Fairy Tales

by E.E. Cummings

Book Overview

The four tales in this enchanting, newly illustrated volume, tell of lonely and extraordinary characters finding friendship in unlikely companions. In "The Old Man Who Said Why" a wise fairy's kind nature is taxed when one old man's questions throw the entire heavens into madness. In "The Elephant and the Butterfly" and "The House That Ate Mosquito Pie" shyness is overcome by the compelling love of new friends. "The Little Girl Named I" is a conversation between the author and a small girl, in the manner of A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh.

Clever, insightful, and magical, peopled with vivid characters--a house that prefers one bird to any human inhabitants, an elephant paralyzed with delight, a fairy who "always breakfasted on light and silence"here are tales as only Cummings could write them. A delightful and surprising gift for anyone, young or old.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0871406586
• ISBN13: 9780871406583
• Release Date: November 2004
• Publisher: Liveright Publishing Corporation
• Length: 64 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.0" x 8.8"
• Age Range: 7 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 5

Customer Reviews

Fun fun fun to read and hear

These short stories are perfect, bedtime or anytime. They move along quickly and with a little bit of intonation go a "long, long, long, long, long" way in giving young children an appreciation of reading. Along with Oscar Wilde's children's stories and Dr Seuss's books, this is one of the best additions you can ever make to your child's library. The artwork is also superb.

Gentle, loving, and sensitive.

Cummings may be known for his unique style of poetry, but he should also be remembered for the most sensitive, loving fairy tales of the 20th Century. Read them to your children, no matter how old they are. I have been reading them for over 35 years.-- Sam Yulish, author of "Where Have All the Hippies Gone?" and "The Hesitant Psychic and other Strange Stories."

Surprisingly Edward Estlin, or not?

These fairy tales are beautifully nonsensical and touching to even those who are less than sentimental. They are precious, without any reservation using such a word. Each was evidently written with a careful, loving authorship and a sense of humor that without a doubt is the creative quirkiness of the poet Edward Estlin Cummings. If you know the poet, the tender, innocent personalness of these tales might even surprise you, or, at least, bring you closer to him and his writings.

Read it if Cummings moves, or even interests, you.

Truly this short collection is a must have for any Cummings lover. With all the incredible imagination of the children which they were written for, these stories are incredibly original, and especially infatuating.

cummings rocks my world

this book of fairytales is one of the sweetest books i have ever read. i got it about 11 years ago when i was six. i lost it for about eight years, than it resurfaced only for it to burn in fire soon after. i couldn't find this book ANYWHERE! and now that i've found it again i could cry! everyone should read this book, it is sweet, it flows well, and rather satisfying. my personal favourite story is the one about the elephant and the butterfly. quite possibly the most romantic story to ever surface. this book made me laugh cry and smile and everyone should read it. e.e. cummings rocks my world.