Once upon a time, in the middle of winter when the snowflakes were falling like feathers on the earth, a Queen sat at a window framed in black ebony and sewed. And as she sewed and gazed out to the white landscape, she pricked her finger with the needle, and three drops of blood fell on the snow outside... Andrew Lang began gathering fairy tales in the late nineteenth century with the aim of conserving 'the old stories that have pleased so many generations'. This bold and eclectic anthology contains wonderful renditions of old favourites such as Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel, as well as some little-known stories like The Death of Koschei the Deathless and The Nettle Spinner. Be transported to a land full of marvels and magic: a world of enchanted forests and isolated castles; of giants, fairies and trolls; of treasure, music and promise. Andrew Lang's fairy books helped to lay the foundation for our continuing fascination with fairy tales as entertainment and cultural objects. Each fairy book is a veritable treasure trove of stories for children and adults alike. The Red Fairy Book is republished here with a stunning red jacket, accompanied throughout by the original illustrations.