Pirates, Pirates, Pirates and Indians, Indians, Indians. Short stories selected
by Phyllis R. Fenner. (Chatto & Windus. 8s.6d.cach.) Pirates, and Indians (for short), are the two latest titles in the Terrific Treble Title series, which has already presented in the same way groups of stories about cowboys and about horses. Each book contains roughly twelve short stories, complete in themselves; the pirate volume having' stories of Cutlasses and Corsairs, Buried Treasure and Buccaneers, Ships and Swashbucklers,' and the Indian volve being of course concerned more with Tepees and Tomahawks, Wampum Belts and War Bonnets, Peace Pipes and Papooses.
The stories are American, collected by an American editor from the books on American publishers' lists; printed in England and published over here, but retaining all their humors and centers and rumors, etc. The stories are much better than the fact that they are picked from American boys' books would perhaps suggest. They are all good, exciting tales, of the brief and lively sort that children are expected to enjoy. One or two, like 'Black Falcon' by Armstrong Sperry, arc more than this. The illustrations arc of the competent kind which appear much too 'still' for the rowdy scenes they are supposed to represent.
To collect short stories round exclusive subjects seems to me an idea that appeals to neat adults, but a mistake in books designed for children. In their exploratory, omni- vorous years, surely all should come as grist; pirates and horses, not either or. The volume of short stories I should pick for a child would be one holding as much variety as possible, not one that imposed even the gayest form of specialisation so cruelly soon.
P. W.
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