Thornton Burgess Smiling Pool Stories

Three long-lost tales by a beloved storyteller return to charm a new generation of young readers. These rare fables by Thornton Burgess have not appeared in storybooks for more than eighty years. Newcomers to the Green Forest and the Smiling Pool as well as those who have traveled many times to the enchanted woodlands will delight in stories of Grandfather Frog, Baby Possum, and Jimmy Skunk. Charming silhouettes and vibrant full-color illustrations by Harrison Cady accompany each tale.

Author and conservationist Thornton Burgess (1874-1965) wrote thousands of animal stories for children, starting with the 1910 publication of Old Mother West Wind. Burgess' wholesome, fun-filled tales convey his fascination with wildlife and his concern for nature, teaching gentle lessons about ecology and respect for wildlife and the environment.