This is the definitive collection of five acclaimed modern classic 'fairy tales' by Tolkien, in a fully revised and rephrased edition, with beautiful pencil illustrations by award-winning artist Alan Lee.
The five stories are written with the same skill, quality, and charm that made The Hobbit a classic work. Although they had been sidelined due to their short length, they are finally gathered in a volume that affirms Tolkien's position as a master storyteller for readers young and old.
Roverandom is a mischievous dog, enchanted by a sand wizard, exploring the world and encountering strange and fantastic creatures. Farmer Giles of Ham is fat and unheroic, but – after accidentally managing to scare off a shortsighted giant – he is called upon to fight when a dragon comes to town. The Adventures of Tom Bombadil recounts in verse several adventures of Tom with hobbits, princesses, dwarves, and trolls. Leaf by Niggle tells of the strange adventures of the painter Niggle who tries to paint the perfect tree. Smith of Wootton Major travels to the Land of Faery thanks to the magical ingredients of the Great Cake of the Feast of Good Children.
This new collection is fully illustrated throughout by Oscar-winning Alan Lee, who provides rich illustration material to bring the stories to life, as he monumentally did for The Hobbit and The Children of Húrin. Alan also provides an Afterword, where he opens the door to the illustration of Tolkien's world.
Overall, this rich collection of stories by the author of The Children of Húrin will offer the reader an exciting journey to places as wild and strange as Middle-earth.
