LITMIR.BIZ

Here are the original eight stories from the 1697 volume Contes de temps passé by the great Charles Perrault (1628–1703) in a translation that retains the charming and unsentimental simplicity that has won Perrault a permanent position in French literature. These were among the earliest versions of some of our most familiar fairy tales («Cinderella,» «Sleeping Beauty,» «Little Red Riding Hood,» «Puss in Boots,» and «Tom Thumb») and are still among the few classic re-tellings of these perennial stories.In addition to the five well-known tales listed above, Perrault tells three others that are sure to delight any child or adult: «The Fairies,» a short and very simple tale of two sisters, one sweet and one spiteful; «Ricky of the Tuft,» a very unusual story of a brilliant but ugly prince and a beautiful but stupid princess; and «Blue Beard,» a suspense story perhaps more famous as a classic thriller than as a fairy tale. The witty verse morals that Perrault included in the original edition (often omitted in later reprintings) are retained here in verse translations.This edition also includes 34 extraordinary full-page engravings by Gustave Doré that show clearly why this artist became the foremost illustrator of his time. These illustrations have long been considered the ideal accompaniment to Perrault's fairy tales. In many cases they created the pictorial image that we associate with the stories.Along with the collections of Andersen, Lang, and the Brothers Grimm, this volume is among the great books of European fairy tales. These stories have been enjoyed by generation after generation of children in many countries, and are here, with magnificent Doré illustrations, waiting to be enjoyed again.

Подробнее

A raging sea storm carries Dorothy Gale (charming heroine of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz) to the fairy land of Ev, where an exciting new adventure awaits her and all young readers who venture into this enchanting realm of fantasy.Dorothy meets some new friends — Billina, a friendly talking hen; Tiktok, a remarkable Copper Man; the lovely Princess Ozma of Oz; and some strange characters too — Wheelers, with wheels for hands and feet; and Princess Langwidere who wears a different head each day.When Dorothy learns that the Queen of Ev and her ten children are prisoners of the wicked Nome King, she sets out on a magic carpet with her new friends and some old favorites — Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, and Tin Woodman — to rescue them.The danger mounts as Princess Ozma herself falls victim to the Nome King's magic and is transformed into an emerald grasshopper. Youngsters will be swept up in the action as Dorothy and her entourage match wits with the Nome King and his devilish Nomes in a forbidding underground fortress.Ozma of Oz will delight children of all ages from the very first chapter in which Dorothy battles the sea, to its surprising conclusion, when she struggles to free the royal family and her friends.The original text is reprinted here in its entirety from the first 1907 edition, with John R. Neill's amusing and imaginative illustrations that capture the flavor of this wonderful, witty tale.

Подробнее

"A Visit from St. Nicholas" first appeared as an anonymous holiday poem in a New York newspaper in 1823. Since then, it has become better known by its first line — and it has defined the image of Santa Claus and his most familiar traits, from his snowy beard and chubby cheeks to the names of his reindeer.Ready to delight a whole new generation, this luminous facsimile of a sought-after 1917 edition abounds in nostalgic charm. Its fourteen enchanting illustrations by a beloved artist appear in a faithful, large-format reproduction with heavy pages that will last for many holiday seasons. An ideal holiday gift, this volume will be treasured by collectors of antique books and vintage Christmas memorabilia

Подробнее

"No archer ever lived that could speed a gray goose shaft with such skill and cunning as his, nor were there ever such yeomen as the sevenscore merry men that roamed with him through the greenwood shades. Right merrily they dwelt within the depths of Sherwood Forest, suffering neither care nor want, but passing the time in merry games of archery or bouts of cudgel play, living upon the King's venison, washed down with draughts of ale of October brewing. «Not only Robin himself but all the band were outlaws and dwelt apart from other men, yet they were beloved by the country people round about, for no one ever came to Jolly Robin for help in time of need and went away again with an empty fist.» Pyle takes the reader along with Robin Hood and his band on their merry adventures. They tell of Little John, Will Scarlet, and Allan a Dale, and how they came to join the band; how Robin Hood escaped the arrows of the grim Sheriff of Nottingham, and later revenged himself; what happened at the court of the gentle Queen Eleanor. The tales go on to tell of Little John as a barefoot friar, and Robin Hood as a beggar; the chase by the quick-tempered Henry II; a visit from the good King Richard of the Lion's Heart; and all the other exploits of Robin Hood and his band. This is the best version of the classic stories and the only edition that reproduces both the original (1883) Pyle text and the famous Pyle illustrations in their entirety, including the page decorations. A favorite for generations, it will be welcomed again by parents and children alike in this sturdy paperback edition.

Подробнее

At the end of the thirteenth century, the oppressed people of Scotland rebelled against their despised English ruler, Edward Longshanks. <I>In Freedom's Cause</I> recounts the Scots' desperate but ultimately triumphant struggle in the face of overwhelming odds &#8212; a hard-fought series of battles conducted under the leadership of William Wallace and Robert Bruce.<BR>Time has burnished the feats of these great heroes to mythic proportions, but Wallace and Bruce were real people. This gripping tale of courage, loyalty, and ingenuity recounts their deeds within an accurate historical context. Readers join their company alongside a fictional protagonist, young Archie Forbes, whose estates have been wrongfully confiscated. Archie forms a group of scouts to&nbsp;fight alongside the legendary Scottish chieftains (who were memorably portrayed in the film <I>Braveheart</I>) for their country's independence.<BR><I>In Freedom's Cause</I> is one among the many historical novels for young readers by George Alfred Henty. A storyteller who specialized in blending authentic historical facts with exciting fictional characters, Henty produced more than 140 books and achieved a reputation as «The Prince of Storytellers.» Immensely popular and widely used in schools for many years, Henty's novels continue to fire young imaginations with their spirited tales of adventure amid exciting historical eras.

Подробнее

The Native American was a true lover of nature and close observer of the sights and sounds about him. He delighted in composing tales that offered imaginative explanations for everything–from simple stories about creation to fanciful accounts of how animals acquired certain physical characteristics.This entertaining collection of 22 stories, compiled nearly a century ago by a devotee of Indian lore who considered them «well-worth saving,» recounts many of the legends told to him by members of the Blackfeet, Chippewa and Cree tribes. Here are intriguing explanations of «How the Ducks Got Their Fine Feathers,» «Why the Kingfisher Always Wears a War-Bonnet,» «Why the Chipmunk's Back Is Striped,» «Why Blackfeet Never Kill Mice,» «How the Otter Skin Became Great 'Medicine,'» «Why the Mountain-Lion Is Long and Lean,» «How the Man Found His Mate,» «Why the Birch-Tree Wears the Slashes in Its Bark» and many other tales rich in fanciful characters.Told in simple, direct language and enhanced with 32 illustrations by famed «cowboy artist» Charles M. Russell, these fables will delight children, lovers of tall tales and students of Native American culture.

Подробнее

Determined to improve his struggling family's financial situation, sixteen-year-old Tom Wade leaves England in 1860 and sets out for the untamed wilderness of the American Far West. Arriving in the small western outpost of Denver, Colorado to mine for gold, he soon encounters Native American warriors, takes part in big-game hunts, and learns how to survive a mountain winter with nothing but resourcefulness and perseverance.Young readers get valuable, exciting lessons in history from the «Prince of Storytellers,» George Henty, in a grand adventure classic that weaves together the story of a teenaged, fictional hero and real-life episodes of exploration.

Подробнее

Return to the tumultuous days of the French Revolution with this captivating tale of adventure and courage. Join Harry Sandwith, a young Englishman, as he accepts a job as a companion to the sons of a French marquis. Follow Harry and his aristocratic friends as they're swept from their idyllic life at a country estate to the riotous streets of Paris and the very gates of the Bastille. Can Harry rescue the marquis' family from imprisonment and certain death at the hands of the merciless mob?Author George Alfred Henty specialized in creating novels for young readers that blend authentic historical facts with exciting fictional characters. Famed as «The Prince of Storytellers,» Henty wrote more than 140 books. Generations of schoolchildren have thrilled to his vivid novels, which continue to fire young imaginations with their spirited tales of adventure amid exciting historical eras.

Подробнее

Readers who love horses will cherish this blue-ribbon collection of fifteen short stories by such famous authors as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Saki, and Erle Stanley Gardner. Suitable for ages 10 and older, these tales of wild and tame horses offer a thrilling blend of adventure and realism. The collection opens with an abridgment of Anna Sewell's classic Black Beauty, the moving account of a horse's working life, pulling cabs in Victorian London. Subsequent stories include «Her First Horse Show» by David Gray, «The Brogue» by Saki, Mary E. Wilkins Freeman's «The Doctor's Horse,» «Carved in Sand» by Erle Stanley Gardner, and many others.

Подробнее

Times are tough around the little brown house! The widowed Mrs. Pepper has to sew all day long just to earn enough to pay the rent and to feed the five growing Peppers. But she faces poverty and trouble with a stout heart, a smiling face, and the help of her jolly brood: blue-eyed Ben, the eldest and the man of the house at the age of 11; pretty Polly, so eager to cook for the family and make everyone happy and comfortable; and the three littlest Peppers, Joel, Davie, and baby Phronsie.A favorite of children, parents, and teachers for generations, this heartwarming classic first appeared in 1880. Since then, it has inspired countless young imaginations with its tender tales of the ways in which courage and good cheer can overcome adversity.

Подробнее