When an ogress kills a man’s two brothers, he sets out to find out what happened. Though beginning with this frightening premise, the tale “Tritill, Litill, and the Birds” teaches readers not about defeating an ogress, but about the benefits of being kind to those in need. This and other stories introduce readers to more traditional fairy tales that don’t always end happily. Full-color images and illustrations draw readers into a world of dark fantasy as "The Sprightly Tailer," "The Ogre of Rashoman," and "The Gifts of the Little People" demonstrate the skill and imagination needed to tell a good tale.

Varla Ventura, fan favorite on Huffington Post’s Weird News, frequent guest on Coast to Coast, and bestselling author of The Book of the Bizarre and Beyond Bizarre, introduces a new Weiser Books Collection of forgotten crypto-classics. Magical Creatures is a hair-raising herd of affordable digital editions, curated with Varla’s affectionate and unerring eye for the fantastic. The warrior's sword and the village heroes are no match for the ogres and goblins that gnash their teeth and wreck havoc in early 20th century Japan.

This collection of Japanese fairy tales is the outcome of a suggestion made to me indirectly through a friend by Mr. Andrew Lang. They have been translated from the modern version written by Sadanami Sanjin. These stories are not literal translations, and though the Japanese story and all quaint Japanese expressions have been faithfully preserved, they have been told more with the view to interest young readers of the West than the technical student of folk-lore.... In telling these stories in English I have followed my fancy in adding such touches of local color or description as they seemed to need or as pleased me, and in one or two instances I have gathered in an incident from another version. At all times, among my friends, both young and old, English or American, I have always found eager listeners to the beautiful legends and fairy tales of Japan, and in telling them I have also found that they were still unknown to the vast majority...

A collection of 20 fairy tales from Japan including "Chin-Chin Kobakama," "The Serpent with Eight Heads," and "The Tea-Kettle."

Drawing upon the traditions of their native lands, Asian Americans have developed an extensive cultural tradition. At the heart of that tradition are some of the world's most colorful folktales. These reflect the traditional beliefs of the East, as they have been passed down among generations of Asian Americans. But they also reflect the struggles, successes, and experiences of Asian immigrants in the New World. Written expressly for students and general readers, this book is a fascinating introduction to Asian American folktales.This book gathers together a selection of more than 30 Asian American folktales and groups them in thematic sections on origins; heroes, heroines, villains, and fools; society and conflict; and the supernatural. These tales reflect the traditional beliefs of the East as well as the new experiences of Asians in America. Each tale is accompanied by a headnote, and the book closes with a selected, general bibliography. Students studying literature and language will learn much about these tales, while students in social studies and history courses will gain greater insight into the experiences and traditional beliefs of Asian Americans. The volume includes a healthy sampling of tales grouped in topical sections on origins; heroes, heroines, villains, and fools; society and conflict; and the supernatural.

Ogres have been featured in fairy tales and folklore long before the misanthropic, but lovable, Shrek. Fascinating facts teach readers about ogres of many traditions—from Japanese legends to popular fairy tales. The featured legend of Tom Hickathrift and his exciting battle with the ogre of Tilney Marsh is presented in graphic-novel form, which enlivens it through accessible text and engaging drawings. Readers will even find out how ogres are involved in the story of the popular character Puss in Boots.

Folk tales and fairy stories from all over the world are collected together in this gorgeous international anthology which brings together 'The Frog Who Became an Emperor' from China, 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' from Norway, and 'Pinocchio' from Italy as well as the classic stories of Aesop, Andersen, the Grimm Brothers, Charles Perrault and Oscar Wilde, among many others. Illustrated by various artists, this beautiful Macmillan Collector's Library edition of Best Fairy Stories of the World, edited by Marcus Clapham, features illustrations including Arthur Rackham, Charles Robinson, Walter Crane and Howard Pyle and many other masters of the genre, which will appeal to both adults and children. Designed to appeal to the booklover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure.

Translated by Audie E. Bock. "A first rate book and a joy to read.... It's doubtful that a complete understanding of the director's artistry can be obtained without reading this book.... Also indispensable for budding directors are the addenda, in which Kurosawa lays out his beliefs on the primacy of a good script, on scriptwriting as an essential tool for directors, on directing actors, on camera placement, and on the value of steeping oneself in literature, from great novels to detective fiction." --Variety "For the lover of Kurosawa's movies...this is nothing short of must reading...a fitting companion piece to his many dynamic and absorbing screen entertainments." --Washington Post Book World

Discover a Ziz—and learn what this mythological bird iz! The Ziz is a bird that sings, puts on shows, and has the ability to block out the sun with its wings. This absurd and quirky tale about the mythological Ziz will have readers everywhere searching the skies for one. Told in rhyme, this humorous story is perfect for reading out loud.