This whimsical collection of tales is based on the Buddhist collection of JÄtaka tales. However, the author confesses to âruthlesslyâ altering them for the amusement of children and occasionally borrowing a âphrase or a versicleâ. He opens the book with a warning;âTo this work I refer all scholars, folklorists and scientific persons generally: warning them that if they plunge deeper into these page, they will be horribly shocked.âThese wonderful tales are accompanied by many beautiful and intricate black and white illustrations by W. Heath Robinson. An English cartoonist and illustrator, best known for drawings of ridiculously complicated machines â for achieving deceptively simple objectives. Such was (and is) his fame, that the term âHeath Robinsonâ entered the English language during the First World War, as a description of any unnecessarily complex and implausible contrivance. Originally published in 1897, we are now republishing it here as part of our âPook Pressâ imprint, celebrating the golden age of illustration in childrenâs literature.
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