This collection of children's animal stories is a classic of juvenile literature and still delights children today, just as in the past.
Not only do we find fiery dragons here, but dangerous dogs and demons; bears, bats, boars, and baboons; greyhounds and griffins; cows and crocodiles; hyenas and hippopotamuses; snakes, saints, and sheep; monkeys, mermaids, and mammoths; lions and llamas; and dozens of others from the wide and wonderful animal world. What a menagerie to excite the senses and lure the adventurous!
The Author, Lang, a noted historian, was also an incurable romantic—hence his great success in writing children's books. These stories, first published in 1899, were selected and edited by Lang. The ones about Tom the Bear are from the French work on natural history by Alexander Dumas. Most of the tales in the chapter "Thieving Dogs and Horses" were published by Sir Walter Scott. Sixty-eight excellent and evocative illustrations enhance the stories and the reader's enjoyment of them.