The Brown Fairy Book

This charming early work, first published in 1904, is the ninth book in a series of twelve 'coloured' fairy books published by Andrew Lang between 1889 and 1910. Each volume is distinguished by its own colour, and all in all, 437 tales from a wide array of cultures and countries are presented. The Brown Fairy Book is illustrated with numerous black and white illustrations by the master artist H. J. Ford. This book is thoroughly recommended for inclusion on the shelf of all folklorists and lovers of fairy tales. A delightful read for both adult and child.

The Brown Fairy Book contains 32 stories from the American Indians, Australian Bushmen and African Kaffirs, and from Persia, Lapland, Brazil, and India. Stories include: How Ball-Carrier finished his Task, The Story of the Yara, Habogi, The Wicked Wolverine, The Lion and the Cat, The Prince and the Three Fates, Rubezahl and many more.

Andrew Lang (1844 - 1912) was a Scots poet, novelist and literary critic, with a passion for folkloric storytelling. Most of his volumes (including this, 'The Brown Fairy Book') were beautifully illustrated by Henry J. Ford (1860 - 1941), an inordinately talented artist who came to public attention with his illustrations for Lang. The books captured the imagination of British children and later became worldwide bestsellers in the 1880s and 1890s.