The Grey Fairy Book

Step into a world where ancient myths mingle with fresh imagination, gathered from the forests of Lithuania to the deserts of Africa and the fairy‑tale lanes of Europe. Each story has been softly translated to keep the rhythm of oral tradition while inviting modern ears, preserving talking animals, enchanted garments and clever tricksters. The collection’s charm lies in the surprising blend of familiar motifs with cultures you may not have met before.

Among the tales you’ll hear a princess who trades her royal identity for a humble donkey's skin, a mischievous goblin pony that roams midnight fields, and a boy gifted with a magic finger that changes his fate. Other stories follow a brave girl outwitting an ogre, a wandering magician who loses a purse of endless gold, and a curious fox who discovers that laughter can heal. H. J. Ford’s vivid illustrations accompany each narrative, turning the listening experience into a living picture book that feels like gathering around an old hearth.