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The Mighty Goddess – World Myths
“This book really shows how interlinked all the people in the world are. Our dreams come from a similar node. A must have addition to your library.” Liz Berg, Facts and Fiction ‘The Mighty Goddess – World Myths’ by Sally Pomme Clayton and Sophie Herxheimer is a brand new collection of myths for adults. The book reimagines 52 ancient myths in poetic language, putting the goddess in the centre of the narrative, exploring the multiple ways in which goddesses are represented, creating new perspectives and contemporary literature. The book features 52 papercuts by artist and poet Sophie Herxheimer, juxtaposing the ordinary and fabulous. “No book can hit the zeitgeist more…
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The Phoenix of Persia
The Phoenix of Persia by Sally Pomme Clayton and Amin Hassanzadeh Sahrif (Tiny Owl 2019) Tells the story of baby Prince Zal born with hair as white as snow. His father rejects the baby and leaves him on a cold mountainside to die. The baby is found by the mythical Simorgh, the wise Phoenix of Persia. She brings the baby up in her nest and teaches him everything she knows, including forgiveness, so that father and son can be reunited again. Sally Pomme Clayton re-tells a traditional Iranian story taken from the Shahnameh, written more than a thousand years ago. ‘With acceptance at its heart, Sally Pomme Clayton’s telling really does feel…
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Schools
Fairytales and myths belong to us all, they are a collective heritage that links us across the world and traditional stories are vital for a child’s development. Pomme believes listening to stories develops: language; imagination; a sense of story structure; expression and communication; the ability to listen; an understanding of oral tradition and global cultures; courage, and emotional maturity. Stories bring learning alive and can link to all areas of the curriculum. “Sally Pomme Clayton is a fantastic storyteller, with a great ability to engage audiences both young and old. She has a huge knowledge of stories from different cultures – every story is a treat to listen to.” Lisa Mead, Apples and…
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Greek Myths
Sally Pomme Clayton performs stories from her collection ‘Greek Myths – stories of sun, sea and stone’ illustrated by Jane Ray (Frances Lincoln 2014). The stories are perfect for schools, families, museums, festivals and theatres. “Ten stories of sun, stone and sea, which sum up the appeal of tales set in Greece, bringing their familiar magic.” Mary Hoffman – The Book Maven “Luminously lovely.” The Times Find out how the Universe was created. Learn about the battle of the Titans. Discover how Perseus risks his life searching for the snake-haired Medusa. Find out how to tame Pegasus the flying horse. Try out some Greek words. Meet gods and goddesses. Hear how…
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Persephone
“Sally Pomme Clayton’s Persephone is deeply affecting… dramatically described in visionary pictures as well as words. “ The Times No flowers. No plants. No sunshine. When Hades carries Persephone down to the Underworld, her mother Demeter curses the Earth for hiding her. Everything stops growing and it is winter all year round. Persephone must return to Earth. But how can spring return when winter reigns? “Clayton employs vivid imagery, powerful emotions and loads of action to convey adventure, grief, love, drama and the circle of life. Dialogue is crisp and accessible, while retaining just a hint of the formality expected of gods and goddesses. A beautiful retelling of an enduring myth.” Kirkus “Sally…
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The King with Dirty Feet
The King with Dirty Feet by Sally Pomme Clayton, illustrated by Rhiannon Sanderson (Otter-Barry Books 2021/ 2018) Winner of ‘Best Picture Book’, Oxford Book Awards 2019 The king has not had a bath for a whole year, and he is starting to smell. When the king finally bathes in the river, he can not get his feet clean. His servant Gabu has three days to rid the land of dirt and dust. Gabu sweeps, brushes, and stitches – as he tries to clean up the kingdom. This new picture book is a re-telling of an old and beloved folktale from Bangladesh. It is gentle and humorous and has a twist…
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Violet and the Sea Giant
Violet and the Sea Giant by Sally Pomme Clayton illustrated by Richy K Chandler (Autin Dance Theatre 2022) Follow a little girl’s brave quest to clean up the sea by telling its story! Violet meets the great sea giant, Eko and sets off on a roller coaster ride to the bottom of the sea. She discovers that the sea is being destroyed. But what can she do? She is only little. Find out how Violet helps to save the ocean. The adventure unfolds with Richy K Chandler’s brilliant, endearing and funny comic style illustrations that draw you into the magic of an undersea world and reveal the catastrophes that are…
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Written Word
Sally Pomme Clayton is a writer of stories, performances, lyrics, texts, plays, articles and blogs. Her writing grows out of performance, exploring written forms that keep oral qualities alive. She loves to combine folklore with history, myth with biography, travel stories with cultural history, anecdotes with fairytales. Her latest book is for adults ‘The Mighty Goddess – world myths’ illustrated by her long term collaborator Sophie Herxheimer (The History Press 2023). She has published 16 children’s books, the latest are: ‘Violet and the Sea Giant’ (Autin Dance Theatre 2022); The King with Dirty Feet’ (Otter-Barry Books 2021 / 2018) winner of The Oxford Book Award ‘Best Picture Book 2019’; ‘The Phoenix…
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Families
Enter a world of wonder and enquiry with the whole family. Storytelling reaches across generations and brings them together. Pomme thinks that telling stories for families is deeply important and creates a special circle of listening that has lasting effects. An adult listening to a story helps a child listen; a child’s enjoyment of a story is enjoyment for an adult, and both adult and child begin to value stories more. They they take the story away, talk about it together, share it, and it becomes a memory seed that grows inside them both. Pomme performs for families in libraries, museums, festivals, schools, galleries, theatres, parties, halls, art and heritage…
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Tales told in tents – stories of Central Asia
Audience – 6 upwardsLength – flexible, 30 mins to 60 mins Tales Told in Tents – Stories of Central Asia by Sally Pomme Clayton and Sophie Herxheimer (Frances Lincoln 2004/2006) tells little known myths and fairytales evoking mountains and steppe, the Silk Road, the important role storytellers have in nomadic societies, and why stories are more valuable than gold! “A lovely book about the magic of stories told from memory….Clayton shares stories, riddles, proverbs and snatches of song…” Washington Post “These vivid reconstructions of nomad tales by a professional storyteller are beautifully illuminated by folk-like paintings, and together they give us access to some of the treasures of these lands. This…
