King Fish
Wspomnienia Polesia, Wolynia i Litwy
Jozef Ignacy Kraszewski (1812-87)
(published Wilno, 1840)
Water of Life
Basn o Sobotniej Gorze
Roman Zamorski (1822-1961) (published 1852)
Richard Monte is a children’s book reviewer. He also works as a children’s bookseller for Waterstone’s. His first novel for children, The Flood Tales, was published by Pavilion Books in 2000. He has travelled extensively in Poland, not only to the major cities but also on the Baltic Coast and in the Tatra Mountain region, and he has contributed articles on Poland to the BBC History Magazine and History Today. Reviewers described his first Frances Lincoln collection of Polish legends, The Dragon of Krakow, as ‘brimming with humour, magic and visual charm… a delight for all ages’. Richard lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire with his Polish wife and two children.
www.richardmonte.co.uk
THE DRAGON OF KRAKOW
Richard Monte
Illustrated by Paul Hess
These Polish folk tales have a delightfully mischievous character all their own. To create his sparkling collection, Richard Monte has gathered some of Poland’s favourite stories from all over the country: The Golden Duck hails from Warsaw, The King Who Was Eaten by Mice comes from Gniezno, The Gingerbread Bees is from Torun, while The Dragon of Krakow tells the legendary story of King Krak and how his beautiful city came to be built. Brimming with humour, magic and Paul Hess’s exuberant illustrations, these retellings uncover a fascinating land and people.
“Brimming with humour, magic and visual charm, Richard Monte’s retellings are a delight for all ages.” Betty Bookmark
“A perfect introduction to another country’s heritage.” School Librarian
“Sparkling retellings.” Scholastic Best Books of 2008
A FISTFUL OF PEARLS AND OTHER STORIES FROM IRAQ
Elizabeth Laird
Illustrated by Shelley Fowles
Having lived in Iraq, award-winning novelist Elizabeth Laird has gathered together a wealth of folk stories spiced with humour, lighthearted trickery and the rose-scented enchantment of the Arabian Nights. Here are nine of the best – stories of boastful tailors, mean-spirited misers, magical quests and a handful of lively animal tales – meticulously researched, elegantly retold and playfully illustrated by Shelley Fowles to reveal the true, traditional heart of Iraq.
“Enchanting. Its baddies are wolves and thieves; its stories are fabulous.” The Daily Telegraph
THE PRINCE WHO THOUGHT HE WAS A ROOSTER AND OTHER JEWISH STORIES
Ann Jungman
Illustrated by Sarah Adams
Introduced by Michael Rosen
A Chilli Champion?… a Golem?… a Prince who thinks he’s a Rooster? Find them all in this collection of traditional Jewish tales – lovingly treasured, retold and carried through countries as far apart as Poland, Tunisia, Czechoslovakia, Morocco, Russia and Germany, with a cast of eccentric princes, flustered tailors, wise rabbis and the oldest champion of all! Seasoned with wit, humour and magic, Ann Jungman’s retellings of stories familiar to Jewish readers are sure to delight a new, wider readership.
‘Timeless fables of derring-do.’ Irish Examiner
GHADDAR THE GHOUL AND OTHER PALESTINIAN STORIES
Sonia Nimr
Illustrated by Hannah Shaw
Introduced by Ghada Karmi
Why do Snakes eat Frogs? What makes a Ghoul turn Vegetarian? How can a Woman make a Bored Prince Smile? The answers to these and many other questions can be found in this delicious anthology of Palestinian folk stories. A wry sense of humour runs through their cast of characterful women, genial tricksters and mischievous animals. Sonia Nimr’s upbeat storytelling, bubbling with wit and humour, will delight readers discovering for the first time the rich tradition of Palestinian storytelling.
“A must in any self-respecting school library shelves.” School Librarian
The Mermaid of Warsaw Page 6