"My Irish grandfather, Thomas Lawrence Downey, was a great storyteller. I never tired of sitting on his knee - and later, when I was a bit too big, sitting at his feet with one of my baby sisters on his knee - listening to his wonderful tall tales. Among the stories I loved the best were the ones about the Irish - and the Downey family in particular. In those tales, I'm afraid, 'dramatic flair' and artistic liberties took over for fact. But as any good storyteller knows, to embellish is to make the tale interesting, especially to a young Tomie."

A wicked troll tries in vain to gobble up a family of goats when they go trip-trapping over his bridge.

When a killing drought threatens the existence of the tribe, a courageous little Comanche girl sacrifices her most beloved possession - and the Great Spirit's answer results not only in much needed rain but a very special gift in return.

Ma has made a dozen delicious cookies. It should be plenty for her two children. But then the doorbell rings - and rings and rings. Each ring of the doorbell brings more friends to share the delicious cookies Ma has made.

Three young billy goats need to cross a bridge to get to the meadow on the other side. Unfortunately, a terrible troll lives beneath the bridge, and his favorite meal is billy goat - and the fatter the better!