A book filled with fairy tales and legends from Denmark.
I have chosen 27 favorites and Tea Bendix has created a magical universe with her illustrations.
Published by The History Press
October 2023.
A Journey into Danish Storytelling
Danish Folk Talesis a collection of 27 traditional stories from Denmark — retold with warmth, humour and deep respect for the Nordic storytelling tradition.
In this beautifully produced book, Danish storyteller Svend-Erik Engh breathes new life into folktales that have travelled through generations. You will meet Viking kings and common folk, clever young women and foolish rulers, brave farmhands and eerie water spirits. The tales speak of human courage, folly, wisdom, and wonder — and invite us to reflect on the past and the present.
The stories are accompanied by whimsical, evocative illustrations by award-winning Danish artist Tea Bendix.
What Readers Say
Inger Barbara Christensen, Danish author, via TRACS:
"Svend-Erik Engh is the storyteller and Tea Bendix is the illustrator, and together they have woven a durable shirt of Danish folk stories in English measure! The collection Danish Folk Talescounts 27 stories, legendary kings dancing side by side with unknown heroes, and common people. Good does not always prevail over evil, but the stories always call for reflection – about the times that were, and perhaps also the times that are to come.”
Read full review on TRACS
Tarkabarka, Amazon.com reviewer:
“This book is just... friendly. It feels like a very friendly storyteller sharing stories with you from their culture.”
Amazon.com
Lizzie, Amazon UK reviewer:
“I loved this inspiring collection of stories, selected by the author from the many saved from oblivion by their collector Evald Tang Kristensen.”
Amazon.co.uk
Anna Lundquist, Waterstones reviewer:
“A varied collection of stories, told with heart and presence. Written in such an accessible way that you feel you could easily retell them yourself, if you wanted to.”
Waterstones
Children's Book / 2-6 year
Princess Grumpy and the Talking Elephant is a modern fairytale about a Princess who feels sad and angry, but one day she meets an elephant and everything changes.
Just wanted to say thank you about the Princess Grumpy book, I bought it earlier this year for my daughter who likes it too, but at the moment, for the last few weeks at least, is our 2-year-old's favourite, he asks to read it at least once or twice a day and joins in on 'Boos and hisss' and every 'ouch', and has us singing Nelly the elephant every time too.
Ossi Jalonen
Steve Denning, author of six books on Organisational Storytelling, talks about the book:
"At first sight, the worlds of storytelling and organizations look very different. Storytelling is often viewed as being about fabulous tales of glorious heroes and beautiful heroines, narratives that make the imagination soar and the heart leap. It seems far from the world of business, commerce and making money, with talk of performance targets, budgets, work programs, the bottom-line and the like. That is the interest of this book. To storytellers who are interested in making a journey from storytelling into organizations. And to managers and people in organizations who are wondering whether there is anything in storytelling that is of relevance to business. The book points out matters of profound interest to both the world of storytelling and the world of organizations. In writing it, Svend-Erik has done a service to both worlds, and I hope you find it both educational and entertaining."
