Have you ever stopped to really look at a spider’s web? If it’s only meant to catch flies, why does it shimmer with such delicate, beautiful patterns? Have you ever wondered what makes thunder rumble, why the ocean tastes salty, or how tigers came to wear their bold stripes? This collection gathers delightful “why” stories from many cultures and time periods—tales that imagine how animals, plants, and natural wonders came to look or behave the way they do.

Even with all the things that can weigh on us—crime, pollution, illness, and everyday worries—people still find ways to make each other laugh. Listen on a street corner, in a café, or around a kitchen table anywhere in America, and you’ll hear someone sharing a joke or a funny story. That kind of hometown humor helps us get through tough times.

When Barbara McBride‑Smith first heard the ancient Greek myths as a young girl, she didn’t quite catch them the way her teacher intended. Instead of imagining the “cradle of Western civilization,” she pictured Western civilization—central Texas, near Waco—where those larger‑than‑life characters seemed right at home.

Set in familiar places like schools, farms, and campgrounds, these tales turn ordinary moments into chilling encounters with vengeful spirits and supernatural creatures.

Enjoy a classic battle of wits in this rhythmic retelling of two Southern folktales about a pesky, singing rabbit and a determined little girl. As the rabbit merrily eats his way through a prize pea patch, he must eventually use his cleverness to escape after being caught.

In this humorous retelling of a classic British fairy tale, a grumpy old woman learns a big lesson about gratitude after a kind fairy grants her wishes for a grander home.

In this engaging Swedish folktale, a hardworking farmer and his wife must use their wits to save their land from a greedy, mean-spirited ogre.

Uncover the true stories of history's most notorious outlaws in this exciting collection of pirate tales by expert treasure hunter W.C. Jameson. Move beyond the movies to explore the real-life adventures, sunken ships, and buried gold of swashbucklers like Blackbeard and Calico Jack.

Experience the legendary American folktale of John Henry, a powerful steel-driving man who became a symbol of courage and strength.

In this charming Chinese folktale, a hardworking woodcutter discovers a magical pot that duplicates everything placed inside it. While he and his wife are initially overjoyed by their sudden wealth, they soon realize that doubling their possessions can also double their troubles.

The Magic Apple is an engaging story that highlights how unique individual talents can come together to achieve a greater goal.

In this rhythmic retelling of a classic fable, a hardworking hen discovers that her playful friends would rather nap than help her plant and harvest wheat. However, once the wheat is baked into a delicious cake, the dog, cat, and mouse are eager to join the feast.

Discover the transformative power of Kindness Tales: World Folktales to Talk About, a captivating collection of over 40 folktales from global oral traditions. Award-winning author Margaret Read MacDonald curates these stories to show how simple acts of sharing and caring can make the world a gentler, safer place.

A spellbinding gathering of eerie and enchanting tales, this collection brings together ghostly encounters and supernatural wonders from cultures around the world. Master storytellers—Mariella Bertelli, Alice Kane, Cathy Miyata, Stanley Sparkles, and many others—share stories that shimmer with mystery and imagination.

Ghosts of the Pacific Northwest can be just as mischievous as any others—shattering glass, waking people in the middle of the night, and sending families fleeing from their homes—but, truth be told, most of them are a pretty cheerful crew. In Ellensburg, Washington, one ghost even tags along on his granddaughter’s dates to make sure there’s no funny business.

This collection of supernatural tales stands apart from most ghost-story anthologies: every narrative comes directly from the folk traditions of the American South. While many of the stories were gathered over the past twenty‑five years, their settings stretch from the days of the Revolutionary War to modern times. Most have never appeared in print before, preserved instead through generations of oral storytelling.

Kids love a good scare—and these stories, gathered from children themselves, are some of their all‑time favorites. These are the classic spooky tales kids ask for again and again. They’ll lean in to hear how Wylie outsmarted the dreadful Hairy Man, or how Skunnee Wundee and an unlikely friend managed to defeat the mighty Stone Giant.