Magic People describes some of the magical creatures that appear in the folklore of various countries around the world.
In earliest times people all over the world believed in magic and magical beings who lived in the earth and air around them. Some of these beings were thought of as gods, others as spirits of good and evil who had powers of flight and amazing speed; all had to be treated with respect for they would wreck ships, steal children, lead travelers astray–and leave unexpected gifts of money for the tidy housekeeper.
As civilizations grew, tales of these magical beings were passed down the generations to become folklore of the countries in which they were born.
Today the subject is a vast one and so widespread that some magical beings are known the world over. Many young readers will already have heard of Shakespeare's homely English goblin, Puck, Grimm's elves, and the dwarfs of Snow White.
That is the reason why this present book deals mainly with the magic people of the British Isles and western Europe–areas particularly rich in familiar stories and fascinating names.
