Most Popular Books by Robert D. San Souci

Meet the fascinating women of American Folklore and Legend in this award-winning collection! Have you heard of the Star Maiden, Old Sally Cato, or Sweet Betsey from Pike? Everyone knows about Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, and Davy Crockett, But have you heard of these larger-than-life women? From Bess Call, who wrestles any and all challengers, to Molly Cottontail, who can outwit any critter iin the woods, to Hekeke, who slays a giant singlehandedly, here are fifteen funny, stormy, and always entertaining tall tales of legendary American women. They''re as difference as can be, but still cut from the same cloth. "An impressive and gratifying collection that''s a cut above other such compilations."--School Library Journal Winner of the Aesop Prize

"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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

Princess Rosamond isn''t your typical princess. She prefers good books to good looks and keeps both the royal accounts and the castle drawbridge in working order. When her greedy stepmother and stepsister scheme to spend the royal treasury and her father, the king, falls ill, Rosamond must set out in search of the one thing that can cure him—the healing waters found in the magical well at the end of the world. In the spirit of The Talking Eggs, award-winning author Robert San Souci has once again created a feisty heroine whose generosity and courage save the day combined with Rebecca Walsh''s vibrant paintings. This is an adventure story that readers will turn to again and again.

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. "From the Trade Paperback edition.

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.

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.

An Irish adventure in time for St. Patrick''s Day! When a ship arrives in the harbor, Margaret seizes the chance to see the world. But the adventure brings danger, and soon she must face a sea serpent, a giant, and a sorceress who wants to make Margaret a pawn in a plan of her own. It takes a magic ring, an enchanted sword--and the discovery that she is as brave as any man--to bring Margaret and her true love safely home. Full color.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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