Taken from a variety of sources of popular myth and legend, The World Guide to Gnomes. Fairies, Elves, and Other Little People forms a rich compendium of superstitions surrounding the little people. Not only does the author explore every type of species of the short and ugly, but he also traces resemblance`s and similarities among the fairy traditions of different countries. In addition, the fairy tradition is discussed as it appears in major works of English literature, from the Middle age epic Beowulf, and Chaucer`s Canterbury Tales and to Shakespeare`s A Midsummer Night`s Dream. W/ over 25 illustrations Hardcover 560 pages