Rima Staines live in the HEDGESPOKEN truck full-time with their young son and tell tales and spark imaginations wherever they can, from busy festivals to quiet laybys and secluded forests. . ."
Here is a video link that takes you into the heart of the matter with the Hedgespoken storytelling theatre. In a delightful short film Tom Hirons talks about story . . . what it is, now and in the past, what is meaningful, and the oral tradition of story in the Hedgepath experience. As he speaks, we see scenes of the Hedgespoken theatre in a variety of outdoor settings where families and clusters of children listen to Tom telling the stories and weaving a spell. Link: Tom Hirons and Stories
Here are more links into the world of Rima Staines and Tom Hirons as they follow their dream and find others who believe in the value of story and the world of the imagination. The videos provide a rather intimate view of the lives and personas of Rima and Tom.
Link to 2014 Hedgespoken . . . a vehicle for the imagination video, the early days when Tom and Rima had a vision of what might be.
Link to 2015 Hedgespoken update . . . the dream is happening. A beloved baby has arrived. Supporters have arrived.
Tatterdemalion
Rima Staines illustrated a book, Tatterdemalion, by Sylvia Lensteadt. The book was inspired by Staines work. Here is a link to a video, with illustrations, wherein Lensteadt relates how the book evolved.
The illustrations above are by Rima Staines.
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The Chagford Filmmaking Group
Step
into
the
Past
From their website: "The Chagford Filmmaking Group is a nonprofit organization bringing people together in a spirit of friendship to make films of British fairy tales.
We simply wish to tell the magical stories rooted in the British landscape, stories that are part of our heritage."
Here is a link to their website: Chagford Filmmaking Group
In the scene above, from one of the films produced by the Chagford Group, we see the nymphs who appear in several of their fairy tale films. Here is a link to see several excerpts from their imaginative films: Fairytale Films. I particularly recommend a look at the Witchqueen Sends Forth Her Nymphs. Less than a minute running time. Very nicely done with a sense of gentle wonder.
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The Chagford Annual Film Festival will take place on September 24-29, 2018. This is the 7th year for this event. The festival events include a costumed parade. All are welcome. From the photos on their website, it looks like lots of fun. Here is a link to their site: Film Festival
The Film Festival organizers suggest that the festival is an excellent opportunity to experience the natural wonders of the Dartmoor area, the work of many artists, and other events relating to the mythic arts.
Here is a link to a lovely 2.35 minute arial video of Dartmoor National Park . . . from wild ponies on the hills to the ancient relics of prehistory and bronze age standing stones.
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Dartmoor Story Tellers
Every month . . . "Dartmoor Storytellers - an informal gathering for storytellers and story lovers. Bring a story to share, or just come along to listen!"
This is an ongoing monthly event, organized by Lisa Schneidau .It next takes place at 8 PM onJune 5 in the Chagford Inn, 7 Mills St, in Devon.
Lisa, who is herself a storyteller and environmentalist, is based in Devon. From her blog: "I tell traditional and modern stories of all kinds. I’m particularly interested in stories about nature and our relationship with the land." Here is a link to her blog: Tales from the Wild
The illustration of the storyteller is by Anker Grossvater.
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The Planet of the Dogs Series
"Where once there had been harmony and friendship, there was now fear, anger, and unhappiness. Something had to be done -- but what could anybody do? No one knew it at that time, but help would come from far, far away, from the Planet of the Dogs." Excerpted from Planet of the Dogs, Volume 1.
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"The Barking Planet series of illustrated kids' books full of mythic fairy tale dog heroes is unabashedly humane, uplifting, and morally improving, which may not be everybody's cup of tea (or bowl of kibble), but it does make for interesting relief in a kid lit world increasingly obsessed with violence, family dysfunction and personal trauma." Excerpted from Barbara Julien's review in her Animal Literature blog.
The illustration from the Planet Of The Dogs is by Stella Mustanoja McCarty.
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Movies . . . Echoes of the Past
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The Man Who Killed Don Quixote....
I think the trailer and this excerpt (below) from Peter Bradshaw's review will entice those who enjoy fantasy and absurdity -- Terry Gilliam fans. Others may wait until a trusted friend sees the film, and provides a report.
"It may not be Gilliam’s masterpiece, but it is a movie with sprightliness, innocence and charm and it is a morale boost to anyone who cares about creativity that Gilliam has got the film made at all. His own intelligence and joy in his work shine out of every frame, and his individuality is a delight when so much of mainstream cinema seems to have been created by algorithm. What a dull place the world would be without Terry Gilliam."
Peter Bradshaw in the Guardian
Trailer for Don Quixote
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Farenheit 451
I'm very disappointed that the new Farenheit 451 was so heavily panned. The Ray Bradbury novel about a government war on books and ideas was imaginative and meaningful. But the HBO movie version failed, unlike Francois Trauffaut's version, which had a shaky initial reception, but gained accolades and audiences with time.Here is an excerpt from Matthew Gilbert's review in the Boston Globe about the new version: "Despite the timeliness of a story about a government abolishing facts and rewriting history, the film never really jars. It has next to no emotional punch...
Here is the trailer: Farenheit 451
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A Troubled Beauty and a Mysterious "Beast"
This headline by Jeannette Catsoulis in the NY Times for the new movie, Beast, captured my attention. The review lauded the movie as being an exciting, very non-Disney version of the classic story. Catsoulis found the Heroine, played by the gifted Jesse Buckley, and her male counterpart, Johnny Flynn, to be outstanding. Here is an excerpt:
“Moll’s a wild one,” someone remarks early in “Beast,” Michael Pearce’s thrilling, unsettling debut feature. With her electric twist of Titian curls and dark, secretive gaze, Moll (a riveting Jessie Buckley) has the look of a volcano that’s primed to erupt. . . Stirring murder mystery, love story and psychodrama into a mesmerizing slurry, Mr. Pearce turns his native island of Jersey into a sunlit trap . . ."
Here is the trailer for Beast
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Return of the Incredibles.
The first one was fun and imaginative.
Pixar annimation is first class.
The trailer looks good.
The Incredibles 2 opens June 15th.
Here is the trailer for Incredibles 2
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Paddington the Bear Vists Massachusettes this Summer.
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, in lovely Amherst, MA, is a joy for anyone who likes children's book illustrations. Paddinton will be in a special exhibit until October 7. . ." The exhibition commemorates the 60th anniversary of the first book by Michael Bond, A Bear Called Paddington . . . Original art by Paddington’s various illustrators—Peggy Fortnum, Fred Banbery, Ivor Wood, David McKee, Barry Macey, and R.W. Alley—provides comparisons of the iconic bear over time."
Here is a link to the Eric Carle Museum
The illustration is by R. W. Alley
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J. K. Rowling -- Echoes from the Past
J.K. Rowling's ability to connect people to Potter world is phenomenal. Her books and movies and plays, rich in magic from the past, continue to bridge our everyday world with alternate realities.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a long running hit in England, is now a triumph in New York. Critics ranging from Peter Travers (Rolling Stone) to Ben Brantley (NY Times) agree with the words of Marilyn Stasio (Variety) that this is "theater that shows us the true magic of great storytelling."
More than 500 million Harry Potter books have been sold all over the world, in 80 languages.
Rowling donates millions of dollars yearly to support Lumos: "Named after the light-giving spell in the Harry Potter books, Lumos is an international non-governmental, non-profit organisation founded by J.K. Rowling to help the eight million disadvantaged children in orphanages around the world to be returned to their family or placed in a loving family environment."
The illustration is from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
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We have to stop this.
"Kids in Santa Fe went to school this morning and won't ever come home. They won't hug their parents, or fight with their siblings, or procrastinate on homework, or play outside ever again. They're not statistics - they're our kids. And they're gone. We have to stop this."
U.S. Congressman Seth Moulton, Democrat, Salem, MA.
Here is an NBC news video interview excerpt with this Santa Fe High School student. There are many more on YouTube. The photo is by Stuart Villanueva Galveston County Daily News/AP.
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Books for Animal Lovers, Activists, and Rescuers
Tamira Thayne founded Who Chains You Publishing, to publish books for and about animal lovers, activists and rescuers—in all genres, from children's to fiction to autobiographies. The mission of Who Chains You is to amplify the voices of the animals through the empowerment of animal lovers, activists, and rescuers who write books elevating the status of animals in society.
Who Chains You books educate, entertain, and share the gripping plights of the animals we serve, as well as those who rescue and take a stand on their behalf. At the deepest level, WCY books explore which chains humans must break within themselves in order to free the animals.
Here is a link to the books of WYC.
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Save the Children . . . Saving Lives . . . Saving the Future
There are 65 million refugees worldwide (source: UN)
I am grateful to the NGO (non-governmental organizations), non-profit organizations like UNICEF and Save the Children, who are helping refugee families around the globe.
"Save the Children is the voice for vulnerable children. We’re on the ground in 120 countries, working to reach every last child through international programs that focus on health, education, protection and disaster relief. Together, we’re changing children’s lives and the future we all share."
Boots On The Ground
I have great respect for Monica Edinger and her children's literature blog, Educating Alice. I recently discovered that she has reviewed a book about the Vietnam war that she believes is suitable for Middle School and High school readers. Her review of Boots On The Gound, by Elizabeth Partridge, is an unequivocal endorsement. The structure sounds like an innovative and meaningful approach to a very difficult subject. Violence and war are trivialized in so many films and video games that I felt I should help spread the word about Boots On The Ground.
The book was a National Book Award Finalist and Printz Honor Recipient
Here is a link to her review of Boots On The Ground
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Rumor and Dream
"To the sisters and all these villagers, Mount Onn was the world, and the shores of Havnor were the edge of the universe. Beyond that was only rumor and dream.” Ursala Le Guin, Tales from Eathsea
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Parade of Misfits
For a quick and fun summer read, you can't beat Parade of Misfits, C.A. Wulff's mini Ebook about the five misfit dogs who share her home.
This Ebook contains excerpts from her pet memoir, Circling the Waggins, as well as previously unpublished material. It's a quick and funny introduction to a wealth of stories about the peculiarities of the rescue pets under
her roof.
The photo is of Rocket Boy, one of the Misfits. Photo by C.A. Wulff.
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Why Am I ?
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 have launched a new search for a publisher who will love Why Am I ?, recognize its potential, and launch it into the world. This is a book for our troubled times. Our primary motive is wide distribution.
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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 [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.
"Castle In The Mist is the second book in the Planet of the Dogs series and I must say I enjoyed it, cover to cover. This work can be read as a sequel to Planet of the Dogs, an ideal situation, but can also be read as a stand-alone with no loss to the flow of the story." -- Don Blankenship, Teacher and Reviewer, Good Books for Kids
The illustration from Castle In The Mist is by Stella Mustanoja-McCarty
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“When an eighty-five pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it’s hard to feel sad.” -- Kristan Higgins, Author
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