Sunday Surprise – Stories for Young People Edition!

After going through the Poetry for Young People series, I started looking for other books similar to this and stumbled upon the spin-off series Stories for Young People.  There’s not quite the collection that the Poetry has – Mark Twain and O. Henry – but I’m thinking they’re be more sooner or later. Here’s a few I’ve added to Ian’s to be bought list:

Edgar Allan Poe by Andrew Delbanco and Gerard DuBois (Illustrator)

Edgar Allan Poe’s brooding tales of murder, madness, and revenge still grab today’s readers. Here are five of his finest, presented and fully annotated by Andrew Delbanco, a much-honored professor of humanities at Columbia University whom Time magazine called “America’s Best Social Critic.” And throughout, chilling and evocative illustrations by renowned artist Gerard Dubois enhance the stories—among them a devilish, skull-like face to accompany “Masque of the Red Death” and an appropriately foreboding view of the House of Usher. The collection includes “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “The Oval Portrait”—and as always features an author biography, introductions to every story, and definitions of unfamiliar vocabulary.

Oscar Wilde by Merlin Holland and Louise Brierley (Illustrator)

A uniquely personal collection of Oscar Wilde’s stories, introduced by his very own grandson. Each tale is filled with wonder and joy.

Why, anyone can have common sense, provided that they have no imagination.” –From “The Remarkable Rocket”

“The Happy Prince.” “The Selfish Giant.” Anyone who has ever read these and other stories by Oscar Wilde will never forget the magical spell woven by his beautiful words. Now, Merlin Holland, the author’s grandson and a distinguished writer and lecturer himself, presents 5 of Wilde’s finest tales in their entirety. After an elegant and intimate discussion of Wilde’s life, complete with family reminiscences, Holland introduces each tale with loving care. He helps young readers understand the stories’ often profound themes and Wilde’s very special use of language. In addition to “Prince” and “Giant”, the compilation includes “The Nightingale and the Rose”, “The Devoted Friend”, and “The Remarkable Rocket.” They are the perfect tales for parents and children to share.

Leo Tolstoy by Donna Tussing Orwin and Herve Blondon (Illustrator)

Tolstoy may have written some of the most expansive novels in all literature, but he also created wonderful short works, too. In a spectacularly illustrated volume that captures all the atmosphere of Tolstoy’s Russia, Tolstoy scholar Donna Tussing Orwin carefully presents and annotates five of the writer’s finest stories: “God Sees the Truth, But Waits,” “How Much Land Does a Man Need?,” The Empty Drum,” “The Imp and the Crust,” and “Three Questions.” Louise and Aylmer Maude, who knew Tolstoy personally, have translated the text.

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.