The Magpie's Nest

The Magpie’s Nest gathers bird folk tales, riddles and rhymes from a world where birds appear in everyday places, from busy train stations and city centres to quiet woods and back gardens. The collection asks which bird became king and tells how the swallow acquired its forked tail, alongside the tale of an owl who was once a baker’s daughter.

Taffy Thomas presents these traditional stories for readers of all ages, while Becca Hall’s illustrations accompany the collection. The book links folklore with close observation of the natural world, showing how birds occupy both familiar surroundings and the imaginative spaces of storytelling.