Every country has its own cherished myths and legends featuring fairies, elves and sprites. Sixteen of these stories are collected here, chosen from all over the world.

Some tales are pure entertainment, some warn of life’s dangers, whilst others offer valuable moral lessons. What they all have in common is an exploration of the unknown and a brush with the mysteries of life.

There are devious elves from Iceland, a fairy masquerading as a sparrow from Japan, terrifying banshees from Ireland, trolls from Norway's forests and many more unpredictable and magical beings taking centre stage in these strange and wonderful stories.

Fairies, Elves and Sprites: Myths and Legends is part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics bound in real cloth with gold-foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.

For more myths from Jean Menzies, Mermaids, Sirens and Selkies is also available.

Jean Menzies holds a PhD in ancient history and is a prize-winning author and anthologist. She has published several books for children including Greek Myths and Egyptian Myths, as well as Live Like a Goddess for teens. She’s a contributor to the Inklings series, her anthologies include various volumes of mythology for Macmillan Collector’s Library, and she publishes adult fiction. A classics enthusiast through and through, Jean produces the podcast That’s Ancient History, which explores antiquity, from its history to its place in today’s world, and she hosts her long-running YouTube channel Jean’s Thoughts.