Greyling, illustrated by David Ray.

A childless couple is granted their heart's desire in this original fairy-tale, inspired by the Scottish folk tradition concerning selkies, the mysterious sea people who can shed their seal skins on land and take human form. When a fisherman discovers an abandoned baby seal, he brings the young one home to his wife, and the two discover that the baby has a human form. Naming this adopted son Greyling, they attempt to keep him away from the sea, but fifteen years later, when the father is caught in a terrible storm, Greyling takes to the water to save him...

Originally published in 1968 as Greyling: A Picture Story from the Islands of Shetland, with artwork by William Stobbs, Jane Yolen's story was reprinted in 1991 with new illustrations from David Ray. It is this second edition that I read, although I would love to track down the original as well. The story is full of that melancholy magic that I associate with selkie stories, and the artwork, created using acrylic paint, is lovely. Yolen includes a mention of the traditional Scottish ballad, The Great Selchie of Sule Skerrie in her brief afterword, and I ended up listening to a number of recordings of the song, after I finished reading the book. Recommended to those who enjoy selkie stories (I have a great fondness for them myself), and to picture-book readers who enjoy fairy-tales. ( )

This striking picture story teaches young readers about love and transformation. It also captures the essence of living close to the ocean and coastal life. The plot tells the story of two parents from the Scottish Islands of Shetland who yearn for a child. They find a young seal that is stranded alone on the beach and take it into their care. It transforms into a young child and fills their lives with love, happiness, and joy. The Scottish people call this creature a "selchie." Eventually, the "selchie" child returns to the sea and becomes a seal again, but it comes to shore to visit the couple sometimes. It is a story of "haunting beauty" and it is told in the cadence and prose evocative of Scottish speech rhythms.

(4.8)