In this version of the traditional tale, the Pied Piper plays upon Irish pipes and travels from County Clare in Ireland to the village of Hamelin to rid it of its rats. An author’s note discusses the Piper’s music and provides examples of what he may have played.
Folklore and Fairy Tales
The Little Red Hen
“Oh joy of joys!” That’s the last line of The Little Red Hen, and it is also the perfect expression of how the book makes readers feel. The beloved story of the hardworking hen and her lazy neighbors, with its Golden Rule message and its sassy finale, is just as relevant and satisfying as ever. And who better to enliven it than the masterful Jerry Pinkney, who, through his warm, winsome, and slyly funny depiction, has created a definitive interpretation of the tale. Cheerful and classically beautiful, this is the ideal edition for every child’s library.
Perceval: King Arthur’s Knight of the Holy Grail
Retells the Arthurian legend of Perceval, a foolish and impatient boy who realizes his dream of becoming a great knight, but meets with misfortune when he forgets to pray and serve God.
The Loathsome Dragon
A lovely princess, a brave prince, a wicked stepmother, evil enchantments, magic rowan wood, and an immense, scaly dragon. . . . Favorite fairytale elements sparkle in The Loathsome Dragon, a traditional English tale. Majestic, romantic paintings by two-time Caldecott medalist David Wiesner display the remarkable artistry and dizzying perspectives his work is known for. Now available once again—with several new illustrations, revised text, and a brief source note—this picture-book classic will delight David Wiesner’s many fans, and win him a generation of new ones.
The Children Of Lir
A haunting Irish legend, believed by some to be the basis for King Lear. A king’s jealous wife puts a spell on his children, changing them into swans, until such time as the Man from the North and the Woman from the South–two mountain peaks–are joined together. Watercolor illustrations.
The Starlight Cloak
In the author’s version of the Cinderella story, a princess in Ireland leads a life of misery until her foster mother reveals magical powers that change her life forever.
The Pied Piper Of Hamelin
The Pied Piper pipes the vilage free of rats, and when the villagers refuse to pay him for the service he exacts a terrible revenge.
Arthur and the Sword
A retelling of the events that culminated in Arthur’s ascent to the throne depicts his dramatic removal of Uther’s sword from the stone and is accompanied by illustrations made to look like stained glass. Children’s BOMC Alt.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
This book retells the folktale about three billy goats who trick a troll that lives under a bridge.
The Mightiest Heart
Who can resist a story about a dog who so loved his master that he gave up his life? This exquisitely illustrated tale, based on the legend of Llywelyn, a thirteenth-century Welsh prince, and his loyal hound, Gelert, will keep young readers and listeners spellbound. Laurel Long joins the ranks of today’s premier illustrators in her debut, adding incredible power to Lynn Cullen’s spare but emotionally charged text. Each picture is like a precious treasure, revealing painstaking attention to detail, breathtaking color, and characters whose mutual love transcends the pages of this marvelous book. The Mightiest Heart is sure to be one of the best gifts to give young readers this fall. Lynn Cullen, author of several popular middle-grade novels, researched this story in Wales, where a monument to Gelert still stands. Laurel Long makes an outstanding debut as a picture book illustrator.