personages as related in the original work Scudder's Book of Folk Stories.-Mr. Horace E. Scudder has made a small volume of the old familiar fairy tales and stories, placing it in many of the best known companions of our childhood. He includes "Cinderella,' "Puss in Boots," "The Sleeping Beauty," Jack and the Beanstalk," "Dick Whittington," "Tom Thumb," and several others whose individuality will at once be suggested by those named. "My pleasant task," Mr. Scudder says, "has been to rewrite them in such form that they may be read by children themselves, at an age when they are most capable of enjoying them. I have not knowingly departed from the generally accepted structure of the stories." (Houghton, M. & Co. 60 c.) Fairy Legends of the French Provinces.-We have a delightful addition to the juvenile literature of the time in "Fairy Legends of the French Provinces," of which Mrs. M. Carey is the translator. They are quaint, fantastic, poetic, humorous, with a charm which no other literature possesses. They are taken from the choicest and most authentic sources. There is a feast of wonderment in this book for children of all growths. (Crowell. $1.25.) Nursery Rhymes.-The old familiar doggerels that we have all sung in our childhood days, such as" Little Tommy Tucker," "Old Mother Hubbard," "Peter Piper," "Little Boy Blue," and "Wee Willie Winkie," are offered in a new setting, under the title "Favorite Rhymes for the Nursery." Pretty pictures and plenty of them, and a bright red cover, with a design of the cat playing the fiddle and the cow jumping over the moon, make this a charming edition of old Mother Goose's melodies. (Nelson. 50 c.) Little Peter: A Christmas Morality.-Little Peter was a small, cunning boy, with a black curly head, and very round eyes for many things surprised him-and a dear little red mouth that was sweet to kiss, and nice fat cheeks that were nice to pinch. Lucas Malet has written a lovely story, full of fairy lore, delightful humor, and touching pathos. Everything in nature and in his own little heart is personified and speaks to Peter, from which the story takes its quaint From "Tanglewood Tales." sub-title, for in former days a morality was a (Copyright. 1357, by Houghton, Mifflin & Co.) play in which abstract ideas were the characters. acquaintance with Alice and John Humphreys, The illustrations are very pretty. (Appleton. who taught her so many lessons and who were so $1.25. nearly perfect and yet so lovable, are as fresh today as when first written. The publishers have now an edition of this pretty, wholesome story, illustrated with etchings by Frederick Dielman and printed on laid paper. Mr. Dielman has chosen some of the most striking scenes, and his work adds much to the attractiveness of the story. (Lippincott. $2.50.) Two New Books by Miss Alcott.-Two little volumes of short stories are among the good things from dear Louisa M. Alcott. A Garland for Girls" ($1.25) and "Lulu's Library, v. 2" ($1), will prove healthy, cheerful reading for young girls. The first is uniform with " Spinning Wheel Stories" and "Proverb Stories," the second is a thinner book and for younger children. Bright, interesting tales of natural boys and girls, simply told, all with a good moral undercurrent, may be found in either volume. Miss Jessie McDermott is the illustrator of both. (Roberts.) Toto's Merry Winter, by Laura E. Richards, promises to be one of the most popular "juveniles" of the season. All the little ones, and big ones too for that matter-and their name is legion-who read "The Joyous Story of Tote," will surely want its successor. It is a charming book, overflowing with a quaint original humor. Bruin, Coon and Cracker, Toto and his blind grandmother spend a most enviable winter together. The little book is illustrated in the same quaint, graphic way as "The Joyous Story of Toto." (Roberts. $1.25.) Prince Little Boy.-Dr. Mitchell is not only gifted with the power of entertaining the mature and thoughtful by his novels, scientific works, etc., but has the rare faculty of pleasing the children by the stories his fancy so readily weaves. Several of the best and most familiar of these stories are collected in this volume, and a number of others equally interesting have been written especially for it. The illustrations by F. S. Church and H. Siddons Mowbray are very appropriate, and no child will fail to appreciate and enjoy the work. (Lippincott. $1.50.) Juan and Juanita" is the title of an interesting child's story," says the Boston Commonwealth, "written by Frances Courtenay Baylor and profusely illustrated by Henry Sandham. The tale is founded upon an historical fact, as follows: Some years ago two Mexican children living on the Rio Grande were captured by Indians, and Only a Year. This is one of the earlier tales of carried off to the Llanos Estacados. After being Jane Andrews, the author of "Seven Little Sisters" kept in captivity for four years they managed to and "Ten Boys Who Lived on the Road from Long make their escape, and, in the words of the author, Ago to Now." Like the latter stories it has its les-safely accomplished the almost impossible and truly incredible feat of walking three hundred son well hidden in appetizing sweets. The little miles and more through virgin wilds, with only hero, a poor waif who appeals for food and shelter to a thriving happy household one bright like Europa's to shorten so much as one weary such protection as Una had, and no friendly bull Thanksgiving day, is given a chance to do somemile of all that great distance, led no doubt by thing with his neglected life. In a year he accomplishes wonders, while the reader makes the ac- guardian angels who knew enough of mundane quaintance of the members of the Trafton family, Texas, and then restore them to their mother in geography to bring them first to the frontier of gets interested in their various fortunes, and hears Mexico.' The letter-press of this entertaining some pretty stories related beside the winter firebook is excellent, and the binding neat and side. (Lee & S. $1.) appropriate." (Ticknor. $1.50.) A Flock of Girls.-"It is hardly extravagant to say that there has not been for years a collection of stories so thoroughly desirable for the reading of young girls," says the Boston Traveller, "as the short stories by Miss Nora Perry, gathered together in this volume under the alluring title of 'A Flock of Girls.' They are genuine girls' stories, full of sparkle and brilliancy, and are told in that easy, graphic style, full of vitality and charm, which characterizes Miss Perry's stories. The pictures of girls' life at Newport, set in the heart of summer glow and loveliness; of the life in boarding-schools; transcriptions from quiet days at home; the subtle delicacy and refinements of life that characterize the genuine lady whose good breeding is but the outer expression of a good heart; all these fine ideals are revealed in a natural, unconscious way that is captivating." (Ticknor. $1.50.) The Wide, Wide World. It is twenty-five years since "The Wide, Wide World" was first read, and since then it has always been a favorite book with all girls who have been fortunate enough to read it. Poor little Ellen Montgomery's despair at leaving her mother, her meeting with her hard energetic aunt, her misery when all her pretty white stockings were dyed a dark slate-color, her Ready About. It is thirty-three years, Mr. Wm. T. Adams tells us, since he began to write his "Oliver Optic" books for young folks, and since then he has put out no less than twelve "series." In this flood the latest, perhaps, is "the sixth and last" of the Boat-Builder Series, and is entitled 64 Ready About." We confess to have read it through, because it presents, in the guise of a story of adventure, full directions how to sail a boat. The names of the ropes, the sails, etc., are all given and explained, and in the several situations that are described the reader will discover how they are all applied in actual sailing. One of the things worth doing, in this country, is to encourage the growth of a new generation of men who love a ship. (Lee & S. $1.25.) A School Story.— "Some of Our Fellows" is a school story for boys, by the Rev. T. S. Millington. Nether Cray" was a school situated on an out-of-the-way English coast. The boys have the usual joys and trials of school-life. Pougher and Pierre are the heroes. Pougher is a rich boy and Pierre a little waif, picked up at sea. Their friendship suffers owing to a misunderstanding which leads to many interesting scenes. A small pretty quarto, with sixteen illustrations. (Roberts. $2.) Peter Budstone.-The story of "Peter Budstone," the latest volume from J. T. Trowbridge's pen and completing the favorite Tide Mill Stories, contains a forcible moral on hazing." It is a strong story, too, carried directly through to a dramatic climax. "Captain Sam" is the real hero, though his poor half-crazy brother "Pete" excites considerable interest. "Pete" has lost his wits through an inhuman "hazing" at college, his whole career being spoiled, and he left in the full strength of his young manhood a helpless burthen upon his poor family. The fear that cruel neighbors will have him placed in the county insane asylum causes Sam to carry his brother off to a wild part of the country and hide him there. Their adventures here are quite exciting, especially where the young men are accidentally brought in contact with the young fellow who had been the original cause of the "hazing." Boys cannot help liking the book, it is so fresh " In Savage Africa.-This book is also by Mr. Lovett-Cameron, the author of "Across Africa' and Jack Hooper." Frank Baldwin, who has chafed for some time at an English school, suddenly one morning receives a letter from his father, telling him he will be taken on board the good ship Petrel, commanded by his father, and that he may start his career as a sailor in the merchant service between Liverpool and Africa. The hero is taken prisoner, escapes from a slave ship, is captured by cannibals, meets with Arabs, goes through every variety of difficulty and danger, and and honest and teaches such manly lessons of courage and endurance. (Lee & Shepard. $1.25.) Afloat in a Great City." It is not specifically stated upon the title-page," says the N. Y. Evening Telegram," that this is a book for boys, but it is evident from subject and treatment that it is intended to be so. There has been a great variety in the stories published for a clientèle of this nature and the space left for evolution between Sandford and Merton' and Tom Brown's SchoolDays' is very wide indeed. It has been well traversed and greatly improved upon. The author has chosen to condense a good many strange and unusual incidents as happening to a good and stout-hearted though poor boy within the circumference of New York City. Mr. Munsey is 2 healthy expert at this sort of business. (Cassell.) Jack Hooper.-Making use of the material collected by him while in command of the English expedition sent out in 1872 in search of Dr. Livingstone, which was published under the title finally reaches a happy and romantic ending to his series of adventures. The book is fully illustrated. Our cut shows a surprise by a python. (Nelson. $1.50.) work is professedly," says the Boston Traveller, Col. Knox's Boy Travellers on the Congo.-"The a condensation of Mr. Stanley's two volumes into a single volume, and has been undertaken with the approbation and encouragement of the explorer. Col. Knox's characters, Dr. Bronson and his acquisitive nephews, Frank Bassett and Fred BronStanley on an ocean voyage, during which passon, are introduced as fellow-passengers with Mr. sages from Through the Dark Continent' are read which are numerous and extended, form the body in company. The excerpts from the original work, of the book and are connected with the condensation of the omitted matter and with occasional digressions. The original illustrations are supplemented by some taken from other books upon Africa." (Harper.) Zigzag Journeys in India.—Hezekiah Butterworth takes the Zigzag Club this year to the East. A visit to Bombay, Oudeypour, Delhi, Lucknow, Benares, and Calcutta is embraced under the title "Zigzag Journeys in India." Besides the account of the famous spots in those old cities, a charming collection of the household or zenänä tales of India woven into the narrative renders this volume of the famous " Zigzags exceptionally attractive. Gotten up uniform with other volumes of the series-with quantities of full-page pictures. (Estes & L. $1.75; $2.25.) Three Vassar Girls.-"Mrs. Champney's 'Three Vassar Girls' had a delightful journey through the South and West, staying for weeks in Florida, and visiting the noted places in the Rocky Mountains," says the Boston Post. "The illness of one of the girls was the only drawback to the pleasure, and even the illness resulted in good. They became interested in Chatto, Geronimo, and the rest of the Apache prisoners at St. Augustine; and afterward in the Žunis and Navajos. The book is profusely illustrated with full-page pictures of fine and interesting scenery and with many sketches by 'Champ.' (Estes & L. $1.50; $2.) Science for the Young.-John Gibson, the wellknown scientist, has written two books for the young, full of instruction and entertainment, "Chips from the Earth's Crust" ($1.25) and 'Monsters of the Sea, Legendary and Authentic" (60 c.) The first is a collection of science essays, enlarged from the Scotsman, where they first appeared. The author's plan is to discuss such subjects as land-slips, salt-mines, oil-wells, coal-mines, buried forests, earthquakes, meteor showers, tornadoes, etc., in the light of modern scientific discovery and in a way to interest the young, and to present the latest facts regarding these phenomena of nature. The second gives an account of the habits, structure, and uses of the monsters of the sea, including the " great sea serpent." (Nelson.) Dog Stories and Dog Lore.-" This book is wellnigh perfect," says the Boston Beacon, "giving large information about all sorts of dogs and their proper treatment in sickness and health. And in order to get at the truth of the matter, Colonel Knox shows how they are brought up; for one never likes a dog so well one has not brought up from puppyhood to intelligent maturity. Dog owners are advised not to overfeed their friends. It is almost safe to treat dogs as one treats human beings. At any rate, it must be a stupid dog that does not know the full meaning of kindness and good manners, and a foolish dog that does not resent injustice. The illustrations and the cover make it suitable for gift purposes." (Cassell. $2.50.) The Brownies: Their Book.- -"The small readers of St. Nicholas," says the Christian Register, who have fallen in love with Palmer Cox's absurd little Brownies, that have been sporting through the pages of that magazine for the past year, will be delighted to know that the stories and pictures which have filled their hearts with such delight are now to be found in one large and handsome volume. There is a vast amount of ingenuity, genuine wit, and kindly feeling in these pleasant rhymes; and we fancy the older readers of the family will have as much enjoyment in reading the book to the little ones as the little ones in hearing it read. We know one Brownie at least for whom a copy is laid away for Christmas, and in imagination can al ready hear his happy little laugh as he studies the pictures." (Century Co. $1.50.) for the young folks-and in this instance all of us St. Nicholas Magazine.-The Century Co. have are young-the customary volumes of St. Nich olas for 1887, with the familiar red covers that are girl. Crowded from cover to cover with pictures so sure of welcome at sight to every boy and and stories that make it so attractive, the bound standard gift-books and are about the best present volumes of St. Nicholas are now recognized as that can be made to a child who really loves reading. (Century Co. 2 v., $3.50.) Harper's Young People.-With every succeeding year it becomes more difficult to find new words of praise for Harper's Young People, though with every year praise is merited if possible more itself after it has said the same thing in different than before. But the English language exhausts words year after year, while Harper's Young People seems, so far from showing an end to its what it ought to be. The bound volume for the resources, to become fresher and more exactly year 1887 is a perfect treasure-house of entertainment and useful information. Stories, tricks, riddles, travels, descriptions, biographies, pretty verses, all made bright with pictures, of every kind, wonderful, funny, beautiful pictures, which are so fascinating to the boys and girls who pore over this volume after they have learned their lessons, and are never ready to go to bed until they have solved some puzzle, or left some favorite hero safe for the night. The bound volume for the past year or a subscription to Harper's Young People for the coming year is about as satisfactory a present as can be given, and this last pleas ure will last until the next bound volume comes and be fresh every one of the fifty-two weeks between this Christmas now upon us and the one that is to follow it after the postman has brought them fifty-two more Harper's Young People. (Harper. $3.50.) The Alphabet Book.-Ida Waugh's Alphabet Book shows this artist's talent to great advantage. Amy E. Blanchard has furnished the catching verses, and Miss Waugh has made twenty-six designs of children at play, illustrating the alphabet, which are printed in two tints on one side only of heavy plate paper. A verse is placed under each picture and then the page is encircled with a frame composed of little angels carrying the letters of the alphabet. The cover is a pale gray with a dainty, graceful design in dull browns and greens. (Lippincott. $1.) The Count of the Saxon Shore.-Prof. J. Alfred Church, with the collaboration of Miss Ruth Putnam, has written a charming tale of Ancient Rome, "The Count of the Saxon Shore." The scene is laid in Britain, about the year 408, when the Roman legions were finally withdrawn from the island; so little is known from history about this period that the writers have been permitted to draw largely upon their imaginations, the result being a novel, but the authors hope "not improbable," view of this important event-the abandon(Putnam. ment of Britain by the Romans. $1.50.) |