Known as a central figure in English literature, Hilaire Belloc produced a number of stunning, funny, and clever admonishments for children. The tales in this volume, illustrated by the inimitable Edward Gorey, contain instructive lessons for almost everyone. For those children prone to wandering off from their caretakers, there is the story of a certain young Jim, who ran away from his nurse and was eaten by a lion. Those known to stretch the truth will hardly be comforted by the tale of Matilda, who told lies and was burned to death. And as for those of us — and our children — who tend to the vainglorious, there is the sobering tale of Godolphin Horne, who was cursed with the sin of pride and became a boot-black. Witty, brilliant, and strikingly irreverent.

This omnibus of Belloc's stories is a feast of delightful tales told in rhyme — all with a dramatic moral twist in the tail. Are you prone to pulling faces, telling tales or bouts of extravagance? Yes? Then ignore these stories at your peril. If not, you might suffer a fate similar to those described in these cautionary tales.