Nursery stories are an essential part of childhood. Experienced storyteller Mary Hoffman has retold over forty classic tales in this superb collection which is perfect for reading aloud. Children will soon start joining in as the giant shouts, ''Fee-fi-fo-fum'' and the wolf huffs and puffs and blows the little pigs' house down!

All of these tales have stood the test of time because generation after generation of children loved them. Many are very funny, some are pure nonsense. There are moral tales, love stories, wit, cunning, giantkilling and plenty of drama.

Beautifully illustrated by Anna Currey, the stories sparkle for a new generation of children.

Praise for The Macmillan Treasury of Nursery Rhymes and Poems, also illustrated by Anna Currey:

''A well-designed book amusingly illustrated by Anna Currey... the selection of poetry is outstanding.'' Times Educational Supplement

''.... contains not only things you have never read before, but also wonderful things you had forgotten you knew.'' The Times

There are 368 pages in this book. This is a picture book. A picture book uses pictures and text to tell the story. The number of words varies from zero ('wordless') to around 1k over 32 pages. Picture books are typically aimed at young readers (age 3-6) but can also be aimed at older children (7+). This book was published 2000 by Pan Macmillan .

Anna Currey had a wild bohemian upbringing. She lives in a rambling house in Corsham, Wilthsire, with her family and lots of cats. Mary Hoffman has written more than 70 books. Her previous titles for Dorling Kindersley include Henry's Baby and A First Bible Story Book.