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. Whether portraying the fear and anguish of children abandoned by their parents, the delicious sumptuousness of a candy house, or the joy of being reunited with one’s family, Paul O. Zelinsky captures both physical and emotional nuance.
Folklore and Fairy Tales
The Goatherd and the Shepherdess
On an ancient Greek island, an abandoned boy and girl were raised by two old farm couples. Daphnis peacefully tended his goats, and Chloe quietly cared for her sheep–until romance, pirates and destiny all intervened.
Cinderella
So goes the pronouncement of Cinderella’s fairy godmother as the ragged maiden, now magically transformed into a ravishing beauty, climbs into her magnificent coach and sets off for the prince’s ball.
Iron Hans: A Grimms’ Fairy Tale
Deep in a forsaken wood, a wild man keeps watch over a golden spring. Iron Hans is nine feet tall and as brown as rust, with hair to his knees. He is cursed, a terror to all, until a young prince finds the courage to befriend him. But when the boy betrays Iron Hans’s trust, he must make his way in the world alone, penniless and unknown — save for a little help from a certain forgiving wild man.
Aesop’s Fox
One summer morning, Fox awakens and begins his search for food. His travels take him to a vineyard, where the unreachable grapes are probably sour, and to a conversation with Rooster and Crow, during which flattery first fails but then succeeds. Fox meets–among others–foolish Donkey, wise Boar, vain Leopard, and shrewd Lion. With each meeting, Fox gains wisdom–until at the end of the day, falling asleep in the hollow of a tree, he says, “Time fixes everything.” And so it does.
Clever Katarina: A Tale In Six Parts
In the grand tradition of fairy tales, clever and beautiful Katarina must solve the king’s riddle in order to become queen, or risk her dear father going to prison. She must get to the castle — not clothed, yet not naked; not riding, yet not walking; not on the road, yet not off the road. Will kindhearted Katarina be able to solve the riddle and save her father from his fate?Renowned storyteller Ken Setterington has borrowed from European folk traditions to tell an enchanting story of a young girl — intelligent, observant, and pure of heart — whose sensitivity and acumen saves the day. Nelly and Ernst Hofer’s delicate cut-paper art of scherenschnitt makes this storybook an exquisite addition to any collection.
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.
Goldilocks And The Three Bears
Some stories become favored childhood classics with good reason, such as the tale of Goldilocks. Here, in an abundantly funny retelling, the timehonored drama unfolds. This outrageously frilly, jump-roping Goldilocks skips through the bears’ house, reciting saucy rhymes as she goes. Her wide-eyed glee makes a hilarious contrast with the genteel bear family, and children will love poring over the wonderful visual details, such as the bear-related knickknacks slyly scattered throughout the cottage.
Another outstanding collaboration from Caralyn and Mark Buehner, Goldilocks and the Three Bears is perfect for sharing with children, adults, and fairy-tale collectors alike.
Mr. Frog Went A-Courting
Readers find out why a frog wants to marry a mouse, how the cat is involved, and where they all end up in a charming adaptation of the popular old ballad featuring seventeenth-century settings and costumes.
Sleeping Beauty
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.