Children's Short Works Collection 024: a collection of 15 short works for children in the public domain read by a variety of members.

This is a collection of fairy tales, retold by Sabine Baring-Gould. The collection contains such well-known stories as Cinderella and the Beauty and the Beast, but also tales which are now not as widely known, such as the Yellow Dwarf and the White Cat. - Summary by Carolin

We all know that Santa Claus has a large family in which to help him in the delivery of presents, peace, and good cheer. So what would you do if you were Miss Santa Claus and met two children on Christmas Eve traveling to a strange town to be reunited with their father and new stepmother? Why, naturally you would tell them the story of Princess Ina and a powerful charm they could use to turn their feared stepmother into a real mother. Follow the children as they learn to pick starflowers of obedience and kindness to make a mantle of love and become a real family.

This is a collection of fairy tales by Rev. David Bearne. The stories take place in the "Bright Ages" as opposed to the more common epithet "dark ages", where heroes saved the world, saints performed miracles, and also anything else was possible. Most of those stories are based on half-forgotten legends and footnotes to the history of England, charmingly retold by Mr. Bearne. - Summary by Carolin

This book contains many of Shakespeare's most famous plays, retold for children. - Summary by kathrinee

In this volume, Ms. Cowles has collected her favourite fairy tales and retold them for children. All of the most famous authors are represented, such as Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm. But instead of retelling all the standard tales, Ms. Cowles has chosen fairy tales that are not quite as famous, but contain an important message. - Summary by Carolin

Wild animals play a big role in many fairy tales, and foxes are some of the best-represented animals in folklore. In this volume, Clifton Johnson has collected stories about foxes from all over the world, adapted for children as bedtime fairy tales. - Summary by Carolin

"Once upon a time a king had an extreme passion for silkworms..." So begins one story in this unusual collection. Here you may also find a farm girl cursed by becoming a queen, a prince blessed with having his every wish denied, a princess turned into a monkey at birth, three sisters who disguise themselves as knights to seek their fortunes, a princess cursed to bring death to her brothers, and a princess only able to marry the man who can step on her cat's tail!This collection of European fairy tales includes many lesser known stories such as the original "Goody Two Shoes" and "The Beneficent Frog"...

This is a 1910 edition of the Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen. This volume is nicely mixed, containing both the most famous tales as well as some which are not quite as well-known. The translation is adapted for American readership and in some ways brings a new facet to some of the stories. Listeners may want to have a look at the online text for its beautiful colour illustrations. - Summary by Carolin

This is a volume of fairy tales and folk tales from the Cossack people, compiled and translated by Robert Nisbet Bain. The tales are special as most children will not have heard them a hundred times before, and as they take listeners into a different region of the realm of the fairy tale. The Cossacks are a group of people living mostly in what is now Ukraine and Russia. The fairy and folk tales contained in this volume allow a glimpse into both the cultural traditions of the Cossack people, as well as into how this culture was perceived by others. - Summary by Carolin

Seven original fairy tales . . . "Now for the stories you promised us." "Well, how many shall there be?" "O, seven, one for each." And here are our seven stories; affectionately dedicated to any little curly heads that like to read them.

Folk Lore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed childhood through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal. The winged fairies of Grimm and Anderson have brought more happiness to childish hearts than all other human creations.

A retelling of the adventures of Ulysses, including his adventures both the Cyclops and Circe, as he journeys home to his home of Ithaca. The story then continues to include his quest to rejoin his wife and family of whom he has been separated from for twenty years. This is Homer's Odyssey for the younger set.

Bears make an appearance in so many fairy tales and fables, it is difficult to imagine a fairy-tale world without them. However, in most of those fairy tales, the bear is just a side-character. In this volume, Clifton Johnson has collected 18 stories in which the bear takes a lead role. - Summary by Carolin

Oscar Wilde said of his story The Happy Prince that it was "an attempt to treat a tragic modern problem in a form that aims at delicacy and imaginative treatment; it is a reaction against the purely imitative character of modern art.” His Fairy Tales then were only partly written for children and as he said, "partly for those who have kept the childlike faculties of wonder and joy, and who find in simplicity a subtle strangeness".In The Happy Prince and The Nightingale and the Rose, Wilde explores love and self sacrifice...

This is a collection of French fairy tales by different famous authors. Included in this collection are such famous tales as Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, but also tales which are now not as well-known but closely connected and certainly of interest to anyone enjoying fairy tales of that description. The translation is well made by James Planché , a connoisseur of historical costume, which to this day plays a big role in fairy tales. - Summary by Carolin

"Here are 150 nature myths and short stories from all parts of the World. They are the kind that children delight in -- tales of transformations of maidens into trees and fountains, of youths into flowers, and of men into birds. Blossoms, fragrance, and joy are the themes of many of these tales, while a few a tender, pathetic, or humorous." - Summary by Frances Jenkins Olcott

In this volume I present selections made from the Russian chap-book literature, and from the works of various Russian and Polish collectors of Folklore—Afanasief, Erben, Wojcicki, Glinski, etc. The chap-book tales, and many of those of Glinski, are, there is little doubt, of foreign origin, but since Russia and Poland are the countries in which these tales have found their home, and since they have there been so adapted by the people as to incorporate the national customs and lore, they appear to me to belong properly to the present volume. - Summary by Charles John Tibbets

A collection of fairy tales regarding myths and legends of the Isle of Man. Sophia was considered one of the key figures of the Manx cultural revival. - Summary by afutterer

The old English Folklore Tales are fast dying out. The simplicity of character necessary for the retaining of old memories and beliefs is being lost, more rapidly in England, perhaps, than in any other part of the world. Our folk are giving up the old myths for new ones. Before remorseless “progress,” and the struggle for existence, the poetry of life is being quickly blotted out. In editing this volume I have endeavoured to select some of the best specimens of our Folklore. With regard to the nursery tales, I have taken pains to give them as they are in the earliest editions I could find...

"He was brave and kind and merry always, and all the English people—except England's oppressors—loved him with all their hearts and delighted in his adventures. The story of what he did was put into songs and sung at every fireside; and no man was better loved than this outlaw with a price upon his head. Here are a few stories of Robin Hood and his men, and a great many more may be found which are well worth your reading." - Summary by preface

Here are some really amusing stories and fables told with delightful wit. Some poke fun at human foibles and some are there for the simple joy of silliness. all read for you by the amazing volunteers.- Summary by Phil chenevert

This is a wild mix of different children's stories by different authors. All lof the stories are original, and some of them use a well-known story and bring a novel and often humorous twist to it. Children of all ages and all different tastes should find something they particulalry like in this collection. - Summary by Carolin

This is a selection of the most well-known fairy tales told in England. It contains such very famous stories as Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding-hood, but also some stories that are not included in every other collection of fairy tales. Therefore, children listening to this collection will be able to find their old favourites and discover something new as well. - Summary by Carolin

Uncle Wiggily Longears is the main character of a series of children's stories by American author Howard R. Garis. He began writing the stories for the Newark News in 1910. Garis penned an Uncle Wiggily story every day for more than 30 years, and published 79 books within the author's lifetime. -- Wikipedia Here are more of the adventures of this lovable old fortune-seeking gentleman rabbit who suffers from rheumatism.

"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was written solely to pleasure children of today. It aspires to being a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heart-aches and nightmares are left out. Summary by L. Frank Baum

A House of Pomegranates is the title of the second collection of Fairy Tales by Oscar Wilde. This book contains four tales: 1. "The Young King"; which is about taking responsibility. 2. "The Birthday of the Infanta"; a commentary on the unfeeling behaviour of the upper classes. 3. "The Fisherman and his Soul"; is about the triumph of love in adversity. And 4. "The Star-Child"; which is about responsibility and doing what is right despite the cost. - Summary by Noel Badrian

Unusual Fairy Tales from around the world, this story collection contains; a mother with two daughters both named Caroline, a carriage drawn by winged frogs, a prince turned into a bird and a princess in the form of a deer, a fairy in the shape of a talking crayfish and Ivan, who crawls into his horse's ear. In the usual style of fairy tales most of these have a moral and a happy ending!

The Wizard of Oz has built two beautiful "Ozoplanes" to explore Oz. But the official launch party goes wrong when the Soldier with the Green Whiskers accidentally launches the Oztober into the cloud country of Stratovania! The ruler, Strut of the Strat, makes Jellia Jamb his "Starina" and then sets off to conquer the fascinating country of Oz! Meanwhile the Wizard, Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow pile into the Ozpril and chase after the Oztober, but end up having an adventure of their own...

California, both old and new, is the scene of these fairy stories. They are unique tales written with with a pleasant tinge of romance about them to fix yourr attention, and a touch of pathos that goes to the heart, to make them good and happy. - Summary by phil chenevert and the author

On many a day had Handy, the Goat Girl of Mern, pursued her goats up and down the rocky eminences of her native mountain. And never—NEVER—in her fourteen or so years' experience had she been blown up by a mountain spring. But there comes, in every one's experience a day which is unlike every other day, and so it was with the Goat Girl. As she was pursuing What-a-butter, her favorite goat, there was a sudden crash, a whish, and up flew the slab of rock on which she was standing, up and away. The adventures into which she was carried by this simple though awefull beginning take a whole book to relate...

High as the clouds are the mountains bold That tower in the glorious Land of Gold, And cañons dusky with twilight deep Where a thousand mystic shadows peep. There are vineyards graceful with trailing vine Rich in the wealth of the rosy wine, There are orange groves and lime trees green That glint in the sunlight’s glowing sheen, There are deserts yellow with priceless sand, All these you will find in the Golden Land. - Summary by May Wentworth

The land of OZ is the happiest fairyland anywhere, but there are evil creatures whose only ambition is to destroy that happiness. Lurking inside Mount Illuso, just south of the Deadly Desert, live the Magic Mimics, a race devoted to causing the maximum chaos and unhappiness everywhere, but mainly in the land of OZ. Until now they have been kept at bay by a spell, but when Princess Ozma leaves OZ for 3 days, their foul machinians are quicly put into play. Princess Dorothy is left in chage of OZ and must deal with these happiness crushing beings. Can she do it? Will Toto help? You bet!!! Listen to this rip snorting adventure in oz and enjoy all of your old friends again. .

The story is about a little girl who meets all manner of strange gnomes, fairies and creatures after she goes to sleep at night. She also has two invisible brothers whom she created so as to not be alone while her parents travel for the Crown. The author here produces an alternative version of fairyland to the more traditional European form, that is bizarre, entertaining and funny at the same time. - Summary by phil chenevert and Wikipedia

A voyage on the famous Nonestic Ocean! What could be more thrilling than that? We—many of us—have taken trips on the prosaic Atlantic or even Pacific, but have we found a SEA FOREST with flying fish and swimming birds? Have we been pursued by a real SEA SERPENT, or had our ship transfixed by the immense ivory tusk of a NARWHAL? Have we come upon the glittering island of PEAKENSPIRE, or made friends with a charming talking hippopotamus? Yet all these things and more befall Captain Salt, one time Pirate and now Royal Explorer of Oz, and his merry crew...

This is a little volume of old-fashioned fairy tales, collected and rewritten by Catulle Mendès and translated from the French and adapted for an American audience by TJ Vivian. This collection contains some of the most well-known fairy tales, such as the Sleeping Beauty, but also contains some tales which the listener may not be familiar with yet. There is much to discover in these pages. - Summary by Carolin

Lots of stories and poems about elves, faeries and other wonderful wee folk. All read for you by people who love them so what more could you ask for? If you want a break from the harsh 'real' world, come relax for awhile in fairyland where troubles are solved by magic and perhaps a kiss or two.

This is a little volume of fairy Tales by Irish novelists Bridget and Julia Kavanagh. The eleven stories are old-fashioned and original. - Summary by Carolin

This is a little volume of original fairy tales by Irish lawyer, author and politician Edmund Leamy. - Summary by Carolin

Compilation of tales designed and arranged for young people. This volume covers tales from the North, the Rhine, Greece and Rome, tales from the Hudson River, and animal stories. - Summary by DrPGould

Wilhelm Hauff was a German poet and novelist, perhaps best known for his fairy tales . Some of his stories, such as the Caliph Stork found in this volume, are popular in German-speaking countries to this day. In this book of fairy tales, we find the tale of the beautiful Swanhilde and various other stand-alone fairy tales, as well as a frame story "The Caravan" which includes multiple fairy tales within it. Hauff's freshness and originality shine through in these tales.

The Shaggy Man of Oz is the thirty-eighth in the series of Oz books created by L. Frank Baum and his successors, and the second by Jack Snow. Jack Snow modernised Oz, so this book has airplanes and TV screens, but he otherwise based his work strictly on Frank Baum's original material. Abbadiah and Zebbidiah Jones are twins from Buffalo, New York; they prefer to go by their nicknames, Twink and Tom. While the twins are watching the TV one afternoon, the normal picture changes into a strangely beautiful scene with a castle in the background...

Young King Randy of Regalia is visited by his old friend, Kabumpo, the Elegant Elephant of Pumperdink. Together, they set out to visit their friend Jinnicky the Red Jinn in the Land of Ev. On the way, they meet Planetty, the silver Princess from Anuther Planet, and her fire-breathing thunder colt. When they reach Jinnicky's palace, they find that Jinnicky has been deposed and enchanted by an untrustworthy slave! Can Randy and Kabumpo defeat Gludwig and restore peace and justice to Ev? The Silver Princess in Oz is the thirty-second of the Oz books created by L. Frank Baum and his successors, and the eighteenth written by Ruth Plumly Thompson. - Summary by Beth Thomas and Wikipedia

An elephant in Oz? You bet! The tiny kingdom of Pumperdink has what no neighboring kingdom has: an Elegant Elephant in court, and his name is Kabumpo. He is very proud of his kingdom, his elegance and tends to be just the smallest bit pompous. On the other hand, he loves the young prince Pompo and goes with him in a desperate search to save their kingdom from disappearing. Yes, the prince must find the 'proper princess' and marry her within 7 days or the entire kingdom and everyone in it will be gone...

From the Introduction: "Nature stories, legends, and poems appeal to the young reader’s interest in various ways. Some of them suggest or reveal certain facts which stimulate a spirit of investigation and attract the child’s attention to the beauty and mystery of the world. Others serve an excellent purpose by quickening his sense of humour." This is a charming collection of stories, legends, and poems about autumn harvest, Halloween, and Thanksgiving translated from the Danish, French, German, and others...

This book of Scottish fairy tales tells of brownies, fairies, and apparitions, bogies, witches, kelpies, and tales told about a mysterious region under the sea, "far below the abode of fishes," where the Mermaids and Mermen live. There are stories of the Brownie, magical animal tales where the animals are endowed with the power of speech, tales of enchantment, and legendary stories, half real, half mythical. The author has tried to make a representative collection from these different classes of Scottish Folklore, choosing the tales that are the least well known. - Summary by Nan Dodge, taken from the introduction.

In this collection, we get to know which fairy tales Mr Shimer loved to tell his kids. Some of the stories may be familiar, but most of them may be new to you. We hope that you will enjoy listening to these stories just as much as Mr. Shimer's children once did. - Summary by Carolin

Gertrude Schottenfels has collected and arranged eleven original tales from Germany in this volume. Ms Schottenfels alternates between stories written by Richard von Volkmann and Rudolf Baumbach, two authors active in the middle of the 19th century. The tales are varied and rather romantic, and can be enjoyed both by children and their parents. - Summary by Carolin

The stories in this collection come from the oral traditions of the people from Swaziland, Matabeleland and Zululand in South Africa. The authors, Mrs. E. J. Bourhill and Mrs. J. B. Drake, or more properly the collectors and editors of the stories assert that: "All the stories in this book are real Fairy Tales, just as much as Jack the Giant-killer or The Sleeping Beauty. By this I mean that they are traditional, handed down by word of mouth. Nobody knows how old they are, or who told them first...

This is a collection of fairy tales and fables compiled in 1919. The stories contain original but old-fashioned tales which modern children and grown-ups will enjoy. Summary by Carolin

This is a collection of old-fashioned English fairy tales. This collection, written by Ernest Rhys, founder of the Everyman's Library series of classic books, and his wife Grace, contain all the classic English fairy tales, such as Jack the Giant Killer and Tom Tit Tot. These tales have lost none of their charm in over a hundred years since they were written. - Summary by Carolin

This is a collection of fairy tales. The first story is a Christmas story in verse, and of course the Christmas holidays are the best time for fairy tales, but the other stories in this volume are fairy tales that can be enjoyed year-round. This volume contains classics like the story of Cinderella and the Beauty and the Beast, but also stories you may not expect, like the story of Robinson Crusoe and the story of Robin Hood. - Summary by Carolin

In this volume, Clifton Johnson has compiled his favourite fairy tales. We hear a lot of animals, because fairy tales with animals in them are Mr. Johnson's favourite stories, but we also hear of fairies, of wizards, and princesses. The stories are sometimes taken from the famous volumes of the Brothers Grimm or from Anderson, but a lot of them are based on folklore and stories from around the world. - Summary by Carolin

This is a collection of original and interesting fairy tales. We have here princes and princesses, pirates, wizards, and all the other ingredients for entertaining stories for kids. - Summary by Carolin

The Cowardly Lion, always fearful, has become even more afraid than usual and is convinced that he has lost the courage the Wizard of OZ gave him man years ago. To remedy this he decides to follow the dubious advice from the Scrapwork Girl, to 'find someone who has courage and swallow him up'. Unfortunately the King of the little known country of Mudge wants him captured and added to his lion collection. Naturally new characters, all funny and fun, join in the collision of intents and purposes as only in t he magical land of OZ can they do so...

Christmas Eve Mary receives a nutcracker. At midnight, this gift comes alive and brings her into a world full of dolls, candies and rose scent. The little wooden soldiers of her brother Fritz and the toys that are in the glass cabinet of the family room also come alive. At the same time, the mice and their king with seven crowns appear in the living room. Battle ensues. In fact, it turns out to be a stunning Christmas for little Marie. The tale "Nutcracker and Mouse-king" of Hoffmann was adapted into a ballet in 1892 by Tchaïkovsky. - Summary by Aïda Boumaza

Three short children's fantasy stories. The stories are light and humorous and can spark a child's imagination. Part of a six-volume set. - Summary by Gillian Hendrie

The purpose of The Junior Classics is to provide, in ten volumes containing about five thousand pages, a classified collection of tales, stories, and poems, both ancient and modern, suitable for boys and girls of from six to sixteen years of age. This collection consists of Volume 3, including many tales from Homer and Virgil among others. - Summary by William Patten

The origins of these fables are perhaps lost in obscurity, but they are so closely identified with the Greek writer Aesop, that we may regard them as such. Most of these tales involve interactions among animals, and to each is appended a moral. This edition was edited and illustrated by Thomas Bewick a well-known British engraver and illustrator. The book begins with an excellent introduction - Larry Wilson

A collection of short, sweet fairy tales from Brazil, including How the Tiger Got His Stripes, and Why The Bananas Belong to the Monkey. - Summary by Beth Thomas

Filled with the exuberance of youth and the thrill of discovery, Eva embarks on a Winter walk across snowy fields venturing farther and longer than she had promised her mother. Enticed by a friendly playmate along the way and driven by an insatiable spirit of adventure Eva discovers a wonderful world of snowy elegance peopled by amazing creatures of this Winter land. Fascinated by the marvels that lie before her Eva suddenly realizes she has been away from home far too long and with remorse, hurriedly begins her return. However the way back is cold, difficult and so incredibly tiring. Eva must stop to rest but she's sure it will just be for a moment. - Summary by Bruce Kachuk

A collection of unique stories for listeners with the wisdom to see a bit beyond the printed words. The stories start in Korea with The Laughing Bear and move through the world of a not nice girl and the visits she receives from the Gray Witch, to the hilarious adventures in the barn yard and we even dip under the world for a few to see what is happening in middle earth. All are interesting and may well surprise you in their uniqueness. - Summary by phil chenevert

The Dream Coach was named a Newbery Honor Book in 1925. Anne Parrish's original stories of dream adventures hold fairy-tale charm that is sure to delight young children, perfect for bedtime reading one chapter at a time. Her tales capture the surreal silliness and strangeness of the dream state and the way our minds slip into that realm without our awareness. There are a couple of phrases early on that betray the cultural insensitivity that used to be acceptable in children's literature in the U.S.

Dear Children: This is a quite different book from any others you may have read about me. In this volume I have some adventures with real children, like yourselves, as well as with my animal friends. These stories tell of the joyous, funny, exciting and everyday adventures that happen to you girls and boys. There is the story about a toothache, which you may read, or have read to you, when you want to forget the pain. There is a story of a good boy and a freckled girl. And there is a story about a bad boy, but not everyone is allowed to read that...

THERE was once a cat which was not in the least like any cat you have ever seen, or I either, for the matter of that. It was a fairy cat, you see, and so you would rather expect it to be different, wouldn’t you? It had a violet nose, indigo eyes, pale blue ears, green front legs, a yellow body, orange back legs and a red tail. In fact, it was coloured with all the colours of the rainbow, and on that account it was known as the Rainbow Cat. It lived, of course, in Fairyland, and it had all sorts of strange adventures. I am going to tell you some of them, and I think you will agree with me that it really had a very thrilling time, one way or another. - Summary by author

Edith Ogden Harrison's first published work, Prince Silverwings, is a collection of seven fairy tales for young readers. It is perhaps best known as the source of an unsuccessful stage collaboration with L. Frank Baum, ultimately providing inspiration for several of Baum's Oz books.

Another great book in the world of Oz, in which King Fumbo of Ragbad loses his head in a storm and Prince Tatters, accompanied by the wise and wonderful old soldier Grampa, sets off to find the king's head, a fortune, and a princess. With Bill, a live iron weathercock, they visit a Wizard's Garden and discover Urtha, a lovely girl made all of flowers -- and proceed to fall, swim, explode, sail, and fly above and below Oz and Ev. Grampa and Co. eventually meet Dorothy herself, traveling with a Forgetful...

Told over six nights, this children's fantasy has all the elements of a good bedtime story: princes and princesses, unicorns, sorcerers and mysteries such as a missing button. The stories are related by Solario, the aged tailor and master storyteller.

The object of the present venture is to do something to revive the interest of the ordinary English reader in Ariosto. The present volume is intended to give some of the chief stories of the "Orlando Furioso" in such a way as to bring out also the main plot. The "Orlando Furioso" is a conglomeration of stories of all kinds, from the most delicate and ideal romance to the broadest humor.

Bedtime is the time for strange and wonderful stories as we drift into slumber. This children's book is full of them and the adventures of all who climb that Ladder of Rickety Rungs each night.

Have you ever wondered what happens after the story ended? Ruth O. Dyer answers that question using some of the best loved children stories. Children and adults alike will have their curiosity satisfied by discovering just what happened after the story said "the end". - Summary by Jenn Broda

Samuel Adams was born in 1833, began journalism in 1858, served in the Army for 10 years & returned home to continue with his journalism. Journalism must have been his passion as he did write many books with this one being one of his last. ‘The Myths and Fables of To-day’ is a wonderful collection of myths & fables that are certain to keep the kids smiling. Summary by adr6090.

Once upon a time, in the Big Deep Woods, there was a big hollow tree with three hollow branches. The tree animals living in each of these hollow branches have many stories and they are told by the Story Teller to the Little Lady. Lots of good fun and adventures here. This book follows the first that explains how this marvelous Deep Woods, when it snows heavily, harbors so many quirky and interesting characters. - Summary by Phil Chenevert

David Cory is the author of more than 40 childrens books. This book is in his series of Puss in Boots, Jr. The roots of the legend of Puss in Boots seems to go back to Italian folklore. These books are written for younger readers, about second grade and up, hence the "junior" designation - Summary by Larry Wilson

These are some of the wonderful little stories about animals written by Beatrix Potter. The disobedient little Peter who sneaks where he should not go and gets into a scary situation is just one of her nifty tales. This is storytelling at its best: warm and fuzzy and sometimes with a moral for little ears, but not too often. Welcome to the hippity-hoppity world of bunnies and other little creatures who have difficulties but always find a way out. - Summary by Phil Chenevert

After Prince Florimel flees his home he has a series of adventures with the mischevious but helpful Brownies, Queen Titania and her fairies, and the ill-tempered enchanter, Dragonfel. Reader's note: Although some terms in this 1918 book are not really acceptable anymore, the book’s overall message that people should not be judged by their size is still a worthy lesson today. - Summary by Jude Somers

David Cory is the author of more than 40 childrens books. This book is in his series of Puss in Boots, Jr. The roots of the legend of Puss in Boots seems to go back to Italian folklore. These books are written for younger readers, about second grade and up, hence the "junior" designation - Summary by Larry Wilson

Diggeldy Dan is a most ingenious fellow who lives in a circus called Spangleland. He looks like a clown because he perhaps is a clown but a very special clown who invites the Pretty Lady with the Blue Blue Eyes to meet with the animals of the circus. Many things happen that are just too amazing to talk about because you won't believe them but if you read this book you will perhaps learn that fun is inside all of us. The writing is adult, not childlike, and easy to understand. - Summary by phil chenevert

Julian Hawthorne spins a charming fairy tale featuring the mischievous dwarf Rumpty-Dudget', Princess Hilda, Prince Frank and the Queen. Add in some gnomes, golden Ivy-seed, diamond water-drops and magic fire and you are in for enchanting adventures. - Summary by Larry Wilson

This is a charming fairy story by renowned author William Bowen. Merrimeg is a kind, helpful and obedient little girl. But after finishing her chores, as she goes outside to play, imps intervene and sweep her up the chimney. What is to become of her? And so her adventures begin.

L.Frank Baum, or the Wizard of Oz fame, wrote this delightful book and considered it his best of all that he wrote. it tells the story of faries who weave a magic cloak one day that has the ability to grant it's owner one wish. That's all, just one. After this they must then give it away to another person who will then have a wish of their own. The travels of this magic cloak through it's owners and their adventures and misadventures makes this book truly magical and fun to read. - Summary by phil chenevert

A collection of ancient myths, legends and fairy-tales. Each story is a timeless adventure featuring a hero who is sometimes a man, animal or reincarnated Buddha. The short stories are life lessons presented in a humorous lighthearted nature. They will appeal to young and old alike as they have for centuries past.

This collection is dedicated to recordings of short mythical or legendary works which are in the Public Domain. The stories tell of legends, heroes, myths, and ancient lore from many different cultures.

Gertrude Landa or rather, Hannah Gittel Landa nee Gordon wrote under the pen-name of Aunt Naomi. The stories that she relates in this book are mostly based on parables from the Talmud and the Midrash, those compilations of ancient teachings, interpretations and learning which in importance are second only to the Bible in Jewish religious tradition. - Summary by Noel Badrian

These Norwegian tales of elemental mountain, forest and sea spirits, have been handed down by hinds and huntsmen, wood choppers and fisher folk. They are men who led a hard and lonely life amid primitive surroundings. The Norwegian Fairy Book has an appeal for one and all, since it is a book in which the mirror of fairy-tale reflects human yearnings and aspirations, human loves, ambitions and disillusionments, in an imaginatively glamored, yet not distorted form. [from the book's preface]

Philomene Isolde is a good little girl, but has been very lonely since the death of her mother. Playing make-believe in the garden, Philomene is surprised when she meets a little man in a green suit who invites her to Fairyland.

You get to choose what you want to read! So long as the source is Public Domain for you, any short story or chapter that tells of legends, heroes, myths, or ancient lore, is welcome. We are looking for representations of many different cultures within each collection. If you have questions of whether a source is Public Domain for you , I recommend asking about that in this project's discussion before you begin recording. Simply post the question with a link to the source you've found. :) Limit of 2 sections per reader in a given Myths & Legends collection. - Summary by Lynette Caulkins

The Hunting of the Snark is a poem written by English writer Lewis Carroll. It is typically categorised as a nonsense poem. The plot follows a crew of ten trying to hunt the Snark, which may turn out to be a highly dangerous Boojum. The only one of the crew to find the Snark quickly vanishes, leading the narrator to explain that it was a Boojum after all. As you would expect! - Summary by Craig Franklin

This collection is dedicated to recordings of short mythical or legendary works which are in the Public Domain. The stories tell of legends, heroes, myths, and ancient lore from many different cultures.

This is a collection of Norse folktales selected as being appropriate for children. They range from short pieces such as, "How One Went Out to Woo" to the longer stories such as, "The Blue Belt" and "Shortshanks," and include such favorites as, "The Three Billy-Goats Gruff" and "The Lad Who Went to the North Wind." - Summary by Larry Wilson

There is no richer theme for children’s stories than the miracle of Spring. The selections in “The Emerald Story Book” aim to serve the young reader’s interest in three ways. Some of the myths and legends are interesting or amusing because flowers, insects, or birds are presented as personalities and emphasise human qualities or feelings. Some of the stories and poems contribute to the child’s store of knowledge by attracting his attention to some fact, beauty, or blessing in nature which may have escaped his notice...

Brownies, like fairies and goblins, are imaginary little sprites, who are supposed to delight in harmless pranks and helpful deeds. They work and sport while weary households sleep, and never allow themselves to be seen by mortal eyes. Summary by Palmer Cox

This collection is dedicated to recordings of short mythical or legendary works which are in the Public Domain. The stories tell of legends, heroes, myths, and ancient lore from many different cultures.

These moralistic stories within stories date back to the Sanskrit text Panchatantra . They were first translated into Arabic by a Persian named Ruzbeh who named it Book of Kalilah and Dimna and then by Abdullah Ibn al-Muqaffa and later Joseph Harris in 1679 and then remodeled in 1818. Max Mueller noted that La Fontaine was indebted to the work and other scholars have noted that Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont and John Fletcher were both familiar with the fables. The Fables of Pilpay are a series of inter-woven fables, many of which deploy metaphors of anthropomorphized animals with human virtues and vices.

Raggedy Ann, you remember, always thought lovely kindly thoughts because there was a little candy heart with the words "I love you" printed on it sewed, up in her nice cotton stuffed body. So of course she is the pleasantest sort of a rag dolly to become acquainted with or to meet again if you are already acquainted. This is the third book in which Raggedy Ann's exciting adventures are told, and Johnny Gruelle, her creator has long ago made her a classic in the child's world. Her brother Raggedy Andy is almost as famous...

Raggedy Andy raised up on his cotton stuffed elbow and whispered to Raggedy Ann, "Less have another adventure! Shall we?" And Raggedy Ann's shoe button eyes wiggled with pleasure and she whispered in reply, "Yes, Raggedy Andy! Less do!" So they tiptoed quietly to the window, climbed to the sill and catching hands jumped to the ground below, "BLUMP! BLUMP!" And so this adventure began.

Cute children's book about a little girl named Margaret. Struggling with her sewing lessons, Margaret is relieved to find the needles in her work basket are magical and can help with both plain and fancy projects. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

“The Christmas Tales Of Flanders presented in this volume are popular fables and legends current in Flanders and Brabant, which have for centuries been told to children throughout Belgium. Their origin is doubtful, as all literature handed down by oral tradition must be. A good many of these stories are found in a different guise in the legends of other nations…. These tales occupy for the Flemish the place nursery rhymes take in England…” The book title may be a bit misleading as the stories, with two exceptions, do not concern themselves with Christmas...

Sisters Margaret and Frances wait for their younger brother Edward to go for a nap before embarking on the adventure of trying to stand on the heads of their shadows. Daddy sees them and encourages them to chase further adventures of childhood, little suspecting where they will take them. - Summary by Lynne Thompson

In 1837 came Phantasmion, a Fairy Tale, Sara Coleridge's longest original work, described by critic Mike Ashley as "the first fairytale novel written in English". Historian of literature Dennis Butts describes Phantasmion as a "remarkable pioneering fantasy" and "an extraordinary monument to her talent". The songs in Phantasmion were much admired at the time by Leigh Hunt and other critics. Some of them, such as "Sylvan Stag" and "One Face Alone", are extremely graceful and musical, and the whole fairy tale is noticeable for the beauty of the story and the richness of its language...