The First Marathon: The Legend of Pheidippides

Twenty-five hundred years ago, in ancient Greece, a small band of Greek soldiers faced the mighty Persian army on the plain of Marathon. A runner named Pheidippides ran to neighboring Sparta, one hundred forty miles away, to ask for the Spartans’ aid. Afterwards he sped back to the battle, where he helped defeat the enemy. Then the weary runner did his duty yet once more; he ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver the miraculous news of the Greek victory. The legend of brave Pheidippides has inspired the running of marathons worldwide.

Hansel & Gretel

A retelling of the well-known tale in which two children lost in the woods find their way home despite an encounter with a wicked witch.

Will Moses, one of America’s most beloved folk artists, brings us his interpretation of the most enduring of all Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales, Hansel & Gretel.

 

Learning To Fly

Penguins cannot fly. Of course they can’t. Can they? A wayward penguin is found by the side of the road and convinces his rescuer he crashed while flying. The unusual pair tries all sorts of methods to return the penguin to the sky (all remarkably unsuccessful) until the day when the penguin finally rediscovers the secret of flight within himself.

The Seal Prince

When it comes time for Grainne, the beautiful daughter of the Lord and Lady of Skye, to marry, she rejects the island suitors to be with Deodatus, a seal-man she once rescued from death.

Cinderella

Poor Cinderella, who is relegated to a dingy garret room by her duplicitous stepmother and beleaguered by her nasty stepsisters, never gives in to hostility or revenge. Instead, this sweet heroine remains steadfast in her kind, gentle ways, and her generosity flows like a mountain stream. This tale of virtue rewarded is as charming and rich as any prince.

Mr. Semolina-Semolinus: A Greek Folktale

Since she cannot find the perfect man to marry, feisty Princess Areti decides to create a man of her own, Mr. Semolina-Semolinus, out of sugar, almonds, and semolina wheat, but when he is kidnapped by an evil queen, Areti must brave a perilous journey to get him back.

You Be Me, I’ll Be You

Anna, the interracial child of a White father and Black mother, explores questions and yearnings she has about her identity by “switching” skin colors with her father. With wit and compassion, this book examines issues of concern not only to interracial children, but to all children who worry about their diferences.

James Marshall’s Cinderella

Vain and horrid relatives, tons of laundry, and a fireplace that just never stays clean…this pooped and put-upon heroine needs a little magic in her life! Luckily for her, and for kids and delighted grown-ups everywhere, the inimitable James Marshall cast his wacky brand of enchantment upon Cinderella’s tale-complete with grinning rats, a daffy godmother, and a whole golden coachful of belly laughs! “Will take its rightful place on the fairy-tale shelves, but won’t sit there for long!” (Booklist, starred review) “An excellent storytime version of the favorite fairy tale, e.g. A strong addition to any picture book collection…and great fun.” (School Library Journal, starred review)