The Book of Selkie

In this original picture book, children are introduced to the mythology of selkies, half human and half seal, that live on land and in water. They are part of the folklore of cultures found near the North Atlantic Sea, such as Scotland, Ireland, Norway and Iceland. While both male and female selkies exist, this particular version of the story depicts the main character as a lovely young girl quietly going about her life. The title opens an imaginative window into the magical world of a creature prevalent in Celtic mythology for hundreds of years but one less well-known than her siren and mermaid cousins.
Specific aspects of the selkie’s life, both on land and at sea, are described in a series of short lyrical poems. Consequently, readers learn where she lives, how she spends her time, what she eats and witness her periodic yearning to return to the sea or alternately to the land. The lyricism, simplicity, rhyme and rhythm of each verse make this an engaging easy to follow story.

The layout of the book features attractive double-page spreads and large clear text. Beautiful acrylic artwork in tones of turquoise that represent the ocean and browns and greens of the land depict the sweeping landscapes of the two worlds the selkie moves in. In contrast to these large images of scenery, the illustrations are replete with whimsical details, such as a selkie’s cozy house and the seal friends she moves with.

Added information about the legend of the selkie is included at the end of the story. Four loose pages of lightweight card featuring two paper dolls and their wardrobe of clothes are included, and require the use of scissors before children can play with them. The ‘dolls’ represent the human selkie pictured in the story and her seal counterpart. While these pages are an attractive feature to individual children owning the book, they may present processing problems for public or school libraries. The Book of Selkie is an appealing and unusual book depicting the ageless connection of humans to the sea.