From tiny heroes and talking frogs to meddling fairies and mysterious sea creatures, all the wonders of the magical world are here.A treasure trove of magical delights, chosen by the UK's best-loved storyteller.

English Magic moves through fields and parklands, estates and empty beaches. It lands at Heathrow Airport, takes a taxi to the suburbs, finds emptiness and oppression. It strikes out for the countryside on May Day, to where maypoles whirl and haybales blaze, and where blessings sound like threats. It's in a flat, drags itself out of half sleep... and there's something tapping behind the gas fire... In her debut collection of short stories, Uschi Gatward takes us on a tour of an England simultaneously domestic and wild, familiar and strange, real and imagined. Coupling the past and the present, merging the surreal and the mundane, English Magic is a collection full of humour and warmth, subversion and intoxication. It announces the arrival of a shining new talent.

Mythology and magic come alive in this collection of Irish fantasy stories by some of today's finest authors. Ireland is a nation that holds fast to its history and heritage, and nowhere is that more true than in its folktales and legends. From the great Celtic myths featuring the bard Taliesin, the terrible Morrigan, the heroic Cuchulain, or the noble and cunning Sidhe to strange and mysterious tales of today, the stories and traditions of the Emerald Isle hold a strong attraction for many. Stories are told in cottage hearths from Galway to Dublin, and from the windblown rocky Cliffs of Mohr to the seaside villages where fishing boats still roam the oceans. Tall tales and town stories are as much a way of life as a pint and good conversation at the local pub. Emerald Magic brings together today's best fantasy authors to explore the myths of the Irish, telling their own versions of these ancient tales of luck, love, and honor, or drawing upon centuries of Irish myths and folktales and updating them into brand-new stories. Edited and with an introduction by bestselling author Father Andrew M. Greeley, Emerald Magic contains fourteen wonderful stories of legend and lore, including: "A Woman Is a Fast Moving Picnic" by Ray Bradbury. A group of pub regulars set out to discover the truth behind a local song and answer that age-old question: Just how fast does a person sink in a bog? "The Isle of Women" by Jacqueline Carey. In an age long ago, a warrior sailing for vengeance happens upon an island ruled by a woman like no other. But if he is to continue his quest, he must choose between her and his duty. "Speir-Bhan" by Tanith Lee. A woman who finds and reads her grandfather's diary unleashes the specter of an old debt that, even in today's modern age, must be paid---one way or the other. "A Drop of Something Special in the Blood" by Fred Saberhagen. In the late eighteenth century, an Irish author encounters a being that he will turn into his greatest literary creation. "The Cat with No Name" by Morgan Llywelyn. A lonely girl neglected by her parents finds an unexpected friend in the alley behind her home---one that may be more than it first seems. "The Butter-Spirit's Tithe" by Charles de Lint. Even in twenty-first-century America, it is still not wise to anger the spirits of the world, as a young musician discovers when a butter-spirit who had cursed him nine years earlier comes to claim his soul. "Land of Heart's Desire" by Elizabeth Haydon. A young man discovers the magical truth about his parents' marriage, and sets a chain of events in motion that will force him to choose between the life he has always known---and another life he could have. "The Swan Pilot" by L. E. Modesitt, Jr. In the far future, spaceship pilots travel through interdimensional portals from planet to planet---and the only thing more important than knowing how to fly is knowing how to handle the strange hallucinations that appear during the journey. Filled with the spirit and magic of the stories of Ireland, Emerald Magic is a collection of fantasy stories that will delight and captivate from the first page to the last. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A Swedish tale about a little boy whose mother makes him a cap that seems to have magic in it, a magic that others try to steal, but cannot.

“Will fire imaginations and elicit the heart-pumping, wide-eyed response that has kept this tale alive and vigorous through the ages.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review) Long ago a Scandinavian warrior fought three evils so powerful they threatened whole kingdoms. Standing head and shoulders above his comrades, Beowulf single-handedly saved the land of the Danes from a merciless ogre named Grendel and from his sea-hag mother. But it is his third terrible battle, with the death-dragon of the deep, in which he truly meets his match. Lovers of heroes, monsters, and the drama of battle will find this retelling as enthralling as it is tragic. Now in a handy black-and-white digest edition perfect for classroom use.

Follow the fascinating stories of the world's greatest necromancers, from sorcerer-priests in ancient Egypt to such modern miracle workers as Houdini and David Copperfield.

In 'The Greatest Children's Books - E. Nesbit Collection', readers are treated to a delightful assortment of fantastical adventures, tales of magical creatures, and journeys into enchanting worlds. Edith Nesbit's literary style is characterized by a combination of whimsical storytelling and rich imagination, making her a beloved author of children's literature. Her work often explores themes of friendship, bravery, and the power of imagination, drawing readers into captivating and immersive settings. Each story is beautifully illustrated, enhancing the magical experience for readers of all ages. The collection offers a timeless and enchanting read, perfect for both children and adults alike. Edith Nesbit, a pioneer of children's literature, drew inspiration from her own childhood experiences and the imaginative world she created to entertain her own children. Her unique perspective and gift for storytelling have made her a cherished author for generations. 'The Greatest Children's Books - E. Nesbit Collection' is a must-read for anyone seeking a charming and magical literary escape, guaranteed to spark the imagination and hearten the spirit.