Uncommon Tales

what horrors has Sir Glen unleashed this time?

As we've mentioned, Magic Torch are sharing Commonwealth folktales as part of the 2014 Commonwealth Games celebrations. We have Captain Kidd chasing treasure around the commonwealth for younger readers, collected, curated and retold by the Torch team and illustrated by Mhairi, and an all new Sir Glen Douglas Rhodes comic adventure looking at some darker commonwealth tales with artwork by Andy. The project is supported by the Big Lottery Celebrate fund. Both books will launch in late summer.

In addition to publishing a book and comic, which retell some commonwealth tales, we are also sharing traditional tales on our blog, starting in April. In most cases, we are presenting the stories exactly as collected, without editing or rewriting. Some of the tales have been recorded recently, others, many years ago in traditional forms, sometimes using dialects and local mannerisms - the "voice" of the people telling the tales, other times, reinterpreted by Victorian collectors. For the stories we're sharing on the blog, we have opted not to change the tale whatever the format.

If you have your own particular tale you'd like to share, please contact aulddunrod.

The heritage and history of what we call the Commonwealth can be a cause for controversy as well as celebration. However throughout 2014, many folk are taking the opportunity to shine a light on some of the more uncomfortable histories of the Commonwealth and also to address real issues which exist across the world today. The Herald and Sunday Herald Children of the Commonwealth series will run over the coming months as the Queen's Baton travels the world on its way to Scotland. As well as bringing readers inspiring stories from key locations on the baton route, it is also raising money for UNICEF, an official charity partner of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

There are a number of different ways to donate: you can call 0800 044 5777; or you can click on unicef.org.uk/herald; or you can text 'CHILD' to 70111 to donate £3. UNICEF is the world's leading children's organisation, working to save and change children's lives.

For now, here is an Anansi tale, the first of many...