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My Book House #10
From the Tower Window
Cover illustration signed M.D. Charleston/'20.
448 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1920
4 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Olive Beaupré Miller
97 books33 followersOlive Kennon Beaupré was born in Aurora, IL on September 11, 1883. She received her B.A. from Smith College in 1904 and returned to Aurora to work as an English teacher for two years. Olive and Harry Edward Miller were married October 2, 1907.
Olive began writing rhymes and stories to entertain her daughter Virginia, and was encouraged by Harry to publish some of her writings. In 1919 Olive founded The Bookhouse for Children publishing company with Harry. Olive assumed the title of Editor and published all of her subsequent material either solely through The Bookhouse or through other publishing companies in conjunction with The Bookhouse.
Olive published the first volume of the My Bookhouse series in 1920 and set to work on the next five volumes. My Bookhouse became the first collection of children's literature which was graded to meet the developing needs and abilities of children at different ages.
Olive began publishing the nine volume series A Picturesque Tale of Progress in 1929. In 1934 Olive revised My Bookhouse, expanding the series from six volumes to twelve.
When Olive and Harry were divorced in May 1935, he resigned his position as President of The Book House. In addition to being Editor, Olive was elected Vice-President by the Board of Directors, who hoped that this post would keep her from pursuing a more managerial role in the company. Olive achieved the position of Chairman of the Board in 1939 and held it until 1954.
The Book House for Children was sold to United Educators in 1954. Olive remained Chairman of the Board in an advisory capacity until she retired in 1962. She moved to Tucson, AZ where she lived with her daughter Virginia (Miller) Read and family until her death on March 25, 1968.
Olive began writing rhymes and stories to entertain her daughter Virginia, and was encouraged by Harry to publish some of her writings. In 1919 Olive founded The Bookhouse for Children publishing company with Harry. Olive assumed the title of Editor and published all of her subsequent material either solely through The Bookhouse or through other publishing companies in conjunction with The Bookhouse.
Olive published the first volume of the My Bookhouse series in 1920 and set to work on the next five volumes. My Bookhouse became the first collection of children's literature which was graded to meet the developing needs and abilities of children at different ages.
Olive began publishing the nine volume series A Picturesque Tale of Progress in 1929. In 1934 Olive revised My Bookhouse, expanding the series from six volumes to twelve.
When Olive and Harry were divorced in May 1935, he resigned his position as President of The Book House. In addition to being Editor, Olive was elected Vice-President by the Board of Directors, who hoped that this post would keep her from pursuing a more managerial role in the company. Olive achieved the position of Chairman of the Board in 1939 and held it until 1954.
The Book House for Children was sold to United Educators in 1954. Olive remained Chairman of the Board in an advisory capacity until she retired in 1962. She moved to Tucson, AZ where she lived with her daughter Virginia (Miller) Read and family until her death on March 25, 1968.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 12, 2019
This is a perfectly beautiful book with classic tales from all over the world. Even though most of the stories were taken from longer books and rewritten a bit, they were so deep and well-written that it seemed as if each tale was complete in itself.
I will break this book down in a short review for each story, including separate ratings.
There are also lovely poems throughout, but I will not include them in the list.
Una and the Red Cross Knight
5 stars.
This was one of my very favourites in the book. An English story wrought with chivalry, romance, righteousness and mercy, it shows how a truly just knight should act, and how a pure, gracious woman should as well.
Una has a friend who is a lion, and he reminded me so much of Aslan from Narnia- protecting her, being a dear companion when the Red Cross Knight could not be there to be her guard, and fighting for her to the death. Unlike Aslan, however, he does not rise again, for this lion is not an emblem of Jesus.
Ye Merry Doinges of Robin Hood
3 1/2 stars
Most everyone has heard of Robinhood, that daring, merry outlaw of the British forests.
But not everyone knows- at least, I did not- that at the end of the story, the King accepts him as captain of the guard at his court in London, and he is now on the side of the law. I like Robin Hood. He is chivalrous and gentlemanly and pure, and wins Maid Marian in such a lovely way, but some of his deeds are unscrupulous. I mean that of his robbing the rich to give to the poor. I have naught against a hero who returns exactly what was stolen from a rich person to give to a poor one, but not knowing who stole what, and plundering them no matter what is, I believe very unjust.
But all ends well, and I am glad indeed.
The Emperor's New Clothes
2 stars
I think this is somewhat a foolish story, not worthy of much merit, I believe. I am grateful, however, for the lesson that the Emperor learns about vanity, and that he is shown in the pictures with his underclothes on, instead of nothing at all.
Quite funny for young children, I think.
The Story of Alfred, the Saxon
5 stars
Alfred the Great, as he was called, was one of the most godly kings in all the history of Englands many rulers.
He was wise, gentle, God-fearing, meek, and just.
This story spans in a few pages the main points of his life, from when he was made king in 871 AD at the age of twenty three years, to his death in 901 AD.
He ruled England in righteousness and the laws of his King, the Lord of Lords, and never was puffed up because of his many victories in war against the pagan Danes. I love this king- he was so noble and lived such a beautiful Christian life.
This is "The Hymn of Alfred":
To God all is present, both that which was before, and that which is now, yea and that which shall be after us;
All is present to Him.
His abundance never waxeth, nor doth it ever wane. He never calleth aught to mind, for He hath forgotten naught.
He looketh for naught, for He knoweth all. He seeketh nothing, for He hath lost nothing. He pursueth no creature, for none may flee from Him; nor doth He dread aught, for nothing is more mighty than He. He is ever giving, yet He waneth in naught. He is ever Almighty, for He ever willeth good and never evil. He needeth nothing. He is ever watching, never sleeping. He is ever equally beneficent. He is ever eternal, for the time never was when He was not, nor ever shall be.
The Surprising Adventures of Don Quixote of La Mancha
2 stars.
Foolish piece of work this is, I daresay, in my opinion. I always felt like he needed me to talk him into shape, or a mother to spank him. How dumb and stupid Don Quixote is! Why, even his "squire" who is not very bright knows more than he!
Wolfert Webber, or Golden Dreams
1 star.
This English tale truly has the wrong spirit. The main character craves for gold- and gold he gets at the end, and attributes nothing to God.
Gold was the end Wolfert longed for, and gold was the end he gained. He had no joy other than in his money, fame, and power, and he was not even the object of a lesson, but only a vain story himself.
The Two Pilgrims
5 stars
This wonderful little lesson-tale was written by the wise Russian authour- Leo Tolstoy.
In this story, two old men travel to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage, and one, who never reached his goal, pleased Christ the most by his deeds of mercy. Unlike the other man who, feeling it a necessary duty, traveled there out of inner compulsion to light candles at the shrines in the Holy Land, not giving of himself to Jesus.
The melting pot
4 1/2
A young Russian Jew immigrates from his native home to America; in search of freedom from the horrors of the government murdering his family, and the fulfillment of his fervent dreams to become a great violinist and orchestra composer.
He finds some of his family there, and a lovely girl who happens to be the daughter of the man who ordered the massacre of his people, though he does not know until later.
1/2 star has been removed from my rating, due to the mentions of the boy's theory that "the God of our fathers will become the God of our children" and words to the effect that all the "great religions of the world" will be stirred up in the big melting pot.
I do not agree with that belief in the least. There has always been ONE true God, who will never change and never has.
Coaly-Bay, the outlaw horse
4 stars
This is a simple western tale of an invincible stallion who would not be tamed, nor killed, and escapes any man's efforts to break him down, or take his life.
Richard Feveral and the Hay-Rick
2 stars
A good story about an English boy who learns his lesson to be honest, but very uninteresting in my point of view.
The boy's adventures are quite like those I have read before in other books, with not much freshness or flavour to the tale. Well worth a young boy's time, who must learn to be truthful and righteous.
Winter Neighbours
3 stars
A nature lover's recordings of his observances in the woods, watching the birds and beasts live their winter lives.
Mr. Hampden's Shipwreck
2 stars
An English tale of a man's shipwrecked time on an island, and how he survives and returns to his home. Written in the strain of "Robinson Crusoe" or "The Swiss Family Robinson".
Very much like those stories, and thus similar to a rewrite to me, and uncaptivating.
Robert Bruce, Scotland's Hero
5 stars
Robert the Bruce! King of Scotland!
This is a beautiful short telling of the courageous and righteous deeds of Robert Bruce, the man who led Scotland out of oppression and into freedom!
So intriguing to me is the story of how the spider helped him decide whether to fight again, or give up his arms against the king of England. That spider God put there at the right time, and worked through it to give the Bruce new-found courage.
The Legend of William Tell
5 stars
A man's great love for his son, a boy's great faith in his father.
I like to think that this English legend is true. That William Tell really did shoot the apple perfectly in half off of his son's head; that he really did intimidate and drive away the oppressors of his village.
This is truly a story of brave deeds and great filial love.
Joseph and His Brethren
5 stars
This is the story of Joseph from the Old Testament, paraphrased, but surprisingly accurate to the Holy Bible, especially since many verses are included.
It tells how Joseph's brothers sold him to the Egyptians as a slave, how God raised him to a prominent position in Egypt after preserving him while he lingered so long in jail, being accused falsely of wrongdoing; how he was reunited with his youngest brother- the son of his own mother- and how he forgave his ten brothers and saw his aged father once again.
The story of Roland, a song of deeds
5 stars
A tragic, glorious tale of the godly French King Charlemagne's nephew Roland's heroic deeds and equally heroic death.
Joan of Arc
4 stars
A young French maiden long, long ago lead her people to victory many times, until it ceased to be God's will, and the French army thus started to decline in victories.
The maid Joan was then rejected by her king and the people whom she loved and helped, and was burned at the stake at last by the English accused of witchcraft; but never once did she cry out nor reject the Saviour she loved.
Her last word was "Jesus!", and she was received into glory, a pure little mite of a girl.
A Tale of Cid and His Daughters
5 stars
A Spanish gentleman accused of aiding the pagan Moors is exiled, but then, when the King sees how he fought in his new town against the Moors for his king, was welcomed back as his most treasured friend, and had a personal escort attend the Cid's wife and daughters to be reconciled to him.
Thus begins the adventures of the daughters. Two rogues, who the King thought well-bred and good matches for any girls, were sent to claim the girls' hands,
But proved unworthy and they were soon rescued from their hands when they kidnapped them and shoved them around.
The girls were then brought back to their parents, and two honourable noble men came in due time and married them.
Sir Beaumains, the Kitchen Knight
5 stars
This is a gloriously adventurous English tale of a young man who longs to be in King Arthur's court, and be one of his highly acclaimed knights.
He can only procure the position of a kitchen servant, but this does not daunt him. Going to the King, he begs him to knight him privately and let him accomplish great honour in going forth to succour those in need. King Arthur agrees, and forthwith there comes a lady who says her sister is locked up in her own castle.
She scorns Sir Beaumains (which means fair hands) because he is only a kitchen knight; but she is proved wrong when he shows her his valor, and at the end he wins her as his bride.
Frithjof, the Viking
4 stars
A Norse story of great deeds, great love, and great honour.
An old king takes as his wife a young girl who the young man, Frithjof the Viking loved. His heart was grieved sore, but after a while, when he saw the conniving king asleep, he almost kills him so he can have his beloved back who always loved him and was forced into marriage. But he realizes that it would be very wrong, and the King promises him that when he dies of old age, he may reign as regent for his little son (from his first wife) and marry his widow. So in the end, Frithjof is noth honourable and righteous, and wins Ingeborg as his wife.
A star is taken away because of some false gods mentioned, that I edited out.
Kalevala, Land of Heroes
4 stars
This is a Finnish folk tale, written in beautiful style, of a man and boy both seeking to win the same fair maiden. One loses, the other wins, and they live happily ever after.
White Aster
5 stars
A lovely traditional Chinese tale of a girl named White Aster, who loses her mother when she dies out of grief for not seeing her wayward son again, or her husband who gets lost from them. White Aster finds her brother- who happens to not be her brother after all, but the son of the woman who brought her up as her own- and her father (who is really her foster-father).
And at the end she marries Akitoshi, and they all live in peace and happiness together in the shadow of their beloved mountain.
The Exile of Rama
4 stars
This is an Indian traditional story of three brothers, one destined to be a great king in the place of his aged father. It reminds me of the stories in the old Testament, where, when a king had more than one wife, complications would happen between the sons, their mothers, and their father. It is such a good reminder of another reason why God created a man to have one, and only one, wife.
But thankfully, Rama wins a wonderfully loving wife, who would go anywhere with him, even if into danger, and his brothers are also kind to him.
Cuchulain, the Irish Hound
5 stars
Long, long ago in old Erin, is this tale set. It is about a young boy who lived with his loving father and mother, the King and Queen of that land, but grew to love adventure, and long to travel to his uncle's castle- who also was a king.
He gains favour in the court as a sturdy lad, but in future he is looked upon as a great hero with immense strength.
How Beowulf Delivered Heorot
5 stars
Beowulf, the righteous; Grendel the demon.
Both fighting each other. One for his God and the purifying of his country, the other for evil supremacy.
And who wins? Who always wins in the end?
Whi teaches our hands for war against the demons of darkness?
God Almoghty is praised in this old English story, He is given the glory for the Beowulf's victory over the evil one. This tale reminded me much of Pilgrim's Progress.
The Home-coming of Ulysses
3 stars
This is a revised short story from Homer's Greek epic, the Odyssey, and with editing, it is indeed a good story with sound morals and virtues.
A story of Rustem, the Hero of Persia
4 1/2 stars
The white-haired son of the Chieftain Saum is left to perish on the mountain top because his father was taunted and scorned because his son was born with white hair.
But on the mountain, a great big mother bird took Zal, and raised him in her gigantic nest along with her own offspring. He grew strong and wise, and his father found him with joy, and repented his sin. He married, and had a son of his own- Rustem by name, who chose a horse out of a thousand named Rakush, and went forth to eliminate the big evil deevs (a type of geni). He conquered and destroyed them all, even killing the huge white deev, and set a good man upon the throne of the land where darkness used to rule.
I will break this book down in a short review for each story, including separate ratings.
There are also lovely poems throughout, but I will not include them in the list.
Una and the Red Cross Knight
5 stars.
This was one of my very favourites in the book. An English story wrought with chivalry, romance, righteousness and mercy, it shows how a truly just knight should act, and how a pure, gracious woman should as well.
Una has a friend who is a lion, and he reminded me so much of Aslan from Narnia- protecting her, being a dear companion when the Red Cross Knight could not be there to be her guard, and fighting for her to the death. Unlike Aslan, however, he does not rise again, for this lion is not an emblem of Jesus.
Ye Merry Doinges of Robin Hood
3 1/2 stars
Most everyone has heard of Robinhood, that daring, merry outlaw of the British forests.
But not everyone knows- at least, I did not- that at the end of the story, the King accepts him as captain of the guard at his court in London, and he is now on the side of the law. I like Robin Hood. He is chivalrous and gentlemanly and pure, and wins Maid Marian in such a lovely way, but some of his deeds are unscrupulous. I mean that of his robbing the rich to give to the poor. I have naught against a hero who returns exactly what was stolen from a rich person to give to a poor one, but not knowing who stole what, and plundering them no matter what is, I believe very unjust.
But all ends well, and I am glad indeed.
The Emperor's New Clothes
2 stars
I think this is somewhat a foolish story, not worthy of much merit, I believe. I am grateful, however, for the lesson that the Emperor learns about vanity, and that he is shown in the pictures with his underclothes on, instead of nothing at all.
Quite funny for young children, I think.
The Story of Alfred, the Saxon
5 stars
Alfred the Great, as he was called, was one of the most godly kings in all the history of Englands many rulers.
He was wise, gentle, God-fearing, meek, and just.
This story spans in a few pages the main points of his life, from when he was made king in 871 AD at the age of twenty three years, to his death in 901 AD.
He ruled England in righteousness and the laws of his King, the Lord of Lords, and never was puffed up because of his many victories in war against the pagan Danes. I love this king- he was so noble and lived such a beautiful Christian life.
This is "The Hymn of Alfred":
To God all is present, both that which was before, and that which is now, yea and that which shall be after us;
All is present to Him.
His abundance never waxeth, nor doth it ever wane. He never calleth aught to mind, for He hath forgotten naught.
He looketh for naught, for He knoweth all. He seeketh nothing, for He hath lost nothing. He pursueth no creature, for none may flee from Him; nor doth He dread aught, for nothing is more mighty than He. He is ever giving, yet He waneth in naught. He is ever Almighty, for He ever willeth good and never evil. He needeth nothing. He is ever watching, never sleeping. He is ever equally beneficent. He is ever eternal, for the time never was when He was not, nor ever shall be.
The Surprising Adventures of Don Quixote of La Mancha
2 stars.
Foolish piece of work this is, I daresay, in my opinion. I always felt like he needed me to talk him into shape, or a mother to spank him. How dumb and stupid Don Quixote is! Why, even his "squire" who is not very bright knows more than he!
Wolfert Webber, or Golden Dreams
1 star.
This English tale truly has the wrong spirit. The main character craves for gold- and gold he gets at the end, and attributes nothing to God.
Gold was the end Wolfert longed for, and gold was the end he gained. He had no joy other than in his money, fame, and power, and he was not even the object of a lesson, but only a vain story himself.
The Two Pilgrims
5 stars
This wonderful little lesson-tale was written by the wise Russian authour- Leo Tolstoy.
In this story, two old men travel to Jerusalem on a pilgrimage, and one, who never reached his goal, pleased Christ the most by his deeds of mercy. Unlike the other man who, feeling it a necessary duty, traveled there out of inner compulsion to light candles at the shrines in the Holy Land, not giving of himself to Jesus.
The melting pot
4 1/2
A young Russian Jew immigrates from his native home to America; in search of freedom from the horrors of the government murdering his family, and the fulfillment of his fervent dreams to become a great violinist and orchestra composer.
He finds some of his family there, and a lovely girl who happens to be the daughter of the man who ordered the massacre of his people, though he does not know until later.
1/2 star has been removed from my rating, due to the mentions of the boy's theory that "the God of our fathers will become the God of our children" and words to the effect that all the "great religions of the world" will be stirred up in the big melting pot.
I do not agree with that belief in the least. There has always been ONE true God, who will never change and never has.
Coaly-Bay, the outlaw horse
4 stars
This is a simple western tale of an invincible stallion who would not be tamed, nor killed, and escapes any man's efforts to break him down, or take his life.
Richard Feveral and the Hay-Rick
2 stars
A good story about an English boy who learns his lesson to be honest, but very uninteresting in my point of view.
The boy's adventures are quite like those I have read before in other books, with not much freshness or flavour to the tale. Well worth a young boy's time, who must learn to be truthful and righteous.
Winter Neighbours
3 stars
A nature lover's recordings of his observances in the woods, watching the birds and beasts live their winter lives.
Mr. Hampden's Shipwreck
2 stars
An English tale of a man's shipwrecked time on an island, and how he survives and returns to his home. Written in the strain of "Robinson Crusoe" or "The Swiss Family Robinson".
Very much like those stories, and thus similar to a rewrite to me, and uncaptivating.
Robert Bruce, Scotland's Hero
5 stars
Robert the Bruce! King of Scotland!
This is a beautiful short telling of the courageous and righteous deeds of Robert Bruce, the man who led Scotland out of oppression and into freedom!
So intriguing to me is the story of how the spider helped him decide whether to fight again, or give up his arms against the king of England. That spider God put there at the right time, and worked through it to give the Bruce new-found courage.
The Legend of William Tell
5 stars
A man's great love for his son, a boy's great faith in his father.
I like to think that this English legend is true. That William Tell really did shoot the apple perfectly in half off of his son's head; that he really did intimidate and drive away the oppressors of his village.
This is truly a story of brave deeds and great filial love.
Joseph and His Brethren
5 stars
This is the story of Joseph from the Old Testament, paraphrased, but surprisingly accurate to the Holy Bible, especially since many verses are included.
It tells how Joseph's brothers sold him to the Egyptians as a slave, how God raised him to a prominent position in Egypt after preserving him while he lingered so long in jail, being accused falsely of wrongdoing; how he was reunited with his youngest brother- the son of his own mother- and how he forgave his ten brothers and saw his aged father once again.
The story of Roland, a song of deeds
5 stars
A tragic, glorious tale of the godly French King Charlemagne's nephew Roland's heroic deeds and equally heroic death.
Joan of Arc
4 stars
A young French maiden long, long ago lead her people to victory many times, until it ceased to be God's will, and the French army thus started to decline in victories.
The maid Joan was then rejected by her king and the people whom she loved and helped, and was burned at the stake at last by the English accused of witchcraft; but never once did she cry out nor reject the Saviour she loved.
Her last word was "Jesus!", and she was received into glory, a pure little mite of a girl.
A Tale of Cid and His Daughters
5 stars
A Spanish gentleman accused of aiding the pagan Moors is exiled, but then, when the King sees how he fought in his new town against the Moors for his king, was welcomed back as his most treasured friend, and had a personal escort attend the Cid's wife and daughters to be reconciled to him.
Thus begins the adventures of the daughters. Two rogues, who the King thought well-bred and good matches for any girls, were sent to claim the girls' hands,
But proved unworthy and they were soon rescued from their hands when they kidnapped them and shoved them around.
The girls were then brought back to their parents, and two honourable noble men came in due time and married them.
Sir Beaumains, the Kitchen Knight
5 stars
This is a gloriously adventurous English tale of a young man who longs to be in King Arthur's court, and be one of his highly acclaimed knights.
He can only procure the position of a kitchen servant, but this does not daunt him. Going to the King, he begs him to knight him privately and let him accomplish great honour in going forth to succour those in need. King Arthur agrees, and forthwith there comes a lady who says her sister is locked up in her own castle.
She scorns Sir Beaumains (which means fair hands) because he is only a kitchen knight; but she is proved wrong when he shows her his valor, and at the end he wins her as his bride.
Frithjof, the Viking
4 stars
A Norse story of great deeds, great love, and great honour.
An old king takes as his wife a young girl who the young man, Frithjof the Viking loved. His heart was grieved sore, but after a while, when he saw the conniving king asleep, he almost kills him so he can have his beloved back who always loved him and was forced into marriage. But he realizes that it would be very wrong, and the King promises him that when he dies of old age, he may reign as regent for his little son (from his first wife) and marry his widow. So in the end, Frithjof is noth honourable and righteous, and wins Ingeborg as his wife.
A star is taken away because of some false gods mentioned, that I edited out.
Kalevala, Land of Heroes
4 stars
This is a Finnish folk tale, written in beautiful style, of a man and boy both seeking to win the same fair maiden. One loses, the other wins, and they live happily ever after.
White Aster
5 stars
A lovely traditional Chinese tale of a girl named White Aster, who loses her mother when she dies out of grief for not seeing her wayward son again, or her husband who gets lost from them. White Aster finds her brother- who happens to not be her brother after all, but the son of the woman who brought her up as her own- and her father (who is really her foster-father).
And at the end she marries Akitoshi, and they all live in peace and happiness together in the shadow of their beloved mountain.
The Exile of Rama
4 stars
This is an Indian traditional story of three brothers, one destined to be a great king in the place of his aged father. It reminds me of the stories in the old Testament, where, when a king had more than one wife, complications would happen between the sons, their mothers, and their father. It is such a good reminder of another reason why God created a man to have one, and only one, wife.
But thankfully, Rama wins a wonderfully loving wife, who would go anywhere with him, even if into danger, and his brothers are also kind to him.
Cuchulain, the Irish Hound
5 stars
Long, long ago in old Erin, is this tale set. It is about a young boy who lived with his loving father and mother, the King and Queen of that land, but grew to love adventure, and long to travel to his uncle's castle- who also was a king.
He gains favour in the court as a sturdy lad, but in future he is looked upon as a great hero with immense strength.
How Beowulf Delivered Heorot
5 stars
Beowulf, the righteous; Grendel the demon.
Both fighting each other. One for his God and the purifying of his country, the other for evil supremacy.
And who wins? Who always wins in the end?
Whi teaches our hands for war against the demons of darkness?
God Almoghty is praised in this old English story, He is given the glory for the Beowulf's victory over the evil one. This tale reminded me much of Pilgrim's Progress.
The Home-coming of Ulysses
3 stars
This is a revised short story from Homer's Greek epic, the Odyssey, and with editing, it is indeed a good story with sound morals and virtues.
A story of Rustem, the Hero of Persia
4 1/2 stars
The white-haired son of the Chieftain Saum is left to perish on the mountain top because his father was taunted and scorned because his son was born with white hair.
But on the mountain, a great big mother bird took Zal, and raised him in her gigantic nest along with her own offspring. He grew strong and wise, and his father found him with joy, and repented his sin. He married, and had a son of his own- Rustem by name, who chose a horse out of a thousand named Rakush, and went forth to eliminate the big evil deevs (a type of geni). He conquered and destroyed them all, even killing the huge white deev, and set a good man upon the throne of the land where darkness used to rule.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2025
I tried listening to a few of the stories in the Librivox edition, but I wasn't enjoying them, or most of the narrators I sampled.
I wouldn't give this book to a child to read. The stories vary too much in accessibility and interest for modern kids. However I would recommend it as a resource. I think the variety of styles, topics and material would make it helpful to educators or home schoolers.
I wouldn't give this book to a child to read. The stories vary too much in accessibility and interest for modern kids. However I would recommend it as a resource. I think the variety of styles, topics and material would make it helpful to educators or home schoolers.
November 9, 2010
This set of 12 books is a must in every home. It starts with nursery rhymes and continues all the way to liturature that is required highschool reading. I chose this volume to show the beautiful cover. These books have been a delightful source of reading and getting ideas for many things!
August 16, 2021
I grew up on these volumes as did my 4 younger sisters and one brother. Our housekeepers and nannies read them too. They may seem antiquated in language, but they are classic. If presented the right way, these can be enriching experiences for children at appropriate ages, as the volumes present the stories. I used them in my 4, 5, and 6th grade classrooms through the years, and my students benefited by stretching to comprehend and enjoy the beautiful language and the amazing stories. Olive Beaupré Miller was a visionary. She introduced multicultural language arts decades before they were to be found in public school curricula.
Then there are the illustrations. The artists and illustrators are today highly honored and considered masters.
Then there are the illustrations. The artists and illustrators are today highly honored and considered masters.
January 17, 2021
Cover illustration by M.D. Charleston / '20, depicting a fair maiden on a white horse, her strong-faced protector riding by her side.
“And now within the old gray tower
We’ve climbed the winding stair,
And look out over all the earth
From topmost window there.
Far stretches all the world away,
And naught shuts out the sky,
And knights and maids and all of life
Go marching, marching by.”
Favorite story: “Una and the Red Cross Knight”. Retold from Book I of The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser. “Now Glo-ri-an’a was that greatest, most glorious Queen of Faeryland…”
“And now within the old gray tower
We’ve climbed the winding stair,
And look out over all the earth
From topmost window there.
Far stretches all the world away,
And naught shuts out the sky,
And knights and maids and all of life
Go marching, marching by.”
Favorite story: “Una and the Red Cross Knight”. Retold from Book I of The Faerie Queene by Edmund Spenser. “Now Glo-ri-an’a was that greatest, most glorious Queen of Faeryland…”
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