"If a fable is a legendary story of supernatural happenings," Mr. Swann says, "or a narration intended to enforce a useful truth, then these four are fables--which shouldn't be confused with fairy tales targeted only for children. These, then, are tales for kind and loving people of all ages." "The Temple of Sanity" tells of an idea that became a reality and grew into an insitution, only to develop rules and leaders, cliques and critics . . . "A Clay-Modeling Lesson" tells of the four identical boys separated at birth and raised Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and atheist, and how they met as representatives of their respective communities . . . "The Fate and Destiny of a Traveling Clairvoyant" tells of a woman with a special talent, who found that people prefer seeing dimly to seeing clearly . . . "Watcher of the Purple River" tells of an old woman and a young man, and how she taught him to watch the river of life . . . These fables came to Ingo Swann as a gift from a part of himself: He awoke four mornings in a row and literally had to write them. They have in common a gentle wisdom, a kindness, an empathy, that will make them immediately precious--and then unforgettable--to the reader whose heart is open.

If a fable is a legendary story of supernatural happenings, Mr. Swann says, "or a narration intended to enforce a useful truth, then these four are fables--which shouldn't be confused with fairy tales targeted only for children. These, then, are tales for kind and loving people of all ages." "The Temple of Sanity" tells of an idea that became a reality and grew into an insitution, only to develop rules and leaders, cliques and critics . . . "A Clay-Modeling Lesson" tells of the four identical boys separated at birth and raised Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and atheist, and how they met as representatives of their respective communities . . . "The Fate and Destiny of a Traveling Clairvoyant" tells of a woman with a special talent, who found that people prefer seeing dimly to seeing clearly . . . "Watcher of the Purple River" tells of an old woman and a young man, and how she taught him to watch the river of life . . . These fables came to Ingo Swann as a gift from a part of himself: He awoke four mornings in a row and literally had to write them. They have in common a gentle wisdom, a kindness, an empathy, that will make them immediately precious--and then unforgettable--to the reader whose heart is open.

A glimmering collection of new short fiction from the Booker Prize winner. “Lively writes with an astringent blend of sympathy and detachment, emotional wisdom and satiric wit.” —Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times In such acclaimed novels as The Photograph, Family Album, and How It All Began, Penelope Lively has captivated readers with her singular blend of wisdom, elegance, and humor. Now, in her first story collection in decades, Lively takes up themes of history, family, and relationships across varied and vividly rendered settings. In the title story, a Mediterranean purple swamp hen chronicles the secrets and scandals of Quintus Pompeius’s villa, culminating with his narrow escape from the lava and ash of Vesuvius. “Abroad” captures the low point of an artist couple’s tumultuous European road trip, trapped in a remote Spanish farmhouse and forced to paint a family mural and pitch in with chores to pay for repairs to their broken-down car. Other stories reveal friends and lovers in fateful moments of indiscretion, discovery, and even retribution—as in “The Third Wife,” when a woman learns her husband is a serial con artist and turns a house-hunting trip into an elaborately staged revenge trap. Each of these delightful stories is elevated by Lively’s signature graceful prose and eye for the subtle yet powerfully evocative detail. Wry, charming, and keenly insightful, The Purple Swamp Hen and Other Stories is a masterful achievement from one of our most beloved writers.

#1 New York Times bestseller! Actress, producer, and parent Kristen Bell (The Good Place, Veronica Mars, Frozen) and creative director and parent Benjamin Hart have a new challenge for you and your kids: become a purple person by embracing what makes YOU special while finding common ground with those around you. What is a purple person? Great question. I mean, really great! Because purple people always ask really great questions. They bring their family, friends, and communities together, and they speak up for what’s right. They are kind and hardworking, and they love to laugh (especially at Grandpa’s funny noises)! A purple person is an everyday superhero! How do you become one? That’s the fun part! Penny Purple will lead you through the steps. Get ready to be silly, exercise your curiosity, use your voice, and be inspired. Looking to reach beyond the political divide of red and blue, Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart have created a hilarious and joyous read-aloud that offers a wonderful message about embracing the things that bring us together as humans. This book will inspire a whole generation to paint the world purple!

When Hubert, a young purple frog who gets teased by his classmates and siblings because he is different, starts to get green spots, he tries to cover them up because he knows the teasing will only get worse. But with the help of his loving mother, Hubert discovers that being different can actually be a good thing.

From beloved children’s book creator Crockett Johnson comes the timeless classic Harold and the Purple Crayon! This imagination-sparking picture book belongs on every child's digital bookshelf. One evening Harold decides to go for a walk in the moonlight. Armed only with an oversize purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of wonder and excitement. Harold and his trusty crayon travel through woods and across seas and past dragons before returning to bed, safe and sound. Full of funny twists and surprises, this charming story shows just how far your imagination can take you. “A satisfying artistic triumph.” —Chris Van Allsburg, author-illustrator of The Polar Express Share this classic as a birthday, baby shower, or graduation gift!

Academy Award-winning actress, director, producer, and activist Natalie Portman retells three classic fables and imbues them with wit and wisdom in this New York Times bestselling book. From realizing that there is no “right” way to live to respecting our planet and learning what really makes someone a winner, the messages at the heart of Natalie Portman’s Fables are modern takes on timeless life lessons. Told with a playful, kid-friendly voice and perfectly paired with Janna Mattia’s charming artwork, Portman’s insightful retellings of The Tortoise and the Hare, The Three Little Pigs, and Country Mouse and City Mouse are ideal for reading aloud and are sure to become beloved additions to family libraries. An instant New York Times bestseller!