An ugly duckling spends an unhappy year ostracized by the other animals before he grows into a beautiful swan.

The wares of the poor little match girl illuminate her cold world, bringing some beauty to her brief, tragic life.

Having already appropriated Odin and Loki for his novel American Gods, Gaiman turns his restless imagination to a retelling of Norse folklore (a youthful interest of his). He begins by introducing us to the three main mythological figures: Odin, the highest and oldest of the gods; his son, Thor, who makes up in brawn what he lacks in brains; and Loki, offspring of giants and a wily trickster. In a series of stories, we learn how Thor acquired his...

"One night, the King's youngest daugher dreams of a golden crown brighter than the sun itself. How far will the Princess go to find the crown she alone is destined to wear?" -- back cover

In this modern retelling of the French tale, two hungry travelers use a stone as a soup starter and demonstrate the benefits of sharing. Includes a recipe for soup.

When the rabbi tells Mendel to get a table for the Chanukah menorah, Mendel makes the task more difficult than it should be.

Cuando el hijo mayor cayó al pozo y la mayor parte del tiempo en busca de ayuda se dedicaba a pronunciar el nombre del que estaba en problemas, los chinos, según la leyenda, decidieron poner nombres cortos a todos sus hijos. When the eldest son fell in the well and most of the time getting help was spent pronouncing the name of the one in trouble, the Chinese, according to the legend, dediced to give all their children short names.

Presents seven folk and fairy tales from Ireland, featuring witches, fairies, and a land where no one ever grows old.

In this retelling of the fable from India, blindfolded children at a party play a guessing game.

A young emperor, whose advisors have taken advantage of him, enlists the help of honest tailors to reveal their misdeeds in this retelling of the classic fairy tale. Includes historical notes and instructions for making a robe.