New Releases by Robert D. San Souci

Learn how some Native Americans believe the Grand Canyon was formed.

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.

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!

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.

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."

Award-winning storyteller Robert D. San Souci takes readers on a journey across America with his retellings of our country''s folklore. From Native American origin myths to tales of the wild, wild West, San Souci''s nine stories are sure to entertain and delight. Accompanied by colorful illustrations that bring the stories to life, kids will enjoy reading these tales as much as grown-ups will enjoy reading them aloud. All stories were originally published in the Parents'' Choice Award winning Faces magazine, the geography and world cultures magazine for kids ages 9-14.

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.

Provides a collection of scary traditional tales from all over the world.

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!

A collection of 13 tales of terror.

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.

More Short & Shivery

A collection of thirteen diverse scary short stories for young readers, including fantasy, science fiction, and ghost tales.

DeWayne''s friend is acting creepy, and DeWayne needs to get away-fast. Because in Double-Dare to Be Scared, being a regular kid doesn''t mean you''re safe. And having friends is even less of a guarantee. Robert D. San Souci, author of Dare to Be Scared, has spun another thirteen original tales to keep night-lights burning across the country. There''s something for every brave reader, as stories range from campfire grabbers to unsettling thrillers and combine elements of folklore and pop culture. Black-and-white scratchboard illustrations by David Ouimet complement the macabre mood of the collection. If Dare to Be Scared thrilled you, or if you''re a newcomer who likes to be spooked, read on. We double-dare you to be scared. What''s creepier than being lost in the woods all alone? How about being lost in those woods, and sensing that you'' re not alone? Robert D. San Souci, popular author of Dare to Be Scared, has spun another thirteen masterful tales to keep nightlights burning across the country. Fans of his first book will be thrilled to find not only the same spirit of scary fun, but even deeper, darker twists and surprises. Newcomers will discover something for every (daring) palate, with stories that range from campfire grabbers to unsettling chillers, and combine elements of folklore and pop culture.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

A collection of thirty short and spooky tales from the folklore of Russia, Virginia, Ireland, Canada, and other areas of the world.

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!

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

Long, long ago, lived a handsome young tsar named Peter. When he decided to marry, he rejected the beautiful Molnya because of her cold, hungry eyes. But Molnya was really a witch, and she put a curse on Peter: "When you find your hoped-for bride, your ruin will be at hand." When Peter goes off to marry the Little Sister of the Sun, Molnya disguises herself as a baby and gets taken into the tsar''s castle. The "baby" soon grows to a monstrous size, destroying everything in sight, and Peter must hurry home to save his kingdom. With the help of three friendly giants and a little mouse, Peter escapes the giant witch-baby and lives to marry the Little Sister of the Sun and rule wisely and well.