The age-old charm of Irish folklore gives special sparkle to this collection of eight tongue-in-cheek tales. Wicked old hags, clever leprechauns, courageous tailors, evil giants, and other characters come to life in such fanciful yarns as «Hudden and Dudden and Donald O'Neary,» «Conal and Donal and Taig,» «The Old Hag's Long Leather Bag,» «The Field of Boliauns,» «The Sprightly Tailor,» “The Giant’s Stairs,” “The Bee, the Harp, the Mouse, and the Bum-Clock,” and “The Black Horse.” Reset in large, easy-to-read type, with six illustrations, these beloved stories from the Emerald Isle will delight readers of any age with their warmth, whimsy, and sly humor.
A ruler said to be the model of goodness over evil and a formidable comrade in the ever-present struggle between right and wrong, the figure of King Arthur of England prevails at the heart of the Arthurian legends. The myths surrounding his reign have been recounted in endless tales. This collection includes thirteen of the best-loved legends of the man and his Knights of the Round Table.Bewitching stories, related by one of the world's great storytellers, tell of how the young Arthur pulled a sword from a stone to become king; his meeting with the Lady of the Lake and acquisition of the mighty sword Excalibur; gatherings at the Round table; the death of Merlin; how the mysterious sorceress Morgan Le Fay attempted to kill Arthur; the quest for the Holy Grail; the romance of Lancelot and Guenevere, Arthur's wife; the passing of King Arthur, and more.Magnificent engravings appear throughout the text, further enhancing this splendid introduction to Camelot and its enchanting lore.These stories have inspired numerous film adaptations, including the 2017 release King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Eric Bana, Djimon Hounsou, and Annabelle Wallis.
At the end of the thirteenth century, the oppressed people of Scotland rebelled against their despised English ruler, Edward Longshanks. <I>In Freedom's Cause</I> recounts the Scots' desperate but ultimately triumphant struggle in the face of overwhelming odds — a hard-fought series of battles conducted under the leadership of William Wallace and Robert Bruce.<BR>Time has burnished the feats of these great heroes to mythic proportions, but Wallace and Bruce were real people. This gripping tale of courage, loyalty, and ingenuity recounts their deeds within an accurate historical context. Readers join their company alongside a fictional protagonist, young Archie Forbes, whose estates have been wrongfully confiscated. Archie forms a group of scouts to fight alongside the legendary Scottish chieftains (who were memorably portrayed in the film <I>Braveheart</I>) for their country's independence.<BR><I>In Freedom's Cause</I> is one among the many historical novels for young readers by George Alfred Henty. A storyteller who specialized in blending authentic historical facts with exciting fictional characters, Henty produced more than 140 books and achieved a reputation as «The Prince of Storytellers.» Immensely popular and widely used in schools for many years, Henty's novels continue to fire young imaginations with their spirited tales of adventure amid exciting historical eras.
The Native American was a true lover of nature and close observer of the sights and sounds about him. He delighted in composing tales that offered imaginative explanations for everything–from simple stories about creation to fanciful accounts of how animals acquired certain physical characteristics.This entertaining collection of 22 stories, compiled nearly a century ago by a devotee of Indian lore who considered them «well-worth saving,» recounts many of the legends told to him by members of the Blackfeet, Chippewa and Cree tribes. Here are intriguing explanations of «How the Ducks Got Their Fine Feathers,» «Why the Kingfisher Always Wears a War-Bonnet,» «Why the Chipmunk's Back Is Striped,» «Why Blackfeet Never Kill Mice,» «How the Otter Skin Became Great 'Medicine,'» «Why the Mountain-Lion Is Long and Lean,» «How the Man Found His Mate,» «Why the Birch-Tree Wears the Slashes in Its Bark» and many other tales rich in fanciful characters.Told in simple, direct language and enhanced with 32 illustrations by famed «cowboy artist» Charles M. Russell, these fables will delight children, lovers of tall tales and students of Native American culture.
One of America’s foremost philosophers, John Dewey (1859-1952) fought for civil and academic freedom, founded the Progressive School movement, and steadfastly promoted a scientific approach to intellectual development.In How We Think, Dewey shares his views on the educator’s role in training students to think well. Basing his assertions on the belief that knowledge is strictly relative to human interaction with the world, he considers the need for thought training, its use of natural resources, and its place in school conditions; inductive and deductive reasoning, interpreting facts, and concrete and abstract thinking; the functions of activity, language, and observation in thought training; and many other subjects.John Dewey’s influence on American education and philosophy is incalculable. This volume, as fresh and inspirational today as it was upon its initial publication a century ago, is essential for anyone active in the field of teaching or about to embark on a career in education.
When Heidi, a cheerful 5-year-old orphan, comes to live with her grandfather in the Swiss Alps, she brings a bright ray of sunshine into the lives of the people around her. Young Peter, a goatherd, shares her love of nature, and his blind grandmother delights in the little girl's bubbling personality. Even Heidi's surly and hermit-like grandfather, the old Alm-Uncle, finds his long-lost grandchild a source of immense pleasure.A few years later, when she is forced to go to Frankfurt to serve as a companion for Klara, a well-to-do but sickly girl, Heidi must leave her beloved mountains and friends behind — an experience that proves highly traumatic to the innocent and sensitive little girl. But her return home and a visit from Klara result in magical moments that will leave young readers thoroughly captivated by this heartwarming tale of an unforgettable child and her effect on the people around her.Complete and unabridged, this story «for children and those who love children» will thrill today's youngsters just as it has delighted generations of young readers and listeners since its original publication in 1881.
Superb treasury of time-honored poetic gems includes Lewis Carroll's «The Walrus and the Carpenter,» Edward Lear's «The Owl and the Pussy-Cat,» Eugene Field's «Wynken, Blynken and Nod,» Emily Dickinson's «I’m Nobody! Who are you?,» Robert Louis Stevenson's «The Swing,» many more. Printed in large, easy-to-read type.
Times are tough around the little brown house! The widowed Mrs. Pepper has to sew all day long just to earn enough to pay the rent and to feed the five growing Peppers. But she faces poverty and trouble with a stout heart, a smiling face, and the help of her jolly brood: blue-eyed Ben, the eldest and the man of the house at the age of 11; pretty Polly, so eager to cook for the family and make everyone happy and comfortable; and the three littlest Peppers, Joel, Davie, and baby Phronsie.A favorite of children, parents, and teachers for generations, this heartwarming classic first appeared in 1880. Since then, it has inspired countless young imaginations with its tender tales of the ways in which courage and good cheer can overcome adversity.
Throughout the annals of literature there is one detective who reigns supreme — Mr. Sherlock Holmes of 221B Baker Street, London. From that celebrated address, Holmes and his friend Dr. Watson set out to solve the most difficult cases and bring to justice the master criminals of Victorian England.Now readers can enjoy the crime-solving exploits of the storied duo in this selection of favorite adventures. «The Adventure of the Dancing Men» concerns the appearance of mysterious stick-figure drawings, which prove disastrous to a country squire and his bride; «The Red-Headed League» pits Holmes against a clever bank robber, while «A Scandal in Bohemia» finds the detective locked in cerebral combat with Irene Adler, the only female who ever outwitted him (and the only one to steal his heart). In «The Final Problem» Holmes confronts the evil Professor Moriarty, «the Napoleon of Crime,» atop the Reichenbach Falls. Also included here are four other classic tales: «Silver Blaze,» «The Adventure of the Speckled Band,» «The Engineer’s Thumb,» and «The Crooked Man.»A great way to introduce younger readers to the world's best-known fictional detective, this affordable collection will entertain mystery lovers of all ages.
Experience the whimsy, charm and magic of the Celtic imagination in this captivating collection of timeless stories that have enchanted generations of youngsters and adults.Among the eight popular tales included here are «The Fate of the Children of Lir,» a haunting narrative of four children turned into swans by a wicked stepmother; «The Shepherd of Myddvai,» in which a beautiful woman, risen from the sea, orders her husband-to-be to observe certain rules; and «Beth Gellert,» a touching tale of a brave dog that dies after saving a child's life. Five additional stories include «The Tale of Ivan,» «Morraha,» «The Story of Deirdre,» «The Llanfabon Changeling,» and «The Sea-Maiden.»Reset in large, easy-to-read type, these engaging stories are enhanced by six new illustrations.