It is often said that the best things in life come in small packages; anyone in search of proof need look no further than the stories in this collection from the acclaimed author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series: brief, utterly engaging tales that offer lasting surprise and delight, accompanied by charming illustrations by Iain McIntosh. In Tiny Tales, Alexander McCall Smith explores romance, ambition, kindness, and happiness in thirty short stories accompanied by thirty witty cartoons designed by Iain McIntosh, McCall Smith’s longtime creative collaborator. Here we meet the first Australian pope, who hopes to finally find some peace and quiet back home in Perth; a psychotherapist turned motorcycle racetrack manager; and an aspiring opera singer who gets her unlikely break onstage. And, of course, we spend time in McCall Smith’s beloved Scotland, where we are introduced to progressive Vikings, a group of housemates with complex romantic entanglements, and a couple of globe-trotting dentists. These tales and illustrations depict the full scope of human experience and reveal the rich tapestry of life—painted in miniature.

Did you know that J.K. Rowling came up with Harry Potter while waiting for a delayed train? Or that Winnie the Pooh was inspired by a real bear who lived in the London Zoo? Or that Dav Pilkey's teacher once ripped up his drawings as a kid and told him he'd never make a living making silly comics? (Maybe we should introduce her to Captain Underpants.) In The Stories Behind the Stories, you'll hear all these incredible stories about your favorite kid's books and authors and much more! Includes full-color illustrations plus other fascinating facts and tidbits to satisfy even the most curious reader.

It's an absorbing introduction to the lore of Albion, but readers will also enjoy teasing out similarities between these tales and more familiar ones." — Publishers Weekly Perilous quests, true love, and animals that talk: The traditional stories of Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and Wales transport us to the fantastical world of Celtic folklore. • This Celtic mythology book features 16 stores that were translated and transcribed by folklorists in the late 19th and 20th centuries that focus on themes such as Tricksters, The Sea, Quests, and Romance and mythological creatures. • These timeless tales brim with wit and magic, and each one is brought to life with elegant silhouette art in this special illustrated edition • Celtic Tales is an extraordinary collection that conjures forgotten realms and rare magical creatures in vivid prose Discover the impactful and stunning illustrations by Kate Forrester in this special edition that is sure to impress any true fan of cultural and mythological literature. Discover delightfully entertaining tales such as Master and Man, The Soul Cages, The Red-Etin, and The Witch of Lok Island. Celtic Tales makes an impressive gift for any fan of greek mythology, roman mythology, Chinese mythology, and folklore and cultural studies from around the globe.

Ladybird has published fairy tales for over forty-fiveyears, bringing the magic of traditional stories to each new generation ofchildren. These classic stories are based on the originalLadybird retellings by Vera Southgate, with beautiful new illustrations of thekind children like best - full of richness and detail. An essential part of any child's bookshelf, Ladybird Tales are perfect for sharing together and creating memories to treasureforever. This beautiful treasury brings together five ofeveryone's favourite fairy tales: Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Aladdin, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Puss in Boots.

What is Wordishure? It is a collection of seven children's stories in one book. The first six chronicle the adventures and lessons of the various inhabitants of Wordishure. Story number seven brings all the characters of the first six together for one grand adventure. These stories are written for children of all ages and can be enjoyed by parent and child alike. Each adventure includes Biblical lessons that will inspire the reader and also start a dialogue between parent and child about God and personal accountability. Children tend to have a natural love for Jesus Christ, but sometimes they grow away from Him as they get older because they never truly got to know him. Some just seem to love Him because they sit in church every Sunday and they see that their parents are pleased when they say they love Him. Children need to get to know Jesus at a level they can understand, and that their decision to follow Him requires a willingness to change their heart and behavior. I have written the Tales of Wordishure because I have seen very few pieces of Christian literature that are written in the style of children's classics such as "The Ugly Duckling," "Little Red Riding Hood," "Hansel and Gretel," or "The 3 Little Pigs." The Lord used parables to help people understand the mysteries of God. Tales of Wordishure does the same thing, but at a level that children can understand and have fun with at the same time. There is no magic in Wordishure. Today's popular children's literature emphasizes the use of witchcraft, numbing the child at an early age to think that it is okay. Wordishure is an alternative. There are fantastic situations in the stories, but all are resolved through prayer, proper decisions by the characters, and trust in the Lord. Children need to know at an early age not to put their trust in secular fantasies, but to trust in sound Biblical doctrine. Where is Wordishure? It is an imaginary realm where modern technology does not exist. It is a world seen from a child's point of view. Are there adults in these stories? There are parents in all the stories, and although never named, they are seen as wise and to be obeyed. Are there wicked villains in Wordishure? There are no true villains or fear of death in Wordishure, only the misunderstood, or creatures that have lost their way from following God's word. What is the age range for the reader? Children of all ages call enjoy The Tales of Wordishure. The characters in the stories fire up the imagination of the smallest child, while word play and Christian principles hold the attention of the older kids and adults. Why is there a scripture verse at the beginning of each story? Each story is built around a Bible principle that the child should learn as the story progresses. Some stories have more than one Biblical lesson, though!

The singer/songwriter displays his gift for creating witty, laid-back Southern stories in a collection of bizarre tales and thoughtful essays.