You may think you already know this story about a beautiful servant girl, a cruel stepmother, a magnificent ball, and a lost slipper. But you've never heard it for true.

Now you can hear the tale from someone who was there: a poor washerwoman from the island of Martinique. She has just one thing in the world to love, her goddaughter Cendrillon. When she finds Cendrillon heartsick over a rich man's son, at first she doesn't know what to do. But she has sharp wits, a strong will, and the magic wand her mother left her--and soon she has a plan to give her dear Cendrillon the gift of a love that will change her life.

Adapted from a traditional Creole story, this fresh retelling captures all the age-old romance and magic of Cinderella, melding it with the vivid beauty of the Caribbean and the musical language of the islands.

Sukey's new step-pa is a mean, bossy man she calls Mister Hard-Times. He makes her work in his garden all day and Sukey's ma doesn't seem to care. One day, when her step-pa isn't looking, Sukey takes her chance to run away to her secret hiding place by the sea.

There, she meets Mama Jo, a beautiful black mermaid. Mama Jo's got a surprise for Sukey: a magical kingdom beneath the sea without time or pain. But there are also no people. Is it really better than the world above?

While she worked, Sootface dreamed that one day she would find a husband. Then a mighty warrior with the power to make himself invisible decides to marry. Only a woman with a kind and honest heart could see him, and be his bride.

Though her sisters ridicule her, Sootface sets off to try her luck, never looking back. Her courage and good nature bring her the husband she has longed for.

Ghosts, monsters, murders, and madmen! These thirty stories have been collected for your reading displeasure from all over the globe, and represent the world's best scary stories and frightening folktales, featuring famous authors such as Washington Irving and the Brothers Grimm. Welcome to a chilling world of hair-raising tales!

You may think you already know this story about a beautiful servant girl, a cruel stepmother, a magnificent ball, and a lost slipper. But you've never heard it for true.

Now you can hear the tale from someone who was there: a poor washerwoman from the island of Martinique. She has just one thing in the world to love, her goddaughter Cendrillon. When she finds Cendrillon heartsick over a rich man's son, at first she doesn't know what to do. But she has sharp wits, a strong will, and the magic wand her mother left her--and soon she has a plan to give her dear Cendrillon the gift of a love that will change her life.

Adapted from a traditional Creole story, this fresh retelling captures all the age-old romance and magic of Cinderella, melding it with the vivid beauty of the Caribbean and the musical language of the islands.

Curl up with old friends like Washington Irving's Guests from Gibbet Island or Charles Dickens' Chips. Or make the acquaintance of The Skull That Spoke and The Monster of Baylock--but beware of spectral visitors like The Blood-Drawing Ghost. This exciting mixture of classic and contemporary tales from Mexico, China, Poland, Nigeria, and other lands near and far is perfect for hair-raising reading!

Twenty deliciously eerie illustrations by Jacqueline Rogers highlight this companion to Robert D. San Souci's earlier collections of scary stories, Short & Shivery and More Short & Shivery, which School Library Journal called an absolute delight.

Clement and Hippolyte are best friends who live together on the lush tropical island of Martinique. They set off together toward the woman Clement loves so he can propose, but her uncle--a quimboiseur, a wizard--doesn't approve of the match. When his niece flees with the two inseparable friends, the vengeful man sends evil magic after them. Hippolyte may be able to protect the young couple--but will he lose his own life in the process?

Blessed Mary rewards Teresa's good deeds with a shining gold star. Later she punishes Teresa's unkind stepsisters, Isabel and Inez, with hideous horns and donkey's ears that they try to hide under heavy veils But will Teresa outshine her stepsisters at the festival? Robert D. San Souci retells this popular folktale in a lilting narrative that includes all the magic of the beloved Cinderella story and traditional elements from Spanish tales. Luminous watercolors by Sergio Martinez accentuate the beauty and goodness that radiate from Little Gold Star.

A Selection of the Junior Library Guild

A Selection of Nest Literary Classics

Ghouls, vengeful spirits, the walking dead, and deals with devils Horror lives in every corner of the globe, from China to Virginia, Brazil to Japan, Haiti to Nigeria. The most terrifying stories on earth will keep you up all night and are perfect to read to your friends. Can they handle it?

Clement and Hippolyte are best friends who live together on the lush tropical island of Martinique. They set off together toward the woman Clement loves so he can propose, but her uncle--a quimboiseur, a wizard--doesn't approve of the match. When his niece flees with the two inseparable friends, the vengeful man sends evil magic after them. Hippolyte may be able to protect the young couple--but will he lose his own life in the process?

Everyone knows about Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, and Davy Crockett, But have you heard of these larger-than-life women? From Bess Call, who wrestles any and all challengers, to Molly Cottontail, who can outwit any critter iin the woods, to Hekeke, who slays a giant singlehandedly, here are fifteen funny, stormy, and always entertaining tall tales of legendary American women. They're as difference as can be, but still cut from the same cloth.

An impressive and gratifying collection that's a cut above other such compilations.--School Library Journal

Winner of the Aesop Prize

A whimsical retelling of a Grimm Brothers classic!

When Mama and Papa Bear go to look after Grandmother, they leave Jonas and Juniper in charge of the household. The bear twins take their instructions a little too literally, leading to a cascade of domestic mishaps, including the theft of their family fortune. Determined to recover it before their parents return home, the endearing siblings unleash pandemonium when the stumble on the robbers' hideout.

In this tribute to the Brothers Grimm, Robert D. San Souci recasts the characters from their story Clever Elsie but retains the original's celebrations of the absurd and endearing folly. Daniel San Souci's watercolor-and-pencil illustrations capture Jonas and Juniper's good intentions and flawed logic with humor and appreciation. This family-centered story teaches readers about sharing and responsibility.