Pepper & Salt; Or, Seasoning for Young Folk, Pyle Howard 1853-1911

"From American history books to Pirates of the Caribbean, the work of Howard Pyle continues to captivate us..."-Big Think

"...it has a significant, universal theme, and it presents the details of daily life in Germany of the thirteenth century accurately and unobtrusively, making the period real and alive."-Malcolm Usrey

"He is as careful and painstaking and artistic with his children's books as the very best novelist are with their novels...But best of them all is Pyle's Otto of the Silver Hand. It is a story of German chivalry in the days of the robber barons."-Willa Cather

Otto of the Silver Hand (1888), Howard Pyle's first novel for children, is a grim yet empowering narrative of medieval Germany, following the adventures of a young hero caught between the power struggles of two families. With its gripping battle scenes, romance, and villainous warlords, this is a reading experience that continues to thrill over one hundred years after its initial publication.

Otto, a gentle boy born to a noble germanic family in the middle ages, has been raised in the compassionate seclusion of a monastery to protect him from the violent rivalries of his family. When the boy turns twelve years old he is retrieved back to Drachenhausen, his ancestral castle to begin his training in knighthood. Soon Otto discovers that his father, the Baron Conrad, a brutal robber baron, is in the midst of a savage vendetta with his the family of his slain foe, the Baron Fredrick. When Otto's father and his knights are summoned to the Imperial Court the Fredrick clan attacks Castle Drachenhausen, burns it to the ground, and kidnaps the boy. Baron Henry, the heir of Fredrick's clan, keeps Otto in the dungeon of his own fortress. Until his father arrives to rescue him, Otto experiences both terrible brutality and the gentle affections of Henry's beautiful daughter. Through Otto's ordeals and suffering he recognized the deficiencies of the human character, yet he rose above the wickedness with his gentleness and love.

With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Otto of the Silver Hand is both modern and readable.

Sir Launcelot, the first knight of the round table, is a prominent fixture who appears alongside King Arthur on various quests. He becomes a legend in his own right due to his incomparable fighting skills and charm. A conflicted Sir Tristram falls in love with a beautiful young woman called Isoult, who is already betrothed to a king. Meanwhile, Sir Percival journeys to the Castle of Beaurepaire and is faced with new and unexpected challenges.

Each story showcases the characters by testing their strength and morals in the face of opposition. This novel is an enjoyable addition to the Arthurian canon, which continues to thrive in Europe and abroad.

With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Story of the Champions of the Round Table is both modern and readable.

"His totally American sense of past and present changed the world of children's literature; created a uniquely American philosophy of juvenile literature,"-Jill P. May

Twilight Land (1894), Howard Pyle's magical collection of original fairy tales is an utterly unique treasury of myths that offer timeless perspectives of loyalty, good-will, and wisdom. The reader will find themselves in the dreamlike world of Twilight Land, where they will meet sixteen of the world's best known raconteurs as they spin the magic of their stories.

Entering The Inn of the Sign of Mother Goose, in the path through Twilight Land, it is Mother Goose herself who opens the door to an extraordinary group of storytellers; The company includes Ali Baba, Cinderella, St. George, Aladdin, Doctor Faustus, Sindbad the Sailor, among other colorful characters. The sixteen dazzling stories that they tell are collected from around the globe and include tales of nefarious kings, magical curses, the story of St. Nicolas and Ill-Luck, dazzling palaces made of jewels, terrifying demons, beautiful sorceresses, the fool of all fools, and young kings and ancient castles. The stories include "The Talisman of Solomon", "Ill-Luck and the Fiddler", "Empty Bottles", "Good Gifts and a Fool's Folly", "The Good of a Few Words", "Woman's Wit", "A Piece of Good Luck", "The Fruit of Happiness", "Not a Pin to Choose", "Much Shall Have More and Little Shall Have Less", "Wisdom's Wages and Folly's Pay", "The Enchanted Island", "All Things are as Fate Wills", "Where to Lay the Blame", and "The Salt of Life".

With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Otto of the Silver Handis both modern and readable.

After a clash with locals, Robin Hood becomes a wanted man evading the efforts the nefarious Sheriff of Nottingham. Despite many attempts, the infamous bandit manages to avoid capture and enlist multiple Merry Men, including Little John, Friar Tuck and Allan a Dale. Throughout his travels, Robin uses his superior archery skills to protect himself and others from potential threats. With his charm and wit, he navigates a series of challenges leading to the ultimate absolution.

Pyle's retelling enforces the narrative of an English outlaw who becomes a beloved hero. He refrains from early characterization that portrayed Robin Hood as a self-serving thief with few redeeming qualities. By having a moral compass, the author made him palatable to a broader audience, particularly children. The book was an overwhelming success and inspired multiple adaptions including television and feature films.

With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood is both modern and readable.