Books in Hamlyn children's classics series

Long before people could turn to books for instruction and amusement, they relied upon storytellers for answers to their questions about life. Africa boasts a particularly rich oral tradition, in which the griot — village historian — preserved and passed along cultural beliefs and experiences from one generation to the next. This collection of 30 timeless fables comes from the storytellers of Nigeria, whose memorable narratives tell of promises kept and broken, virtue rewarded, and treachery punished.Ajapa the Tortoise — a trickster, or animal with human qualities — makes frequent appearances among the colorful cast of talking animals. In "Tortoise Goes Wooing," he learns a valuable lesson in friendship and sharing. Ajapa's further adventures describe how, among other things, he became a chief, acquired all of the world's wisdom, saved the king, tricked the lion, and came to be bald. Recounted in simple but evocative language, these ancient tales continue to enchant readers and listeners of all ages.

Return to the days of the Norman invasion of England and fight alongside a nobleman serving the last of England's Anglo-Saxon monarchs. Wulf of Steyning, a Saxon thane loyal to King Harold Godwinson, boldly captures a castle in the Welsh wars, risks his life to rescue his shipwrecked sovereign, and combats Norsemen at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Wulf and his comrades resolutely stand by King Harold in a series of adventures that climax at the Battle of Hastings. Generations of readers have thrilled to this tale of loyalty and courage in eleventh-century Britain and Normandy. Author G. A. Henty created it in conjunction with his popular series of storybooks in which young characters, inspired by their encounters with real-life figures, perform heroic deeds. Historical fiction at its very best, Wulf the Saxon offers boys and girls an exciting adventure in the medieval world.

A chatty crow, a newly ambitious dog, and a pair of unlikely animal friends are the stars of these three charmingly illustrated tales by Don Freeman, author of Corduroy and Beady Bear. The long-out-of-print stories, now available in a single-volume collection, combine humor with gentle lessons in humility, responsibility, and loyalty.Cyrano the Crow centers on a talkative creature who takes great pride in his ability to imitate owls, parrots, and other birds. But when Cyrano is invited to perform on a television show, the conceited crow gets a comeuppance.Flash the Dash recounts the tale of a lazy dachshund named Flash who likes to nap while his spouse, Sashay, does all the work. When Sashay insists that he find a job, Flash becomes a messenger and realizes the importance and benefits of hard work.The Turtle and the Dove tells of a weary bird who finds rest on a tiny round island―which turns out to be a turtle's back. The new companions weather a storm together and discover the power of a deep friendship.

"I recommend this as a welcome addition to any home library, as a beautifully creative work in a quality edition." ― Not Now, AdulthoodSimon enters the Land of Chalk Drawings, where his doodles spring to colorful life and join him in adventures that challenge his wits as well as his imagination. This exclusive collection comprises all four of author Edward McLachlan's Chalk stories, which served as the inspiration for the popular PBS and Nickelodeon animated shorts.In the Land of Chalk Drawings: An unfinished stick figure asks to be completed and introduces Simon to a host of other drawings that need his attention.Simon and the Chalk Drawing Army: Some soldiers have invaded the Land of Chalk Drawings and are making everyone drill to the point of exhaustion. With quick thinking, Simon finds a way to keep the soldiers busy, and the other drawings get a treat.Simon and the Moon Rocket: Simon flies to the moon, where he's forced to solve a mountain of sums. How can he finish them all and get away?Simon and the Dinosaur: All the children and animals have disappeared from the Land of Chalk Drawings ― they've been eaten by a dinosaur! Simon must rescue them and help the hungry dinosaur, too.

Each of the 27 captivating tales in this rich collection, passed down from generation to generation, long ago provided an evening's entertainment and instruction for Sioux youngsters sitting spellbound around the campfire. Shortened and simplified for young readers and listeners of today, the stories include creation myths, animal fables reminiscent of Aesop, and stories of brave heroes, beautiful princesses, wicked witches, cruel giants, and other universal characters. In these stories, however, the characters unmistakably belong to the fascinating world of the Plains Indians.Among the memorable tales in this collection are "The Buffalo and the Field-Mouse," "The Raccoon and the Bee-Tree," "Unktomee and His Bundle of Songs," "The Festival of the Little People," "The Little Boy Man," "The First Battle," "The Beloved of the Sun," "The Laugh-Maker," "The Girl Who Married the Star," "North Wind and Star Boy," "The Magic Arrows," "The Ghost-Wife," and 15 more. Chosen by Charles A. Eastman, who was raised as a Sioux in the 1870s and 1880s, the tales include such unforgettable characters as Unktomee, the sly one (much like Br'er Fox of the Uncle Remus stories); Chanotedah (an Indian brownie or gnome); and the cannibal giants Eya and Double-Face. Young readers and students of Native American legend and lore will delight in these authentic, time-honored stories.

Classics for Your Collection:goo.gl/U80LCr---------A Child's Garden of Verses is a book of poems that captures the adventure and imagination of childhood. This book is a collection of his poems about the joys of author Robert Stevenson's (Treasure Island and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde fame author, among other popular books he wrote) childhood. Stevenson cannot simply sit quietly on a shelf. His works beg to be lifted and opened for new worlds to discover. As a child, he was lonely and ill and many of the poems in this collection for children exude that sense of isolation. This poetry book is so very simple, yet so very charming. The topics are all things that children would want to read about, which makes for a very fitting title. Stevenson explores the mind of a child so very well.If you want a book of traditional poetry, the kind the politicians and educationalists and general old old persons are always complaining that no one reads or writes these days, this would be the one.So beautiful and childlike, not in the simplicity of the poems but in Stevenson's incredible way of showing the mind of a child. These are poems for any child . These are poems of imagination and play. These are poems from a child's view point written by a man of great literary talent. These are poems you can read over and over to a child or read just for the sheer pleasure by yourself. These are poems of beauty and childhood.This book is the favorite book of poetry for many, children and adults alike, and it has served many, many for generations and has withstood the test of time.A wonderful collection and addition to your library, happiness and inspiration!Scroll Up and Grab Your Copy!

A hibernating bear awakens to find himself smack dab in the middle of a sprawling industrial complex! To make matters even worse, every one he meets keeps insisting that he's not even a bear — just a silly man who needs a shave and wears a fur coat. 46 illustrations.Book Details:Format: PaperbackPublication Date: 11/2/2007Pages: 64Reading Level: Age 8 and Up

OH fie on Kate! untidy girl, With dirty face, hair out of curl, Who soils each dress, however neat, First with the pudding, then with meat.More like a little pig is she, Than what a tidy girl should be! Thus begins Heinrich Hoffmann's series of darkly humorous cautionary tales, all recounted in rhyme and accompanied by hilarious illustrations. Kate's long-suffering mama produces a trio of pigs as dining companions for the filthy girl, much to the other children's derision. Similar comeuppances await Headstrong Nancy, Envious Tom, Tell-Tale Jenny, and the other rude and disobedient denizens of this extraordinary book.Frankfurt physician Heinrich Hoffmann wrote and illustrated Slovenly Kate's predecessor, Struwwelpeter, as a Christmas present for his three-year-old son. The popularity of his stories about the lamentable (and laughable) consequences of naughty behavior led to this volume's 1875 publication. The compilation includes a wealth of additional nursery rhymes and fables—recounting the fates of Cruel Jack, Greedy Bob, and other juvenile miscreants—plus delightful illustrations by Theodor Hosemann.

A blend of the absurd and the tragic lies at the heart of this immortal baseball ballad, an authentic masterpiece of American humor. This grand edition steps up to the plate with more than fifty bold pen-and-ink drawings that perfectly capture the poem's ironic tone and comic spirit. From its 1888 debut in the San Francisco Examiner, "Casey at the Bat" quickly caught on with a public that was embracing baseball as the national pastime. By the turn of the twentieth century, everyone was familiar with the Mudville Nine and its vainglorious slugger. An Introduction by Martin Gardner traces the remarkable history of a poem that has inspired songs, movies, and cartoons. This new edition of a folkloric favorite will delight baseball fans, nostalgia buffs, and lovers of Americana. A selection of the Common Core State Standards Initiative.

Rolf, a young and determined Viking bowman, faces many dangers after he vows to pursue and bring to justice the men responsible for his father's death. Set in ancient Iceland, Allen French's suspense-filled novel pits Christians against pagan warriors during the early years of Christianity.Brimming with exciting tales of brave men and women who led legendary lives, this thrilling tale will captivate today's young readers just as it enthralled audiences generations ago.