In our Fairy Cabinet we have aimed at pleasing children, not 'grown-ups, ' at whom the old French writers directed their romances, but have hunted for fairy tales in all quarters, not in Europe alone. In this volume we open, thanks to Dr. Ignaz Knnos, with a story from the Turks. 'Little King Loc' is an original invention by M. Anatole France, which he very kindly permitted Mrs. Lang to adapt from "L'Abeille." -- from Andrew Lang's Preface to this volume.
A collection of fairy tales from the folklore of France, Germany, Scandinavia, Scotland, and England
The Brown Fairy Book features stories from every continent, including ‘The Bunyip’, a story from the Australian bush, and the Native American tale of the ‘Ball-Carrier and the Bad One’. There is magic and enchantment from Africa in ‘The Sacred Milk of Koumongoé’ and from India in the ‘Story of the King who would be Stronger than Fate’. These far-flung tales all obey the time-honoured rules of fairyland: in the Persian story ‘What the Rose did to the Cypress’, a prince must guess a riddle to win his princess’s hand in marriage, and in the Scandinavian tale ‘The Fox and the Lapp’, a wily fox hitches a ride on a merchant’s sledge and plays tricks on everyone he meets. A feature of The Folio Society editions of Lang's fairy books are their superb illustrations, harking back to Arthur Rackham and the golden age of children's illustration. The watercolours and pen and ink drawings created by Omar Rayyan are especially charming. He is an American artist, but the gorgeous colouring in his art is clearly influenced by exquisite Persian miniature painting. There is also a sly sense of humour in many of his illustrations, which makes the perfect accompaniment to such stories as 'The Enchanted Head' or 'Father Grumbler'. Classic stories included in this collection: 'What the Rose did to the Cypress'; 'Ball-Carrier and the Bad One'; 'How Ball-Carrier finished his Task'; 'The Bunyip'; 'Father Grumbler'; 'The Story of the Yara'; 'The Cunning Hare'; 'The Turtle and his Bride'; 'How Geirald the Coward was Punished'; 'Hábogi'; 'How the Little Brother set Free his Big Brothers'; 'The Sacred Milk of Koumongoé'; 'The Wicked Wolverine'; 'The Husband of the Rat's Daughter'; 'The Mermaid and the Boy'; 'Pivi and Kabo'; 'The Elf Maiden'; 'How Some Wild Animals became Tame Ones'; 'Fortune and the Wood-Cutter'; 'The Enchanted Head'; 'The Sister of the Sun'; 'The Prince and the Three Fates'; 'The Fox and the Lapp'; 'Kisa the Cat'; 'The Lion and the Cat'; 'Which was the Foolishest?'; 'Asmund and Signy'; 'Rübezahl'; 'Story of the King who would be Stronger than Fate'; 'Story of Wali Dâd the Simple-hearted'; 'Tale of a Tortoise and of a Mischievous Monkey'; 'The Knights of the Fish'.
Featuring enchanting tales, this collection is the twelfth and final installment in Andrew Lang's series of colored fairy books. First published in 1910, it includes six black and white plates and numerous illustrations by M. J. Ford, making it a visual delight. Aimed at both adults and children, this work is essential for folklorists and fairy tale enthusiasts. The book is part of a modern republishing effort to make classic literature more accessible, preserving the original text and artwork for new generations.
Set in the town of Senna by the Zambesi River, the story follows an extraordinary child who stands out due to his impressive height and strength. Carrying a large sack and wielding an iron hammer, he possesses the unique ability to speak like an adult. This tale promises to explore themes of individuality and strength, as well as the adventures that await this remarkable character in his journey.