Janet is forbidden from visiting the woods near her father's castle because legend says that long ago a local boy called Tam Linn was stolen there by the fairy queen and never returned. But Janet isn't afraid of fairy stories... Deep in the woods, by a well, she meets a fairy knight -- the famous Tam Linn, forbidden to leave by the evil queen's spell. Janet decides to save him, but when the queen and her army appear, fairy magic turns Tam Linn into a whole host of Scottish creatures. Can Janet hold on long enough to rescue him? A sharp and intelligent retelling of the traditional Scottish fairy tale of Tam Linn, which originated in the Scottish Borders, adapted for a young audience. Award-winning author Lari Don's fresh take on this well-known story is perfectly complemented by artist Philip Longson's breathtaking illustrations. The Tale of Tam Linn is one of the titles in the new Picture Kelpies: Traditional Scottish Tales range of picture books that bring classic Scottish folk and fairy tales to life for young children. Gr 1–3—The most commonly known version of this Scottish tale is the one found in Joseph Jacobs's More English Fairy Tales, first published in 1894. In this retelling, Don attempts to make the story more accessible to a younger audience. However, that approach also means parting with much of the language and some of the plot elements that gave the original tale its power and longevity. Janet and Tam Linn are no longer young lovers who were to be married before Tam Linn was taken by the Queen of Elfland; rather, Janet is just a skeptical child who only knows of Tam Linn because "all the children still sing songs about you." While the strength of Janet's love gives her the power to fight the queen's shape-changing magic and hold fast to Tam Linn to prevent him from being used to pay a tithe to the nether world, the child Janet will risk her life because "I believe a boy stolen by the fairies should be allowed to walk back out of the woods." There is no threat to Tam Linn except his continued captivity. Other changes similarly deflate the tale, such as the elimination of the queen's eerie song in which she tells of what she would have done to Tam Linn had she known he would be rescued. Longson's illustrations have a murky quality, as the palette relies largely on browns, and while carefully executed, they don't inspire close or repeated examination. VERDICT This version will not inspire rereading.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ 'A traditional Scots tale served up both fresh and freshly illustrated.' – Kirkus Reviews 'Beautiful books which are a great introduction to the folklore genre... Wonderful stories which will give children a real sense of Scottish culture.' – Creative Steps 'As adventure stories go, this is truly stunning stuff. Lari's writing and the utterly sumptuous and gorgeous illustrations by Philip Longson bring this tale to dazzling life.' – ReadItDaddy Lari Don has worked in politics and broadcasting, but is now a full-time writer and storyteller. She grew up in the north-east of Scotland, and lives in Edinburgh. She is the author of the Fabled Beast Chronicles: First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts; Wolf Notes and other Musical Mishaps, Storm Singing and Other Tangled Tasks; and Maze Running and Other Magicial Missions for older children, as well as Rocking Horse War. She has also written four other picture books for children, The Big Bottom Hunt; How to Make a Heron Happy, Orange Juice Peas and The Magic Word. Philip Longson is an artist and illustrator based in Edinburgh, Scotland. He studied at Edinburgh College of Art and has exhibited his work in shows from London to Edinburgh. Inspired mainly by mythology and folk tales his work usually deals with fantastical or otherworldly stories.