Collects tales from the oral traditions of American folklore, these ghost stories and tales of weird happenings, witches, and graveyards have startling, funny, or surprising endings.

Ever wonder where chocolate came from? We have the Mayan king Kukulkán to thank. Kukulkán is more than a king-he is also a god. One day he brings his people an amazing gift: a chocolate tree! But there is just one problem. Kukulkán's brother, Night Jaguar, doesn't want regular people to have chocolate. He thinks only gods should eat the tempting treat. Will Night Jaguar prevail? Or will the Mayans get to keep their chocolate tree?

In Mexico, the poinsettia is called flor de la Nochebuenao flower of the Holy Night. At Christmastime, the flower blooms and flourishes, the quite exquisite red stars lighting up the countryside. A Mexican legend tells how the poinsettia came to be, through a little girl's unselfish gift to the Christ Child. Tomie dePaola has embraced the legend using his own special feeling for Christmas. His glorious paintings capture not only the brilliant colors...

In this continuation of "Mythos," Stephen Fry recounts the stories of the human heroes found in Greek mythology, with illustrations of classical art inspired by the myths. "Stephen Fry moves from the exploits of the Olympian gods to the deeds of mortal heroes. Perseus. Jason. Atalanta. Theseus. Heracles. Rediscover the thrills, grandeur, and unabashed fun of the Greek myths. Whether recounting a tender love affair or a heroic triumph, Fry deftly...

Three clever billy goats outwit a big ugly troll that lives under the bridge they must cross on their way up the mountain. Retells the traditional tale about three billy goats who trick a troll that lives under the bridge.

A retelling of a folktale in which a beautiful girl with long golden hair is kept imprisoned in a lonely tower by a sorceress. Includes a note on the origins of the story.

Stories come from around the world, but they grow from the very earth upon which they are first told. Michael J. Caduto invites readers to listen while the Earth tells these stories through his lyrical retellings of tales such as "Hare Rescues the Sun" and "The Coming of Fire."

In her haste to flee the palace before the fairy godmother's magic loses effect, Cinderella leaves behind a glass slipper. The illustrations set the story in 1920s London.

When three hungry soldiers come to a town where all the food has been hidden, they set out to make soup of water and stones, and all the town enjoys a feast.

While an ant works hard all summer long to feed her children and store food for the winter, her neighbor, a cheerful but lazy grasshopper, relaxes in the sun. Includes a word puzzle and reading tips for parents.