Book excerpt: It is rare indeed when a writer's original stories are regarded as masterpieces on a par with the great folkloristic fairy tales which have been handed down through the ages. However, Howard Pyle's absorbing tales have for generations enjoyed such overwhelming popularity with boys and girls that they have earned this unique distinction. This collection includes 24 of his most entertaining and imaginative works In The Wonder Clock you will find a fairy tale for each hour of the day – 24 in all. A short verse introduces each fairy tale. In addition, you will also find the stories embellished by 122 full page pen and ink illustrations which will keep children and adults engaged for hours. Also known as Four-and-Twenty Marvellous Tales were written by Howard Pyle and illustrated by his sister Katharine Pyle, an author and illustrator in her own right, penned and added the 24 poems which can be found at the start of every hour of the day. We do suggest reading a tale-a-day at bedtime. Maybe you can stretch some of the longer tales over 2 days. This way you make the stories in this book last a whole month. Included are tales: I - Bearskin II. - The Water of Life III. - How One Turned his Trouble to Some Account IV. - How Three Went out into the Wide World V. - The Clever Student and the Master of Black Arts VI. - The Princess Golden-Hair and the Great Black Raven VII. - Cousin Greylegs, the Great Red Fox, and Grandfather Mole VIII. - One Good Turn Deserves Another IX. - The White Bird X. - How the Good Gifts were Used by Two XI. - How Boots Befooled the King XII. - The Step-mother XIII. - Master Jacob XIV. - Peterkin and the Little Grey Hare XV. - Mother Hildegarde XVI. - Which is Best XVII. - The Simpleton and his Little Black Hen XVIII. - The Swan Maiden XIX. - The Three Little Pigs and the Ogre XX. - The Staff and the Fiddle XXI. - How the Princess’s Pride was Broken XXII. - How Two Went into Partnership XXIII. - King Stork XXIV. - The Best that Life has to Give ========================== KEYWORDS/TABS: Wonder clock, Howard Pyle, Katharine Pyle, 24, fairy tales, folk tales, fables, children’s stories, Bearskin, Water of Life, Turn Trouble, Account, Three, Wide World, Clever Student, Master, Black Arts, Princess, Golden-Hair, Great Black Raven, Cousin Greylegs, Great Red Fox, Grandfather Mole, One Good Turn, White Bird, Good Gifts, Boots, fooled, King, Queen, Prince, Step-mother, Master Jacob, Peterkin, Little Grey Hare, rabbit, Mother Hildegarde, Best, Simpleton, Little Black Hen, Swan Maiden, Little Pigs, Ogre, Staff, Fiddle, Pride, Broken, Partnership, King Stork,