The Dragon Boy
Book One of the Star Trilogy

Donald Samson

Softbound

$14.99

Orphaned twice by the time he was nine, he was living on the streets and did not even know his own name. He was not allowed to set foot inside the one place he was determined to find work. To complete the disaster of his young life, the object of his affections was Star, an immense, emerald-green dragon.

But, good fortune finally smilled upon him: Star was a Luck Dragon. Suddenly he was admitted as a barn boy into the elite Dragon Compound. He was given three warm meals a day, work, and even a name. And best of all, Star took him on as his secret apprentice.

The Dragon Boy is enjoyable for any age from 4th grade and up. In the classroom or at home, teachers and parents can easily read it to their students. It is useful as a reader in the fifth or sixth grade to stimulate conversation around good and evil, bullying, finding a purpose in life, destiny, perseverance, and above all, courage.

The Light Princess
and other fairy tales

George MacDonald

Softbound

$9.95

When our children were young, there were several collections of George MacDonald's fairy tales available. Now, it seems there is only this one remaining. It is our good fortune that between its covers are some of MacDonald's very best stories, still in print for young and old to enjoy and grow by.

Good and evil fairies abound in this rich collection of compelling tales by one of the foremost fantasy writers of the nineteenthy century. So do magical lands, sinister monsters, giants, ogres and other creatures from the realms of imagination.

In "The Light Princess," a young royal, bewitched at birth by her spiteful aunt, is cursed with uncontrollable bouts of lightness. (Gravity, it seems, doesn't affect her!) A little boy in "The Golden Key" is told he can find a magical key a the end of the rainbow. What the key will open, though, is part of its mystery. And in "The giant's Heart," the monster in question is truly heartless, for he's hidden his heart, and it's up to two determined children to find the awful thing and put an end to the colossal ogre.

These and five other beguiling tales are here, ready for another generation.

Ages 9 and up as read-to-me; ages 12 and up for reading to themselves

Dragonfire

Anne Forbes

Softbound

$11.95

Ill-tempered pigeons in Edinburgh’s Old Town? It’s not a normal part of daily life—but things are never going to be the same again.

Clara and Neil have always known the MacArthurs, the little people who live under Arthur’s Seat, in Holyrood Park, but they are not quite prepared for what else is living under the hill. Feuding faery lords, missing whisky, magic carpets, firestones, and ancient spells ... where will it end? And how did it all start?

Set against the backdrop of the Edinburgh Fringe and Military Tattoo, this is a fast-paced comic adventure, full of magic, mayhem and mystery—and a dragon.

(Ages 10-13)

The Wings of Ruksh

Sequel to Dragonfire

Anne Forbes

Softbound

$12.00

“Strange as it may seem, as he came in to land at Edinburgh Airport last year, the captain of the London flight reported sighting a dragon...”

A year on, and life has calmed down for Neil and Clara MacLean. A quiet meal in the Sultan’s palace restaurant. What could go wrong? But they hadn’t counted on the mirror! How is it connected to the missing Sultan’s crown, and what secrets does the mysterious Black Tower hold? Winged horses, snow witches, magic mirrors—how did they get here and where are they going?

From an Edinburgh literally cloaked in tartan, through the forbidding Highland hills, Neil and Clara set out with old and new friends on a perilous journey full of danger, daring—and a reluctant broomstick.

(Ages 10-13)

East o' the Sun & West o' the Moon

The Complete, Unabridged Edition by George Webbe Dasent

Softbound

$13.95

I have been wanting to write about this collection for some time. It is an old, classic collection of Scandinavian folk and fairy tales, on a par with that of the Brothers Grimm and originally published in 1888. Many of you have probably heard of it or even read it.

I've been wanting to say two things about it, the first of which is that the fairy tales I remember most vividly from my own childhood are those that I read to myself in 4th grade (that year, I did a lot of story reading while I was supposed to be doing math problems). It turns out that all of them came from an abridged version of East o' the Sun. Most especially, I remember "Katie Woodencloak" and "Tatterhood," but there are several others that live on in warm places in my heart also.

More importantly, and beyond simply wanting to share with you a lovely slice of my past, I want to tell you what I've discovered in dipping into this treasure house of stories: namely, that this collection more than any other I know is comprised of what are clearly post-Christian stories. There is an element of hardship and redemption that plays out in these tales in ways no other region's tales have done. Mother Mary even appears in at least one of them ("The Lassie and Her Godmother").

As such, this collection can hold a unique place in the context of the goals of Waldorf education. I think it can become a wonderful counterpoint during the 4th grade to presentation of the Norse Myths. This is a time when the Norse gods resemble very much the children: a bit more in possession of their (rather raucous) power than they are capable of self-control. The tumultuous tales of Loki and Baldur and Thor are just right for that age, and so we teach them. But were we to add some of the stories in East o' the Sun, we would be giving our children pictures of what the coming out of this chaos and into the more fully human can look like, and Who it might be that accompanies us. It would allow the students to recapture some of their delight from first grade, but in an older and wiser form. I think it would enhance the developmental effect of the Norse myths and offer a heartfelt image of the paths we walk on earth.

I should add that because of the perspective and content of these tales, I recommend them for children 9 years and older, not for the younger ones.

The Book of Fairy Princes

Isabel Wyatt

$15.95

With the wise counsel of the Golden Fish, the Fisher Boy sets out to win the heart of a beautiful princess. But first he must travel far and wide to find a golden eagle, a leaf-green bull, and a lion with a snow-white heart. Written for third-graders, this is another treasure from Isabel Wyatt.

Thorkill of Iceland
Viking Hero-Tales

Isabel Wyatt

$14.95

King Gorm of Denmark sends the hero Thorkill of Iceland on a mission to the land of the Giants. Thorkill's enemies plan for him never to return from this journey. Thorkill's adventurous success is told with Isabel Wyatt's characteristic touch of drama and beauty. Included also in Thorkill of Iceland is the story of The Dream of King Alfdan, in which Prince Guthorm loses his inheritance after his father Sigurd is Banished from the Norwegian court and endures many adventures before fulfilling his destiny. Perfect for your adventurous 4th grader!

The Norse Myths

Introduced and Retold by
Kevin Crossley-Holland

Softbound

$17.00

I have been looking for a good collection of Norse Myths for some time - and have been wanting to offer this one for even longer. Every time I asked, however, I was told that it was unavailable. I kept asking, though, and at last heard that once again there were copies on the publisher's shelves!

If you are unfamiliar with Norse Mythology (as I also once was), the introduction is priceless. In it the author outlines the Norse Pantheon, the relationships of the gods and the progression of the myths from The Creation to the Ragnorak.

Crossley-Holland has selected 32 myths that capture in vivid story the tales of these boisterous, courageous, cruel and passionate gods. You'll find Thor, Odin, Baldur, and Loki and a host of other fascinating gods and giants, and watch as the world of the Vikings moves from hopeful beginnings to abundant (and often clashing) life to the final battle that brings a close to that world.

This is a collection that is worthy of both child and adult. Recommended without hesitation!

Folktales from India
A Selection of Oral Tales from Twenty-Two Languages

Edited and with an Introduction by
A.K. Ramanujan

Softbound

$17.00

I know of no other collection of folktales from India that is like this one - stories taken truly from the oral traditions of many groups and retold with an integrity that conveys so much life that I repeatedly find myself hearing the voice of the storyteller as I read them. For me, this collection is an exciting "find" - something I didn't know I wanted but now can't imagine never having had.

These are the types of fairy tales and folktales that explain the world around us - they reveal the types of people in the world, the way the spiritual world intermingles with daily life, the difference between what is wise and what only looks wise, and much, much more.

I would love to see more and more children hearing these stories - to me, they are a nectar of life. I would enthusiastically recommend various of these tales for children at several ages - during the "fairy tale years (ca. kindergarten and grade 1), "the fable years" (ca. grade 2), and then again as an enlivening addition to the myths of India (grade 5) as a way of uniting the heaven of the gods with the life of the earth. These tales are good, solid soul food - the kind that uplifts without carrying one off the ground. You'll love them!

Gilgamesh - Man's First Story

Bernarda Bryson

Softbound - elegantly illustrated

$19.95

This is a powerful - and powerfully beautiful - retelling of one of the oldest stories known to humanity. Bernarda Bryson tells this story with simplicity and grace - retaining as she does the uniquely Sumerian view of the world, some of the poetic responses, and above all, the heart and soul of this story that combines in equal measure the elements of both transcendent victory and deep tragedy. This retelling was written for children, but I can't think of any adult who wouldn't enjoy it as well. Ms. Bryson is rightly remembered as an author whose sensitivity was matched by her literary skill - and who used the fullness of her capacities in the making of this book.

The story of Gilgamesh was first written down about 3000 BC in Sumeria. It tells of a great flood and of one man, befriended by the gods, who survived by building an ark. In the feats of Gilgamesh and his companion, Enkidu, a monster who turns into a gentle man who loves and respects the King, are found the sources of great mythological heroes: Hercules, Jason and Theseus.

In addition to its vital importance in the history of literature, Gilgamesh is an exciting and often amusing tale - setting jealous god against jealous god, god against man, and man against man in remarkable battles of wit and strength.

A must for fifth graders - wonderful for the rest of us!

A Royal Ring of Gold
Stories from the Life of Mungo

Eileen Dunlop

$9.95

St. Mungo, or Kentigern, has long been one of Scotland's favorite saints, beloved for his warm, caring personality that shines through the legends. His mother was a young princess who was cast adrift in a boat by her father. She and her newborn child were rescued by the monk Serf, who brought up the boy in his monastery. Because the little boy followed him everywhere, he earned the name 'Mungo,' meaning 'dear one' or 'little dog.' Eileen Dunlop's stories weave a tale of a dramatic life. Her Mungo is a brave and all too human character, having to confront tyrants and petty princes with the power of the Christian God whose kingdom he serves. Mungo died in 612 AD as Bishop of Glasgow. He was much-loved for his holiness and wisdom and his tomb became known as a place for miracles and healing. Excellent! Ages 9 to 12.

The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings

4 Volume Boxed Set
Paperbound

J.R.R. Tolkien

$27.96

I once knew a young father - a professional storyteller - who steadfastly maintained that he had children so that, when they were old enough, he could tell them The Lord of the Rings. I didn't really believe that was his primary motive for raising children, but on the other hand, The Lord of the Rings is without doubt one of the all-time greatest stories ever. Tolkien created a masterpiece of epic proportions, where the joy of goodness shines radiantly pure and the chill of evil creeps with unmistakable darkness. Through it all, the imperfect, comfort-loving Hobbits uphold the destiny of the world one uncertain step at a time. A great story to read to children 9 and up or for teens and adults to read to themselves.

Matilda Bone

Karen Cushman

Softbound

$5.50

Another great medeival tale from Karen Cushman! Orphaned Matilda is not at all pleased when she arrives at Blood and Bone Alley to become an assistant to Red Peg the Bonesetter. Matilda is a religious, well-educated girl who can't picture herself doing dirty chores or helping sickly patients. Each day is very different from her former quiet ones. Matilda's not used to being around so many people who are coming and going, laughting and eating. Not one of them seems interested in prayer or study. Self-centered Matilda things no one understands her. But Peg does. Peg gives Matilda time to get used to this new way of life and teachers her through kindness and friendship. Matilda is as surprised as anyone when she begins to see the world around her in a different way. Could the high-and-mighty Matilda be coming down to earth after all? A wonderful read for ages 10 and up.

Catherine, Called Birdy

Karen Cushman

$6.99

The year is 1290 and Catherine is not your average damsel in distress! Through the pages of her diary, we meet one of the most resourceful young medieval women to every grace the pages of a story. Catherine's father is determined to marry her off to a rich man - any rich man, no matter how awful. By wit, trickery, and luck, Catherine manages to send several would-be husbands packing. Then a shaggy-bearded suitor from the north comes to call - by far the oldest, ugliest, most revolting suitor of them all. What is a sharp-tongued, high-spirited, clever young maiden to do? This was our daughter's favorite book throughout 5th and 6th grade. Ages 10 and up.

The Midwife's Apprentice

Karen Cushman

$5.99

Here's another great Medieval tale by Karen Cushman. On a frosty evening, a girl who knows no home, no parents, and has no name but Brat finds shelter in a farmer's dung heap. Jane, the village midwife finds her and takes her as her apprentice. Jane is a hard woman with a sharp glance and a sharper temper. Still, Brat, now called Beetle, makes a place for herself, that is, until the day when she fails at an important assignment. Then, she runs away, believing she is too stupid to be of use to anyone. Is she a know-nothing who belongs nowhere? Or, is she a real person with a real name, a midwife's apprentice with a place in the world? A family favorite, ages 10 and up.

The King of Ireland's Son

Padraic Colum

Illustrated by Willy Pogány

$9.95

This edition contains the identical text as the Floris edition, but is graced with the original illustrations by Willy Pogány. It is a reproduction of the 1916 first edition and is printed in the United States - hence, the lower price. I find the older style of the illustrations very in keeping with the story, serving to carry the reader into the realm of Old Ireland. I am also delighted to be able to offer our customers a less expensive, worthy alternative.

Padraic Colum, an award-winning Irish storyteller whose children's stories always ring with the music of the spoken voice, weaves a tale of long ago, when the King of Ireland's son set out to find the Enchanter of the Black Back-Lands. He meets the Enchanter's daughter, Fedelma, falls in love and is betrothed to her. Then, he loses her. His adventures to find her again lead him to the Land of the Mist, the Town of the Red Castle and the worlds of Gilly of the Goatskin, the Hags of the Long Teeth, Princess Flame-of-Wine and a meeting with the Giant, Crom Duv. Our children had a wonderful time with this story when they were in 2nd and 3rd grades. Ages 8-11.