UNKNOWN

Beware — the tricksters are waiting.

Devils and demons have haunted the tales of every culture since storytelling began. But what is the difference between a devil and demon? As Manning-Sanders explains in her wonderfully wry foreword, they share one thing in common: they are cunning tricksters armed with magic powers who take great delight in tormenting humans. The crucial difference? A demon can be defeated — but a devil is immortal and can never be destroyed.

In this spine-tingling collection, Ruth Manning-Sanders gathers twelve fairy tales from across the globe — Denmark, Transylvania, Finland, Hungary, India, Gascony, Alsace, the Carpathian Mountains, and Norway — each one pitting ordinary mortals against extraordinary evil. And yet, in the grand tradition of the very best fairy tales, it is always the brave, the clever, and the kind-hearted who come out on top.

Meet Tripple-Trapple, a Danish devil whose name alone is enough to send a shiver through you; a bold young man who dares to stand at the very gates of Hell in Hungary; a blacksmith from Gascony who strikes the most dangerous bargain of his life; and a mysterious little red mannikin lurking in the Carpathian Mountains. From a mischievous monkey nursemaid in India to the fearsome hill demon of Norway, these tales are by turns darkly thrilling, surprisingly funny, and deeply satisfying.

Manning-Sanders retells each story with her celebrated wit and precision — not a word wasted, yet every page crackling with tension and humor. The award-winning Robin Jacques provides striking illustrations that capture the menace and mischief of each devilish encounter.

Darker than fairy tales, brighter than horror — these are stories where good always triumphs, no matter how powerful the evil.

Stories include: Tripple-Trapple (Denmark) • The Demon’s Daughter (Transylvania) • Something Wonderful (Finland) • Jack at Hell Gate (Hungary) • The Monkey Nursemaid (India) • Ironhead (Hungary) • The Peppercorn Oxen (Hungary) • The Blacksmith and the Devil (Gascony) • The Kittle-Kittle Car (Alsace) • A Ride to Hell (Denmark) • The Little Red Mannikin (Carpathian Mountains) • The Hill Demon (Norway)

Perfect for read-aloud sessions, campfire storytelling, Halloween reading, and young readers ages 8–12 who are ready for tales with real teeth. A treasured volume in Ruth Manning-Sanders’ celebrated “A Book of…” folklore series.