Robert D. San Souci

Long, long ago, lived a handsome young tsar named Peter. When he decided to marry, he rejected the beautiful Molnya because of her cold, hungry eyes. But Molnya was really a witch, and she put a curse on "When you find your hoped-for bride, your ruin will be at hand." When Peter goes off to marry the Little Sister of the Sun, Molnya disguises herself as a baby and gets taken into the tsar's castle. The "baby" soon grows to a monstrous size, destroying everything in sight, and Peter must hurry home to save his kingdom. With the help of three friendly giants and a little mouse, Peter escapes the giant witch-baby and lives to marry the Little Sister of the Sun and rule wisely and well.

Ghoulies, ghosties, and long-leggedy beasties inhabit these 30 chilling tales gathered from around the world. Creepy classic and contemporary stories from Australia, Germany, India, El Salvador, and elsewhere--including a healthy helping of American apparitions--will keep readers and listeners scared stiff. Do you dare walk down the lane where "Crooker Waits"? Or would you rather shake "The Hairy Hands"? Twenty eerie illustrations highlight this companion to Robert D. San Souci's earlier collections of scary stories, which School Library Journal called "an absolute delight. . . . Young readers will gobble up these thirty thrilling snacks and beg for more." Savor this supernatural treat for spine-tingling fun!

This ghoulish gal will steal your heart--just like she stole Prince Charnel's! Poor Cinderella Skeleton! Her evil stepsisters treat her with scorn and work her from dawn till dusk. But when Prince Charnel hosts his famous Halloween Ball, Cindy finally gets her chance to shine. With the help of a good witch, Cinderella Skeleton is transformed into the belle of the ball and steals the prince's heart. Then just as the sun peeks over the horizon, she must dash away! Will Prince Charnel ever find his true love again? Master storyteller Robert D. San Souci and award-winning illustrator David Catrow have dreamed up a hilarious fractured fairy tale about the most dreadful darling you've ever seen.

Margaret has a brave heart. She dreams of adventure and longs to travel to distant lands, so when a tall ship appears in the harbor, headed north to the Kingdoms of the Cold, Margaret won't be left behind. But adventures are perilous things. Soon Margaret must face a ferocious sea serpent and even worse dangers. And she must discover the truth about an old woman with strange powers and mysterious plans, or she'll never find a way to bring herself and her true love safely home. Acclaimed author Robert D. San Souci spins a tale of magic, battles, and romance in this traditional Irish story of a young woman whose courage astonishes her enemies -- and even herself.

A Southern folktale in which kind Blanche, following the instructions of an old witch, gains riches, while her greedy sister makes fun of the old woman and is duly rewarded.

Eager to escape her stepfather's scolding, Sukey, the hardworking daughter of poor South Carolina Islanders, unwittingly conjures up Mama Jo, a beautiful, brown-skinned mermaid, who gives Sukey a special gift.

Eskimo legend tells of a beautiful maiden, Sedna, who marries a mysterious, handsome hunter only to discover that he is really a demon.