(4) YA Sentenced to a prison colony in Australia for stealing a bonnet, Mary Bryant, with her companions, escaped from Botany Bay by sailing thousands of miles in a small open boat. This fictionalized first-person account uses incongruously elevated diction and it's difficult to sort out fact from fancy, but the telling is swift and the story dramatic. An epilogue relates the characters' fates. Bib.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Leslie Baker. In fluid prose, the retellers offer nine unusual folktales about cats. Large, attractive watercolors of the feline characters, as well as some scenes, illustrate the lengthy text. Source notes are included at the end, and background information about the stories and the breed of cat featured in the tale follow each selection. A welcome addition to folklore collections.

Reviewer: Anne St. John

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Barry Moser. From African creation lore to medieval European tales, this collection of myths and legends includes stories in which dogs steal fire for people, sacrifice their lives protecting their masters, and bring wealth and love to their owners. The rich storytelling is enhanced by Moser's stately paintings. Each tale includes an afterword, commenting on the story and providing information about the breed of dog. Sources are appended.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley