Taken from sources that draw on ancient traditions, these tales from the Celtic lands of Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man, have been handed down for centuries by word of mouth. Now retold for a modern readership, with an introduction by folklorist Neil Philip, they will appeal to children of all ages. Read how the lazy giant Tom defeated the giant Blunderbuss and his two dogs Catchem and Tearem; and how King Oisin left the land of youth to return to Ireland only to find himself suddenly 300 years old. At the heart of many of the stories are the mischievous little people (fairies) who create havoc and merriment wherever they go. Enchanting pictures bring the stories vividly to life, making this is a wonderful gift book for any child.

How did the camel get his hump? Why won't cats do as they are told"? Who invented reading and writing? How did an inquisitive little elephant change the lives of elephants everywhere. Kipling's imagined answers to such questions draw on the beast fables he heard as a child in India, as well as on folk traditions he later collected all over the world. He plays games with language, exploring the relationships between thought, speech, and written word. He also celebrates his own joy in fatherhood. The tales were told to his own and his friends' children over many years before he wrote them down, adding poems and his own illustrations. They invite older and younger readers to share a magical experience, each contributing to the other's pleasure but each can also enjoy them alone, as more jokes, subtexts, and exotic references emerge with every reading. This fully illustrated edition icludes two extra stories and Kipling's own explanation of the title. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

IN

Is this the right book for you? Take the ANNOYING TEST and find out!

1) Do you ask 'Are we there yet?' over and over on long car trips?

2) Do you like to drive people mad by copying everything they say and do?

3) Do you hog the shower and use up all the hot water?

4) Do you enjoy asking silly questions that have no real answers?

5) Do you swing on the washing line whenever you get the chance?

SCORE: One point for each yes answer.

3-5 You are a practical joking genius. You will love this book.

1-2 You are a good practical joker. You will love this book.

0 You are not a practical joker. You will love this book.

Just Annoying is the second book in this hilarious series of stories about the world's most annoying practical joker – from the creators of the bestselling Treehouse series, Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton.

In the Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, seven tales of the bizarre and unexpected are told by the grand master of the short story, Roald Dahl. Enter a brilliant, sinister and wholly unpredictable world. Here you will find the suggestion of other-worldly goings on in a dark story about a swan and a boy; the surprising tale of a wealthy young wastrel who suddenly develops a remarkable new ability; and meet the hitchhiker whose light-fingers save the day. 'An unforgettable read, don't miss it' Sunday Times Roald Dahl, the brilliant and worldwide acclaimed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and many more classics for children, also wrote scores of short stories for adults. These delightfully disturbing tales have often been filmed and were most recently the inspiration for the West End play, Roald Dahl's Twisted Tales by Jeremy Dyson. Roald Dahl's stories continue to make readers shiver today.

In hierdie boek kan jy lees hoe Vuil Ferdie sy stinkerige hond probeer bad; vir sy juffrou groot laat skrik op ’n skooluitstappie en hoe Ferdie dit skelm regkry om self hand by te sit in die ontwerp van die nuwe skooluniforms.

Unexpected. Unrequited. Forbidden. Eternal. Everyone has their own love story. And in a twist of fate, four extraordinary love stories combine over the course of a romantic Valentine's Day in Medieval England. Miles and Shelby find love where they least expect it. Roland learns a painful lesson about finding and losing love. Arianne pays the price for a love so fierce it burns. And for the first - and last - time, Daniel and Luce will spend a night together like none other. Lauren Kate's Fallen in Love is filled with love stories . . . the ones everyone has been waiting for. True love never says goodbye . . .

Based primarily on explorer and anthropologist Knud Rasmussen's transcriptions of oral tales, the stories in this anthology of old Greenlandic myths and legends have been passed down through generations. This collection features stories about children and young people-stories that were told in the depths of winter, that the youngest listeners would one day tell to their own children. Talking animals, flying shamans, orphans so poor they have to walk barefoot through the snow, and men so strong they can carry a whale all on their own: you'll meet all of them and more in this collection.

A tousle-headed, snub-nosed, hearty, lovable ball of mischief, William Brown has been harassing his unfortunate family and delighting his hundreds of thousands of admirers since 1922. Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition features original illustrations by Thomas Henry and a foreword by novelist, dramatist and screenwriter Roddy Doyle. Just William is Richmal Crompton's first book about the incorrigible William Brown. Follow his adventures from getting over a school teacher crush to a failed attempt at baby-sitting, and from throwing a wild party to meeting his faithful dog Jumble in this hilarious collection of stories.

The fairytales of Scotland portray a world of magic and shape- shifting. Horses and foxes that turn into handsome princes, thorns that turn into woods, and a tiny stone that becomes an enormous rock - these are some of the amazing transformations that take place in this anthology. The characters in these sixteen tales, from jealous stepmothers and gruesome ghosts to chivalrous princes and beautiful princesses, are some of the most memorable in all folk literature. Read of the poor seal woman taken from the sea by a wicked farmer, of the magic black horse that could y over mountains, and of Kate Crackernuts who married the prince of her dreams after she had cured him of his illness. Superbly illustrated throughout, this lovely anthology will delight readers of all ages.

The world of fairy tales is one that we all love to enter. Many of these stories had been told for centuries, delighting children and adults alike with their mixture of magic, mystery, and truths older even than the stories themselves. Here twenty best-loved tales by the famous German storytellers, the Brothers Grimm, are retold for the enjoyment of children today. As well as many old favourites, other tales of magic and enchantment are included, such as The Musicians Bremen, Hans the Hedgehog, and Clever Elsie. Neil Philip's retelling tries to capture some of the immediacy and sparkle of the living storyteller's voice. The language is fresh and direct, and the pace is lively. Isabelle Brent's detailed illustrations decorate the pages beautifully.

What dangers do runaway demigods Luke and Thalia face on their way to Camp Half-Blood? Are Percy and Annabeth up to the task of rescuing stolen goods from a fire-breathing giant who doesn't take kindly to intruders? How exactly are Leo, Piper, and Jason supposed to find a runaway table, dodge a band of party-loving Maenads" ("who just might be a little psychotic), and stave off a massive explosion...all in one hour or less?
With his trademark wit and creativity, Rick Riordan answers these questions and more in three never-before-seen short stories that provide vital back-story to the Heroes of Olympus and Percy Jackson books, with a bonus fourth story marking the publishing debut of Haley Riordan, the inspiration for Percy Jackson. Original art, enlightening character interviews and portraits, puzzles, and a quiz add to the fun in this action-packed collection.