This edition is notable for combining favourites such as 'Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp' with less familiar tales such as 'The Diamond Anklet' and 'The Speaking Bird and the Singing Tree'. The collection also features the frame story about Shahriyar and Shahrazade. A classic of world literature, newly translated by an Arab author who has divided her adult life between Europe and the Middle East, and who has based this retelling on a fourteenth-century Syrian manuscript. Sumptuous illustrations by French illustrator Carole Henaff, who has travelled in the Arab world and now lives with her family in Barcelona.Shahriyar meets Shahrazade --Aladdin and the wonderful lamp --The diamond anklet --Jullanar of the sea --The ebony horse --The speaking bird and the singing tree --Prince Kamar el Zaman and Princess Boudour --Seven nights of celebrations.

    But to the people of the Arab and Islamic worlds, the picture is dramatically different. Legends of the Fire Spirits looks beyond Westernized caricatures to immerse the reader in the vibrant lore of the jinn—the wondrous, often troublesome, and sometimes terrifying spirit beings of ancient Arab and Islamic tradition.Robert Lebling delves into long-lost accounts, medieval histories, colonial records, anthropologist’s reports, and traveler’s tales to explore the origin and evolution of legends that continue to thrive in the Middle East and beyond. He cuts through centuries of Orientalists’ cultural presumption to craft a study that stands apart from the overwhelming body of literature concerned with religion in the Middle East.A captivating synthesis of history and folklore, this is the most diverse collection of jinn lore ever assembled in one volume. From ancient scriptures to The Arabian Nights and beyond, and with a foreword by acclaimed filmmaker Tahir Shah, Lebling has constructed a comprehensive account that not only transcends geographical borders but also spans some four millennia.

    So when an explorer delivers the magnificent jasmine plant all the way from India as a present to the duke, Cosimo guards it jealously, forbidding anyone to remove even one leaf for themselves. When the foolish gardener Antonio, determined to prove his love for Donatella, clips a sprig of the forbidden jasmine, he is sent to Volterra prison. Now brave Donatella is his only hope for freedom. The story of Brave Donatella and the Jasmine Thief is based on a legend about Duke Cosimo de’ Medici and the origins of the Italian bridal tradition of wearing a sprig of jasmine on one’s wedding dress. Back matter describes Renaissance Florence and the rise of the Medici family. With links to art, history, and science, this book will please readers of all interests.

    "It would be hard enough if we still wore the form of men, but in this shape it would be simple folly." Possessed by a curse that turned them into goats, three brothers set out to the land of Trolls. They are on a quest for a maiden's kiss, which will return them to their true forms. At the border, they cross a bridge and kill its guardian. Only after this unfortunate incident do they learn that trolls have families, too. How will any of the brothers get a kiss from a maiden when they are now in a blood feud with her kin? And the longer it takes, the more their human identities fade. Will the brothers be doomed to roam as goats forever? Kevin P. Futers was born in Dundee, Scotland and now resides in Newcastle upon Tyne, England with his wife, four children and two lurchers.

    Before books were widely available, wandering 'droll tellers' used to spread Cornish insight and humour to all parts of the Duchy - exchanging their tales for food and shelter. Anthony James was one such droll teller, and this collection follows him as he makes his way around Cornwall one glorious summer. Richly illustrated with hand-drawn images and woodcuts, Cornish Folk Tales will appeal to anyone captivated by this beautiful land and its resident kindly giants, mischievous piskeys, seductive mermaids, bold knights and barnacle-encrusted sea captains.

    They are stories of families, adventures, feuding, deal-making, political maneuvers, wars, treasure amassed, great journeys, geneology, tribute given, kings, freemen, history, and myth. They are stories of the Norse and Celtic settlers and their descendants in Iceland during what is sometimes called the Saga Age. It is believed that the Sagas were written down in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, and that at least some of them originated in the oral storytelling tradition. Their authors remain unknown, but the Sagas are recognized and respected as some of the best of world literature.What is amazing about the Icelandic Sagas, is the weath of information included in them and the storytelling with which it is presented. Though written hundreds of years ago, they are still enormously compelling to the modern reader. Their style is crisp and quick, and there is action, emotion, and humor to keep one entertained. The stories describe actions and conversations among the characters, but at no point are we told directly what a character is thinking. But while reading of their deeds and words, we develop a sense of their psychology and their thoughts. The Icelandic Sagas are more than just great literature about an entertaining subject matter. For Asatruars and Heathens, there is indispensible knowledge to be gained here. These tales give us a window into the world of our heathen ancestors. What did they value? How did they resolve conflicts and disputes? How did they uphold their responsibilities to their famlies and their friends? How did they approach life itself and their places within the community? How did they view and honor their Gods and Ancestors? What sort of men and women were they? While these great stories were compiled and written down by Christians after the conversion, they preserve in their tales of our pagan ancestors much that we should know.Some Sagas have been lost to history. We read of their existence or see reference to these lost Sagas in other works, and it is impossible to not feel the tragic loss. But a large body of work has been preserved, and it forms an amazing resource and foundation for our reconstruction of the heathenry of our Ancestors, in our modern times.Contained in this volume are nearly 800 pages of Icelandic Sagas. Read, learn, and enjoy these tales of our Ancestors.

    But it also has places that are still wild, hills where the heather and bracken cling to the rocks while peewits call overheard and strange rock formations jut up to the sky, casting their shadows over the countryside below. The thirty stories in this new collection have grown out of that land: tales of the strange and macabre; memories of magic and otherworlds; proud recollections of folk history; stories to make you smile, sigh and shiver. Molded by the land, weather and generations of tongues wagging, these traditional tales are full of Shropshire wit and wisdom, and will be enjoyed time and again.

    Gently guiding his pupils towards a life of honour and nobility, his fables provided joyful entertainment as well. They are read today, 2,000 years later, by people of diverse cultures in various languages. All that is foolish as well as unkind in the human character is starkly revealed, together with some useful advice: pick your friends wisely!

    Even then, she would not marry him until they’d reached an agreement that was revolutionary for her time—their marriage would be an equal partnership captured in the motto: To stand as high, as high to stand, Isabella and Ferdinand. This book tells the real and remarkable story of the princess, Isabella of Castile. The partnership that she made with her prince was a happy and successful one. Without her, both Spain and America would not exist as we know them.Richly illustrated and narrated with humor, The Thinking Girl’s Treasury of Real Princesses brings to life the stories of real and remarkable princesses who managed to do what few thought possible.

    Master storyteller Hugh Lupton is at his exceptional best as he shares the most mysterious tales in his repertoire. Features stories from Chile, Greenland, India, Nigeria, North America, Russia and Scotland. Ideal for Hallowe'en and for Christmas. Seven unputdownable stories each with an uncanny edge.Book Details: Format: Hardcover Publication Date: 9/1/2010 Pages: 64 Reading Level: Age 8 and Up

    These creatures are believed to be messengers of the god of water; they often do mysterious things and love to eat cucumbers. Legends of kappas exist all over Japan.The Last Kappa of Old Japan tells the story of a Japanese boy, Norihei, who lived on a farm in the countryside of Japan some time ago. One day Norihei discovers a sick young kappa, Kyu-chan, and saves his life. The two become fast friends and Kyu-chan introduces Norihei to the secret wonders of the water world. Many years later, Kyu-chan is able to return Norihei's favor. This warmly written and beautifully illustrated book introduces young readers to many aspects of traditional Japanese culture and folklore, while teaching an important lesson about maintaining a clean environment.