In the Brothers Grimm version of "Tom Thumb", a lonely couple hopes for a child, even "if it were no bigger than my thumb". To their delight, their wishes come true and the boy is named "Tom Thumb" for his diminutive stature. The boy is crafty and helps his father by directing the family horse to haul firewood by standing in his ear and whispering commands. Embarking on several adventures, Tom displays a knack for tricking the slow-witted people who...

In the story of Rapunzel a childless couple awaits the arrival of their firstborn. One day, the husband is caught stealing the salad greens, called Rapunzel that his wife craves from the yard of the evil witch next door. The witch strikes a deal with the man, obtaining their firstborn child in return for all the Rapunzel the wife can eat. The child, growing up in captivity with the witch turns into a beautiful maiden with a voice of gold, and extraordinarily...

When six of her seven kids are swallowed by a wicked wolf, Old Mother Goat devises a way to rescue them.

210 traditional tales with accompanying explanatory and historical material.