Cats have always known more than they let on.In folklore from every corner of the world, cats are never simply pets. They are tricksters and helpers, imps and heroes, shape-shifters and schemers. In this enchanting collection, Ruth Manning-Sanders gathers eighteen fairy tales from across the globe - Germany, Switzerland, Russia, Poland, Siberia, Madagascar, Denmark, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, and beyond - each one celebrating the clever, the mischievous, and the mysterious nature of cats and other remarkable creatures.Here you'll meet Katchen, a cat whose loyalty is tested by dark magic; an imp cat who causes delightful chaos; little Kitty Cat Twinkle, who strikes a dangerous bargain with a wicked wizard for nothing more than a plate of food; and the Cat Johann, whose cunning saves the day in ways no human could. But this collection goes beyond cats alone - its pages are also filled with extraordinary birds, crocodiles, cranes, water spirits, and other wondrous creatures drawn from the deep well of world folklore.Some of these animals are wise. Some are wonderfully silly. Some are loyal friends, and others are tricksters who cannot be trusted. All of them come alive through Manning-Sanders' signature gift for storytelling - warm, witty, and wonderfully economical, with not a word wasted. The award-winning Robin Jacques provides elegant illustrations that perfectly capture the personality and charm of each creature.Stories include: Katchen the Cat (Germany) - The Imp Cat (Germany) - Kitty Cat Twinkle (Switzerland) - The Golden Knucklebone (Tartary) - The Leeshy Cat (Archangel) - Oh Mr Crocodile (Madagascar) - A Pool of Bright Water (Russia) - Little Wonder (Denmark) - The Bird Wife (Siberia) - The Juniper Bush (Sweden) - Old Man Zackery and the Cranes (Russia) - The Water Nick (Czechoslovakia) - A Wonderful Bird (Russia) - The Goat in the Sky (Russia) - The Cat Johann (Poland) - The Big Bird Katchka (Tajikistan) - and morePerfect for read-aloud sessions, bedtime storytelling, animal lovers, and young readers ages 6-12 who can't resist a good cat tale. A treasured volume in Ruth Manning-Sanders' celebrated "A Book of..." folklore series.
