Amidst light, shadow, and magic emerge the drama of a king’s decision, an angry thirteenth fairy, a prince undaunted by a wall of brambles, and a lovely princess, fast asleep. For at that moment, a thicket of briars grew tall and wide around her court and castle, enveloping it with mystery. A legend began to spread.
Primary (ages 6-9)
Material appropriate for primary age groups
Cyclops
This book describes the encounter between the cyclops Polyphemus and Odysseus and his men after the end of the Trojan War.
Cinderella: The Dog and Her Little Glass Slipper
In this retelling of the classic fairy tale, an attractive mutt wins the heart of a prince with the help of her canine grandmother.
Persephone
A beautifully illustrated retelling of the ancient Greek myth about the seasons describes how Hades, god of the underworld, kidnaps Persephone, the daughter of the goddess Demeter, to be his wife.
Caterina: The Clever Farm Girl
In this Tuscan folktale, a poor farmer’s daughter becomes queen by charming the king with her wit and ingenuity.
Arion and the Dolphins
A retelling of the ancient Greek legend of a young Corinthian musician who, having won a gold prize for his singing, is thrown overboard by greedy sailors and befriends a dolphin who becomes his rescuer and protector.
Unique Monique
Monique hates her school uniform. Who wants to wear brown and blue? Monique wants to be different. One day she finds a trunk filled with her mother’s old clothes, and the next day , and the day after that, and the day after that Monique transforms her boring old brown and blue, (and herself), until she finally learns that no matter what you wear, individuality always shines.
Traveling Tom and the Leprechaun
Like many before him, Tom, a traveling minstrel, has fallen in love at first sight with the beautiful princess Kathleen. But Kathleen has vowed only to marry the man who can win a leprechaun’s pot of gold. Tom sets out with a clever plan to fool a leprechaun into giving up his fortune. Upon meeting one of the fair folk, Tom charms him with songs and stories. As it turns out, however, Tom’s tales hold more truth than trick.
King Midas and the Golden Touch
King Midas is not a cruel man, but his passion for gold surpasses all else, save his love for his daughter.If only everything he touched would turn to gold! When Midas is granted that single wish, he rejoices — until he nearly loses his beloved child to his greed.
The Lady & the Lion
To save her father, a young woman must go to the castle of a menacing lion. She fears for her life, but finds kindness rather than danger there, for the lion by day is a gentle young man by night-a prince under the spell of a wicked enchantress. Soon the lady and the lion fall in love. Unlike the more familiar tale, however, this story has only just begun. The prince is not yet safe from the enchantress, and it will take all of the lady’s strength and courage, through a seven-year quest, to rescue him.