Wolf dreams of a good meal but can't remember what it was when he wakes up. He goes looking for it, finds it when he sees some pigs, but the pigs tricWolf dreams of a good meal but can't remember what it was when he wakes up. He goes looking for it, finds it when he sees some pigs, but the pigs trick him and he doesn't get to eat them. Has another dream that night.
Abenaki folktale about a hunter who was hungry and cold and could catch no furs until he saw the moose. After that, he was never hungry or lonely becaAbenaki folktale about a hunter who was hungry and cold and could catch no furs until he saw the moose. After that, he was never hungry or lonely because a woman appeared in his wigwam and became his wife. He left for the village each year and she refused to come. When he returned, and extremely strong child would have been born. When he marries a summer wife, she insists on coming the winter. The winter wife and children turn into moose. He follows and becomes one also.
Strange, haunting story. Pictures are ink and water color and have the same haunting feeling - illustrated by Robert Andrew Parker....more
One fly sat on an old tree which was about to fall over. When the fly landed, the tree fell. The fly felt important and flew off to see what else he cOne fly sat on an old tree which was about to fall over. When the fly landed, the tree fell. The fly felt important and flew off to see what else he could do. He buzzed two boys in a tree who swatted a branch upsetting 3 squirrels, who landed on four sleeping snakes, who surprised five elephants, who cracked six bird eggs. The bird was so upset she failed to sing to wake the sun. The great spirit made her eggs whole, she sang, the sun came up, and the fly was only able to say "buzz" afterwards.
Snow White and Rose Red are two lovely, gentle, and loving sisters. They become friends with a bear who turns into a prince after he kills the dwarf tSnow White and Rose Red are two lovely, gentle, and loving sisters. They become friends with a bear who turns into a prince after he kills the dwarf that bewitched him. All live happily ever after.
Children listen to an old Japanese tale about a fisherman who goes to live in an undersea castle and whose village no longer knows him when he returnsChildren listen to an old Japanese tale about a fisherman who goes to live in an undersea castle and whose village no longer knows him when he returns and becomes old. Leaves children wondering.
Different type of story. Pictures are large and colorful, but abstract and hard to distinguish.
A hungry traveling painter tricks five monks, who envision themselves at St. George slaying the dragon. The painter has each pose in return for food. A hungry traveling painter tricks five monks, who envision themselves at St. George slaying the dragon. The painter has each pose in return for food. In the end, St. George is a picture of the painter, not any of the monks.
May take some explaining of the story of St. George for the children to really appreciate it, but a funny story with humorously pretty colored pictures....more
Greedy fox drinks a woman's pail of milk and she cuts his tail off. Story of what he has to do to get it sewed back on. Inspired by an Armenian folktaGreedy fox drinks a woman's pail of milk and she cuts his tail off. Story of what he has to do to get it sewed back on. Inspired by an Armenian folktale.
New lawyer, Jonathan Harker, is sent to Transylvania from England to complete some legal transactions for his office. Nearly as soon as he arrives in New lawyer, Jonathan Harker, is sent to Transylvania from England to complete some legal transactions for his office. Nearly as soon as he arrives in the area, he senses that all is not normal. When he meets Count Dracula and begins to live in his castle, he knows there's something wrong, but held captive, he can't do much about it. After Count Dracula and his many boxes of dirt leave for London, Jonathan is able to escape. Meanwhile, Mina Murray and her best friend, Lucy Westenra, are spending time together in Whitby, when the ghost ship conveying Dracula to London arrives. Lucy has had three proposals of marriage from Dr. John Seward, American Quincey Morris and the Hon. Arthur Holmwood and accepted Arthur's proposal. Mina is concerned when Lucy starts sleepwalking, with good reason, because Dracula has discovered Lucy. When Mina discovers Jonathan's in hospital in Europe, she goes to him and they are married. Meanwhile, Lucy is not doing well, and her former suitors all band together to help her bringing in Dr. Seward's learned friend, Dr. Abraham Van Helsing from the Netherlands. Van Helsing with help from all of the others puts together the truth after Lucy's death and together they work to uncover the Count and destroy him.
This was amazingly readable for having been written in 1897 and wasn't nearly as scary as I expected it to be. Had an interesting book club discussion of it - appropriate for an October read....more
Young man so poor in Ireland in bad period has only soup to eat. He finds a poor leprechaun and tries to make his create gold, but all he makes is potYoung man so poor in Ireland in bad period has only soup to eat. He finds a poor leprechaun and tries to make his create gold, but all he makes is potatoes. The legend behind the potatoes. Pictures so-so....more
Folk tale of a kingdom that had no gold. The king was sold flax seeds and told they would turn into gold. Describes in story form what must be done toFolk tale of a kingdom that had no gold. The king was sold flax seeds and told they would turn into gold. Describes in story form what must be done to flax to turn it into cloth....more
A peasant family has three sons. Two clever ones and the fool of the world. When the Czar sends a proclamation saying he will let his daughter marry wA peasant family has three sons. Two clever ones and the fool of the world. When the Czar sends a proclamation saying he will let his daughter marry whoever can build him a flying ship, the two clever brothers set off, never to be heard from again. The fool decides to go too. On the way, he meets an old man who tells him how to get a flying ship. The fool does as he is instructed and picks up several people on the way, each with unique characteristics. When he reaches the Czar, he has to pass these other test which the friends help him do. Eventually, he gets to marry the princess and becomes a clever man.
Russian tale - really different and interesting for an older child (lots of reading). Cute funny color pictures.
Cornish tale about Duffy the maid, then wife of Squire Lovel, who agrees with the Devil that he will do the knitting and spinning for three years, andCornish tale about Duffy the maid, then wife of Squire Lovel, who agrees with the Devil that he will do the knitting and spinning for three years, and in the end if she doesn't guess his name he takes her.
Russian tale of the father's gift to one of his 3 daughters in which she could see many wonderful things. Her jealous sisters break the apple, but herRussian tale of the father's gift to one of his 3 daughters in which she could see many wonderful things. Her jealous sisters break the apple, but her wise father reminds her of her far greater gift of imagination. Good for a teaching point, but kind of corny.
Pictures are bright, bold & abstract. Done in gouache, water color and with Luma Dyes. Reproduced in a 4-color process....more
Mafatu, a Polynesian boy is frightened at an early age by the sea. His father is ashamed because of this fear. It ostracizes him from his peers. One dMafatu, a Polynesian boy is frightened at an early age by the sea. His father is ashamed because of this fear. It ostracizes him from his peers. One day he sails away and lives by himself on an island until he conquers all of his fears. Then he returns home. Very good book. Pretty good illustrations. Good for plot, background, and characterization. Done in author omniscient point of view.