Combining traditional Appalachian folktale plots with a contemporary sensibility, writer and storyteller Anne Shelby creates fourteen lively, original stories of a funny, magical, yet familiar world. Many of the stories feature a girl named Molly Whuppie, who is clever, brave, and strong. Encountering witches, giants, an ogre who refuses to do housework, unwanted boyfriends, and all manner of conundrums, Molly manages to outwit them all with a potent combination of nerve, trickery, and plain luck. Also appearing in the stories are Molly's sisters Polly and Betts, the famous Appalachian hero Jack (Molly saves him a few times), and three cornbread-baking mice. These delightful and often surprising stories are sure to appeal to readers and listeners of all ages who enjoy an adventurous tale well told. From the book: Molly didn't know what to say after all that, so she just didn't say anything, which was probably the best course. The old woman put the poem back in her pocket and in its place came up with a silver needle and a spool of gold thread, which she handed to Molly. ""Thank you,"" Molly said, but to tell the truth she was a little disappointed. She was hoping for something more useful. ""Is that all?"" she asked. ""That and this,"" the old woman replied, and before anybody could stop her she began to recite another poem: Gold and silver, sun and sea Love and courage set them free. And then she was gone. And so Molly went on her way, ever closer to the ogre's dark den. And she found it the only way she could, by falling in it herself.
