Books in Dover Children's Classics series

Best remembered for his collections of folk and fairy tales, Andrew Lang was also highly regarded as a Homeric scholar. In this thrilling book, superbly illustrated by H. J. Ford, Lang draws masterfully upon his classical training to bring to life some of the central stories of Greek mythology. Readers will follow the exciting adventures of Ulysses from his boyhood through his perilous return from the Trojan War, meet the lovely Helen of Troy, hear about the amazing Trojan horse, join Jason on his determined quest for the Golden Fleece, encounter the fierce, beautiful Amazons, and learn about the legendary deeds of other remarkable Greek heroes.

Danny Meadow Mouse learns to laugh, Grandfather Frog gets even, and the Merry Little Breezes have a busy day in the second volume of Thornton Burgess's popular Green Forest series. These heartwarming tales recount the adventures of Peter Rabbit, Reddy Fox, Jimmy Skunk, Hooty the Owl, and other endearing characters. Suffused with gentle humor and embellished by George Kerr's illustrations from the original 1911 edition, the stories offer children enduring lessons about wildlife ecology. This edition includes a new Foreword by John Richmond of the Thornton W. Burgess Society.

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.

Centuries ago, a great king lived and fought in the British Isles. His name was Arthur, and since that time, numerous stories and legends have sprung up around his name. This book contains a selection of those stirring tales of far-off days, specially adapted for young readers.You'll learn about King Arthur's boyhood and the thrilling story of how he came to be king after pulling a sword from a stone. Also told here is the story of Arthur's marriage to Guenevere, how he acquired the great sword Excalibur, the founding of the Knighthood of the Round Table, and more.Sir Launcelot was the greatest knight of the Round Table and this book recounts a host of his exciting adventures, too — his great prowess in battle, his daring journey to the Chapel Perilous, fight with a deadly dragon, how he rescued Queen Guenevere from death by fire and many other adventures.The romance and chivalry of the Middle Ages spring to life in these pages, ready to enchant youngsters with high drama and daring deeds from days of yore.These stories have inspired numerous film adaptations, including the 2017 release King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Charlie Hunnam, Jude Law, Eric Bana, Djimon Hounsou, and Annabelle Wallis.

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.

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) is deservedly famous for the brilliant plays and other works he wrote for adults. But he also was a wonderful writer for children, the author of two charming volumes of fairy tales. In this captivating collection you will find every one of the nine sensitive, unforgettable stories he wrote for young readers. Included here are "The Happy Prince," a tale of a young nobleman who in his lifetime sought only pleasure, but in death, as a gold-encrusted statue, provides aid to the needy; "The Selfish Giant," in which children are prohibited from playing in the garden of an unfeeling colossus; and "The Star-Child," the tale of a beautiful boy whose ugly spirit causes his physical appearance to become equally grotesque. Also here are such favorites as "The Nightingale and the Rose," "The Birthday of Infants," "The Remarkable Rocket," "The Devoted Friend," "The Young King," and "The Fisherman and His Soul." Reprinted complete and unabridged, these enchanting tales will appeal to devotees of Wilde and fairy tale fans of all ages.

"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.

Here is a treasury of charming tales brimming with the humor, whimsy and imagination characteristic of Native American folklore. Specially chosen from children, the stories include an Algonquin tale of how Glooskap conquered the Great Bull-Frog, and how pollywogs, crabs, leeches, and other water creatures were created; "The Meeting of the Wild Animals," a Tsimshian myth recounting how the four seasons came into being and why all animals are afraid of the porcupine; "The Bear Man," a Cherokee legend about a hunter who lived with her prey; and "The Man Who Married the Moon," a Pueblo tale of a great chief, his beautiful wife, and the treachery of two evil corn maidens.These and nine other authentic tales offer a wealth of reading entertainment as well as insight into American Indian life and culture. Six new full-page illustrations by Thea Kliros enhance the text, printed in large, easy-to-read type.

"When the snow lay deep on the ground, the North Wind came howling from his home in the Land of Ice, and the cold moon shone from the frosty sky, it was then that the Indians gathered in the wigwam. It was then that Iagoo sat by the fire of blazing logs, and the little boys and girls gathered around him." So begins this charming collection of seven stories told by Iagoo the Indian storyteller.Young readers and listeners will love such charming, authentic tales as "Shin-ge-bis Fools the North Wind," "How the Summer Came," "The Little Boy and Girl in the Clouds," "The Child of the Evening Star," "The Boy Who Snared the Sun," "Grasshopper," and "Mish-o-sha, the Magician."Adapted from legends collected by noted ethnologist Henry R. Schoolcraft in the Lake Superior region in 1839, these enchanting stories will delight youngsters and lovers of Native American myth and legend. Thirty illustrations by John Green enhance the text, printed in large, easy-to-read type.