The selection of about fifty Russian folk tales has been made by weighing values of various versions, and choosing those which adhere best to the folk language of the original, the spontaneous quality that gives them their special character. They are short short stories, with lots of conversation (always a good talking point for children), and with occasional bits of verse or rhythmic writing. Most of the stories have an animal fable slant, with peasants as human interest, and practically none of the princess and the castle genre.