Rosalind Kerven, Author and Folklorist

I was so delighted to meet Rosalind. She is probably one of the most prolific authors I have met. But this wasn't the reason for my delight.

I absolutely love folk tales, fairy tales, myths, and legends. These are all Rosalind's 'bread and butter' - she knows so many of these stories, inside out and back to front. It was an honour for me to sit in her kitchen and spend some time with her.

Rosalind writes for both children and for adults - and she always has a book on the go.

I had bought one of Rosalind's books written for a reading scheme, for children, in the charity shop in Rothbury. and It quickly became a favourite of my grand-daughter, Lily. Rosalind seemed particularly pleased when I shared a photo of Lily reading Coyote Girl (we have read this so so so many times!).

Rosalind works incessantly, what she creates is, I believe, of immense importance. These narratives need to be collated, saved, revived, and shared. What she is doing is helping to preserve these important tales for future generations.

This is besides bringing amazing stories to life for the current generations!

Lily and Granda, reading Coyote Girl.

The following is a very short piece I wrote about Rosalind in Over the Bridges, back in 2019.

I began by thinking about similarities between stories from different cultures and different lands.

'Rosalind', I asked, 'Fairytales, myths, legends, from all over the world. Do you see a common thread through many of the tales you've found?' Rosalind replied:

'Every country and culture has its own wonderful canon of traditional stories. Some of these are unique, but many have 'travelled' across countries, continents or the world, then evolved into different versions of the same idea.

A common thread is that many of these stories use fantastical plots to subtly teach ethical behaviour. Even when they centre on a malicious character or outrageous deeds, it is usually making the point that this is NOT the way to behave! Then there are equivalent characters and themes around the world: anthropomorphic animals, magic helpers, tricksters, monsters, heroes and heroines, strange twists of time, imaginary places etc.

For a local example, Northumberland has some old folk tales about the faery people which are echoed in stories from the other end of England, as well as in Scotland and Wales. But each with its own flavour

I wondered about the deeper meanings of these stories, and asked Rosalind to tell me what we can learn in today's world, from yesterday's stories? This is what she told me:

The best traditional tales promote never giving up in the face of adversity. And that no matter how helpless a character appears to be, courage, quick wits and cunning can help them overcome even the strongest and most villainous opponents.

Remember that many of 'yesterday's' traditional stories are very much still alive and being told today!

My next book, to be published in Spring 2026, is provisionally called Myths & Legends for a Greener World. It contains inspiring stories and snippets of wisdom from over 40 countries and cultures, all on the theme of saving our beautiful planet and the other species that share it with us.

Anyone who knows me will know exactly how thrilled I am to hear this! I will be purchasing this book as soon as it published!

As Rosalind writes about so many myths and legends and stories from other lands, I wondered if she had travelled, and collected any of these? This isn't the case, however, as she told me:

Most of the sources I use come from old archives, thousands of which are now freely available to access online - a wonderful new tool for the researcher!

As I haven't seen or spoken with Rosalind since 2019, I asked her how many books she has published since then.

It's a case of the older I get, the harder I work!

Since 2019 I've published three new books of myths and legends:

• Medieval Legends of Love & Lust
• Dark Fairy Tales of Fearless Women
• Celtic Fairy Tales and Legends

Also, my first historical novel for adult readers: The Viking Queen's Cunning

This is a thrilling historical adventure about bold women questing for freedom and peace, inspired by the most iconic woman of old Norse legend, Aud the Deep-Minded. It takes you into a Viking Age you've never seen before - through the eyes of its independent, anti-violence women.

I ask if Rosalind has done any other kind of work, besides writing?

I have also presented talks in person and online for the Folklore Society (an international learned body) and a couple of university departments; took part in online oral storytelling sessions during lockdown for the Scottish Storytelling Centre in Edinburgh; and have written several articles on traditional stories for the Folklore Society newsletter.

Lots more stuff in preparation!

Rosalind's latest book (Available in March 2026) looks to be just what we need to read. 'Myths, Legends and Tales for a Greener World - a book of global wisdom' couldn't be coming a more crucial time. You can read more and pre order here: https://mythsforagreenerworld.blogspot.com/

You will be amazed when you look at Rosalind's Complete Bibliography!