Books with title Stories from Chaucer told to the children

The classic Romantic French epic poem, known as The Song of Roland (La Chanson de Roland), is here retold for younger readers by master storyteller H. E. Marshall. The Song of Roland is one of the oldest surviving major works of French literature, dating from around 1150 A.D, and possibly the greatest heroic and romantic poem of its genre. Although The Song of Roland is presented as part of the great war between the European Franks under Charlemagne and the Moorish invaders of Spain, it is a highly embroidered and romanticized version which is only very loosely based on real events. The Song of Roland unfolds as Charlemagne and his great army are fighting Muslim invaders in Spain, and follows the story of the great Frankish captain Roland until shortly after his death at the hands of a Muslim attack. The events are based loosely on the Battle of Roncevaux Pass of 778 A.D. Charlemagne's army was withdrawing from Spain after campaigning against the Muslims, when the rearguard commander, Roland, was killed in an ambush set by a local Basque army. The Song of Roland took these events and, mainly through oral tradition, romanticized them into a major conflict between Christians and Muslims-when in fact both sides in the Battle of Roncevaux Pass were Christian. Nonetheless, The Song of Roland remains a major work of heroic literature, and this retelling is the perfect way to introduce younger readers to an important part of European culture and heritage. This edition has been completely reset and hand-edited, and contains all the original illustrations by L. D. Luard.

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

Ten illustrated stories from the song of Roland, simply but effectively told, relating how Roland follows the bravest knights of Charlemagne into battle, how Roland and Oliver meet their deaths, of Charlemagne's vengeance on Marsil the Saracen and of the punishment of the traitor Ganelon. The treatment is romantic, the style picturesque. An excellent introduction to this legend for children ages 8 and up.

Ten illustrated stories from the song of Roland, simply but effectively told, relating how Roland follows the bravest knights of Charlemagne into battle, how Roland and Oliver meet their deaths, of Charlemagne's vengeance on Marsil the Saracen and of the punishment of the traitor Ganelon. The treatment is romantic, the style picturesque. An excellent introduction to this legend for children ages 8 and up.

A knowledge of great European cultural works is vital for any well-rounded classical education, and the anti-European bias of many present-day educational curricula has led to the deliberate downplaying of great works of art such as Richard Wagner’s wonderful operas. Although this work was originally designed for younger readers, older persons seeking an introduction to Wagner’s tales will find it equally readable and compelling. It tells the storyline of three of his most famous works: The Flying Dutchman, Lohengrin, and The Mastersingers of Nuremberg, in easy-to-read format. Once familiar with the plot, viewing the actual opera becomes immeasurably more pleasurable, and opens up a greater understanding of the dynamics of Wagnerian themes, motifs, and their underlying meaning. Lohengrin was first performed in 1850, and is based on a number of medieval German romances. Its fame has become so well-ingrained into western consciousness that its Bridal Chorus, better known as "Here Comes the Bride", is still played as a processional at weddings. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg ("The Master-Singers of Nuremberg") was first performed in 1868, and is one of the longest operas ever written, with an average performance taking around four and a half hours. The story revolves around the real-life guild of Meistersinger (Master Singers), an association of amateur poets and musicians and provides an unparalleled insight into life in the ancient and beautiful medieval city of Nuremberg. It is Wagner’s only comedy, and also the only one which did not use supernatural elements in its storytelling. The Flying Dutchman was first performed in 1843 and is an adaptation of the older European legend of a ghost ship that can never make port and is doomed to sail the oceans forever. The ghostly crew interact with live people with unexpected consequences and Wagner was inspired to write it after a perilous sea-journey of his own in which his shop was nearly sunk. Completely reset and hand-edited with all the original illustrations.

This version of Homer's Iliad is part of the Told to the Children series. It is greatly condensed, beautifully illustrated, and recounted in a suitable manner for younger children. The story of The Iliad, begins with the legend of the goddesses and the golden apple, and ends with the death of Hector, but does not include the fall of Troy. A good first introduction to Homer for young grammar school students.

More than seventy stories from the Bible retold by Saviour Pirotta, beautifully illustrated by Anne Yvonne Gilbert and Ian Andrew.This beautifully illustrated collection is the perfect introduction to the stories of the Bible. Selections from the Old and New Testaments are brought to life through Saviour Pirotta’s dramatic and inspiring retellings. Accompanied by stunning illustrations by Anne Yvonne Gilbert and Ian Andrew, as well as an extensive reference section, this is a collection to be treasured for a lifetime.Back matter includes a map of the Bible lands, a map of the Holy land, a time line of the Old and New Testament, a list of people in the Bible, a glossary, and favorite Bible verses.