Four more much-loved fairy tales leap to life in this series of lively retellings. With the help of her fairy godmother, a kitchen maid mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters attends the palace ball where she meets the prince of her dreams.
Europe
Materials from Europe
In Pericles’s Athens With Socrates (Come See My City!)
Leaf Trouble
When he wakes up one morning to find that his home tree is changing, the little squirrel is scared! Why are all the leaves falling off? Quickly he corrals his sister and they gather up the leaves in colorful pawfuls. But try as they may to stick them back on the branches, it’s hopeless: Yellow, orange, red, and brown, all the leaves keep falling down! It’s only when their wise mama explains what happens in autumn that the two little squirrels understand the seasons are changing. Green leaves will sprout anew in spring!
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.
The Stone Dancers
Loving the tales of her ancestors, who built a castle in the remote French mountains, Anise listens while her grandfather describes how their relatives were mistaken for dancing stones when seen by distant herdsmen.
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.
The Giantess
In the tradition of all “once upon a time” good fairy tales, this story has an obstacle to overcome, a moral, and a happy ending. In this German tale, a “giant” sized person comes to understand that while her size may be intimidating to some, it is also of help and importance to others.
The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus
Long, long ago in ancient Greece, people began telling wonderful stories to explain the mysteries of life. These myths featured gods and goddesses, mighty beings who look human but have amazing powers and live forever. Now you can meet these extraordinary characters and hear their legends, brought to life again
King Midas: The Golden Touch
King Midas is a proud and foolish king who loves gold above all else. In return for helping him one day, a satyr grants the king his dearest wish — all that he touches will turn to gold. For a time, the king enjoys his gift. But then the food he puts to his mouth turns to gold so he cannot eat. And the horse he mounts turns to gold so he cannot ride. And everyone he touches turns to gold so he no longer has any family or friends. He has all the gold he could ever want, but he’s not at all happy.
Little Red Riding Hood
Much-loved fairy tales leap to life in this series of lively retellings. When a little girl puts her picnic basket over her arm and sets off through the woods to grandmother’s house, one of the best-loved fairy tales of all time unfolds.