Princess September and the Nightingale (The ^AIona and Peter Opie Library of Children's Literature)

The illustrated version of W. Somerset Maugham's Princess September and the Nightingale was originally published in 1939 by Oxford University Press. Long out of print, it is now reissued with the original text and illustrations. The story is a classic tale of Siam (now Thailand), one of the few available that portray this culture. It is a sophisticated fairy tale about the nightingale that belonged to the ninth daughter of the King of Siam, and brought good luck to her, but not to her eight envious sisters. The sisters nearly bring about the bird's death by a mean trick, but its life is saved and its mistress grows up to be very beautiful and marry a splendid prince. The characters, despite their royal titles, are very human--including the king, who has the laudable habit of giving presents on his own birthday. Booklist said of the original edition: "Richard C. Jones...has provided precisely the right pictures, large and small, brilliant in color, delicately humorous in design, and one of the most decorative picture books of the season results." Library Journal said, "The format is outstanding." The New Yorker's 1939 children's book roundup called it "the most notable children's reprint of the season."