Tatterhood (Ethel Johnston Phelps)

I grew up with two books of folktales by this editor, this and The Maid of the North. The other book has my favorite version of my favorite fairy tale, “East of the Sun and West of the Moon,” but I think it’s out of print, and this one has a few other absolute favorites. I’ve peeked at other versions of the stories, and I’m so impressed with the way Phelps draws out feminist themes without getting too afterschool special about it. I have a whole collection of favorite books of fairy tales from my childhood, but nothing speaks to me quite like these two.