Somerset Folk Tales for Children

Sharon Jacksties retells Somerset stories for children aged 7–11, drawing on the county’s rivers, woods, hills, caves and villages. The collection brings together tales of magical creatures, legendary figures, dragons and the origins of familiar features and customs. Fairies and goblins appear alongside King Arthur, the Devil, saints and local heroes, with stories linked to places including Goblin Combe, Cheddar Gorge, Glastonbury and the River Parrett.

Arranged in four sections, the book includes accounts of the Apple Tree Man, a sea creature’s song, a headless saint, Arthur’s sword, Blue Ben the dragon and the Devil’s attempts to shape Somerset. Other tales explain how the hedgehog became spiky, how the first Christmas pudding was made and how distinctive landmarks came to be.