Illustrated Classic Editions – serie

Stories of Gods and Monsters Scandinavians of the Viking era explored the mysteries of life through their sagas. Folklorist Helene Adeline Guerber brings to life the gods and goddesses, giants and dwarves, and warriors and monsters of these stories in her classic Tales of Norse Mythology. Ranging from the comic to the tragic, these legends are packed with such legendary figures as the beautiful and fierce Valkyries, the wily trickster Loki, and the mighty god Thor. They tell of passion, love, friendship, pride, courage, strength, loyalty, and betrayal. Packed with colorful illustrations, Tales of Norse Mythology is necessary reading for anybody who is interested in learning more about Nordic legends, or who simply likes a great story.

First published by Walt Whitman, in 1855, Leaves of Grass is the landmark poetry collection that introduced the world to a new and uniquely American form. Alive with the mythical strength and vitality that epitomized the American experience in the nineteenth century, and published here with rarely collected illustrative woodcuts by Rockwell Kent, Leaves of Grass continues to inspire, uplift, and unite those who read it. Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged,Missing me one place search another,I stop some where waiting for you. —“Song of Myself”

In this lavishly illustrated volume, A.B. Mitford presents ancient Japanese tales filled with action, romance, and the supernatural. Proud lords and their loyal retainers, a brave samurai and his faithless wife, a vampire cat, and howling spirits are all featured in the engaging stories that follow, including:* The Forty-Seven Ronin: In this account of fierce heroism, a band of ronin—masterless samurai who wander the country as somewhat disreputable knights errant—swear to lay down their lives to avenge their lord, who was condemned to hara kiri and his property and castle forfeited to the state.* How Tajima Shumé was Tormented by a Devil of his Own Creation: When a traveling ronin amasses great wealth with a dead priest’s money, he finds himself confronted with a fearful vision of the man he murdered. * The Badger’s Money: An old priest takes pity on a helpless badger that asks to enter his warm cottage so that it may live through a bitterly cold night.Appendices covering hara kiri and funeral rites conclude this collection of mesmerizing stories about Japanese life in days of yore.

Grimm's Fairy Tales collects more than forty of the best-known fairy tales set down by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm in the early decades of the nineteenth century, among them "Little Red Riding Hood," "Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Cinderella," "Sleeping Beauty," "Rapunzel," "Rumpelstiltskin," and "Tom Thumb." In these wonderfully entertaining stories frogs transform into handsome princes, servant girls become princesses, clever peasants outwit disdainful nobles, kings learn valuable lessons from their servants, the poor outshine their betters, animals talk like people, virtue is rewarded, and bad behavior is punished. Illustrated throughout and including more than thirty full-color plates by Arthur Rackham, Grimm's Fairy Tales is a treasure trove of magical stories that will appeal to readers of all ages.