The Junior Classics (Vols. 1–9) assembles a capacious library of tales, myths, poems, fables, adventures, histories, and dramatic excerpts designed to introduce younger readers to enduring traditions of world literature. Its range moves from classical epic and biblical-inflected allegory to fairy tale, folklore, romance, satire, and nineteenth-century children's writing. Familiar narratives of transformation, quest, wit, and moral testing stand beside legends gathered from Asian, European,...