Author: Michael A. Pyle

1Merry Adventures of Robin Hood

By Howard Pyle

Robin Hood is the archetypal English folk hero; a courteous, pious and swashbuckling outlaw of the mediæval era who, in modern versions of the legend, is famous for robbing the rich to feed the poor and fighting against injustice and tyranny. He operates with his "seven score" (140 strong) group of fellow outlawed yeomen – named the Merry Men. He and his band are usually associated with Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire.<br><br>The Victorian era generated its own distinct versions of Robin Hood. The traditional tales were often adapted for children, most notably in Howard Pyle's Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. These versions firmly stamp Robin as a staunch philanthropist, a man who takes from the rich to give to the poor.(Summary from Wikipedia)

2Otto of the Silver Hand

By Howard Pyle

The story of little Otto, a gentle, peace-loving child born into the heart of turmoil and strife in the castle of a feuding robber baron in medieval Germany. (Summary by Arctura)

3Counterpane Fairy

By Katharine Pyle

A little boy, recuperating from a lengthy illness, is entertained by visits from the Counterpane Fairy, who treats him to stories associated with each of the squares in the counterpane (quilt) on his sickbed. She has him concentrate on one of the squares until it turns into something like a doorway into the story. Once inside the story, he becomes its lead character until it fades out as if he's awakening from a dream. (Summary by Lee)

4Men of Iron

By Howard Pyle

Men of Iron by Howard Pyle is historical fiction that transports us back to the 1400's, a time of knighthood and chivalry. Myles Falworth is eight years old when news comes they must flee their home. His blind father is accused of treason. We see Myles grow up, train as a knight, and with perseverance, clear his father of any wrong-doing and restore their family name. (Summary by Laura Caldwell)

5Howard Pyle's Book of Pirates

By Howard Pyle

Swashbuckling tales of legendary pirates, buccaneers, and marooners, terrors of the Spanish Main.(Summary by Epistomolus)

"Four and twenty marvellous tales, one for each hour of the day," retold in a novel and entertaining manner by a master of the form. While drawing on German, English, and Scandinavian folk literature for many of his characters and plots, Pyle reworks the material in an imaginative way, crafting the tales in his own inimitable style. Equally engaging are the numerous woodcuts that accompany the stories and enliven the narrative. <a href="http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=pyle&book=wonder&story=_contents" rel="nofollow"> Read along and see the illustrations</a> (Summary from mainlesson.com)

7Twilight Land

By Howard Pyle

The room was all full of twilight; but there they sat, every one of them. I did not count them, but there were ever so many: Aladdin, and Ali Baba, and Fortunatis, and Jack-the-Giant-Killer, and Doctor Faustus, and Bidpai, and Cinderella, and Patient Grizzle, and the Soldier who cheated the Devil, and St. George, and Hans in Luck, who traded and traded his lump of gold until he had only an empty churn to show for it; and there was Sindbad the Sailor, and the Tailor who killed seven flies at a blow, and the Fisherman who fished up the Genie, and the Lad who fiddled for the Jew in the bramble-bush, and the Blacksmith who made Death sit in his apple-tree, and Boots, who always marries the Princess, whether he wants to or not-- a rag-tag lot as ever you saw in your life, gathered from every place, and brought together in Twilight Land. <br/> (Extracted from the first chapter of the book)

David goes on a journey to the moon-garden where everything is beautiful and where he also meets Phyllis who is not like the other children in the garden. While he is allowed to play in this beautiful place for awhile, he at last finds out that he has been brought there to reveal his true mission, which is to find the Wonder-Box and the Know-All Book that is hidden in the Iron Castle and bring them back to earth. In order to find the Iron Castle, he must first find and tame the Black Winged Horse. Will he be able to succeed at the task given him? (Summary by Laura Victoria)

9Tales of Folk and Fairies

By Katharine Pyle

In "Tales of Folk and Fairies" Ms. Pyle tells 15 different children's stories from around the world; each more delightful than the last. Each story stands completely on it's own and although they were probably meant for children, adults will certainly enjoy them as well. (Summary by wtomcho)

10Counterpane Fairy (version 2)

By Katharine Pyle

Teddy has been ill. Now, he is feeling better and is bored; and his exhausted mother needs to rest. He is befriended by the Counterpane Fairy, who entertains him with stories of which he is the hero. (Summary by Lynne Thompson)

One must have a little pinch of seasoning in this dull, heavy life of ours; one should never look to have all the troubles, the labors, and the cares, with never a whit of innocent jollity and mirth. Yes, one must smile now and then, if for nothing else than to lift the corners of the lips in laughter that are only too often dragged down in sorrow. … Yet listen! One must not look to have nothing but pepper and salt in this life of ours—no, indeed! At that rate we would be worse off than we are now. I only mean that it is a good and pleasant thing to have something to lend the more solid part a little savor now and then! … Are you ready? Very well; then I will tell you a story. - Summary from the Preface

12Rejected Of Men; A Story Of Today

By Howard Pyle

This is a setting of the story of Jesus as if it had occurred during early twentieth century America. The narrator's point of view is that of an outsider looking in at the story of Jesus. Howard Pyle (1853 - 1911) was an American illustrator and author. - Summary by Wikipedia and david wales

13Six Little Ducklings

By Katharine Pyle

Six little ducklings and their mom live in a hollow tree down by the river. Join them as the grow up by the water and learn more about themselves and their animal neighbors. - Summary by Mary Kay

14Three Little Kittens

By Katharine Pyle

Jazbury, Yowler and Fluffy are three brave and curious kittens craving adventure. Join them as they accidentally venture into the woods and courageously face off against dogs, rats and strange people. - Summary by Mary Kay

15Mother’s Nursery Tales

By Katharine Pyle

Perhaps you did not know that fairy tales were ever truths, but they are—the best and oldest of them. That does not mean they are facts like the things you see around you or learn from history books. Facts and truths are as different as the body and the spirit. Facts are like the body that we can see and touch and measure; we cannot see or measure the Spirit, but it is there. <br /><br /> No one knows who first told them, nor where nor when. Perhaps none of them was told by any one particular person. Perhaps they just grew upon the Tree of Wisdom when the world was young, like shining fruit, and our wise and simple first parents plucked them, and gave them to their children to play with, and to taste. These are not new fairy-tales, the ones in this book that has been newly made for you and placed in your hands. They are old fairy-tales gathered together, some from one country, and some from another. They are old, old, old. As old as the hills or the human race,—as old as truth itself. Long ago, even so long ago as when your grandmother’s grandmother’s grandmother was a little rosy-cheeked girl, and your grandfather’s grandfather’s grandfather was a noisy shouting little boy, these stories were old.They could not harm the children, these fruits from the tree of wisdom, for each one was a lovely globe of truth, rich and wholesome to the taste. Magic fruit, for one could eat and eat, and still the fruit was there as perfect as ever to be handed down through generations, until at last it comes to you, as beautiful as in those days of long ago - Summary from the introduction

16Story of the Champions of the Round Table

By Howard Pyle

The second of four volumes of Pyles' retelling of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, which tells the stories of Percival, Tristram, and Launcelot of the Lake. - Summary by Maggie Travers

Masterful artist, illustrator, and storyteller Howard Pyle brings new life to the legends of King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table. The first in Pyle's series of four books about King Arthur, this volume takes readers to the very beginning and the miracle of Arthur pulling the sword from the anvil and claiming his birthright as King of Britain. We are reintroduced to Pyle's Lady Guinevere, the Enchanter Merlin, the evil Morgana Le Fay, the chivalrous knights Sir Pellias and Sir Gawaine and follow their noble adventures. A book to be enjoyed by children and adults, alike. - Summary by Jill Engle

18Story of Sir Launcelot and His Companions

By Howard Pyle

This is the third volume of Howard Pyle's stories of the legends of King Arthur and his knights retold for young readers. Join Sir Launcelot as he rescues the Queen, faces the terrible Worm of Corbin, and goes temporarily insane. Also included are the adventures of Sir Gareth and Sir Ewaine. - Summary by Robin Lamb

19Men of Iron (Version 2 Dramatic Reading)

By Howard Pyle

"The year 1400 opened with more than usual peacefulness in England. Only a few months before, Richard II—weak, wicked, and treacherous—had been dethroned, and Henry IV declared King in his stead. But it was only a seeming peacefulness, lasting but for a little while; for though King Henry proved himself a just and a merciful man—as justice and mercy went with the men of iron of those days—and though he did not care to shed blood needlessly, there were many noble families who had been benefited by King Richard during his reign, and who had lost somewhat of their power and prestige from the coming in of the new King. <br><br> ...Their plan had been to fall upon the King and his adherents, and to massacre them during a great tournament, to be held at Oxford. But Henry did not appear at the lists; whereupon, knowing that he had been lodging at Windsor with only a few attendants, the conspirators marched thither against him. In the mean time the King had been warned of the plot, so that, instead of finding him in the royal castle, they discovered through their scouts that he had hurried to London, whence he was even then marching against them at the head of a considerable army. So nothing was left them but flight. Some betook themselves one way, some another; some sought sanctuary here, some there; but one and another, they were all of them caught and killed.<br><br> The Earl of Kent—one time Duke of Surrey—and the Earl of Salisbury were beheaded in the market-place at Cirencester; Lord Le Despencer—once the Earl of Gloucester—and Lord Lumley met the same fate at Bristol; the Earl of Huntingdon was taken in the Essex fens, carried to the castle of the Duke of Gloucester, whom he had betrayed to his death in King Richard's time, and was there killed by the castle people. Those few who found friends faithful and bold enough to afford them shelter, dragged those friends down in their own ruin. Just such a case was that of the father of the boy hero of this story, the blind Lord Gilbert Reginald Falworth, Baron of Falworth and Easterbridge, who, though having no part in the plot, suffered through it ruin, utter and complete..." (Taken from the Introduction)<br><br> <b>Cast List</b><br><br> Narrator: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13075">Rita Boutros</a><br> Sir John Dale, Young Squire, Other Squire No. 2, Gosse, Groom, Bishop of Winchester, and Friend No. 1: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/10542">David Purdy</a><br> Lord Falworth, Prior Edward, and Herald: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12980">Wayne Cooke</a><br> Diccon Bowman and Armorer Smith: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13661">Lynette Caulkins</a><br> Myles Falworth: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/14309">Cavaet</a><br> Francis Gascoyne: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16368">Mozartjr</a><br> Earl of Mackworth: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/11484">Mike Manolakes</a><br> Armorer and Sieur de la Montaigne: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/17250">arbycoors</a><br> Walter Blunt: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16463">Jake Malizia</a><br> Sir James Lee and Earl of Alban: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16550">Kerry Adams</a><br> Older Bachelor: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13577">Adrian Stephens</a><br> Edmund Wilkes: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16573">llamaart</a><br> Other Squire No. 1: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/17559">The Countess</a><br> Other Squire No. 3, Other Person, and Friends 2, 3, and 4: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16871">Paul Lawley-Jones</a><br> Robin Ingoldsby: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16384">Cindy Gorman</a><br> Different Bachelor and Surgeon: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/13278">KevinS</a><br> Lady Anne: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/16239">Nissy</a><br> Lady Alice: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7026">Michele Eaton</a><br> Lord George Beaumont: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/14540">Andrew Gaunce</a><br> King Henry IV: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/7170">Alan Mapstone</a><br> Attendant Gentlewoman: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/12055">Carol Pelster</a><br> Marshall and Constable: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/8011">Greg Giordano</a><br> Prince of Wales: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/15932">Andrea Atwood</a><br> Earl Marshal: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/17546">Victoria Alice Bell</a><br> Defendant: <a href="https://librivox.org/reader/17120">archive27vo</a><br>

20Men of Iron (Version 3)

By Howard Pyle

Myles Falworth, son of a wrongfully outlawed lord, grows up amid the rough life of the dark ages. This book tells how he grows from an impulsive, rash, though good-hearted youth, through many hard knocks, to a ripe, mature 'man of iron'. Along the way, he sometimes feels, more so the older he grows, as though he is being carefully watched & guided by the powerful Lord Mackworth, but to what purpose? Could he be a key player in Mackworth's own personal schemes? Or could there be plans afoot even greater than he could imagine possible? And what of the seemingly impossible romance developing between himself and the sweet and pretty Lady Alice? - Summary by Annie C.

21Gatlinburg and the Great Smokies

By Ernie Pyle

In the Fall of 1940, Ernie Pyle and “that girl” who rode with him (his wife, “Jerry”) came to Gatlinburg and Ernie wrote eleven columns for the Scripps-Howard Newspapers about the village of Gatlinburg, the native people and a trip he took to LeConte. These columns are reproduced in this little booklet.