Tales Retold by Irina Tokmakova

Open the door to the magical world of Edith Nesbit—an author who is called “the first truly modern children’s writer”! In this collection, her amazing fairy tales appear in the graceful retelling of the talented Irina Tokmakova—and they sound especially warm and melodic to Russian readers.

You’ll find captivating stories where magic intertwines with humor, and wonders happen at every step: the audacious Billy the King, whose actions upend the usual order of things; the mysterious adventures of Belinda and Bellamant, packed with unexpected twists; the astonishing story of Princess Melisandra, where long and short swap places; the enigmatic riddle of the missing schoolgirls in “The King of Fortunatus and Co.”; the magical white horse that leads the heroes to unknown shores; amusing and dangerous incidents involving Fabian and Rosamund in their father’s study; and finally, “The Enchanted Life, or the Princess and the Lifter”—a fairy tale where modernity meets magic.

Edith Nesbit knows how to surprise: her fairy tales are witty, dynamic, and full of imagination. And thanks to Irina Tokmakova’s light, vivid, image-rich language, they become even closer and more understandable for young readers.

This collection is a real gift for children and adults: it awakens imagination, teaches kindness and resourcefulness, and also reminds us that miracles may be waiting around any corner.

For readers aged 6 and up—and for those who, in their hearts, stay children.