New Releases by Robert D. San Souci

Storyteller say, This happened oncet upon a time, on a little island off the coast of South Carolina. A girl named Sukey lived with her ma and new step-pa. Sukey called her step-pa "Mister Hard-Times." Every day, while he watched, she hoed the weeds in the garden and every day, she sang: Mister Hard-Times, Since you come My ma don''t like me, My work never done. But one morning, when her step-pa wasn''t looking, Sukey ran away to her secret hiding place by the sea and unwittingly called up Mama Jo, a beautiful black mermaid. The adventures that followed changed her life forever. In this dream-woven story, artfully retold by Robert D. San Souci from an American folktale, a poor girl finds her wishes answered not by treasure, or the sea''s magic, but by goodness and love.

A friendship is tested by love and magic in this beautiful retelling of a traditional tale from the French West Indies. On the lush tropical island of Martinique live Clement and Hippolyte, two inseparable friends. When Clement falls in love with the beautiful Pauline, Hippolyte agrees to join his best friend on his journey to propose marriage. But when Pauline accepts Clement’s proposal, it enrages her uncle Monsieur Zabocat—reputed to be a quimboiseur, a wizard. To prevent the wedding, the old wizard lures Hippolyte into a deadly trap, forcing him to choose between his friend’s safety and his own.

How foolish could six Cajuns on the bayou possibly be? Down in Louisiana bayou country, six friends--Jules, Jacques, Jean, Ti-Paul, Philippe, and Pierre-love to go out fishing on their pirogues. But these fellows are very foolish indeed. It isn''t long before one silly misunderstanding after another results in a hilarious and ridiculous Cajun-flavored folktale that will delight readers young and old. An alternate version of the traditional Seven Foolish Fishermen, this story contains Cajun words and phrases, expressive and bright illustrations, and irresistible good humor.

Thirty chilling stories from around the world provide plenty of shivers in this spooky collection. If you liked Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, you’ll devour these spin-tingling tales! Curl up with old friends like Washington Irving''s "Guests from Gibbet Island" or Charles Dickens'' "Chips." Or make the acquaintance of "The Skull That Spoke" and "The Monster of Baylock"--but beware of spectral visitors like "The Blood-Drawing Ghost." This exciting mixture of classic and contemporary tales from Mexico, China, Poland, Nigeria, and other lands near and far is perfect for hair-raising reading! Twenty deliciously eerie illustrations by Jacqueline Rogers highlight this companion to Robert D. San Souci''s earlier collections of scary stories, Short & Shivery and More Short & Shivery, which School Library Journal called "an absolute delight."

Scare-master Robert San Souci serves up ten chilling tales about untraditional haunted houses: a mansion full of pirate treasure, a ghost trapped in a mysterious dollhouse, a boy whose vacation house comes complete with people-eating spiders, and many more. But beware because not all of the protagonists in these stories get out alive.

Make story time a little spookier with this Halloween-themed collection of ghost stories, spooky shorts, and frightening folktales from all over the world! “No one travels these roads after dark. Those who are found the next day, if they are still alive, will have gone mad.” Chills and thrills to make your flesh crawl with fear! Turn the lights down low and grab your favorite reading chair. But first, you’d better check behind you. . . . Ghosts, monsters, murders, and madmen! These thirty stories have been collected for your reading displeasure from all over the globe, and represent the world’s best scary stories and frightening folktales, featuring famous authors such as Washington Irving and the Brothers Grimm. Welcome to a chilling world of hair-raising tales!

As water pours over the wheel of a busy sawmill in Virginia, a stranger tells Old Sam, the owner, that he wants to learn the trade. Old Sam is happy to take on a hired hand, and Young Sam, his son, is glad to have someone to boss around. One day, as the New Hand stacks the sweet-smelling boards, an old farmer complains about a misery in his back. The New Hand offers to fix him up and in private mixes a handful of sawdust and a touch of magic, with unexpected results. The farmer is not only cured, he¿s young again! But when conniving Young Sam tries to do the same, he finds himself in big trouble. Can the New Hand set things right? A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year.

With some help from a group of field mice, an odd-looking doll--named Zigzag for his crooked mouth--searches for a child to love him.

Edgar Rice Burroughs'' story of the boy raised by apes is now accessible to a new generation of young readers in this exciting picture book. Tarzan, whose name means white skin,Ó is adopted by a tribe of apes, but as he grows older, he begins to realize that he is not like the others. When he explores the abandoned cabin of his dead parents, he discovers that he is something called human,Ó a species that uses reason & intelligence. These special human qualities give him the power he needs to become ruler of the apes. But at the same time, he knows that he cannot always be among them; he must leave to follow his destiny as a man. Dramatically illustrated with vivid scratchboard paintings by Michael McCurdy.

A rhyming retelling of the story of a young woman who finds her prince at a Halloween ball despite the efforts of her wicked stepmother. The main characters are skeletons.

THIRTEEN ORIGINAL TALES TO CHLL AND THRILL.

From beloved storyteller Robert San Souci comes a raucous retelling of little Tom Thumb, straight out of the Louisiana bayou.

In this retelling of an Irish folktale, a brave young woman battles a sea serpent and rescues her true love from a giant.

Long ago, in the days when there were still ogres in the world, a little boy named Satsu went out to play with his best friends, a puppy and a fox cub. But Satsu wandered too near the edge of the forest, where a horrible ogre snatched him up. The ogre wanted to eat him for supper, but Satsu traded his silver charm for his life. Without his charm, however, he grew ill and weak. Now the puppy and the fox cub must save their friend and master. With the help of a little mouse and a little magic, they trick the ogre and return the lucky silver charm. Everyone-including the animals-celebrates with an enormous feast.

Squire Case is furious. Year after year, the birds of Killingworth feasthappily on his crops, while he loses money. Resolved to rid the community of these "thieves," the squire calls a town meeting and proclaims that all adult birds should be killed and their young left to die of starvation. The farmers and townsfolk agree wholeheartedly. Only the squire''s daughter, Almira, and the schoolmaster, Noah, realize that the birds play an important part in nature''s plan. But can they rescue the birds before it''s too late? Based on a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Birds of Killingworth is a hopeful, high-spirited tale reminding us that the compassion of just a few can help ensure the prosperity of all living creatures.

Based on an old folk legend and brought to life with color illustrations, this story is about a "merman" from the ocean who can walk like any man. While on land, he falls in love with Margaret. Together they defy her father, outwit the jealous sea-folk, and even stand up to the king himself!

"A good swordsman should appear as calm as a fine lady, but he must be capable of quick action like a surprised tiger," says a seasoned warrior to Fa Mulan, unaware that the young soldier is in fact a woman. Award-winning author Robert D. San Souci and Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng have created an elegant, visually stunning retelling of the popular Chinese legend. When Fa Mulan learns that her father has been drafted into Khan''s army to fight the Tartars, she is shocked--her father is far too old and weak to go to war.She forms a brave plan, which her family reluctantly accepts, and, "At dawn she cut her hair short, put on her father''s armor, and fastened his weapons to the horse''s saddle." Fa Mulan is excited and afraid, and soon finds herself engaged in fierce combat with the Tartars. She studies the art of war, and becomes skilled with the sword. As her accomplishments gain fame, she is called to appear before the Khan in the royal city of Loyang. Fearing the discovery of her true gender, Mulan is anxious about the consequences for her family. But she needn''t have worried; "''General,'' the Khan began, ''you have served me well and have brought honor to your family. Your deeds are enough to fill twelve books. I give you a thousand strings of copper coins as a reward. What else do you wish?''" Relieved, the woman warrior simply asks to go home. The noble story of this legendary Chinese heroine has inspired poets, writers, artists, dramatists, and readers worldwide for centuries. This particular retelling dates back to the earliest versions of The Song of Mulan, probably composed during the Northern and Southern Dynasties (A.D. 420 to A.D. 589). San Souci''s carefully researched interpretation of the ancient story is gentle, dramatic, and inspiring, and the Tsengs'' beautiful, expressive watercolor paintings, bordered top and bottom like a Chinese scroll, are lovely. (Ages 7 and older) --Karin Snelson

The White Cat helps the youngest prince win his father''s throne.

Set in an exotic island, "Cendrillon" is a fresh twist on a beloved tale. San Souci and Pinkney combine humor, a feisty, unforgettable godmother and all the romance and magic that has made "Cinderella" one of the most popular fairy tales of all time. Full-color illustrations.

To protect his life, Arthur, son of King Uther, was hidden from the court when still a baby. Growing up in Sir Ector''s household, Arthur knew nothing of his noble birth. Then one day at a tournament, he forgot to bring a sword for his brother, Kay. Looking for a replacement, Arthur saw a strange sword plunged into a stone. From the moment he released the famous sword he assumed his destiny as the rightful King of England. But there were still battles to be fought, and with Merlin''s help and the famous Excalibur at his side, Arthur established a reign of nobility, justice, and wisdom whose fame has lasted to the present day.

Recounts the coming of the Pilgrims to America, with illustrations by N.C. Wyeth.

Presents the life of Merlin the magician from his miraculous birth through the age of seventeen, before he met King Arthur.

An itinerant shoemaker in colonial New England makes a pair of shoes for a beautiful young woman, although he fears the red heels are a sign that she is a witch.

Once in a while an ordinary person performs a deed so brave and unexpected that we remember it long afterward. Kate Shelley was such a person. In the midst of a torrential storm in the summer in 1881, a dreadful train wreck occurred near fifteen-year-old Kate''s Iowa farm. Find out what deeds make Kate a well remembered person of courage.

Retells one of many versions of how an Eskimo maiden became goddess of the sea.

A spellbinding Native American version of the well-loved Cinderella story, this title is by the award-winning author and illustrator team of many popular books for young readers, including "The Legend of Scarface" and "Song of Sedna", also based on Native American folklore. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

A collection of twenty stories about legendary American women, drawing from folktales, popular stories, and ballads.

Presents the life of Guinevere from her girlhood to her betrothal to King Arthur.

When a Japanese woodcutter breaks his promise and describes his encounter with a terrifying snow woman, he loses his wife and must make a dangerous journey to win her back.