The Yellow Fairy Book

The Yellow Fairy Book is one of the celebrated fairy-tale collections edited by Andrew Lang (1844–1912), the Scottish poet, folklorist, historian, and literary critic. Lang devoted much of his life to gathering and retelling traditional stories from around the world, making them accessible to generations of readers. Although his name appears on the cover, the work of translating and adapting many of these tales was undertaken with the invaluable assistance of his wife, Leonora Blanche Lang.

First published in 1894, The Yellow Fairy Book is the fourth volume in Lang's famous Fairy Book series, following The Blue Fairy Book, The Red Fairy Book, and The Green Fairy Book. Like its companions, it brings together a rich assortment of stories drawn from diverse cultures and traditions, preserving old folklore while presenting it in a lively and engaging form.

The tales that follow are filled with magic, adventure, courage, and wit. Some have become enduring classics, while others remain delightful discoveries for modern readers. Together they offer a glimpse into the imagination of many peoples and many ages, united by the timeless appeal of storytelling.

Some are not for the squeamish and are by no means the sanitised versions of Fairy Stories that we often see and hear.

Head Stories Audio presents The Yellow Fairy Book by Andrew Lang. With original music and narration by Simon Hester.