LITMIR.BIZ

A pair of children happen across an ancient shrine, where they conjure up an impish sprite named Puck, who treats them to a series of tales about Old England. Rudyard Kipling, the storyteller behind Puck's fables, lived in the East Sussex region of Pook's Hill. To amuse his children, Kipling created these quasi-historical stories about the people who lived in their neighborhood centuries ago.Readers of all ages will treasure Puck's ten magical tales of adventure and intrigue. Kipling's imaginative blend of fact and fancy transports readers back to the days of William the Conqueror, to the camps of the Roman legions who guarded Hadrian's Wall against the Picts, and to the thirteenth-century court of King John. All of the stories abound in the freshness of invention and narrative vigor that have kept the author's books popular for generations. Each enchanting myth is followed by a selection of Kipling's spirited poetry.

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Best-known for his beloved «Oz» stories, L. Frank Baum also fabricated other realms of fantasy for his young readers. In The Sea Fairies, he takes youngsters to visit one of those fascinating places — a kingdom deep beneath the sea. Leading the way are Trot, a very independent and immensely curious little girl, and Cap'n Bill, an old sailor who likes to tell tall tales.One day the two adventurers come upon a sea cave where they discover a school of bewitching mermaids who guide them beneath the waves to a magnificent palace. While touring this mysterious watery realm, Trot and Cap'n Bill meet an aristocratic codfish and a bashful octopus, attend an elegant banquet, are taken prisoner by an awesome sea monster, make a dash for freedom, and have loads of other adventures.Sure to tickle the curiosity and delight the imagination, this enchanting fantasy, enhanced with 78 of John R. Neill's imaginative original drawings, will charm Baum fans of all ages.

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Among the greatest storytellers of the world, the ancient Celts told tales that, after more than a thousand years, still bristle with life and excitement. Noted Irish folklorist Padraic Colum (1881–1972) preserved many of Ireland’s ancient traditions in collections featuring enchanting tales of old. This handsomely illustrated volume includes fifteen of these beguiling stories, including bold exploits at the Court of King Arthur. Filled with youthful heroes, lovely maidens, and menacing sorcerers and giants, the handsomely illustrated stories will enchant today’s audiences as much as they enthralled listeners centuries ago.

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The stories of L. Frank Baum have captivated youngsters for generations — from his Mother Goose in Prose (1897) to a fantasy about the beautiful Glinda of Oz (1920). But his stories of a little Kansas farm girl named Dorothy remain his best-loved tales. Now, reproduced directly from an early edition of the book first published in 1909, comes another treasure from the master of make-believe. This time Dorothy and Toto become lost when they try to help the strange but lovable Shaggy Man. To find their way home they travel to Oz, and on the way there they meet a host of amusing and astonishing characters, including Polychrome, the Rainbow's beautiful daughter; a silly boy named Button-Bright; and the unbelievable Scoodles, who tend to literally lose their heads in fits of anger. Once in the Land of Oz, Dorothy is reunited with many of her old friends, who are gathering for Princess Ozma's magnificent birthday party.Children as well as grown-ups will be charmed by 126 delightfully witty drawings — all created for the original edition by noted illustrator John R. Neill. An excellent companion piece to other Baum classics, this entertaining tale is sure to please old and new travelers to the Land of Oz.

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Before he flew away to Neverland, the little boy who wouldn't grow up dwelt in the heart of London, with birds and fairies as his companions. This whimsical romp introduces Peter Pan, who discovered the magic of everyday existence amid the trees and flowers of Kensington Gardens—the very place where J. M. Barrie met the children who inspired his classic stories.Acclaimed by the Times of London as «one of the most charming books ever written,» Barrie's fantasy was published in 1907 with 50 stunning color illustrations by Arthur Rackham. This magnificent keepsake edition features all of Rackham's winsome images of Peter's adventures. Readers of all ages will delight in following the exuberant child as he sets sail in a boat built by thrushes from an island in the Serpentine to the enchanted Kensington Gardens, where fairies dance to the music of his pan-pipes and teach him to fly.

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It is almost impossible to envision what childhood would be like without the enchanting world of fairyland. Old witches in cloaks of gold, giants that turn into dwarfs, tears that become birds, monsters and magicians, ogres and fairies — these are the companions who thrill boys and girls of all lands and times, as Andrew Lang’s phenomenally successful collections of stories have proved. From the day they were first printed, the Lang fairy tale books of many colors have entertained thousands of youngsters, as they have also brought pleasure to parents who have read these classics to their children.The Orange Fairy Book delves into the oral traditions of Rhodesia, Uganda, and the American Indian; the traditions of the Punjab and of Jutland; and such familiar European sources as Hans Christian Andersen (“The Ugly Duckling”) and Madame d’Aulnoy (“The White Doe”) for its 33 stories. But it is not important that the lad climbing the tree to a cloud kingdom is an Indian brave rather than Jack, or that the giant-killer Makóma is African. The events are familiar favorites with children the world over.All the tales are narrated in clear, lively prose. Not only are Lang’s collections generally considered to contain the best English versions of the standard fairy tales; they are also the richest and widest in range. His position as one of England’s foremost folklorists, as well as a first-rate editor, make his collections unmatchable in the English language."Admirable series of photographic reprints of the first editions. Altogether very good value." — New York Review of Books.

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Delightful story of a patchwork doll, who, after being brought to life by a magician, must find a way to break a spell that has turned two victims to marble. Familiar Oz characters and delightful new creatures join in whimsical adventures. Reprinted from original 1913 edition, complete with 130 black-and-white illustrations.

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Classic European fairy tales are familiar to many, but fewer readers are acquainted with tales from faraway lands. This charming anthology of thirty tales and legends from Japan are as unique and delightfully intriguing today as they were when first published.Author Grace James selected the stories from many sources—the Ko-ji-ki, or Record of Ancient Matters, which contains the mythology of Japan, as well as tales told from memory and handed down from generation to generation. Included in the collection are enjoyable accounts of «The Singing Bird of Heaven,» «The Wind in the Pine Tree,» «The Star Lovers,» «The Peony Lantern,» «The Sea King and the Magic Jewels,» «The Beautiful Dancer of Yedo,» the title piece, and twenty-three other enchanting tales.

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Forty-one Japanese, Scandinavian, and Sicilian tales: «The Snow-Queen,» «The Cunning Shoemaker,» «The Two Brothers,» «The Merry Wives,» «The Man without a Heart,» and more. All the stories are narrated in the clear, lively prose for which Lang was famous and are considered to be the very best English versions available. Includes 69 illustrations.

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Myles Falworth was only eight years old the day a knight in black armor rode into the courtyard of his father's castle with murderous intent. Unexpectedly, it triggered a chain of events that forever changed Myles' life, culminating in an unjust accusation of treason that brought disgrace to the house of Falworth. The only hope of redeeming the family's reputation and fortunes rested on Myles' training for knighthood, so that he might challenge the king's champion and triumph in an ordeal by battle.Set in 15th-century England, Men of Iron offers the finest historical fiction in the best traditions of the Knights of the Round Table and Ivanhoe. Author Howard Pyle, who wrote and illustrated many other classic Arthurian romances and stories of Robin Hood, blends fascinating period detail about knighthood and chivalry with a stirring coming-of-age tale. First published in 1892, this classic story remains a great favorite with young readers as well as among educators, due to the author's effortless way of teaching virtues such as courage, loyalty, steadfastness, and generosity. An excellent and inspiring choice to read aloud to children as young as nine, it can be read independently by 12- to 16-year-olds.

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