A Book of Magic Animals

In the oldest stories, animals were never just animals.

Long before people wrote their tales down, they told stories by firelight about animals who could speak, animals who could grant wishes, animals who could change the course of a life with a single act of kindness — or mischief. These are those stories.

In this enchanting collection, Ruth Manning-Sanders gathers eleven fairy tales from across the world — Brittany, Russia, Sweden, England, Germany, Mallorca, French Canada, and Africa — each one featuring an animal with extraordinary magical powers. Some of these creatures help the humans they encounter. Others hinder them. And some do both, depending on whether the human heart proves worthy.

Here you’ll meet a little humpbacked horse from Russia whose ungainly appearance hides astonishing gifts; a frog named Mainu who serves as a magical go-between in an African tale of love and bravery; a small-tooth dog from England whose true nature is nothing like what it seems; a dolphin off the coast of Mallorca who repays a debt of kindness in the most unexpected way; and a great bear in Germany whose story will keep you guessing until the very last page. There are bulls who build houses, winds that take the shape of living creatures, and doves who put human hearts to the test.

Every tale carries the timeless wisdom of folklore: that appearances deceive, that kindness is repaid, and that the humblest creature may hold the greatest magic. Manning-Sanders retells each story with her celebrated warmth, wit, and precision — not a word wasted, yet every page alive with wonder. The award-winning Robin Jacques provides beautiful illustrations that capture the spirit and personality of each magical creature.

Stories include: The North-West Wind (Brittany) • The Little Humpbacked Horse (Russia) • Mainu the Frog (Africa) • Lilla Rosa (Sweden) • Eh! Eh! Tralala! (Russia) • The Small-Tooth Dog (England) • The Dolphin (Mallorca) • Little Barbette (Brittany) • Jon and His Brothers (French Canada) • Bull’s Winter House (Russia) • Elsa and the Bear (Germany)

Perfect for read-aloud sessions, bedtime storytelling, animal lovers of all ages, and young readers ages 6–12 who believe that the most magical things in the world often come on four legs, fins, or wings. A treasured volume in Ruth Manning-Sanders’ celebrated “A Book of…” folklore series.