Best Selling Books by Robert D. San Souci

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

With the aid of a sorceress, young Li Ju seeks his mother''s precious handmade tapestry held by the fairies of Sun Mountain.

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!

Five faithful dogs save their mistress from the dreadful Hobyahs.

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.

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.

Thirty hair-raising stories from around the world fill this spooky collection with delicious shivers and spine-tingling chills—perfect for fans of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark! Sit down and meet "The Vampire Cat," "The Draug" and "The Rolling Head"; or take a stroll with "The Thing in the Woods." You''ll find favorites such as "The Golden Arm" and startling new stories such as "Knock...Knock...Knock," vividly told with plenty of ghastly details and spooky endings. There''s something here for everyone who likes a good shudder...but be prepared for goose bumps! Twenty delightfully creepy illustrations by Katherine Coville and Jacqueline Rogers highlight this companion to Robert San Souci''s first collection of scary stories, Short & Shivery.

Here''s a story in the best American folk tradition. It combines a ghost, a hidden treasure, and an appealing young character who sets out to make his fortune, and does so by courage, kindness and the sort of innocence that invariably succeeds in folk literature. Thomas is the youngest of seven children. His parents work from sunup to sundown on their little back-country farm, but earn barely enough to keep food on the table. Thomas goes out into the world to help remedy the situation and, along the way, shows kindness to a stranger. The stranger rewards him by leading him to a house in which a treasure is hidden, but guarded by a fearsome ghost. Through San Souci''s gently scary words and Pinkney''s wonderfully atmospheric illustrations, Thomas outwits the ghost and wins the day -- and the treasure.

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.

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.

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

In this fairy tale, loosely based on English and Scottish lore, feisty Princess Rosamond, who prefers good books to good looks, risks her throne and all her wealth to save her father''s life.

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.

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.

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.

"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

Explores the mystery of the legendary beast said to inhabit Scotland''s Loch Ness and which has always eluded scientific scrutiny. Is it a leftover dinosaur or a harmless folktale?

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

When a benevolent king and his daughter, Princess Marie, find their peaceful kingdom threatened by an enormous, evil, seven-headed bird, the brave princess offers herself as the bird''s hostage in order to prevent the entire kingdom from being thrust into eternal darkness. As soon as Soliday, a kindhearted, hardworking, and generous youth hears about the princess''s sacrifice, he vows to kill the Bird of Darkness and save Marie. His identical twin brother -- the jealous, lazy, and dishonest Salacotta -- accompanies Soliday on the dangerous journey, but doesn''t lift a finger in order to rescue the princess or slay the monstrous bird. And the second Salacotta sees his chance to claim that he was the one who freed the princess, he does just that. Will Soliday be able to convince everyone that he is indeed who he says? Will his brother admit his treachery? Will Soliday ever be able to trust his twin again? This timeless and resonant folktale about the forces of good and evil and the redemptive power of brotherly love is the perfect story for the ages.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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."

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.

Larger Than Life by Robert D. San Souci illustrated by Andrew Glass An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists "This collection will practically leap from the shelf into many an eager hand. Its large format, attractive layout, and appealing illustrations will beckon to young readers." -- School Library Journal Every child should grow up hearing the tales of our most famous folk heroes. Here award-winning author Robert D. San Souci and illustrator Andrew Glass bring five American legends to life. Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, John Henry, Slue-Foot Sue and Pecos Bill, as well as Old Stormalong and Strap Buckner, have inspired generations of Americans. These vivid stories, told with humor, spirit, and warmth, capture the flavor of frontier America while remaining accessible to young readers.

Ghoulies, ghosties, and long-leggedy beasties inhabit these 30 chilling tales gathered from around the world—perfect for fans of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark! Creepy classic and contemporary stories from Australia, Germany, India, El Salvador, and elsewhere--including a healthy helping of American apparitions--will keep readers and listeners scared stiff. Do you dare walk down the lane where "Crooker Waits"? Or would you rather shake "The Hairy Hands"? Twenty eerie illustrations highlight this companion to Robert D. San Souci''s earlier collections of scary stories, which School Library Journal called "an absolute delight. . . . Young readers will gobble up these thirty thrilling snacks and beg for more." Savor this supernatural treat for spine-tingling fun!

With perseverance and the help of a magical horse, Juanito, the youngest son of a farmer, wins the hand of the mayor''s beautiful daughter.

A Southern folktale in which kind Blanche, following the instructions of an old witch, gains riches, while her greedy sister makes fun of the old woman and is duly rewarded.

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.

Finding Me