LITMIR.BIZ

Classic collection of 32 less familiar folk tales narrated in clear, lively prose. Different enough to capture all imaginations, the tales are drawn from many different cultures: the American Indians, Australian Bushmen, African Kaffirs, and from Persia, Lapland, Brazil, and India. Includes all of the original 50 illustrations.

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"Still unequaled as an introduction to the classic myths."—Publishers WeeklyGeared toward young readers, the classic retellings of stories from ancient myth presented in this volume center on the Argonauts' quest for the golden fleece. Generations have thrilled to compelling renditions of the adventures of heroic Jason and the sorceress Medea, mighty Heracles, the minstrel Orpheus, and other legendary figures.Author Padraic Colum, who was active in the Irish literary renaissance and a founder of Dublin's Abbey Theatre, was also a popular children's writer. Skilled at recounting tales in a manner that attracts and holds children's attention, Colum possessed a poetic style that continues to enchant audiences of all ages. His stories of Atalanta the huntress, Perseus and his bride from the sea, Theseus and the Minotaur, and other fantastic characters are complemented by 40 evocative illustrations.

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This captivating tale by the «royal historian of Oz» recounts the further adventures of a little girl named Trot and Cap'n Bill, an old sailor, after their visit to the Sea Fairies. A remarkable fairyland in sky country, Sky Island turns out to be a place that Trot, Cap'n Bill, and their friend — a little boy nicknamed Button-bright — were glad to leave after having experienced some unpleasant moments there. Transported by a magical umbrella that whisks the three travelers off to this island in the sky, they meet the six snub-nosed princesses, discover the King's treasure chamber, encounter a blue wolf, meet Tourmaline the poverty Queen and Rosalie the Witch, and eventually make the long journey home. A charming addition to Dover's successful line of Oz books, this volume will delight long-time Oz fans as well as newcomers to L. Frank Baum's realms of fantasy. 86 black-and-white and 12 full-color illustrations.

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When the renowned author of the wonderful Oz stories surpasses himself with a full-blown fairy tale, complete with magic wishes, palace life, an evil hag, and a poor boy and girl, we know we are in for something exceptional in storytelling. «In some ways,» Baum confided to his son, «Queen Zixi is my best effort.» The critic Edward Wagenknecht goes further, terming it flatly one of the best fairy tales ever written by anyone.The master tale-spinner captures suspenseful attention at once with a magic wishing cloak which the fairies decide to give to the first unhappy mortal — man, woman, or child — their emissary chance to meet. At the same time, the King of Noland has died without heir, and the law says the new King shall be the forty-seventh person who happens to pass through the city gates that day. In the neighboring kingdom of Ix, malevolent Queen Zixi, six hundred and eighty-three years old and smug in the secrets of witchcraft, craves that magic cloak with all her evil heart. And that morning, a humble ferryman's son, Bud, happens to be on his way to the city with his pretty sister Fluff …All who know the enchantment that a real fairy tale can hold for a child will recognize here the ingredients of a spellbinder. Add to them the well-known gifts of the author in creating captivating characters, sparkling fantasy, rich humor, and inventive absurdity, and a true classic of juvenile literature emerges to fascinate both child and parent. An added delight is the inclusion of all 90 of the original illustrations by Frederick Richardson, straight from the pages of St. Nicholas Magazine, where this tale was originally serialized.

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John Doolittle is a kind-hearted country physician who keeps goldfish in his pond, rabbits in the pantry, white mice in a piano, and a hedgehog in the cellar. He also has an unusual gift: he can talk to animals &#8212; a talent that comes in handy, since he prefers treating animals, rather than humans, as his patients.<BR>One day, a mysterious call summons him to Africa, where a serious epidemic has spread among the monkey population. Of course, the good doctor sets out immediately with some of his best friends &#8212; Jip, the dog, and Polynesia, the parrot, among others. Along the way, they&#8217;re joined by new acquaintances, including the pushmi-pullyu, a remarkable creature that has a head at both ends of its body.<BR>"Any child who is not given the opportunity to make the acquaintance of this rotund, kindly, and enthusiastic doctor/naturalist and all of his animal friends will miss out on something important," said renowned primatologist Jane Goodall. <BR>An entertaining classic that has charmed readers of all ages for generations, Hugh Lofting's timeless tale is accompanied by 27 of his own delightful illustrations.<BR>

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The pumpkins raised on the Pringle farm in Vermont are the finest in the world and highly prized by makers of pies and preserves. That's because Joe Miller, Farmer Pringle's nephew, has a secret for growing great, glorious pumpkins. On Halloween, he picks twenty-one of the biggest and best to carve into jack o' lanterns&#8212;and that's where this exuberant adventure begins.This charming Halloween fantasy ventures under the sea to recount Joe's comic exploits. In hopes of discovering the young farmer's secret, a wily Ancient Mariner sweeps Joe, along with his little cousin Pearl, below the waves, where they encounter fairies, mermaids, and the inmates of Davy Jones' locker, a rowdy crew of hungry pirates with an insatiable craving for pumpkin pie. This reprint of a hard-to-find original edition will enchant children of all ages. Scores of vivid illustrations include 16 full-page color images by W. W. Denslow, the artist of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

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Generations of children have thrilled to Howard Pyle's skillful retelling of the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. This book is one of the best of the series &#8212; a rich chronicle that includes the stirring adventures of Sir Galahad and the pursuit of the Holy Grail as well as the last chapter in the life of King Arthur.The book begins with the exciting story of Sir Geraint &#8212; how he fought with the knights of the Sparrow-Hawk, how he set right the wrongs of the earldom, how he destroyed three giants of the highway and more. The narrative then takes up the thrilling exploits of Sir Galahad («the most perfect knight who ever lived»): his initiation into knighthood, how he came to the court of King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail. Finally, there are the last chapters in the life of King Arthur &#8212; his attack on Sir Lancelot, his fatal battle with Sir Mordred and Arthur's final journey to Avalon.Recounted in language appropriately medieval in flavor and enhanced with 39 of Howard Pyle's richly atmospheric illustrations, these tales promise a splendid reading experience &#8212; a magical journey to a far-off time and a bygone world of knightly valor and chivalric romance.

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Perfect for reading aloud, this is the finest work of E. Boyd Smith, a noted children's book illustrator of the early twentieth century. It recounts the timeless tale of Noah's ark and the aftermath of the Great Flood with delicately colored full-page illustrations. Readers of all ages will delight in Smith's rollicking animals as well as his inventive explanation of the extinction of the dinosaurs.

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Meet the Peterkins, a lovable crew with a notable lack of common sense. These comic tales chronicle their roundabout attempts to solve simple, everyday problems. Cheerful and energetic, the close-knit family of eight resides in a village near Boston. They play their piano from the front porch because the movers left it with the keyboard facing the parlor window, and they're ready to raise the ceiling to make way for a towering Christmas tree. Only the timely intervention of «the wise old lady from Philadelphia» keeps them from acting on their more elaborate madcap schemes.Author Lucretia Hale, sister to writer and cleric Edward Everett Hale, helped break new ground in children's literature by writing stories to amuse young people rather than instruct or uplift them. These tales first appeared in 1867 in a popular children's magazine of the era, and in the course of a decade, the Peterkins became a household word. «The years pass them along to every new generation,» noted Harper's Bazaar, «with the hint that human nature is about the same everywhere and all the time.» Hailed by The New York Times as «a masterpiece» and graced with 153 delightful black-and-white illustrations, this book offers a glimpse of nineteenth-century New England life that charms readers of all ages

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The story of Siegfried, the brave young man who rode through fire to awaken the lovely Brunhild from a long sleep, has been told many times and in many variations. James Baldwin's account, written well over 100 years ago, has taken bits and pieces from many different versions. The result is an adventure-packed retelling of tales describing «The Curse of Gold,» «Nibelungen Land,» «The Journey to Burgundy-Land,» «How Spring-Time Came,» «The War with the North-Kings,» and fifteen other stories taken from ancient Icelandic texts known as the Eddas.This captivating collection transports young readers across a supernatural bridge to a world of dragons, giants, and gods, delighting adventure lovers with its rich selection of timeless tales.

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