Books in Dover Children's Thrift Classics series

Something strange is going on in the Green Forest! Sticky-toes the Tree Toad hears his own voice coming from another tree, yet he hasn't said anything. It seems that Sammy Jay is keeping everyone awake by calling "Thief, thief!" but he swears he was asleep. And Unc' Billy Possum is certain that he heard a friend from the South, although he can't find him. How will they get to the bottom of the mystery? A classic tale of mischief and forgiveness, this edition includes illustrations by Harrison Cady.

Old Mother West Wind has a lot of friends in the Green Forest, among them Reddy Fox, Happy Jack Squirrel, old Mr. Toad, Billy Mink, Little Joe Otter, and Jerry Muskrat. And of course, she and the Merry Little Breezes (all members of her family) are always ready to help if trouble comes their way. And one day it does!A mysterious stranger comes to live in their neighborhood, making the regular inhabitants extremely curious and more than a bit nervous. Who is this creature and how does he manage to protect himself from even the fiercest of the animals — including Bowser the Hound?Noted for his good-natured humor and gentle lessons about wildlife, master storyteller Thornton Burgess invites youngsters once again into the timeless world of the Smiling Pool and Green Meadows.

Like his renowned countryman Lewis Carroll, British author Kenneth Grahame (1859–1932) found writing tales for children a pleasant diversion from his regular duties in the everyday world. The Wind in the Willows, his most memorable collection of stories, is today a much-loved classic of children's literature.Begun as a series of bedtime stories that Grahame, a bank executive, told his young son, this engaging fantasy recounts the whimsical adventures of a delightful company of animals — among them Mole, Ray, Badger, and Toad — all of whom possess decidedly human characteristics.This charming new version, with over 30 original illustrations by Thea Kliros, has been specially prepared for young readers and retains all the character and flavor of the original stories. Once again youngsters follow the shy but curious Mole as he sets out one spring day from his little underground home and is befriended by the extremely personable Water Rat, who introduces him to Badger, the reclusive philosopher, and to pleasure-seeking Toad of Toad Hall.Children and adults alike will fall under the charming spell of this humorous potpourri of make-believe as it paints a gently satirical picture of loyalties, weakness, and extravagant behavior.

Old Mr. Buzzard has arrived from the sunny South, and he's going to stay in the Green Forest till Jack Frost returns. Once the local woodland creatures realize that he's not a hawk and they've nothing to fear, they learn many curious and interesting things from the old fellow. Peter Rabbit goes hunting for Mr. and Mrs. Buzzard's nest, which leads to a great mystery involving their eggs, and when Reddy Fox happens upon the Buzzard babies, he discovers a big surprise. Thornton Burgess (1874–1965) wrote thousands of stories reflecting his fascination with wildlife and concern for nature, teaching generations of children gentle lessons about ecology and respect for the environment. This edition features a new Introduction by John Richmond of the Thornton W. Burgess Society.

The warmth, whimsy, and charm of Beatrix Potter's animal stories have made them favorites with generations of children and adults. Now 12 of the most popular Potter stories, including The Tale of Peter Rabbit, have been gathered in this collection, ready to delight young readers and listeners with fanciful tales of the creatures of field and forest.This volume contains these 12 stories: The Tale of Peter Rabbit; The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin; The Tale of Benjamin Bunny; The Tale of Two Bad Mice; The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-winkle; The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher; The Tale of Tom Kitten; The Tale of Jemima Puddle-duck; The Tale of Flopsy Bunnies; Ginger & Pickles; The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse; and The Tale of Timmy Tiptoes.Newly reset in large, easy-to-read type and brimming with Beatrix Potter's special storytime magic, these charming tales are sure to delight young and old alike. For this edition, Pat Stewart has contributed over 50 engaging illustrations based on Ms. Potter's original designs.

Sammy Jay thinks he's a very fine gentleman and is proud of his handsome blue coat and high cap. But Sammy often does things he shouldn't do — like stealing. Nobody likes to be told he's a thief — especially Sammy Jay! Much of the time, he just struts around, trying to look important when he thinks someone is looking at him. Filled with pranks and rivalries, this delightful tale — enhanced with Harrison Cady's charming illustrations — combines humorous animal escapades with gentle lessons about wildlife and nature.One of the most prolific and best-loved writers of children's books, Thornton W. Burgess (1874–1965) created heartwarming tales of animals and their natural habitats. His stories, bestsellers year after year, have thrilled generations of youngsters.

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.

Something is definitely wrong with Peter Rabbit . . . he has no appetite! Deciding he is terribly lonely, Peter sets off to visit some friends in the Old Pasture but instead finds himself narrowly escaping the clutches of Hooty Owl, experiencing a nasty encounter with Jed Thumper (a big gray rabbit) and eventually staring right into the soft, gentle eyes of Miss Fuzzytail. Before you know it, Peter has a new bride!Children will love sharing the adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Rabbit as they start a new ― and often precarious ― life together in the Dear Old Briar-Patch. As they enjoy the story, youngsters absorb gentle lessons about nature, wildlife, and simple human virtues. Eight charming new illustrations, based on the originals by Harrison Cady, enhance this delightful tale, newly reprinted in large, easy-to-read type.

A talking tea kettle, a monstrous goblin-spider that lives in a haunted temple, miniature soldiers that plague a lazy young bride, and other fanciful creatures abound in this captivating collection of eleven Japanese fairy tales.Youngsters are transported to an exotic, faraway world of samurai warriors, rice fields, humble cottages, and a magical spring in five tales excellently translated and adapted by noted writer and linguist Lafcadio Hearn: "The Fountain of Youth," "Chin-Chin Kobakama," "The Goblin-Spider," "The Old Woman Who Lost Her Dumplings," and the title story. Six additional stories — in versions by Grace James, Basil Hall Chamberlain, and other authorities on Japanese folklore — include "The Tea-Kettle," "The Wooden Bowl," "My Lord Bag-o'-Rice," "The Hare of Inaba," "The Silly Jelly-Fish," and "The Matsuyama Mirror."

A plump little meadow mouse is always an inviting target for hungry hunters in the Green Meadows. This certainly should give Danny Meadow Mouse enough cause for concern; but lately, he's been worrying about something else — his short tail! In fact, he wants so much to have a different tail that he almost forgets to take care of the one he has.Danny spends much of his time avoiding the likes of Hooty the Owl, who drifts effortlessly above him in the open air; Reddy Fox and old Granny Fox, who stalk him as he races through snow tunnels; Mr. Blacksnake, who silently slithers after him through the grass; and other pesky predators.Youngsters will enjoy reading and listening to the adventures of the plucky vole and his friends as they explore Farmer Brown's orchard, the Old Briar-patch, and the enchanting world of the Green Forest. The text has been completely reset in large, easy-to-read type and Thea Kliros has adapted six black-and-white illustrations from the originals by Harrison Cady.

Pinocchio was naughty from the very first day that Geppetto created him. Instead of going to school or learning a trade, the little puppet who magically came to life wanted only to eat, drink, sleep, and play.Poor Pinocchio's problems grew — as did his nose every time he told a lie, which was quite often. And even worse, he found himself in one dreadful situation after another; in prison, turned into a donkey, and even stranded in the belly of an enormous shark.Enhanced by Thea Kliros's 32 original illustrations, this newly abridged version of the beloved story includes all the familiar characters: Geppetto, a childless woodcarver; a wise old cricket; a sly fox and conniving cat; a lovely fairy; and a host of other figures.Filled with humor and adventure, and sealed with a heartwarming conclusion, this time-honored fable has thrilled youngsters for over 100 years. In this inexpensive edition, it will continue to enchant new readers and listeners.

It is almost impossible to envision what childhood would be like without the enchanting world of fairyland. The goat-faced girl, Prunella, the three sons of Hali, giants and dwarfs, monsters and magicians, fairies and ogres—these are the companions who thrill boys and girls of all lands and all times, as Andrew Lang's phenomenally successful collections of stories have proved. From the day that they were first printed, Lang's fairy tale books of many colors have entertained thousands of youngsters, as they have also brought pleasure to the parents who have read these classics to their children. The Grey Fairy Book includes many strange, exotic stories from Lithuania, Africa, Germany, Greece and France. But they are all told in the common language of the fairy tale, and their events will be familiar to children and grown-ups alike. The donkey who turns into a price, a spinning wheel that turns moss into silk, revengeful fairies, and ogre-like fathers of lovely daughters strike responsive chords in readers, even when they appear in new circumstances.All in all, this collection contains 35 stories, all narrated in the lively, clear prose for which Lang was famous. Not only are Lang's generally conceded to be the best English versions of standard stories, his collections are the richest and widest in range. His position as one of England's foremost folklorists as well as his first-rate literary abilities make his collections unmatchable in the English language.