The evil djinns play havoc with the peaceful household of Muhammed Ali until the good djinns come to the aid of Mousa, his little boy. The atmosphere of modern North African life is realistic, and the fairy tale is childlike. Fritz Eichenberg's illustrations carry out both of these effects perfectly, making this a very successful fairy tale in a most attractive book. - Kirkus Reviews

    A collection of folk tales from the southern Appalachians that center on a single character, the irrepressible Jack.

    The child knows that these delicate spring flowers do not grow in the middle of the winter, but what else can she do but obey? In the frozen woods she comes upon twelve magical brothers who make the impossible happen.This charming story about a little girl who sees all the twelve months of the year at once is a retelling of a traditional Czechoslovakian folktale by Samuel Marshak, one of Russia's greatest folklorists. The lyricism of Marshak's language is retained in this sensitive rendering by the distinguished translator Thomas P. Whitney.Diane Stanley's dazzling watercolor illustrations enhance the telling. The opulence of her patterned textures, the intricacy of her decorative details capture the flavor of long-ago Bohemia while at the same time transforming the landscape into a world of fantasy in which flowers can indeed bloom in wintertime. This exquisite picture book will enchant readers for many years to come.