Tales Told in Holland consists chiefly of stories with a few translations from the greatest Dutch poets and a few old Dutch nursery rhymes, naive and nonsensical as our English rhymes, and contrasting interestingly with the far more sophisticated rhymes of the French. There is at least one story from each of the eleven Dutch Provinces, which form the kingdom of the Netherlands. In addition to these folk tales, there are tales of the great Dutch artists, that wonderful group whom even Italy could scarcely excel, and stories with a background introducing all the high spots in Dutch history, from the time when the Netherlands formed a part of the Empire of Charlemagne through her most dramatic days of struggle for independence from Spain and down to the Peace Palace of today. Thus this book comes to reveal in a way most interesting to the child, as much as possible of all sides of Dutch life; its history, art, literature, geography, and customs as well as the Dutchman's sense of humor, his love of cleanliness and thrift, his sturdy independence and the character of his fancies.

    Outhwaite excelled at the depiction of dainty sprites, and her whimsical visions are highlighted by images of kangaroos, koalas, kookaburras, and other creatures of her native Australia. Her art — with accompanying verses by her sister, Annie R. Rentoul, and stories by her husband, Grenbry Outhwaite —is populated by princesses, witches, pixies, and other folkloric creatures and abounds in timeless charm. This hardcover edition of Outhwaite's most lavish work features dozens of graceful and imaginative illustrations, including nineteen in full color.