Books published by publisher Redhen

How quickly the years pass! But yesterday they were babies; now he is a great boy, clamoring for trousers with vast, mysterious pockets; and she, dear little girl, is a mother, caressing her dolls with an infinity of maternal graces. Could they but stay young! Were there but a fountain, like the one in these stories, to keep them forever safe in a mother's arms. It is sad to think of their ever leaving Baby-land.There is no country like unto this beautiful bourn of our children. Here are the dim, magic forests, the enchanted castles, the deep, hidden caves, the secret tree-hollows, where dwell sparrows and fairies and lost little children. In this land the princess is ever young and ever beautiful; the bold Prince Charming slays always the wicked, watchful dragon; the fierce Ogre, with his one malevolent eye forever eats the tender children at his ravenous evening meal. The land is always full, yet always filling; the sun is forever shining, and flowers spring up under the patter of little feet. Here bad is bad, and good is good, and always the good comes true. For is there not a fairy godmother to save the child from all the childish evil in the world?What a land of adventure it is! What daring deeds! What heroic exploits! The little white crib, into which we tuck him so tenderly—why, that is no crib at all! It is a great ship, with flapping sails unfurled, creaking under stress of storm and sea, sailing oceans unknown to lands of which we have never heard. It is also a locomotive, a dizzy air-ship, an automobile, and, in turn, a fort, a palace, a forest and a wicked robber's cave. Resolutely the little captain, aeronaut, king, robber and policeman marches through all this brave realm of limitless adventure.Only too soon the child must leave this warm, fair land, and, losing his baby's heritage, enter upon the schoolboy's estate. The wicked giants, the fairy princesses, the wonderful, magic animals who talk and think, vanish forever before the spelling-book and arithmetic. A little learning is a dangerous thing.Soon the little pilgrim must make his exploration of life and knowledge. He, too, "must find America." Still, let us not tear him from his own charmed domains, nor blow our icy breath upon the warm creatures of his quickening imagination. Let us rather gently bring our world to him, so that, as his eyelids open after his deep child's sleep, he may see this new country in his lap, as on the dawn of the Christmas morn he finds the gracious gifts of Santa Claus upon the laden, glittering tree.Into the wild, romantic life of the nursery I venture to bring these twelve tales of twelve great men and brave. They are strange stories, and should be welcomed as strangers. And they are true—as true as Cinderella, as true as Sinbad, as true as all the golden dreams of childhood. And it is no wonder; for these stories of exploration are first cousins to those your children already know. Aladdin's lamp was not more magically pregnant than the Devil's courage of the Spaniards in the fairyland of El Dorado; Dick Whittington himself was not more marvelously transformed than the swineherd who came to rule a new-found nation; and bad Bluebeard, or even the gaunt wolf, who ate Red Riding Hood's grandmother, was not so fantastically melodramatic as the wicked, wicked man who hid in a barrel.And so I send these stories to the little children in the hope that they may pass from the true tales of fairies to these other true tales without shock or rude awakening. May the old, beautiful visions linger, and at last fade but gently into the wildly unreal truth of the actual world! May the two, the tale of the nursery and the tale of the great dominion beyond the nursery, live together in friendship and amity, so that, when at last the little one comes to lose his fund of baby lore, it will pass from him as gently as the fleeing consciousness leaves the drowsy child!To the little children of America, and to the children who have bo

This book aims at presenting, for the reading of boys and girls, a version of certain selected narratives from the immortal Lives of Plutarch.In making the selection, the writer has been guided by the wish to choose those lives which appear to him to be most likely to interest young readers, and which also exhibit most clearly, either by example or contrast, the beauty of patriotism and the nobility of the manly virtues of justice, courage, fortitude, and temperance.The selected lives have been freely retold. The discursive reflections, in which Plutarch frequently indulges, have been generally omitted; so also have many proper names not necessary to the full understanding of the stories. But, While much has been omitted, the writer has not presumed to add matter, other than seemed necessary to explain the importance or bearing of events, or to make the narrative clear to young readers. He trusts, therefore, that the version here presented retains much of the manner and method of Plutarch, and especially that the distinctive quality of that author which, to many readers throughout the ages, has given form and substance and a living reality to the heroes of ancient story, otherwise but the shadows of great names, has not been sacrificed.He trusts, too, that his young readers may realise from Plutarch how little the essential things of life have changed during twenty centuries and more of the world's history; that, though trireme has given place to ironclad, and javelin-flight to bullet-hail, Salamis and Marathon called for the same wisdom, foresight, and courage as Trafalgar and Waterloo; and that to-day our country may demand from us, according to the measure of our abilities, service as unselfish and self-sacrificing as that which the noblest heroes of ancient Greece and Rome rendered to the lands whose history their deeds illumine for all time.

Southey's Oriental Romances, Thalaba the Destroyer and The Curse of Kehama, are, I suppose, almost wholly unknown to the younger generation of readers. It must be confessed that they are not commended by their metrical form; but they display great power of imagination, and convey an admirable moral. I have tried to tell these two stories in prose.I have added the Story of Rustem, greatly condensed, from Firdausi's Shah-Nameh, or Book of the Kings. I have availed myself of M. Jules Mohl's translation from the Persian, a popular edition of which, in seven octavo volumes, was published under the care of Madame Mohl in the years 1876-78. It was necessary to take some liberties with the story, for the chief of which I may plead the authority of Mr. Matthew Arnold, who, in his beautiful poem of "Sohrab and Rustem," represents the father as believing that the child born to him by his Tartar wife is a girl. In Firdausi's poem he knows that he has a son, but cannot believe that so young a child can be his stalwart antagonist.The illustrations are taken from Persian and Indian MSS. in the British Museum.

In the far-off days when Dante lived, those who wrote books wrote them in the Latin tongue.Dante himself wrote the first seven cantos of his great poem in Latin. But like many another poet, he was not satisfied with his first attempt. He flung the seven Latin cantos aside and seemingly forgot all about them, for when he was banished from Florence the poem he had begun was not among his treasures.His wife, however, found the seven cantos and tossed them into a bag among her jewels. Then she also seemed to forget all about them.Five years later a nephew of Dante chanced to find the long-forgotten verses. He at once sent them to his uncle, who was still living in exile.When Dante received the cantos he had written so long ago, he believed that their recovery was a sign from Heaven that he should complete the great poem he had begun.He therefore set to work afresh, but this time he wrote, not in Latin, but in his own beautiful mother-tongue, which was, as you know, Italian.When at length the great poem was finished, Dante named it simply, "The Comedy," and it was not until many years after his death that the title was changed into "The Divine Comedy."A comedy was a tale which might be as sad as tale could be, so only that it ended in gladness.In "The Divine Comedy," then, about which this little book tells, you may expect to find much that is sad, much that is terrible. Yet you may be certain that before the end of the tale you will find in it gladness and joy.MARY MACGREGOR

This volume was originally written in Dutch by John Esquemeling, and first published in Amsterdam in 1678 under the title of De Americaeneche Zee Roovers. It immediately became very popular and this first hand history of the Buccaneers of America was soon translated into the principal European languages. The first English edition was printed in 1684.Of the author, John Esquemeling, very little is known although it is generally conceded that he was in all probability a Fleming or Hollander, a quite natural supposition as his first works were written in the Dutch language. He came to the island of Tortuga, the headquarters of the Buccaneers, in 1666 in the employ of the French West-India Company. Several years later this same company, owing to unsuccessful business arrangements, recalled their representatives to France and gave their officers orders to sell the company's land and all its servants. Esquemeling then a servant of the company was sold to a stern master by whom he was treated with great cruelty. Owing to hard work, poor food and exposure he became dangerously ill, and his master seeing his weak condition and fearing to lose the money Esquemeling had cost him resold him to a surgeon. This new master treated him kindly so that Esquemeling's health was speedily restored, and after one year's service he was set at liberty upon a promise to pay his benefactor, the surgeon, 100 pieces of eight at such a time as he found himself in funds.Once more a free man he determined to join the pirates and was received into their society and remained with them until 1672. Esquemeling served the Buccaneers in the capacity of barber-surgeon, and was present at all their exploits. Little did he suspect that his first hand observations would some day be cherished as the only authentic and true history of the Buccaneers and Marooners of the Spanish Main.From time to time new editions of this work have been published, but in many cases much new material, not always authentic, has been added and the result has been to mar the original narrative as set forth by Esquemeling. In arranging this edition, the original English text only has been used, and but few changes made by cutting out the long and tedious description of plant and animal life of the West-Indies of which Esquemeling had only a smattering of truth. But, the history of Captain Morgan and his fellow buccaneers is here printed almost identical with the original English translation, and we believe it is the first time this history has been published in a suitable form for the juvenile reader with no loss of interest to the adult.The world wide attention at this time in the Isthmus of Panama and the great canal connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific Ocean lends to this narrative an additional stimulus. Here are set forth the deeds of daring of the wild freebooters in crossing the isthmus to attack the cities, Puerto Bellow and Panama. The sacking and burning of these places accompanied by pillage, fire, and treasure seeking both on land and on sea form exciting reading. The Buccaneers and Marooners of America well deserves a place on the book shelf with those old world-wide favorites Robinsoe Crusoe and the Swiss Family Robinson.

Relates the story of western civilization from earliest times through the beginning of the twentieth century, with special emphasis on the people and events that changed the course of history. Portrays in vivid prose the achievements of mankind in the areas of art and discovery, as well as the political forces leading to the modern nation-states. Winner of the first Newbery Award in 1922, The Story of Mankind has introduced generations of children to the pageant of world history.

Our Island Story: A Child's History of England is a book by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall, first published in 1905 in London by T. C. & E. C. Jack.It is about the history of England up to Queen Victoria's death, with some myths and legends mixed in. The book's contents were originally told by H. E. Marshall to answer her children's questions about the history of "their home island" (Great Britain, although at the time they were living in Australia).The book has always been very popular, and many famous historians credit it as an inspiration.Prime Minister David Cameron chose Our Island Story when asked to select his favourite childhood book in October 2010: "When I was younger, I particularly enjoyed 'Our Island Story' by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall [...] It is written in a way that really captured my imagination and which nurtured my interest in the history of our great nation."

IN Upper Swabia there stand to this day the walls of the Castle of Hohenzollern, once the finest in the land. It was built on the top of a high round hill, and from its look-out tower you could see all the length and breadth of the land. And far and near the brave deeds of the Hohenzollerns were admired, and the name was known and honoured all through the kingdom of Germany.About four hundred years ago, almost before gunpowder was invented, there lived in this castle a Zollern, who was a most peculiar man. No one could remember ever having heard him speak like other men; for if when he was riding through the valley any one greeted him and doffed his cap, or stopped and said, "Good evening, noble Count; it is lovely weather," all the answer the Count would give would be: "Stupid nonsense!" or, "I know that!" And if by chance any one did not make way for him and his horse, or if a peasant with a cart blocked the path, so that he could not gallop as fast as he chose, he gave vent to his anger in a torrent of curses; but he was never known to thrash a peasant. And all through the land he was known as "the Stormy Knight of Zollern."The Stormy Knight of Zollern had a wife who was as different from him as could be, amiable and gentle as an angel. And when people had been upset by their lord's harsh words, her sweet voice and kindly looks won them back to their allegiance. To the poor she was always a good friend, and in the summer heat and winter cold might be seen going down the steep hill to visit some sick child, or some family needing help. And if the Count met her on her way he would growl, "Stupid nonsense! Don't I know it?" and ride on.Many wives would have fretted or frightened themselves over this disagreeable temper. One might have said, "What do the poor people's trouble matter to me? My husband says it's 'Stupid nonsense.'" Another might have let her love for such a gloomy husband get cold. But the Lady Hedwig von Zollern was not like this. She loved him as much as ever, and with her small white hand would stroke the frowns from his forehead, and would soothe and caress him. And though after they had been married a year and a day, God sent them a little son, she did not love her husband less, but tried, in spite of her many duties, to be a wise and tender mother to her boy. Three years went by, and only every Sunday at dinner-time did the Count see his son and take him from the nurse's arms. He would look at the child, mutter something in his beard, and give it back to the nurse. When the boy could say "Father," the Count gave the nurse a florin, but took no kindly notice of the child.When Kuno was three years old the Count ordered the child to be dressed in trunk hose and a doublet of velvet and satin; then he called for his own black horse and two others, took the boy in his arms, and descended the staircase jingling his spurs. The Countess Hedwig was amazed. She was not in the habit of asking her husband where he went, or what he was going to do, but anxiety for her child made her inquire:

"It is very nice," said Caledonia, as she closed her book with a sigh; "but why did you not tell us stories of Scotland?""Because there was no need. That has been done already by a great and clever man.""Oh, but children sometimes like the stories which are written by the not great and clever people best," said Caledonia wisely. "Littler children do, anyhow. They are more simpler, you know.""Oh indeed!" said I."I wish you would write Scotland's Story for littler children like me," went on Caledonia, "and please put more battles in it than in Our Island Story. But you must not say that the Scots were defeated. I don't like it at all when you say 'The Scots and the Picts were driven back.'""But you know we were defeated sometimes, Caledonia."Caledonia looked grave. That was very serious. Presently her face brightened. "Well, if we were, you needn't write about those times," she said.So, because Caledonia asked me, I have written Scotland's Story. I am afraid it will not please her altogether, for I have had to say more than once or twice that "the Scots were defeated." But I would remind her that "defeated" and "conquered" are words with quite different meanings, and that perhaps it is no disgrace for a plucky little nation to have been defeated often, and yet never conquered by her great and splendid neighbour."Fairy tales!" I hear some wise people murmur as they turn the pages. Yes, there are fairy tales here, and I make no apology for them, for has not a grave and learned historian said that there ought to be two histories of Scotland—one woven with the golden threads of romance and glittering with the rubies and sapphires of Fairyland? Such, surely, ought to be the children's Scotland.So I dedicate my book to the "littler children," as Caledonia calls them, who care for their country's story. It is sent into the world in no vain spirit of rivalry, but rather as a humble tribute to the great Master of Romance, who wrote Tales for his little grandson, and I shall be well repaid, if my tales but form stepping stones by which little feet may pass to his Enchanted Land.

DEAR JOS,—Robin Hood was a real man. The stories about him are very old. They were written many, many years ago by men whose names have been forgotten. The old letters in which they were printed are very difficult to read, but now, in this little book, you will find the stories easy both to read and to understand. The poetry is in the same words as it was in those old books.Robin Hood lived in times very different from ours. In the first chapter of this book I have told you about those times, and how and why Robin came to live in the Green Wood, and to have all his wonderful adventures.If you do not care about the "how and why," you must begin the book at its second chapter, but I hope you will begin at the beginning, for the more you know about brave Robin, the more you will love and admire him.—Your loving Aunt,H.E. MARSHALL

The main action of this story belongs to a critical and interesting period in the last years of the Roman Republic. In 72 B.C., when my hero is represented as starting to take up an official position in Sicily, Italy was slowly recovering from the effects of the internal struggles which had distracted the state for many years; of the Social War in which Rome had been fighting for her supremacy among the kindred Italian peoples; and of the Civil War, the long conflict between the nobles and the people, terminated, at least for a time, by Sulla's victory in the year 82, and by the bloody proscription which followed it. Many of the evils of these terrible times still remained. Italy, in particular, abounded with ruined and desperate men. With these and with the fugitives who were always trying to escape from the cruelties of slavery, Spartacus, a gladiator, who in 73 led a revolt at Capua, recruited his army. In the following year this man was at the height of his power. In the same year the insurrection of Sertorius, who had defied the power of Rome in Spain many years, was brought to an end by his assassination. In Asia Mithradates, king of Pontus, had been driven out of his dominion, and had sought shelter in the dominions of his son-in-law, Tigranes, king of Armenia. He was not, however, at the end of his resources, and it was not till nine years afterwards that his final defeat and death took place. During the greater part of this time the pirates held almost undisputed possession of the Mediterranean Sea. Pompey put them down completely in the year 67 B.C..In the postscript to my story affairs have changed completely. The Republic has passed away, and the Empire is divided between Antony in the East and Augustus in the West. I may remark that the old gardener of the last two chapters is not an arbitrary invention of my own. Virgil, in his forth Georgic (that in which he treats of bee-culture), speaks of having known "an old man of Corycus" who had a garden near Tarentum. As there was a Corycus in Cilicia, it has been suggested that this old man was one of the pirates whose lives Pompey spared after his victory, and some of who he is known to have settled in Italy.A writer who has been engaged in teaching for the greater part of his life can hardly help trying to make his book useful. I hope, however, that my young readers will not find this story less entertaining because it may help them to realize the period to which it belongs. They will certainly not find it overloaded with learning—a fault which, indeed, it is only too easy for most of us to avoid.

Attractive biographical sketches of thirty-five of the most prominent characters in the history of ancient Greece, from legendary times to its fall in 146 B.C. Each story is told in a clear, simple manner, and is well calculated to awaken and stimulate the youthful imagination.The study of history, like the study of a landscape, should begin with the most conspicuous features. Not until these have been fixed in memory will the lesser features fall into their appropriate places and assume their right proportions. The famous men of ancient and modern times are the mountain peaks of history. It is logical then that the study of history should begin with the biographies of these men. Not only is it logical ; it is also pedagogical. Experience has proven that in order to attract and hold the child's attention each conspicuous feature of history presented to him should have an individual for its center. The child identifies himself with the personage presented. It is not Bomulus or Hercules or Caesar or Alexander that the child has in mind when he reads, but himself, acting under similar conditions. Prominent educators, appreciating these truths, have long recognized the value of biography as a preparation for the study of history and have given it an important place in their scheme of studies. The former practice in many elementary schools of beginning the detailed study of American history without any previous knowledge of general history limited the pupil’s range of vision, restricted his sympathies, and left him without material for comparisons. Moreover, it denied to him a knowledge of his inheritance from the Greek philosopher, the Roman lawgiver, the Teutonic lover of freedom. Hence the recommendation so strongly urged in the report of the Committee of Ten — and emphasized^ also, in the report of the Committee of Fifteen — that the study of Greek, Roman and modern European history in the form of biography should precede the study of detailed American history in our elementary schools. The Committee of Ten recommends an eight years' course in history, beginning with the fifth year in school and continuing to the end of the high school course The first two years of this course are given wholly to the study of biography and mythology. The Committee of Fifteen recommends that history be taught in all the grades of the elementary school and emphasizes the value of biography and of general history.