Smart Girls

Five folktales from England, Ireland, Norway, Egypt and the Ukraine, which, as the title suggests, have girls as strong main characters. Mary remains unruffled by ghosts, finding their 'eerie radiance' acceptable 'because it saved on candles'; and poor, clever Marusya, who knows the injustice of money made through ill-means, wisely acknowledges and proves that 'No matter how clever we are some things are out of our grasp'... and so on. Entertaining, thought-provoking and a source of invaluable learning. It was also runner-up for this year's Guardian Award.