Reece’s Vintage Tales by N. Reece Ho-Sheffield is a children's book that contains a compilation of ten wholly original stories and two updated classics. This is the second book published in the Reece's Tales series, the first being the well-received Reece's Timeless Tales. The stories are given the age range they are appropriate for under the title—which is more helpful than most might realize—and are accompanied by absolutely gorgeous illustrations. There is also a glossary of terms at the end of each story to assist with words that might be new for the reader.

N. Reece Ho-Sheffield has created a wonderful new set of stories for children that are perfect for lovers of classic fables and fairy tales. While the title states they are vintage, and they certainly have the feel in the tone, tenor, and time in which each is presented, readers will find valuable and timeless morals, lessons, and meaning firmly embedded and naturally woven within. My favorite was the story Yakitori and Sukiyaki, about two mice nicknamed Tori and Suki who put their whole tribe in danger when they break the only true rule among them in their Japanese restaurant home: Never come out of the mousehole in broad daylight. A close second favorite was Ken and the Gigantic Urn, about a brilliant child named Ken who saves the life of another. I imagine this book will find a wide and appreciative audience among both children and the adults who read with and to them. Highly recommended.

Biblical scripture teaches us the power of the tiny mustard seed. Set up next to the mighty mulberry tree, it’s difficult to believe that the arrogance of the larger species will outshine the wisdom of the weaker, smaller mustard seed. But, for those who believe and have faith, anything is possible. Even the soft fabric specially woven for the king’s coronation can be better used for orphans who have little to keep them warm. And the garment maker himself, pledging himself to create for the king alone in A Christmas Yarn, has his pledge woven into his faith, making him a better man.

N. Reece Ho-Sheffield’s collection of fairy tales, Reece’s Vintage Tales, is a wonderful set of stories to both entertain and educate young readers of all ages. He includes a wide assortment of tales: some are familiar classics that stand the test of time, like Little Red Riding Hood. With a wealth of classic fairy tales, well known and loved for generations, the author inserts some contemporary ideals into the age-old classics. A re-work to modernize the much-loved classic, Little Red Riding Hood, leads the author to weave a tale of Little Green Riding Hood and the Vegetarian Wolf. It’s cleverly done. Other tales are legends from around the world: The Rainbow Babies and Ken and the Gigantic Urn are two tales set in China; Yakitori and Sukiyaki is set in Japan. And there are some inter-planetary stories as well: Finding Atlantis. Each story is given a suggested age range and is followed with a glossary of terminology used in the story. Faith and love and caring for one another are the key ingredients of these charming stories.

N. Reece Ho-Sheffield, a now-retired pediatrician, motivated by her Christian faith, offers Reece’s Vintage Tales, a collection of stories that illustrate good life principles, primarily intended for children in the middle grades (ages nine to twelve or so). Some of the stories read like fables, others a bit more like fairy tales, as each of the shorts has its own unique setting. For example, “A Christmas Yarn” is set in 1935 Europe during the pre-Christmas season when a young prince seeks to purchase garments he will wear for his crowning. The tailor he chooses, Antoine, discovers both the true meaning of serving the (real) King and how God can redeem to the faithful things formerly believed to have been lost. Next comes “The Prince of Vanity,” which begins with the traditional fairytale words, “Once Upon a Time,” and ends with a lesson for the haughty and proud. From there, readers are taken to a science-fiction type land, namely the moon, home of the extraterrestrial creatures known as moon-babes who go in search of the lost Atlantis. Other settings include ancient China; a hospital emergency room; a dense forest ruled by two elephants; Maryland, U.S.A.; the small village of Pigsville; and Bunny Meadow, home of two rabbit clans.

Colorful illustrations accompany each of the stories in Reece’s Vintage Tales. Parents and teachers should be comfortable reading the tales with or to children. I believe they will also appreciate my favorite thing about this work, which was that N. Reece Ho-Sheffield had the foresight to add at the end of each of several stories a list of the unique terms and phrases used in the stories, along with definitions for them. The lists include diverse words that will help to increase a young person’s vocabulary (and spelling skills), such as: bevy; valet; culinary; patronize; cacophony; torrential; adversity; commemorative; nondescript; resilience, and so forth. They also include phrases, such as: “a chip off the old block”; “by leaps and bounds”; and “in hot pursuit.” If you are looking for stories for children that will stimulate conversation and that come complete with a vocabulary lesson plan, I recommend you take a look at Reece’s Vintage Tales.