I’m delighted to be sharing Laura’s guest review for Serendipity by Maria de Fátima Santos.
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Serendipity by Maria de Fátima Santos
- Publisher : Arkbound (22 July 2024)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 60 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1912092271
- ISBN-13 : 978-1912092277
- Reading age : 8 years and up
- Amazon
Serendipty Summary
This exciting novel for children takes the form of a tale told by a grandmother to her granddaughter.
Set in the Traveller Community and against the backdrop of spectacular and mystical locations in Scotland, the book explores the age-old art of storytelling, Celtic mythology, the cultural value of traditional languages, the power of nature and the bond between generations. The book is also the author’s tribute to her own grandmother.
In addition to being a fantasy adventure that will inspire the imaginations of children, Serendipity also introduces children to some vocabulary from the traditional language spoken by the Scottish Traveller Community. As well as the Celtic mythology of Lugh (the sun god), the Cailleach (the goddess of the ancestors) and the alphabet of the trees (OGHAM) created by the Celts are also woven into the enchanting narrative.
Serendipity Review
This is a wonderfully short children’s story with a magical adventure. It’s a sweet story written for children aged 8+.
The writing is beautiful, bringing the Scottish countryside to life with a wonderful mixture of folklore threaded through. This magical book has been written and inspired by the nature around us.
I enjoyed this tale written by a grandmother for her grandchild detailing a journey (which the author wrote as a tribute for her grandmother).
I liked the illustrations and photographs included and I found a sweet little leaf next to a Persian proverb, “A book is like a garden carried in my pocket.”
Serendipity is a book to treasure and keep on your bookshelf.
About the Author
Maria de Fátima Santos lives between Portugal and the United Kingdom. Serendipity is her debut book inspired by the Celtic culture, landscape and people of Scotland, where she lived for some years. Her profound interest to photograph the natural world and learn from it has been a seed of inspiration for writing poetry and childrens’ stories, aiming to pass on a message of love to protect our mother Earth. Maria is also deeply interested in regenerative agriculture, organic food, gardens and forests.
