This post was last updated on December 11th, 2025 at 01:38 pm
If you love Welsh mythology, these 6 Welsh mythology books cover lore dating back to the Celtic Britons. This list of books for children and adults, which includes fiction stories based on the original Welsh legends, is perfect for folklore enthusiasts or newcomers to the myths of Wales alike.
Besides The Mabinogion, a famous collection of Welsh mythology stories compiled in the Middle Ages, there are many other Welsh mythology books rich with the legends and folklore of Wales.
One story you’ve likely heard is that of the faithful hound Gelert. This particular tale resonates strongly with Beddgelert in North Wales. The story has evolved over time, with the earliest version ending one way and the more recent rendition being more tragic than the original. If you’re unfamiliar with it, I’ll tell you a bit about it without giving anything away.
The tale begins with Llewelyn the Great, who reigned from 1195 to 1240, returning home from hunting to find the baby missing. He sees the cradle was overturned, and his hound Gelert is covered in blood. The story continues from there. The version of the tale as we know it today evolved in the 18th century. I’ve listed Claire Fayers’ book, Welsh Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends, below, as it tells the story for younger readers.
This post is about Welsh mythology books.
Welsh Mythology Books
Books for Kids
Welsh Mythology Books for Kids: Welsh Fairy Tales, Myths and Legends (Scholastic Classics) by Claire Fayers
In this collection, the author retells Wales’ myths and fairy tales for young readers. Learn the story of Welsh dragons with magical abilities to topple a castle night after night. You’ll read the tale of Blodduedd, a princess who was created of flowers with a changeling brother. We also learn of a young boy who loves to ask questions. He eventually becomes the greatest bard Cymru has ever known.
The book includes 18 Welsh fairy tales, myths, and legends; each story is appropriately written for children. Among them is the history steeped in legend about how the red dragon found its way on the Baner Cymru (flag of Wales).
Author Clair Fayers is from South Wales, and she’s written many exciting, adventurous, and humorous stories for children. Storm Hound is her latest. It’s set in Wales’ mysterious mountains, blends Welsh myths and Norse legends, and guarantees magic, wilderness, and plenty of cute sheep!
The Welsh Fairy Book (Dover Children’s Classics) by W. Jenkyn Thomas
One day, author and folklorist W. Jenkyn Thomas, a schoolteacher in South Wales, made a shocking discovery. His students, who delighted in the fairy tales of other countries, didn’t know their own nation’s rich fairy tale tradition. He put together this treasure trove of Welsh fairy tales for readers of all ages so that everyone can enjoy them. The variety of stories and the creatures within it makes The Welsh Fairy Book one of the best Welsh mythology books.
The 83 intriguing stories, which are filled with phantoms, fairies, witches, magical spells, and other classic fairy-tale elements, include “The Adventures of Three Farmers,” “The Fairy Wife,” and “Lady of the Lake,” in which a young country boy falls in love with a lovely girl who consents to marry him under extraordinary circumstances. More classic tales are included, such as “Elidyr’s Sojourn in Fairy-Land,” “Pergrin and the Mermaiden,” “The Cave of the Young Men of Snowdonia,” “Goronwy Tudor and the Witches of Llanddona,” “A Strange Otter,” “Nansi Llwyd and the Dog of Darkness,” “The Bride from the Red Lake,” “Lowri Dafydd Earns a Purse of Gold,” and numerous others. This engaging collection of stories is sure to please fairy tale and folklore enthusiasts of all ages.
Books for Adults
Welsh Monsters & Mythical Beasts: A Guide to the Legendary Creatures from Celtic-Welsh Myth and Legend (Wool of Bat) by Rowynn Ellis (Author), Sian Powell (Introduction), Stephanie Law (Foreword)
From the blurb: “A love letter to the Welsh language… Ellis’ detailed watercolor illustrations are the main attraction, providing fresh artistic representations to inspire a new generation of readers. Mythology fans and art enthusiasts alike will enjoy this beautiful book.” —Booklist
‘‘Packed with lore, history, and beautiful illustrations, Welsh Monsters & Mythical Beasts is an indispensable registry of everything that lurks in the shadows, glides just beneath the surface, or goes bump in the night. I love it!’’ —Todd Lockwood
My first thought upon seeing Welsh Monsters was, “Goodness, what a useful book!” —John Howe
Wonder Tales of Ancient Wales: Celtic Myth and Welsh Fairy Folklore by Bernard Henderson (Author), Stephen Jones (Author)
The majority of Welsh folk tales, myths, and legends have persisted through the retellings of the general public. At the same time, people documented some of the stories early on. The folk tales of Wales, whether parents tell them to babies in their cribs or performers recite them at festivals, capture the inventiveness, customs, and culture of the Cymry, as the Welsh people are known. Many of these legends were first transcribed into English in Wonder Tales of Ancient Wales, published in 1920 by Bernard Henderson and Stephen Jones.
Fiction Welsh Mythology Books and Romance
The King Over the Sea: Celtic Saints and Sinners Series Book 1 by S.E. Morgan
Tara, Ireland, 443 AD. Maelon is the younger son of a pagan Irish royal, High King Naill. Our story begins when Maelon is cautioned by his father to use care when dealing with his uncles. Then, at age twelve, he is sent away from his family and all of his loved ones to pursue a priesthood he hates. He makes friends with Maewyn Succus, who is better known as “Patrick” in Wales. Finally, Maelon’s worst nightmares come true when his father passes away. His school is destroyed.
After being forced to escape far into the mountains, he falls in love with his cousin Dwynwen, who has flaming hair. King Brychan, her Christian father, orders her to wed whoever he pleases. Maelon’s name is largely gone. However, Dwynwen, the patron saint of lovers in Wales, and Saint Patrick of Ireland are both well-known. Loyalty, treachery, and atonement all play a part in their outcomes. The King Over Sea is a Celtic love story that has echoed through centuries of re-casting. Historical fiction that’s perfect for fans of Bernard Cornwell, Matthew Harffy, and Peter Tremayne.
Flowerface: A Welsh mythic fantasy with romance (The Blodeuwedd Trilogy Book 1) by Christiana Matthews
Blodeuedd, born of magic and flowers, is eternally married to the sun god Lleu. She stays faithful to her spouse even after meeting a mortal man who teaches her the value of true love.
However, she soon learns that her entire life—not just her marriage—has been based on secrets and falsehoods. She was made to be a pawn in Lleu’s heartless game, not to love him as she thought.
Blodeuedd fights for survival and retribution, trying to shield herself and her loved ones from her husband and his family’s schemes. How can a mere goddess of flora defeat the formidable Summer King?
The core tale comes from the Welsh story of Blodeuedd. The name is from Middle Welsh and means “flower-faced.” The author portrays Blodeuedd as the heroine in this retelling. In the original tale, she is an antagonist. The characters are likable and well-rounded, and the prose is exquisite. Blodeuedd is as sweet and kind as they come. She is innocent and naive initially. Gradually, as she matures and gains knowledge about the world and her role in it, she summons courage and strength. Like any good character, she has her flaws but, ultimately, is a character you’ll love.
The Owl Service by Alan Garner
The last on our list of great Welsh mythology books by another talented author!
The Owl Service is also a novel based on the Mabinogion’s Blodeuwedd myth, in which Gwydion crafts the maiden from flowers. She is to be the wife of Lleu Llaw Gyffes, whose mother has cursed him to never wed a mortal woman. However, the newly created flower maiden develops feelings for Gronw Pebr, and the two of them plan Lleu’s murder. But something else happens instead. Gronw’s attack simply transforms Lleu Llaw Gyffes into an eagle instead. When Lleu returns and kills Gronw, Lleu also gives Blodeuwedd the punishment he feels is due by transforming her into an owl.
The main theme of The Owl Service is that this story keeps happening over and over again in a Welsh valley. The legendary tale has such power that it can’t stop doing so, much like a painful memory.
It is hard to write with restraint about Alan Garner’s talent, so deftly does he build his story… of bright fantasy and somber Welsh legend, of romantic adventure and acid realism. —Saturday Review
This post was about Welsh mythology books.
What about including The Owl Service by Alan Garner. If you’re not familiar with it you should track it down
Best wishes
Hi, Ben, Thank you for stopping by and for the book recommendation. I currently have The Owl Service listed in another post as one of the young adult books set in Wales. However, that’s a great idea about including it here as well since the story revolves around the legend of Blodeuwedd! I’ll get it posted here within a day a two. Thanks again!