subject: The Yellow Fairy Book [print this page] The Yellow Fairy Book The Yellow Fairy Book
There was a time, not so long ago, when the president of the Folklore Society believed it was not acceptable for the editors of the day, Mr Andrew Lang and Mr. Joseph Jacobs, to publish fairy books. Their reply was that they did not see any harm in it, and they were ready to 'put themselves on their country,' and be tried by a jury of children - and so they did to much acclaim and success. So, even then, adults were out of touch with the wants and needs of children. At the time of writing I cannot help but wonder what the current president of the Folklore Society thinks on this same matter?
As to whether there are really any fairies or not, that is a difficult question. The Editor, Andrew Lang, never saw any himself, but he knew several people who claimed to have seen them-in the Highlands-and heard their music. He said "If ever you are in Nether Lochaber, go to the Fairy Hill, and you may hear the music yourself, as grown-up people have done, but you must go on a fine day."
Again, if there are really no fairies, why do the peoples of the world believe in them? The ancient Greeks, the old Egyptians, the Hindus, the Zulus and even the Native Americans, and is it likely, if there are no fairies, that so many different people would claim to have seen and heard them? Whatever you believe, this volume contains Russian, German, French, Icelandic, American Indian, and other stories.Within this 426 page volume are 48 tales - some well known and many unfamiliar - especially to today's younger parents.
A century ago, the Editor, Andrew Lang, believed that as children pursued their studies, they should at least read "The Rose and the Ring", by William Thackeray. He believed this book is quite indispensable in every child's library, and parents should be urged to purchase it at the first opportunity, as without it no education is complete. If only it were so today.
33% of the publisher's profit from the sale of this book will be donated to Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital Charity.
For more information, a table of contents or to view a sample of the interior, go to
